Doing better?

[lsdiamond]

First off...wow... I didn't realize so many people would still be doing the LJ thing. Thank you for your support & encouragement.

Have had a couple of good days...maybe just because it's the weekend. Or maybe it's something else. Am starting to wonder if all these problems are actually "just" PMS. I've never experienced such severity before, but they've been getting progressively worse since I started doing the low carb thing. This really sucks because everything else in my health has been so much better.

Could it be that simple of a problem? If so...I can't go through such hell every month, and I can't put everyone around me through it. But if so, great...it's probably easily treatable...at least I would hope so.

Money came yesterday. Going to make that appointment for as soon as possible.

Naturally, tomorrow's Monday, and the start of a new week. This should be the true test - will Monday be another livable day?

Comments

*alarm bells*

[pineappleangel.livejournal.com]

Heya LSD,

You mentioned that you are on a low carb diet and that things have been getting worse since you started?

Carbohydrates are necessary to produce tyrosine...a precursor chemical needed to produce the neurochemicals serotonin, norepinephrine, etc. Low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine can wreak havoc on your brain, and produce symptoms of depression, anxiety, etc. So your low-carb diet *may* be to blame for some (maybe not all, but some) of what you're feeling right now.

Try upping your carbohydrate intake. I have a suspicion you'll begin to feel better. Also, I'm not sure how much exercise you do, but if you don't already, try doing some sort of low-impact exercise for about 1/2 hour to 45 min. three times a week. If it's carb. related, I think you'll start feeling better pretty quickly. The exercise produces serotonin naturally, so that may help you too :).

Pina

Re: *alarm bells*

[lipsy.livejournal.com]

You know, I heard this too - my boss is on the low carb thing, but she also works out at least a half hour every day. She seems to be fine to me... *shrugs* But I have heard that the low carb diet can screw with female hormones.

I can't remember if I mentioned this to you or to someone else... but I'm on continuous birth control, which means I take a pill every day and never have my period. This has REALLY helped me even out my moods. It's not commonly perscribed in the US (cuz it's not technically FDA approved...) but they've been doing it in Europe for years.

[brianspinkicker.livejournal.com]

Spitfire, even though I exercise and eat well now, in the past I've tried reducing carbs and increasing protein in my diet and all it did was make me cranky, irritable and kept me from sleeping properly. From strictly a day-to-day perspective, I would not recommend it. Stick with the basics: complex carbs/grains, and lots of fruits, veggies, and water...with dairy and proteins on top of that pyramid. Think variety. Along with regular exercise, it works for me!

***Thanks for that scientific explanation. (I'm a chemical engineer...I needed something like that helps explain the why.)