Cortisol
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@totaloblivia I haven't started taking it yet, sorry. Hopefully the latter part of next week.0
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@totaloblivia How is your shoulder? I just started reading this thread today.
For what it's worth, I had shoulder problems since I was a kid until I chanced upon a doctor with the same thing. I'm not saying this is your problem but it's worth a shot!
so MY situation was two fold. MAJOR neck and upper back problems from stress. My pain would radiate into my jaw and face and into my elbow. Only solution for that for me was to be hyper aware of my tension, not sit too long and WALK. HARD. That seems to pull things back into alignment.
However the second issue I had that started at an even earlier age was that I would just wake up with what seemed like a pulled shoulder. It just didn't work. I couldn't wash my hair or lift my hand above my shoulder. That happend ALL - THE - TIME!
So, the doctor gave me these three things to do that have been UBER helpful and I rarely have problems...
#1 Watch you neck position when you're sleeping.
Often if you have super tense neck and shoulders it's more comfortable when you're sleeping for your neck to be in an "extended" position (like your head tilted back). Be aware if you sleep like this and consciously make and effort to fall asleep with youre "chin down". It took me about two weeks to get this. It was super uncomfortable at first and really hard to fall asleep, but it made a HUGE difference.
#2 When you think of it, as often as possible, (while reading watching TV, at the computer but not typing obviously) Do the following exercise: Arms by your sides. Bend them at the elbows to 90 degrees and turn your hands palms up. (Like you're carrying a platter. And visualize trying to get your shoulder blades to touch your belt. It does't have to be hard like you're trying to build muscle. But eventually it helps with posture and teaching the musles to stay "down".
#3 And this was the BIGGIE for me. It completely stopped the waking up with a busted shoulder. I've never had a problem since and now I rarely have to do it.
Again, as often as you think of it do the following exercise:
Hold your arms sholder height pointed out to the sides. (so your body looks like a letter T) Turn your palms up. Now keeping them straight out from the body, not angled forward or back, push the tips of your fingers are far out as you can. Think of lengthening your arms out to your sides at shoulder height. When I started doing this it burned in my wrists and hands. Now I only do this after big swim sessions and if I'm not swimming I rarely do it, but i have not had a problem in over10 years! I used to get that shoulder thing at least once a month before this!
Anway, of course I'm not a doctor or anything and it might not help your situation, but FWIW, if it helps anyone, there you go.
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@totaloblivia How is your shoulder? I just started reading this thread today.
For what it's worth, I had shoulder problems since I was a kid until I chanced upon a doctor with the same thing. I'm not saying this is your problem but it's worth a shot!
so MY situation was two fold. MAJOR neck and upper back problems from stress. My pain would radiate into my jaw and face and into my elbow. Only solution for that for me was to be hyper aware of my tension, not sit too long and WALK. HARD. That seems to pull things back into alignment.
However the second issue I had that started at an even earlier age was that I would just wake up with what seemed like a pulled shoulder. It just didn't work. I couldn't wash my hair or lift my hand above my shoulder. That happend ALL - THE - TIME!
So, the doctor gave me these three things to do that have been UBER helpful and I rarely have problems...
#1 Watch you neck position when you're sleeping.
Often if you have super tense neck and shoulders it's more comfortable when you're sleeping for your neck to be in an "extended" position (like your head tilted back). Be aware if you sleep like this and consciously make and effort to fall asleep with youre "chin down". It took me about two weeks to get this. It was super uncomfortable at first and really hard to fall asleep, but it made a HUGE difference.
#2 When you think of it, as often as possible, (while reading watching TV, at the computer but not typing obviously) Do the following exercise: Arms by your sides. Bend them at the elbows to 90 degrees and turn your hands palms up. (Like you're carrying a platter. And visualize trying to get your shoulder blades to touch your belt. It does't have to be hard like you're trying to build muscle. But eventually it helps with posture and teaching the musles to stay "down".
#3 And this was the BIGGIE for me. It completely stopped the waking up with a busted shoulder. I've never had a problem since and now I rarely have to do it.
