Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
My anxiety is ridiculous, but I have stumbled onto something curious.
High anxiety (fright or flight kind) can increase cortisol production. So can a lot of other things. If cortisol is produced in excess, it can be immunosuppressing.
While this is normally not good - slow healing, catching colds, bacteria, etc., one thing I am curious about is whether it also reduces RA symptoms just like a dmard.
I'm going to get my cortisol checked, but I've always thought it odd that I have less joint involvement and virtually no swelling. Based on my anti-ccp and RF, I should expect to have terrible RA. Instead, I have terrible anxiety and muscle/tendon pain.
Anyone have high cortisol and reduced RA symptoms?
High anxiety (fright or flight kind) can increase cortisol production. So can a lot of other things. If cortisol is produced in excess, it can be immunosuppressing.
While this is normally not good - slow healing, catching colds, bacteria, etc., one thing I am curious about is whether it also reduces RA symptoms just like a dmard.
I'm going to get my cortisol checked, but I've always thought it odd that I have less joint involvement and virtually no swelling. Based on my anti-ccp and RF, I should expect to have terrible RA. Instead, I have terrible anxiety and muscle/tendon pain.
Anyone have high cortisol and reduced RA symptoms?
my mom died of adrenal tumors and adrenal malfunction.
they caught my own tumor which turned out to be benign on my adrenal gland.. my levels were completely normal. they were tested to see if they were increasing in line with the tumor or production was up. they were not, thank goddess.
I am thinking why don't you wait until you get get any test work back. I saw an endocrinologist for all these tests. an endocrinologist could help you sort through any questions you might have also, no?
I hope your tests come out normal also.
depot
I actually don't have symptoms except for anxiety, belly fat, and weak legs - but all of that is probably RA related.
I do have diabetes now having been on prednisone some which put me over the cut-off, so I am seeing an endocrinologist in a month. I'll ask for adrenal/cortisol testing. Thank you, Depot!