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Post by Karen on Jan 15, 2011 13:50:44 GMT -5
I realize this isn't completely endo related, but I think a lot of us with endo have enough emotional issues to deal with, and adding a seasonal slump can make things seems worse. That's precisely where I am at the moment, in full winter-funk. So I've been doing some reading and came across this: search.lef.org/cgi-src-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=0&page_id=966&query=5htp&hiword=5htp Thought it was a pretty good synopsis of things. I was particularly interested in the supplements the suggest as I'm already on magnesium, omega-3, and something to boost serotonin (5-HTP). I'll talk to my doc about it, but I'm considering adding tryptophan supplements and replenishing my out-of-stock vit D. Anyone successfully beat SAD?
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Post by uncomfortable on Jan 15, 2011 14:10:14 GMT -5
I take 3000 IU of vitamin D a day. I think it helps a lot. More people are deficient in it, and it can really change your mood.
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Post by cherry on Jan 15, 2011 15:20:24 GMT -5
I've not succesfully beaten it but I know I'm doing better than I have in years. I try to keep a good active routine up so that I'm not any different from the summer. I still walk to and from the gym, I actually go the gym more often now than the summer too. For me the key was not to crawl into my cave like I always used to. I make a point of sitting by windows or standing in the sun at the busstop etc. I'm buying some vitamin D when I can get out. My moods did change as Autumn ended and I got the urge to sleep in more but I'm not in a black hole. I think being depressed meant that SAD hit me like a sledgehammer. Only this month is it catching up with me truly, maybe cos everyone is a bit quieter in Jan. I'm happy (if stressed) but everyone is so glum in the office.
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Post by Karen on Jan 15, 2011 19:47:32 GMT -5
Normally I'm all about getting out and making myself do stuff, but it feels like I'm beyond that point at the moment. January and February always seem to be the worst and it's cold as hell and I'm always freezing so it's hard to find the motivation to leave the house, plus we have lots of snow so that doesn't help. But this year it just seems particularly bad.
Picked up some supplements today, we'll see if that helps at all.
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Post by KSA on Jan 15, 2011 23:36:43 GMT -5
I suffer from this as well. I put on a happy face as much as I can but Ohio winter is horrible. I need to pick up vitamin D. Let's hope we all make it thru the season.
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Post by JC on Jan 16, 2011 9:01:58 GMT -5
I've never had an issue with this until I moved to the stupid east coast. In so cal it was sunny all year around. It's flippin 80 degrees in my hometown now! It makes me so depressed! Maybe I should start taking vitamin D
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Post by hellsbells on Jan 16, 2011 9:08:40 GMT -5
I came across a book I've had for ages today, it's The Optimum Nutrition Bible. What robs you of Vit D is lack of sunlight and fried foods. RDA is 5 mcg, ODA (which I think means optimum) is 11 mcg. The supplementary range is 3 - 5 mcg. It can become toxic 1,250 mcg. Two sources: Cholecalciferol (animals) and ergocalciferol (yeasts). Food sources are herrings, mackerel, salmon, oysters, cottage cheese and eggs.
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Post by JC on Jan 16, 2011 9:19:31 GMT -5
On this link they talk about a drug called Modafinil. I've been reading up on it and it sounds like a damn miracle drug! I seriously want to try it. lol
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Post by Karen on Jan 16, 2011 9:19:36 GMT -5
Figures, yeasts, eggs, and dairy (cottage cheese) are on my avoid list! I know in the US they just upped the recommended daily allowance of vit D, but lots of people are saying it's still not high enough. I picked up some more yesterday.
The most interesting thing about that article I posted is that Vit D isn't the only thing that's lacking. I'm already on a supplement that has a lot of the suggested nutrients/vitamins, but picked up tryptophan yesterday as well. I'm going to start out with a low dose and add more if need be. I just have to get out of this funk, I can't stand to stuck in my head!!
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Post by hellsbells on Jan 16, 2011 9:29:25 GMT -5
Karen, the 5-HTP you're on IS tryptophan, I believe, watch out for that!
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Post by Karen on Jan 16, 2011 9:31:57 GMT -5
Yup, I know. The dosage at the bottom of the article has a mix of the two, and seeing as I'm not getting the full benefit from the 5-HTP that I seemed to have been getting before, I figured I'd add it in. I'm starting with the lowest dose and will monitor it and talk to my doc about it. Just felt like I had to try something else as I'm just miserable...
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Post by hellsbells on Jan 16, 2011 9:38:16 GMT -5
Ok, good luck and let us know how you get on?
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Post by cherry on Jan 16, 2011 10:48:14 GMT -5
Ditto. You know what you're doing so if it works I'd like to try the same. And that list of sources sounds like a source of embarrassing farts. Sorry! I'd go for all except the oysters (shellfish no ta) and salmon. Mackerel and cottage cheese and eggs would be part of a yummy winter weekend breakfast though!
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Post by omaklackey on Jan 16, 2011 12:06:19 GMT -5
Karen, My sister, mom and I all have a horrible time with this. I'm on vit. D and haven't noticed it helping to much but... Its always the worst after christmas even though its starting to get lighter, january is such a dreary month. Have you done any research on the fancy lightbulbs that are supposed to help? I haven't done much just know they recommend them for the really significant cases.
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Post by KSA on Jan 16, 2011 13:26:58 GMT -5
Eggs I can eat and when I start to add neats back in to my diet I will start w salmon. The lights I have never heard of that before? Are they tanning bulbs? I thought the other day of using my tan towel for a little color but my girlfriend said NO I love you winter pale skin. LoL she is puerto rican and has the glow all year. We always want what we don't have huh. I want her complexion and she wants my irish pale skin. I would love to be a snow bird and hide in a warm place for the winter SO CAL sounds like my kinda place Jenaya let's runaway:)
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