Re: weaning off florenif with licorice extract

[Guest guest]

" Katrina " <REVIVE2000@w...> wrote:

>>>>>>Do you know people who have done this? Particularly after 5

yrs. How did they do? I asked about this (weaning from Florinef to

licorice several times on several lists a few months ago and no one

had a clue.<<<<

I have helped many people wean off hydrocortisone but never had

anyone hooked on florinef but I see no real problem.

Florinef is synthetic aldosterone and fits into the mineralocorticoid

receptors of certain kidney cells causing sodium retention. Cortisol

will also fit the same receptor so, for the kidney to work as

designed, something must protect these mineralocorticoid receptors

from being stimulated by cortisol and thus preserving the specific

function of aldosterone. This is the job of an enzyme called 11 beta

hydroxysterone dehydrogenase---it deactivate cortisol. The kidneys

contain an over abundant level of this enzyme, therefore, the cells

that function in sodium retention are protected from cortisol and

reserved for aldosterone alone.

People with salt sensitive hypertension usually have low levels of 11

beta hydroysterone in the kidneys. Not having enough 11 beta-HSD to

deactivate all the cortisol, allows the unactivate cortisol to fit

into the mineralocorticoid receptor and cause the cell to retain

salt, thus causing hypertension. Cortisol is acting as aldosterone

in these people.

The fact that the mineralocorticoid receptor will accept both

aldosterone and cortisol is no accident of nature. In many areas,

the body uses a combination of aldosterone/cortisol to stimulate

sodium retention. 11 beta-HSD also deactivtes aldosterone to a

certain degree but it is all too complicated to explain here. I'm

not even sure scientists understand what's going on.

Something is wrong in CFS. Either the body is: (1) not making enough

aldosterone, (2) making too much 11 beta-HSD, (3) not making enough

cortisol, (4) not enough mineralocorticoid receptors on the cells

surface, (5) not sensitive enough to cortisol, (6) or an allergy or

some sort is having a diuretic affect on the kidneys, (7) or ??????.

The point is PWCs often do not retain enough salt so taking florinef,

a synthetic aldosterone, helps us overcome this problem. But helping

retain sodium is it does! If you problem is cortisol related, you

really get no real benefit other than hanging onto fluid. And, since

florinef is a crude synthetic drug, it often causes a lot of crazy

side affects that are hard to explain. Personally, I think the drug

is fitting some specific receptors in the brain that are not suppose

to be stimulated by this chemical. The person usually just feels

wackoed and can't really nail down the feeling.

Licorice extract works differently than florinef. The herb inhibits

the 11 beta-HSD enzyme that protects the mineralocorticoid receptor,

thereby causing sodium retention. But there are no side effects from

this action of licorice other than sodium retention because the

results is exactly the way the kidney normal works in hypertensive

folk. Most medical articles warning of the side affects of licorice

extract are directed at the sodium retaining properties, but such

action is a PWC is really not a side affect----it's a benefit!

You have been on florinef for five years and have likely

downregulated your own production of this hormone which explains why

you have a hard time going off---your adrenals are not likely making

it anymore. Maybe an every other day protocol (florinef/licorice)

will be best for you but I can't be for sure. As I said, I have

never heard of anyone specifically " dependent " on florinef so

everything would experimental. It may be uncomfortable but not in

any way dangerous.

It's sad more doctors don't get behind licorice extract in CFS

besides Dr. Baschetti, Dr. Posnecker, and a handful of others. The

PWC could really benefit a lot from having someone else besides me

talking about LE for CFS. It's been a real uphill battle just to get

people to listen. Not only have I had to go to great trouble to

import the right LE but I have had to defend myself from attack

everytime I mentioned the stuff on newsgroups.

>>>>Which particular kind of LE and how much? What would be thereason

for combining (1 6th 3 hrs apart,etc. Just experimenting

withdifferent levels?) And---nothing personal, but how can I be sure

thatyou know what you are talking about regarding this<<<<<<

Most of your answers can be found at:

http://www.seaquake.com/licorice/index.html

Here's hoping I don't get banned for mentioning my web site. I

haven't yet posted the news but I am going out of business within the

next month or so. Dr. Posnecker's office will be handling Baschetti

licorice extract so if anyone wants to try this herb they can contact

them at: 215-536-8001

I can help you get started and am usually available most anytime at

954-946-5551.