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Cycle day 38 here and I have been so DOWN this week! (Sorry-I just feel like whining)


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This is a new record for me, shattering last month's record of 35 days. I've always had very predictable 26-30 day cycles since my teens. TMI, I know. :001_unsure:

 

For the previous couple of weeks, things went very well, but this week I have felt gloomy and... tired. I have been struggling with depression and/or anxiety for the past several months, and I guess it's because I've been hit with the double-whammy of dealing with perimenopause symptoms that kicked in pretty much simultaneously with ER's going off to college -- The Change and the prelude to The Empty Nest at the same time -- ugh.

 

I have 2-3 weeks at a time (mid-cycle, I guess -- who knows, with them being as unpredictable as they've become lately) when I feel pretty normal, and then I fall into The Pit, with episodes where I have trouble sleeping and I feel anxious, restless, out of sorts, and weepy, for anywhere from several days to a couple of weeks or more. Honestly, though, I'm not even sure how much of this is related to which life event, or if it's a combination of both, and each just compounds the other.

 

My dh is GREAT -- very supportive, encouraging, patient, and understanding -- a great counselor. I'm trying to take better care of myself; I've modified my diet somewhat -- I avoid caffeine and sweets, and I'm trying to eat fewer fried foods and simple carbs. I've lost about 30 lbs. since last August, but I need to get back to exercising. (Up until November, dh & I walked for 30 minutes every day, but the weather got cold and we stopped.) I've been researching nutritional supplements and natural progesterone, but I haven't started using any of this yet because I don't know where to start. I'm planning to go to the doctor soon (no health insurance, so I have to wait for our tax refund to come in).

 

I'm so sick of being on this roller-coaster of emotions. I just want to feel like myself again, not just for a couple of weeks at a time, but ALL the time. <sigh>

 

I don't even know why I'm posting this, except to whine. I surely could use your prayers and your cyber-hugs. (((friends)))

Edited by ereks mom
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I have 2-3 weeks at a time (mid-cycle, I guess -- who knows, with them being as unpredictable as they've become lately) when I feel pretty normal, and then I fall into The Pit,

 

 

Hugs to you!! I've been there and occasionally fall back to that icky place (mid february....ugh)....it's always a good kick in pants to get back to what I know works well.

 

1)neptune krill oil (yes, oil from krill). here is a fabulous article on using neptune krill oil to treat pms http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FDN/is_2_8/ai_103194439

 

Interestingly, when I started taking krill oil, I had no idea it treated pms effectively. I was taking it for other reasons, then was very suprised to suddenly get my period with no warning - no breast tenderness, no preperiod chin or forhead breakouts, no moodiness. after 2 months of this, i started to investigate and found info on NKO and pms. One company processes all of krill oil - it's just bottled and sold for different 'brands'. I buy from iherb.com, whichever is least expensive per 500 mg krill oil....usually the Jarrow brand. Since it's so darn expensive, I've experiemented alot to find the MED (minimal effective dose). For me it's

1-2 caps from ovulation till onsent of menstruation. I take one per day, then if I start feeling pms-y, I bump the dose to two per day.

 

2)vitamin D. only 5% of the US population maintains optimal D levels of 50-80 ng/mL. Some will fall into the bottom of the range of 'normal' according to 'lab norms' (32 ng/mL) but really it's still much too low. You'll need at least 2000 IU per day of D3....but more likely 4000-5000 IU D to fully replete your vitamin D levels. Your doc can test your "twentyfive hydroxy vitamin D" levels....it's written as "25(OH)D" There is also a saliva test, available from vitamindcouncil.org for $65 Carlson D Drops is hands down, my favorite d supplement. iherb.com

 

3)sufficient (not excessive) calcium and magnesium. For me 1000 mg calcium per day from all sources (food and supps) works well......and 800-1000 mg magnesium depending on the type of magnesium I'm taking. I love Rainbow Light Everyday calcium (1:1 ratio cal/mag) - my normal 'go to' cal/mag for meals that contain no dairy.....and Jigsaw health magnesium which I take when I eat dairy - to maintain an appropriate (for me) ratio between the two minerals.

