This was mentioned earlier. I think it's worth checking out, though I think I'll try lifestyle modification first...even if it includes cutting back on my sugar!

As a testament to my aversion to meds, I'm even leery of supplements. Another question for the doctor's appointment, I suppose - what and how much.


Interesting - did not know about the higher levels. I could quite possibly have both, ha! (I can be quite anxious when my control freak-related neuroses are not contained.)


Roger that.

Thanks for the clarification. Will add it to the doctor question list - but hopefully some lifestyle changes will take care of things!

Mrs. V, I have bipolar disorder, so AD's are a part of my regimen, and unless God swoops down and heals me, they will probably always be a part of my life.

For someone who does not have a diagnosed mental illness, I would try all the healthy living/thyroid/supplement stuff first. Because AD's DO alter your brain. In fact, it was being on AD's alone that led to my monster manic epsiode and eventual diagnosis.

For anyone who considers AD's, I would ask about sexual side effects, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety. For example, wellbutrin touts the lowest incidence of sexual side effects, but it can also cause anxiety in some people, which means an ADDITIONAL med for that (which I think is stupid). Effexor works well, but it has a very short half life, which means you will enter withdrawal within hours of a missed dose. Believe me, you NEVER want to go into Effexor withdrawal. Cymbalta CAN affect libido or ability to orgasm, but overall it worked the best for me (I have such a high drive a little lower libido isn't an issue).

I think that AD's should be a last resort-ish short term solution if possible. Unfortunately, I probably won't get to live that advice, but I tell ya, if I didn't HAVE to take these meds....I'd flush 'em.

Thanks for your experience, Tawanda. (I keep wanting to call you by your old user name!)

Broadly speaking, I've never had these kinds of problems before, and the severity of the whole day/episode kind of shocked me. In an 11-hour span, I started bawling 6 different times. For no identifiable reason! I was wretched - all those depressive thoughts, the nobody cares if I die, I should just die, I wouldn't mind if that car swerved into my lane and we had a car crash and I died, I am a terrible mother/wife/human being, etc., etc., etc. And the paralyzing not caring! Lethargy, anhedonia, the whole day(s) = a mess.

The words aren't doing it justice, but the feelings were a nightmare.

It was more sudden and unexplainable and stronger than any depressed days I've had before, and it seemed to coincide with menstrual cycle stuff. So I thought I should at least explore antidepressants and others' experiences with them. I'd much prefer not to get on them, especially with what you've pointed out.

Something is out of whack, and I'm hoping some relatively simple lifestyle adjustments will do the trick.

I am cautiously optimistic! I focused on a few lifestyle changes over the last month, and so far I am experiencing little to no crazy depression/PMS/irritability stuff.

*I upped my hydration - I don't get a full 64oz every day, but I get awful close. And it's WAY better than it was.

*I started taking omega-3 supplements.

*I cut back on my sugar intake, and virtually eliminated caffeine.

*I have continued daily (or almost-daily) exercising, so I'm sure that's not hurting, either.

So...yay! I hope it's not a fluke, because this is massively better than I was feeling a month or so ago. Thank you for all of your suggestions! Is it really this simple??

Congratulations, Mrs. V. As a guy, I'm not subject to the menstrual stuff (however, I've heard some men have "cycles" as well), but other than that, I'd have to say,

"Yes, it's really that simple."

I will turn 60 this year. Even in the heart of winter, I try to run 20-25 miles per week. No, I'm not as fast as I used to be, but I can run 10K in an hour (about six miles). Last year (2010), I ran one marathon, two half-marathons, one ten-miler and a number of 10K and 5K races. I didn't win a one!

But my running lays a foundation for the rest of my activities. I drink a lot of water, watch my diet, take vitamins and try to live a healthy lifestyle.

The benefits of my running are that I

• Keep my weight down.
• Stay limber.
• Have a terrific cardiovascular system
  • Low resting heart rate
  • Zero cholesterol problems
  • No blood sugar issues
  • Great blood pressure
• Sleep well at night
• Enjoy the feeling of well-being the endorphins give me.

Actually, I sign up for the races for two reasons: (1) I like the t-shirts that they offer, and (2) They keep me motivated. On days I don't feel like running, I remind myself that "I'm in training" and will not be able to finish the race if I don't.

It really isn't that hard. Yes, it's a lifestyle change. But you've already done it a month. From here on in, it's easy...

Way to go, Fred, on sticking to a healthy lifestyle! No marathons under my belt yet, but hopefully one day. My DH and I talk occasionally about doing the Iron Man - very far off, but how crazy would that be?!

I'm really amazed at how different things are this month compared to last month(s). Intellectually I know what I should be doing, and it's encouraging to see what I think are directly related results from a few small lifestyle changes.

I think there was a fitness thread kicking around for a while... Did Ace do it?

Well....if y'all are going to start talking about exercising on here, I'm going back to the couch

Good for you, MrsVanilla and my friend, Fredly!!!

headed to the couch with my friend Tawandabelle!

I'll meet you guys there, and I'll bring the bon-bons.

You mean...the one from whence I just arose - me AND my Oreo crumb buddies?

The lifestyle changes are a work in progress...

Oh, go ahead. I'll just go out and enjoy myself...