I love my doctor/Serotonin
So I had a great visit to the doctor. I feel like I am the luckiest gal around to have such an excellent doctor who cared about what I have to say. She knows that I have a passion in helping and healing myself and that I do not wish to rely on drugs if at all possible. I really like that she does not want to just give meds to solve a problem really quick. She said that’s not her style. She and I talked for a good amount of time and I felt like it was well worth both of our time.
After talking she did not think it is a thyroid issue. Not sure why my temperature is so low? Do others seem to be low? Is 98.6 no longer normal? For me 95-97 is normal. Anyways I forgot to mention it as I am forgetful these days. I guess I forgot about it because she said the TSH test was normal. Will be seeing her in the near future though. She thinks it is a nasty touch of the flu (more symptoms revealed even today and yesterday like dry heaving –YUCK – and sore muscles, still have some nasty sore glands). She recommends that I increase my serotonin levels because of the depressive state, lack of energy and lack of concentration and fogginess. Since she knows what I am studying she recommended I research the ways to do this – I love her! My new allopathic doctor (did I mention I love her?) has recommended taking St. John’s Wort (little shocked) which has been well researched as helping with depression/low serotonin levels. (Care must be taken when using this herb as there are some serious interactions when combined with certain other prescription meds. Must do your own research for sure. 
If I have any concerns with my blood sugar levels, she gave me a form to have a blood fasting test done. I have found lately that I just want sweets, carbs and fruit and that is kind of all I want to eat. That could either be because there is a blood sugar issue or I just naturally want to raise my serotonin levels. I have always thought that eating protein would raise these levels (tryptophan into serotonin) but as I read today, sugars raise serotonin levels the quickest. And the amounts of tryptophan are slight compared to other amino acids in say meats so more tryptophan is not obtained by eating more meat necessarily. It is simply hard to obtain with all those competing amino acids. Protein does provide the body with some of the necessary tryptophan to make serotonin, but there are so many ways to make serotonin. And in this time where there is so much stress (a body that is producing more and more adrenaline), our bodies really require more and more serotonin to keep us level, calm and happy. She described the state, NOT as depression but rather a tug-o-war between serotonin (happiness) and adrenaline (flight or fight/stress). We want happiness to win!!! LOL… it is not really a battle as adrenaline is so very important, but I thought her analogy was cute.
I think I have been going a little lower carb lately and then choosing stupidly the wrong carbs when I just feel needy and carb-crazed. What I have really seen since gaining and then really “dieting” even though I have thought at times it is not, is that DIETING, low carb thinking/eating equals a more depressive, wanting, craving state of mind and body. So I am thinking more about balance but I am enjoying my portions of carbohydrates and fiber rich fruits. Just a little protein to help the blood sugars remain balanced and my energy to remain level. I wanted to lose because I have gained and this is frustrating but it takes time and the right way to achieve healthy results.
But it is not just diet!!! Stress has been a bit high lately. Blah, blah, blah….. everyone has more stress for sure. Life!
So according to some study and I have read this elsewhere, salmon and fish oil capsules can alleviate depression (according to a study done by Dr. Nicholas Pericone). Just thought I would add this in. The study showed that the group who had a diet that included fish oils and salmon were less depressed then those on the SSRIs like Paxil and Prozac after 8 weeks. COOL!!!!
There are so many great ways to increase our serotonin levels and help with depression. Most of these are obvious to us. We really do know usually how to help ourselves. But when things compound, it is a little difficult to unravel the knots in order to see the answers.
Natural ways to raise low serotonin levels
The point form I took from the above article:
-eat a high tryptophan meal and then a carb snack 2 hrs later (eating a little different is not different for me as I have had to adjust for my health before)
-carbohydrate rich diet
-eat the right kinds of proteins (rich the amino acid tryptophan)
- go to sleep and wake up at the same time
-get some sun!!! (total 2hrs/day and aim for 30 min. in the AM)
-meditative like activities
-do fun activities that raise your spirit
-Organize environment — Y ES, YES, OH YES!!! Soon our place will be organized! (At least we have a sexy new tub to relax in !!! YAH! And I am so thankful to our Postal Santa who helped with the new and relaxing environment. With out Santa we would be showerhead less, or at least we would be oober-showerheadless…… hehe.)