 

 

I buy all supplements (except for the Jigsaw magnesium) at iherb.com

 

everyday calcium:

http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=1773&at=0

 

d drops:

http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=10364&at=0

 

a great broad spectrum, high potency, high quality yet *truly* inepensive multi is also very helpful:

http://www.iherb.com/productdetails.aspx?c=1&pid=2258&utm_source=gb&utm_medium=f

 

jigsaw magnesium (the time release formulation is key for me as most kinds of magnesium give me diarrhea):

http://www.jigsawhealth.com/magnesium/jigsaw_magnesium.aspx

 

Wishing you all the best,

Katherine

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It's really demoralizing when you feel so tired that you can't do the things you really need to do. For me, I have to keep an eye on my iron levels, as I tend to lean towards anemic. My mom actually has big problems with anemia... Anyway, as I think my toes are touching the puddle of perimenopause, my periods have gotten *much* heavier, which I believe exacerbates the low iron issue. It might be helpful to know your iron level, it's a simple blood test. Just being faithful to regularly take my multivitamins *does* make a difference.

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I'm nowhere near perimenopause but I was so tired and finding it increasingly difficult to even want to be in the same room as my kids because everything was just bothering me. I doubled my vitamin D and in 2 days I felt like a new person. I'm not getting anymore sleep than I was since baby still gets up several times a night but I don't feel tired. The kids aren't suddenly better behaved but their noise and busyness isn't bothering me anymore. Since it's almost impossible to overdose on Vitamin D, you could easily take 2,000-5,000IU a day and see if it helps. It would be a cheap way to try to get a handle on things until the money is available for a doctor's visit.

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I just want to feel like myself again, not just for a couple of weeks at a time, but ALL the time. <sigh>

 

 

 

That I totally understand this part, too. I sometimes feel like Dr. Jekyl / Mrs. Hyde. I echo that "I just want to be *myself* all the time!" cry of yours! I am currently participating in a drug study for an eye condition, during which time I cannot alter my established vitamin regimen, but as soon as that ends I will be boosting the vitamin D here, too!

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:grouphug: I am right there with you. I am going through this myself and appreciate all the helpful posts above about supplements. Waking at night doesn't help. I go to sleep fine, then wake about 1 am wide awake. My vision also went downhill and I had to get glasses. I'm just not ready for this getting old thing.

 

I am also dealing with extra stress, as we just found out today that our ds21 is being deployed to Afghanistan.

 

I am trying to remember that this is a season, a normal part of life, and try to take care of myself - so I can manage to take care of everyone else.

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Vitamin D, Magnesium, and Vitamin B-6 have made a BIG difference for me. The D and Mag are more for fibro, but the B-6 has done wonders for the hormonal situation.

 

The D and mag have huge hormonal implications as well.....don't discount it at all:) But yes, b-6 is great too. Some lucky ones;p (like me) will need regular b-6 AND the p5p form of b-6 to maintain sanity:) I get my b-6 from my multi (natrol my favorite multiple take one) and also taking a separate 50 mg tablet of p-5-p made by solgar.

 

Katherine

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I go to sleep fine, then wake about 1 am wide awake.

 

Sounds like adrenal fatigue is playing a huge role here (middle of the night waking is major symptom of adrenal fatigue) The help will be the same as what I mentioned for the previous poster (good, inexpenive, high quality ,high potency multi like Natrol My Favorite Multiple Take One), plenty of magnesium, probably 4,000 IU D (get tested...but until then take no less than 2,000 IU daily)....specifically for the adrenal fatigue: 500 mg vitamin c every few hours throughout the day maybe 3000 mg or so (more if you're fighting illness). take another 500 mg right before bed....any inexpensive ascorbic acid form of c is fine. 250 mg *b-5* taken with lunch will also be very adrenal supportive.