Again, as often as you think of it do the following exercise:
Hold your arms sholder height pointed out to the sides. (so your body looks like a letter T) Turn your palms up. Now keeping them straight out from the body, not angled forward or back, push the tips of your fingers are far out as you can. Think of lengthening your arms out to your sides at shoulder height. When I started doing this it burned in my wrists and hands. Now I only do this after big swim sessions and if I'm not swimming I rarely do it, but i have not had a problem in over10 years! I used to get that shoulder thing at least once a month before this!
Anway, of course I'm not a doctor or anything and it might not help your situation, but FWIW, if it helps anyone, there you go.
Thanks for that great input. I really appreciate all the time and effort. I will have to print this and practise!
I do hold tension in my neck and shoulders and a bad sleeping position exacerbates this.
But for now the acute pain in my shoulder has resolved and I have full movement again. Not sure what caused it. I blame Jillian Michaels' side planks!
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I got some too. We can compare notes!wheatlessgirl66 wrote: »@totaloblivia I haven't started taking it yet, sorry. Hopefully the latter part of next week.
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I eventually discovered this one for myself some years ago and it made a huge difference to me too. I was pulling my head backwards because my neck and shoulders were so tense. Tucking your chin a little and consciously relaxing neck and shoulders before sleep is incredible.#1 Watch you neck position when you're sleeping.
Oh wow, that is pure gold for me even on the first try. I am so going to do this several times a day. Post-it note reminder written and prominently displayed. Thank you!!!#2 When you think of it, as often as possible, (while reading watching TV, at the computer but not typing obviously) Do the following exercise: Arms by your sides. Bend them at the elbows to 90 degrees and turn your hands palms up. (Like you're carrying a platter. And visualize trying to get your shoulder blades to touch your belt. It does't have to be hard like you're trying to build muscle. But eventually it helps with posture and teaching the musles to stay "down".
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On the cortisol front, I didn't take valerian yesterday, but had taken 2 the day before; one morning and one night. Back to one again today. My weight is still mostly heading downwards with a new lowest weight yesterday and again this morning despite having an iced cupcake yesterday due to circumstances beyond my control (without hurting a dear friend's feelings).
I'm still happy with the valerian and will report from time to time.0 -
GrannyMayOz wrote: »Their rationale was sound, the uptake of ketones by the brain has been measured and it rises steeply with concentration up to a peak. If blood ketones are 0.2 the brain is using a lot more glucose than at 1.2, for example.
Where is the glucose coming from though if I've been below 50 grams of carbs every day (except one) since 23rd January this year? I was below 15 grams for most of it, but increased to an average of maybe 25 grams the past few weeks. The answer's probably obvious, but not to me right now. Or is my body making glucose from my fat cells or something?
Glucose is made in the liver and kidneys from appropriate ingredients. That's why you don't drop dead after a week without food.0 -
They looked at the A-V differences in substrates. A lot of substrate (glucose and ketones) enters across the BBB, but a lot leaves too. They measured the difference, which tells you how much the brain metabolized: about 0.34 mM of BHB and 0.06 mM of AcAc (along with 0.26 mM of glucose).
The leftover continues to circulate in your blood.
Over what unit of time ?
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GrannyMayOz wrote: »On the cortisol front, I didn't take valerian yesterday, but had taken 2 the day before; one morning and one night. Back to one again today. My weight is still mostly heading downwards with a new lowest weight yesterday and again this morning despite having an iced cupcake yesterday due to circumstances beyond my control (without hurting a dear friend's feelings).
I'm still happy with the valerian and will report from time to time.
That's great news, may, New lowest weight is awesome!
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GrannyMayOz wrote: »On the cortisol front, I didn't take valerian yesterday, but had taken 2 the day before; one morning and one night. Back to one again today. My weight is still mostly heading downwards with a new lowest weight yesterday and again this morning despite having an iced cupcake yesterday due to circumstances beyond my control (without hurting a dear friend's feelings).
