[Dera]

I am struggling with my health. I have severe mood swings and fatigue and I'm holding onto 30 pounds of weight since my youngest was born 8 months ago. I've tried it all. I thought it was ppd but I didn't respond to ssri's and I just don't think that's what it is any more. I get regular exercise and I've monitored my diet and most recently I've seen a naturopath and we're addressing what we think could be adrenal fatigue. I've been taking a supplement for that for one week today. I'm not really looking for a diagnosis, just maybe a suggestion about what I could do when I'm having a "day". Sometimes a bad day won't come for 3 weeks but sometimes they are clustered together and I get several a week. I get desperate after hours of weeping and stomach turning anxiety and a few days ago it got so bad that I took a pain killer to just chill out. I'm ashamed to say that, especially because I'm nursing, but I think it's critical to mention for the help that I am seeking.

So I'm looking for a way to relax that doesn't require a sedative. I exercise, like I mentioned, I get out most days, I'm just lost. I have pretty dark thoughts on these days (I'm having one today) and I'm desperate. It's been so many months with such little relief, what do I do? I've been trying to read about adrenal fatigue but the thread about it here is extremely long and complicated. I don't know the abbreviations so I've been turning to google about it.

Please, if you have any suggestions or help, I'm all ears. Thank you.

 

[FrannieP]

Do you take magnesium? It really helps me. And it is often low in those w/ adrenal fatigue.
One nice way to relax is to add a few cups of Epsom Salts (magnesium) to a warm bath and soak as long as you can. VERY relaxing.

Other things that come to mind...
GABA (amino acid) Check out a book called The Mood Cure if you haven't already.

I would get thyroid levels checked, iodine levels, B12, Vit D and sex hormones.

Balancing those hormones is really key to feeling well. And of course identify any food allergens and make sure you are getting good nutrition.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Dera]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrannieP Do you take magnesium? It really helps me. And it is often low in those w/ adrenal fatigue. One nice way to relax is to add a few cups of Epsom Salts (magnesium) to a warm bath and soak as long as you can. VERY relaxing. Other things that come to mind... GABA (amino acid) Check out a book called The Mood Cure if you haven't already. I would get thyroid levels checked, iodine levels, B12, Vit D and sex hormones. Balancing those hormones is really key to feeling well. And of course identify any food allergens and make sure you are getting good nutrition. Good luck and keep us posted.

I was trying extra magnesium for several months but I have stopped. It's in the prenatal I got from the ND. I will definitely try the epsom salt bath.

I had my thyroid checked and all numbers came back fine. I am taking sea kelp/iodine, also for one week so far, and I will ask the ND about the other levels. Is GABA a vitamin? What is it?

I've never had any food sensitivities before, can they develop suddenly?

Thanks so much, I'll check out the book.

 

[SandyMom]

I second the epsom salt recommendation! I can't live w/o the stuff!
GABA is an amino acid:
http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/...eanine_vs_gaba

Quote:

How does GABA work to lower anxiety? GABA controls your brain's rhythmic theta waves so you can feel more balanced, both physically and mentally. Dr. Ray Sahelian, author of Mind Boosters notes, "GABA is the most important and widespread inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Excitation in the brain must be balanced with inhibition. Too much excitation can lead to restlessness, irritability, insomnia, and even seizures. GABA is able to induce relaxation, analgesia, and sleep."

It's very effective for some people.

 

[Dera]

Could my issues be hormonal? Does anybody know about hormone therapy? I'm grasping here, desperate to find the solution, and one of my friends suggested trying projesterone cream. Any words of wisdom on that?

Gosh it sucks to have an mystery health problem. Especially one that affects my life so drastically.

 

[kiwiva]

Hormones can really mess everything up.

Definitely do the epsom salt baths! They are wonderful.

Do you eat fish or take fish oil? Those omegas can be very helpful for depression/mood issues.

Have you tried any guided visualization meditation? I've always been terrible at mediatation, can't keep the thoughts away. I started using it for infertility (with a CD for infertility), used a hypnosis program through pregnancy and have recently read Shakti Gawain's Creative Visualization. It can be so relaxing and with practice many people find success with curing or improving illnesses (even cancer). Worth a shot to try it out along with checking out what the pps have suggested. (Not saying the illness is in our heads, just that our heads can help cure physical illnesses). The guided imagery CDs can really be helpful and relaxing!

I also think it is a good idea to ask your docs for copies of the labs whenever you have any of these tests. My doc for ex told my my vit D was normal but it was in the "needs supplementation" range. So it's always good to have the data yourself.

 

[FrannieP]

I think there's a very good chance your issues could be hormonal.
Before just randomly starting on progesterone though I would get levels tested.
There are also herbs you could try. Vitex tincture is used for balancing estrogen/progesterone levels, but it takes a couple months to work. Red clover is another good one, and Dong Quai. There are formulas you can get that are very useful for many women.

Remember though, it's not just sex hormones that get out of whack - we do well to look at thyroid hormones and adrenal hormones as well and to identify the cause of the imbalance IMO.

As pp said - get copies of any labs b/c ranges are notoriously outdated - especially for thyroid!

I would test Vit D, B12 and iron levels along w/ sex hormones and thyroid.

Just my 2 cents.