Hi TracyAnn,
getting to grips with a case like this does require a personal consultation I'm afraid.But I will tell you this for free: get your vitamin D levels checked, that's a vital starting point. If your GP refuses to do it, then you can get a postal test done for about 50 quid.
Why vitamin D? Well of course that's only the start of it, so it's not the only consideration, but we are currently suffering a nationwide epidemic of deficiency of vitamin D, and it may be no coincidence that you are feeling this much worse half way through January.
Normally we enter winter with a reserve acquired through the summer, and when spring arrives, we are depleted, in time to begin making more. Now, with recent advice to avoid the sun, most of us are beginning winter already deficent, and it only gets worse from there.
You need to get the actual figures as well, because phrases like 'low' or 'normal' are not adequate to make further recommendations. I should say that the offical figures for adequacy in the blood, and for supplementation, are based on bone health only. Unfortunately this gives a minimum figure, so you need to take much more than recommended, and that amount depends on the blood test results.
However, pending a blood test result, you can safely take 5000iu of D3 per day, as that is roughly the amount you need to stop your levels backsliding while you wait. In fact that figure is more cautious than necessary: it is probably not enough, but don't go for extended periods on higher doses without a blood test.
Let me know if you want to know more about this, or see other threads on the subject, Google Vitamin D Council, Credence, Mercola, or Sunlight Robbery.
You are absolutely right regarding Vitamin D.
Hi
I decided to come back to this thread today - just been coping I think. I moved house and various things got in the way, but I'm still just coping and wondering each day how to make it in to work.
So I'm going to start putting some of this into practice. I bought a Nutribullet which may help.
Recently I took antibiotics for quite bad cystitis; wasn't happy to do so but I couldn't seem to get rid of it and it is so awful. That may have made me slip back.
Last night I had the dreaded insomnia. I've been so depressed recently that I came off my Amitryptilline 30mg (without consulting my GP) so that I could go onto St John's Wort. I now feel like a drug addict, as coming off it for a few days makes my head so foggy and causes insomnia. i don't want to be addicted.
I've also put weight on over the past five years since taking it - I never thought it was related but it could be. I am 47 so I thought it was due to age. I do quite a lot of exercise but try to keep it reasonable - and eat sensibly but I've been adding about 1kg a year or more and am now 52kg after being 46-48 kg all my life.
Basically I am back in a hole. I tried to have a relationship recently and just find I can't cope, even though he is affectionate. He doesn't have much time for me really though as he has children and looks after a friend's child one night a week. I get resentful about this, as though I am meant to go along on his terms. Other than that he is a lovely guy but I am at a loss to know what to do as every now and then I go off the deep end. He is forgiving so far but will probably not stick around and in any case I don't want to be his lowest priority.
TracyAnn,
Your friend comes as a package - kids and all. If you find this hard to cope with then you must make life decisions, which do not involve him in a romantic way.
Love,
Patsy.xxxx