 

:)

Katherine

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Here is the info that I posted earlier in the thread.....I'll follow it with the other specific recommendations. The supplements are available anwhere.....however, the cost from iherb.com or similar online vendors will be much much less expensive. Sometimes it's as much as 50% less in terms of total cost.

 

everyday calcium (300mg cal, 300mg mag per tablet....for upping cal/mag intake at nondairy meals and/or for those who don't eat dairy):

http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=1773&at=0

 

d drops (2000 IU per tasteless, flavorless drop):

http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=10364&at=0

 

a great broad spectrum, high potency, high quality yet *truly* inepensive multi is also very helpful (minerals are in most easily absorbed, nutritionally optimal form):

http://www.iherb.com/productdetails....b&utm_medium=f

 

jigsaw magnesium (the time release formulation is key for me as most kinds of magnesium give me diarrhea...adds in mag for those that get plenty of calcium from other sources. sometimes I take the above cal/mag. sometimes I take this - ie at meals containing large amounts of calcium, when I'm pms-ing and when I have a lot of muscle tension):

http://www.jigsawhealth.com/magnesiu...magnesium.aspx

 

B-5:

http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=2010&at=0

 

vitamin C:

http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=975&at=0

 

 

Hope this is helpful....

 

:)

Katherine

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Here is the info that I posted earlier in the thread.....I'll follow it with the other specific recommendations. The supplements are available anwhere.....however, the cost from iherb.com or similar online vendors will be much much less expensive. Sometimes it's as much as 50% less in terms of total cost.

 

everyday calcium (300mg cal, 300mg mag per tablet....for upping cal/mag intake at nondairy meals and/or for those who don't eat dairy):

http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=1773&at=0

 

d drops (2000 IU per tasteless, flavorless drop):

http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=10364&at=0

 

a great broad spectrum, high potency, high quality yet *truly* inepensive multi is also very helpful (minerals are in most easily absorbed, nutritionally optimal form):

http://www.iherb.com/productdetails....b&utm_medium=f

 

jigsaw magnesium (the time release formulation is key for me as most kinds of magnesium give me diarrhea...adds in mag for those that get plenty of calcium from other sources. sometimes I take the above cal/mag. sometimes I take this - ie at meals containing large amounts of calcium, when I'm pms-ing and when I have a lot of muscle tension):

http://www.jigsawhealth.com/magnesiu...magnesium.aspx

 

B-5:

http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=2010&at=0

 

vitamin C:

http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=975&at=0

 

 

Hope this is helpful....

 

:)

Katherine

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:grouphug: I am right there with you. I am going through this myself and appreciate all the helpful posts above about supplements. Waking at night doesn't help. I go to sleep fine, then wake about 1 am wide awake. My vision also went downhill and I had to get glasses. I'm just not ready for this getting old thing.

 

I am also dealing with extra stress, as we just found out today that our ds21 is being deployed to Afghanistan.

 

I am trying to remember that this is a season, a normal part of life, and try to take care of myself - so I can manage to take care of everyone else.

 

When I'm in the "down" times, I wake early too. I also go to sleep fine (usually around 11:30) but I wake up around 4:00 or 4:30 -- sometimes earlier -- and sometimes I lie awake the rest of the night. If I am able to go back to sleep, I'll sleep only another hour or so, and then I'm awake for the day. :(

 

You'll be in my prayers as you cope with the deployment of your son.

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Sounds like adrenal fatigue is playing a huge role here (middle of the night waking is major symptom of adrenal fatigue) The help will be the same as what I mentioned for the previous poster (good, inexpenive, high quality ,high potency multi like Natrol My Favorite Multiple Take One), plenty of magnesium, probably 4,000 IU D (get tested...but until then take no less than 2,000 IU daily)....specifically for the adrenal fatigue: 500 mg vitamin c every few hours throughout the day maybe 3000 mg or so (more if you're fighting illness). take another 500 mg right before bed....any inexpensive ascorbic acid form of c is fine. 250 mg *b-5* taken with lunch will also be very adrenal supportive.

 

:)

Katherine

 

What other symptoms does adrenal fatigue have? Thanks!

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