cortisol and fast digestion

I had Clostridium difficile in 2002 started by taking an antibiotic that severely messed up my digestive tract for over a year. It took many different MD's and alternative doctors to get me back to "normal" which has never been what it was before the infection. At one point during 2002 I was tested for cortisol levels because I was waking at 4 am with a zingy/panicky feeling that would not go away for hours. My AM cortisol levels were off the chart. Once I got my digestive system more normal the cortisol was better, but still there. Since then for the past 9 years I have had continual elevated cortisol in early morning. Sometimes manageable (barely there), sometimes very uncomfortable (like a jolt of adrenaline), depending on the amount of stress in my life. It affects my digestive tract so that when it is higher I have rapid digestion (gas buildup overnight and soft stools several times throughout the first half of day). My OD has tried several alternative treatments but nothing has worked, although a few things have relieved it temporarily. Everywhere I've read excess cortisol causes weight gain, and I do not have this. Nor am I overly exhausted. I simply have a zingy, uncomfortable feeling, like you get after a sudden scare, every morning that slowly disappears throughout the day and rapid digestion that matches the zingy feeling (more zing, quicker digestion). Recently it has spiked again, possibly because of the physical stress of a back injury in October. I have taken ashwanganda, holy basil, and B vitamins and I get a little relief, but not enough. I'd appreciate any suggestions.

[allmymarbles]

Have you tried ashwagandha or CortisolManager (ashwagandha and magnolia)? Both serve to regulate cortisol. No side effects.

Also, when you wake too early you might want to take a dose of Benadryl.

I have high cortisol, but mine rises during the day and delays my going to sleep. I use both ashwagandha and, if sleeps till eludes, Benadryl.

[Paxiled]

Everyone has elevated cortisol upon waking up, otherwise nobody would ever get up.  What you're describing sounds like an anxiety problem.  Have no idea what causes it, but as an anxiety sufferer, I hang out on the anxiety forum and a lot of people wake up with panic attacks, something like what you describe.  You might want to try attacking it that way, perhaps with meditation or relaxation exercises which will help slow your system and maybe work on the anxiety itself, since ashwagandha and holy basil are pretty good when it comes to cortisol control.  I'm not so fond of the benadryl solution.  That's a  med with a side effect of sedation, and I always think if you can attack a problem directly rather than by medication side effects you're better off.  If you have to go to medication, you always can later.  And there are a lot of other adaptogens out there other than ashwagandha and holy basil, such as American ginseng, eleuthero, and also homeopathic remedies that might help.  A lot of stuff out there to try.  You might also try melatonin and see if you have a body clock problem that will help you sleep straight through.  A naturopath would have many suggestions an OD might not.  Good luck.