I feel positive about the future. Again, I am so thankful for my new doctor. I already feel more sane and less stressed. I am tired, but all in good time. I am also thankful for my amazing and supportive buddies here. *hugs* Have a good one!
Cheers to our health. *clink*
Wow, what an awesome dr! Mine does not rush into meds either!
Please let me know how the serotonin works for you, ok?
Glad you feel better and congrats on the tub, too!
Hugs!
OMG all your sytoms sound like ME! I have been dealing with all this for years..even the low temp. If I am at 98…I have a temp and feel like crap! I have been on every drug out there even a combo of drugs. I will be following your blogs close to see how this works for you. I need to find a more “natural” Dr. You have given me hope and determination to find a new Dr. I HATE taking drugs!!!!!!!!!!!
Thats amazing and I can relate. I have and will keep doing those things mentioned in the article. Its a day by day process and we gotta live life to the fullest. Take things in moderation and still have some junk food once in a while!!!
Keep up the positive attitude you can do it! and you look great!!!
i’m going to come back to read more, but i found that a supplement of omega 3s helped me earlier in the year. this blog has such good information, jenn, thanks so much for sharing that all with us. i am so glad you are finding your way with the help of such a great doc.
So glad you got yourself a good doctor.
This is a timely blog for me, as I’ve been stressing over the top lately. Normally I do okay on my own with stress and slight depression. But, it’s getting to me right now. So there’s some good advice for me to use here. Thanks!
Quick reply cause I’m already running fast at work today.
GREAT JOB on doing the research my friend!
HIGH FIVERS. you left me MUCH to think about and consider in my own little glitch time I seem to be having at the moment. St. John’s Wort is wonderful. Love the stuff, but quit taking it due to the side effect of constipation. *sighs*
Big HUGGGGGGGGGGS,
Shan
Thanks for the comments ladies. It is somewhat comforting to know I am not alone. I have no idea if things will improve as today is a bit of a down day.
No matter what possibilities are found there is always something that smothers the idea. This is for sure. I have been emailed a warning about St. John’s Wort and the last thing I need is to be constipated. I may go postal! *1/2 joke*
I guess the fact of the matter is, herbs are not so different then pharmaceutical meds. There are almost always side affects, but the quality of life and side affects must be measured against each other. I just want to feel some hope, that is all.
Wishing everyone a great day.
I will have to look into St. John’s Wort. I use Melatonin for a nice sleep on the weekends. I can’t use it during the week because it puts me in such a deep sleep it would be impossible to wake me up. I sometimes use Valerian during the week if I think I will have a hard falling asleep.
http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/cid/health-products/st-johns-wort/328983/comments/
Many points of view!
I am going to the university to look up some quality journals, but I feel good about trying SJW.
Oh and for anyone else who is concerned, I am not on the pill. That little pill and I tried many made me very ill, so none of that for me. SJW is reported to make the pill about 50% noneffective.
Like anything else, it just works for some and not for others. Giving it a whirl squirrel….
Hmmm, so I’m gathering that I need to research to see if SJW or fish oil would be better for me? Whichever, thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing. I have some time today and I’m going to check this out.
Thanks again!
Anj
I am fasting tonight and going for some additional lab work tomorrow AM. Seriously my language skills, written and spoken are just off!!! It is really frustrating. I was feeling great today until I tried to write and read something. This is just weird! And it has been going on for a bit too long for my liking.
Feeling stupid really bites, but I will resist being depressed about it because I know something will change soon. Positivity! *holds onto this thought*
I’ve had a lot of luck with . . . Cod liver Oil. Kinda sounds gross but it has an amazing amount of natural vitamin D, vitamin A and omega 3.