My Secret Weapon Against Botulism: Calming the Adrenaline Storm
Recovering from iatrogenic botulism poisoning feels like being trapped in a storm. Your body is fighting a battle you can’t see, and your nervous system is in a constant state of high alert. For me, the terrifying adrenaline surges, muscle weakness, and swallowing issues were just the surface. Underneath it all, something else was going on—a chaotic internal rollercoaster I couldn’t explain until I looked at my own data. My bloodwork always came back "normal," but my body was telling me a different story.
This is the story of how I learned what was fueling the adrenaline storm inside my body and how a controversial hormone and a simple diet change became my unexpected anchors.
The Blood Sugar Mystery My Doctor Couldn't See
I was in a constant "fight-or-flight" state. My heart would race, and waves of internal panic would wash over me for no reason. This experience has a direct biological basis. Medical research has shown that botulinum toxin can directly affect the adrenal glands—the body's command center for stress hormones like adrenaline [1, 2]. One extensive 2005 review confirmed that alterations in "adrenal and catecholaminergic pathways" can lead to "profound changes in autonomic, cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, [and] metabolic" functions [1].
This state of high alert is a recognized clinical pattern. A 2016 paper on iatrogenic botulism describes a "hyper-adrenergic state" as a key feature of the injury, with symptoms including "rapid heartbeat, insomnia... panic attacks, sweating... thirst, weight loss and constipation" [4]. This is a form of a medical condition known as dysautonomia, and a 2024 review confirms that botulinum toxin intoxication leads to "notable autonomic dysfunction" [5].
I suspected this constant state of emergency was wreaking havoc on my body's ability to regulate its own energy. To see if I could capture some real data behind the feeling of weakness and the surges of panic, I decided to investigate the one thing adrenaline directly controls: blood sugar.
I decided to wear a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) for a few months, and what I saw was shocking. Throughout the day, my blood sugar would randomly plummet. These drops didn't line up with my meals; they just happened, leaving me weak, shaky, and with a profound sense of dread.
I was living in a state of Adrenaline Dominance, driven by a vicious cycle:
Stress Trigger: My body perceives the illness as a threat and releases adrenaline.
Sugar Dump: Adrenaline floods my system with glucose for energy.
The Crash: My body overcorrects, leading to a sudden blood sugar drop (hypoglycemia).
The Panic Button: My brain senses the crash and hits the panic button, releasing more adrenaline to save the day.
This cycle explained everything—the random surges of panic, the weakness, and the numbers I was seeing on my CGM. This also aligns with research showing the toxin can affect the pancreas, the organ responsible for producing insulin and regulating blood sugar [1, 3]. If the toxin disrupts the pancreas's ability to manage glucose properly, it could easily contribute to the volatile crashes and spikes I was seeing, forcing my adrenal glands to work overtime.
Finding the "Brake Pedal": Why I Tried Progesterone
In my search for answers, I came across progesterone. If you’re in any large support groups, you've probably seen the warnings. I was hesitant, but I was also desperate for calm.
I decided to try it, and for me, it was a game-changer. It did not cure the underlying botulism, but it felt like someone finally applied a brake pedal to my over-revved nervous system. The constant internal agitation started to fade.
It turns out there's clear science behind this. Progesterone converts into a neurosteroid called allopregnanolone, which works on the GABA receptors in the brain. GABA is your body’s primary calming neurotransmitter. My body's desperate need for this support makes sense in light of the toxin's mechanism, as research has shown that botulinum toxin can interfere with the release of GABA itself in the central nervous system [1]. If the toxin was impairing my natural calming system, it's logical that providing support to that system would feel so profoundly calming.
Fueling the Calm: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle
When progesterone calms the adrenaline response, it stops the hormone from artificially propping up your blood sugar. If you're already low on fuel, your blood sugar will crash hard. Most people blame the progesterone, but it's not the hormone's fault—it's just revealing the underlying fuel crisis that the adrenaline was hiding. This is where I had my 'aha!' moment, thanks to Dr. Michael Platt's book, Adrenaline Dominance. He explained that progesterone needs fuel to work effectively.
My new routine became simple. I learned that every time I used my progesterone cream, I also needed to give my body fuel. I would have a source of healthy carbohydrates and a protein that I knew I could safely swallow, like scrambled eggs with a side of applesauce or a smoothie. This simple act provided the stable energy my body needed to prevent the crash and exist in a calm state. Making sure I consistently had these small, easily digestible meals throughout the day was enough to keep the adrenaline rollercoaster from going off the rails.
For me, the combination was the key: progesterone to calm the storm, and a healthy snack to fuel the calm.
My journey is my own, and it's a testament to listening to your body. The CGM gave me data that my blood tests couldn't. This strategy did not cure me completely, but by calming the relentless internal storm, it gave my body the peace it needed to better focus on healing. It was one crucial piece of a much larger recovery puzzle.
A Note on My Progesterone Journey
It's important for me to be very clear that I experimented with bioidentical progesterone on my own, without the guidance of a medical professional. While this path worked for me, I strongly suggest that anyone interested in this method do their own extensive research. It is always best to work with a knowledgeable doctor or a specialist who focuses on bioidentical hormones to guide you.
Based on the significant research I've done, I would personally not recommend synthetic hormones (progestins), which are very different from the bioidentical progesterone I used. A great deal of my understanding came from resources like Dr. Platt's book, "Adrenaline Dominance," and the invaluable information shared in the Estrogen Dominance Support Group on Facebook. The products I found success with were Ona's and Dr. Platt's bioidentical progesterone creams.
Finally, and most importantly, this was my personal experience. Just because this combination worked for me does not mean it will work for everyone. Our bodies are all unique, and this journey is about finding what best supports your individual path to healing.
Sources
"Botulinum Toxins - Cause of Botulism and Systemic Diseases?" (Böhnel, H. and Gessler, F., Veterinary Research Communications, 2005)
"Botulinum neurotoxin light chains inhibit... catecholamine release from... adrenal chromaffin cells." (Glenn & Burgoyne, FEBS Letters, 1996)
"Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) regulates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells." (Kowluru A., Diabetologia, 2016)
"Impaired Neuronal Communication Syndrome (INCS) as Novel Neurological Side Effect to Botulinum Toxin..." (Hristova A., Journal of Bacteriology and Mycology, 2016)
"Autonomic Dysfunction and Blood Pressure Variability in Botulinum Intoxication." (Cureus Journal of Medical Science, 2024)
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