I am somewhat skeptical about drugs and their side effects or benefits as a clear cut case of cause and effect. If someone tries a supplement and it relieves symptoms, that is great. I know some drugs take longer to have the desired effect. But I'm not so sure about having a side effect show up long after stopping use of the drug unless it's a side effect that isn't outwardly seen or felt but must be assessed using diagnostic tools (MRI's, bone densities, blood work, etc..) I'm sure you can provide many links to disprove this opinion, but that's just what I believe from the research I've done.

I did find out that increased cholesteral is a side effect of femara (which I am off of now) - so I am going to ask that my pravachol be reduced - and I am taking a CoQ10 supplement on an empty stomach. I don't know if the femara is related to my total cholesteral levels (which are normal - but the LDL is a little too high and the HDL not quite high enough) but time will tell now that I am off of it.

And I do take control of my body to heal. I'm just not sure that using this and that supplement is the definition of this.

Thanks, David, for the information.

Long-term chronic stress can also do the opposite - deplete cortisol levels - which can have some similar symptoms. Being under extreme stress myself for many years, and having many of the symptoms of elevated cortisol, my levels were, in fact, below the minimum range (range minimum?)

There is a controversial diagnosis in alternative medicine called adrenal fatigue, which is not accepted/recognized by the established medical community.
http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/what-is-adrenal-fatigue

I don't know if I buy into that or not. I do accept that imbalances in blood chemistry can profoundly effect how we feel, physically and mentally. Regardless - up or down - stress raises havoc with our adrenal hormones, knocking them out of balance/whack, which can have some serious consequences in how we feel & think. The only way to know what's going on for sure is to talk with your doctor and ask to be tested.

Having gotten my own levels (and there are more than just cortisol) back in range, my wife & I still can't believe the difference in mood, demeanor, and how I feel.

Doc