Rhodiola Supplements for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Every study I’ve read says that Rhodiola LOWERS cortisol. High cortisol is not protective in times of stress, it’s damaging.

Reiser,

I’m glad you brought that up, because it does need clarification. Rhodiola raises morning cortisol, which is low in fibromyalgia and impairs our ability to deal with stress, but then in times of stress it protects the body from the effects of cortisol release, which keeps the stressful event from being so taxing to our bodies. So, in a way, it does both – which is exactly what we need.

I have read your comments about Rhodiola raising morning cortisol. I have low morning cortisol. How do you know rhodiola does this? What evidence or research do you have supporting this statement? I would like to try rhodiola for my hypoadrenia, CFS, FMS but don’t want to take something that will lower my cortisol more than it is… Thank you for your response.
Patricia

Can rhodiola be taken the same time in the morning as thyroid medicine?

Susan,

What a great question! I haven’t been able to find anything saying not to, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily OK. I emailed our Thyroid Guide here at About.com to get a definitive answer for you, and I’ll let you know what she says.

Susan,

I have an answer for you! According to Mary Shomon, the About.com Thyroid Guide, there’s no known problem with taking rhodiola at the same time as thyroid meds. (However, don’t combine thyroid meds with calcium, including calcium-fortified orange juice; iron; or soy.)

Hi Adrienne. Re. Reiser’s comment, I only seem to see references to Rhodiola actually lowering cortisol levels. I’m very curious to know more about it ‘raising morning cortisol’. I don’t have fibromyalgia but do have a rare eye condition that is aggravated (to put it mildly) when cortisol levels are elevated. So while most people would benefit from the herb’s protection, I’m not sure I would.

Michael,

As an adaptogen, rhodiola balances the stress hormones. Theoretically, it should keep them at a better level — however, in practice we know that different people react differently to things, and hormones are tricky business.

I’d suggest doing more research on adaptogens in general, and talking to your doctor.

Also, I apologize for some confusing wording in the post — I’ve changed it to be more clear.

After having several episodes of raised liver enzymes I had an extremely painful liver biopsy which showed nothing. I then read an article in the paper about genetic testing for liver metabolism. I had 5 tests done and 4 showed problems with how my liver processes drugs. I now log into a website and enter any drug or supplement and the program will try to predict if I will process it too quickly or too slowly and suggest dosage changes.

whilst on the subject of supplements, has anyone any experience of black seed oil nigella salvita ?

Dana…What is the website you use for liver metabolism of drugs?? What is the genetic testing for liver metabolism you did and what type of doctor does this testing?

I have been taking Rhodiola for a couple of years now. I was originally told that it would help athletes with muscle recovery after workouts and help to reduce their soreness. At that time I thought maybe it may help with the muscle pain that I experience, so I tried it. Initially, I didn’t notice a difference until I ran out of it for a couple of weeks. Now I never leave home without taking it.

Hi Adrienne I took Rhodiola Rosea about 4 yaers ago to help with my stressful experience with withdrawl symptoms after discontinuing a medication after I started the RR I had a terrible reaction my tongue was swollen so badly I couldn’t even swollow water or food it hurt to much, i was hoping that it would help me because my stress level and anxiety were off the charts, its good to see that it is helping others I’m finding out that I can’t tolerate certain supplements and medications the side affects are too painful.

Hi Adrienne, Great ideas as always.

Anyone taking steroids should be vary wary as this would certainly mess with morning cortisol levels which are hard enough to keep stable.

Dana, if you are back on-line I’d love to know what kind of testing you’ve done and which website you were referring to.

Lowering cortisol helps both high cortisol and low cortisol! http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pcbi.1000273
By lowering cortisol at a sufficient rate for enough time, one can allow ACTH to rise to sufficient levels to “reset” the system and correct underlying imbalances, if I understood the article correctly. So lowering cortisol treats hypocortisolism and enables to body to regulate itself correctly. Fibromyalgia is characterised by morning fatigue and insomnia… it seems that this is related to a defected circadian rythm, normally cortisol is highest in the morning and tapers throughout the day, perhaps cortisol in fibromyalgia is highest at night and this impedes sleep, prevents slow wave sleep and the body repair that it enables, etc. and so lowering cortisol in the evening will prevent hypocortisolism the next day and promote rejuvenating and restful sleep… this is all just speculation, I’m only a first year bio student and having fibromyalgia I read about it in my spare time. Another way to lower cortisol besides phosphytadil serine is rhodolia rosea, which can also help lower excitatory neurotransmitters that are found in high amounts in fibromyalgia (e.g aspartame, glutamate). Valerian can raise GABA which will lower glutamate. Good luck!

I have FMS, RA, and Lupus. I take Lyrica and Cymbalta; aong with Synthroid for my throid problems. Is Rhodila Rosea safe to take with these drugs?