Hmmm. A few thoughts beyond the usual suspects. My testosterone and all my stress hormones like cortisol and other adrenaline like hormones began to drop in my early thirties. Cortisol peaks about 7am. That morning coffee beats cortisol back and for a while the desire to sleep is chemically negated.
CF has potential to influence all glandular secretions and organs like the skin, lungs, pancreas and the liver. True glands, those of the endocrine system transmit hormones via mucous secretions so the thyroid, parathyroids, pancreas, adrenal glands, testes/ovaries and the kidneys have cells that produce aldosterone all utilize mucus to carry the hormones, usually directly into the blood.
Since you suspect the endocrine function of the pancreas, maybe a work up by an Endocrinologist would be smart. By the very nature of CF, a thousand small battles are going on. Whether it's poor cooling, infections in every gland and organ I've mentioned, maldigestion, malabsorption or stress and pain, our metabolism is being messed with.
My neighbor and dear friend had a large stomach ulcer perforate about three years ago now. The trauma was pretty bad. She had a wedge resection done to repair her stomach and she had her insides washed and scrubbed. She still developed peritonitis but left the hospital "healthy". Things aren't all right and she went from a slender 5' 9" at 160 pounds to a final low of 99 pounds fully clothed.
About a five weeks ago she was unable to control her pain and had about two days late getting to the ED. She was incredibly dehydrated from non stop vomiting. Anyway, my friend "Tina" is now devoid of any body fat, I'm not exactly heavy and can drop from 145 to 120 pounds without my forced calories. Tina, and I are both easily made cold, for seemingly good reason. When she was so sick, I took care of her except when her husband was home and awake.
The surprise for both Tina and me was body heat. As I endlessly massaged her sunken pelvic girdle and other bone-muscle connections, an incredible amount of heat was radiating from both of us. My hands are always cold and clammy. It turns out this is a major heat exchanger. Within seconds, my hands were dry and just holding my hand on her created a deep heat, equal to a heating pad.
With our natural hypermetabolic state, we can possess a substantial metabolism and endocrine function tests will say there's no problem. I'd look into low testosterone or indications of adrenal fatigue, abnormal cortisol levels and get a baseline test if for no other reason. My doctor, and he was a good doctor, couldn't get past the law of averages when I began complaining about the potential of low T and delayed testing for years. The same for my pancreas, source of kidney stones and a 37 year old skinny male couldn't have 300 grams, about 10 ounces, of gallstones.
I have lost my tolerance for antihistamines. Non drowsy antihistamines and I are not very compatible. You may need to fiddle with other antihistamines and consider either a steroid nasal spray or antihistamine spray. Nasacort and Flonase are preferable to pill forms. Claritin is as good as any but several families of allergy medicine are out there because we don't all react the same.
Good Luck,
LL