I'm still happy with the valerian and will report from time to time.
It's so great that your weight has been on that downward trend lately and you're getting the new low weights pretty consistently. Even with the cupcake! Yay for you, May!
Thanks for the valerian update---it sounds like it's been helpful and probably contributed to your weight loss. I can't wait to be able to take it; I hope my cardiologist gives me the 'go ahead.' If it helps my sleep hopefully it will help get some weight loss going. The 'new' pound I lost a couple days ago immediately went back into hiding. I need to remember that it takes 2-3 weeks or more for a new loss to actually stick; the first appearance is just a tease.
I drive myself nuts between excitement and letdown. I'm in this for the long haul, so I may as well settle down and be patient. (yeah, right.)
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They looked at the A-V differences in substrates. A lot of substrate (glucose and ketones) enters across the BBB, but a lot leaves too. They measured the difference, which tells you how much the brain metabolized: about 0.34 mM of BHB and 0.06 mM of AcAc (along with 0.26 mM of glucose).
The leftover continues to circulate in your blood.
Over what unit of time ?
5-6 weeks. Specifically so they could reach steady state. The brain reached saturation. Feel free to look at the study -- it was beautifully done.
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Over what unit of time ?
5-6 weeks. Specifically so they could reach steady state. The brain reached saturation. Feel free to look at the study -- it was beautifully done.
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I meant the mmol number but now on a PC I can see this was the drop in concentration and not about utilization per hour or whatever. I started a separate topic as this isn't really about cortisol ;-)
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Thank you @Yarwell My brain was coming up with a blank. Had rather a lot on my mind lately in other parts of my life.Glucose is made in the liver and kidneys from appropriate ingredients. That's why you don't drop dead after a week without food.
Thanks @Olivia I really appreciate the encouragement. I had 2 'new lows' in a row, but up a little today. And that's fine because at last I'm seeing a steady (even though it's slow) downward trend. That's all I wanttotaloblivia wrote: »That's great news, may, New lowest weight is awesome!
Thank you @Ellen Oh gosh, the icing/frosting on that cupcake was *awful*. Everyone else was saying how beautiful it was :puke: If only she'd have turned her back I could have wrapped it up in its wrapper tee hee! Counting the days you can take the valerian too.wheatlessgirl66 wrote: »It's so great that your weight has been on that downward trend lately and you're getting the new low weights pretty consistently. Even with the cupcake! Yay for you, May!
I'm still getting a little bit of heart 'pitter pattering', but it's easing. I've stopped my naturopathic herbs that I was on to stop this, because they weren't helping after the first week. That's why I stopped the valerian for one day, but starting it again gave me a peaceful (not pattering) day yesterday. It started again a little in the night and this morning. Something's causing it and I *will* narrow it down! I haven't died yet, so I'm finally at peace with finding the cause.
It is *not* lack of potassium or magnesium, or multi-vitamins. Taking any of those most definitely make it worse.0 -
@GrannyMayOz It's pretty amazing when icing tastes awful---it was either poorly made or you're such a low carb diva that your taste buds can no longer tolerate sugar! Too bad your friend didn't turn her back. Hope the pitter patters end soon. My cardiologist tells me not to worry about mine, that lots of people have them, they're benign, and they can't pin down the cause. I hope you can find the cause of yours. That would be brilliant!
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Apparently it was amazing lemon icing and the actual birthday girl was in raptures over it, and everyone else agreeing loudly. They needn't have said anything so it wasn't that they were in a forced position to make agreeing noises. So yes, it's me that's changed. In future (this is a monthly event) I'll bring the cupcake home with me and dispose of it. My mistake was taking a bite without realising the chef would come talk to me and I'd be forced into finishing it. Oh well, we live and learn
And thank you for the reassurance, that's certainly what I need right now
My grandfather had angina, but I'm positive this isn't that (or shades of). I'm even wondering if I've overdone the salt, but will keep testing everything until I find the cause. I'm even slightly wondering about drinking cold water right now, but I've found reasons for things in the past and will do it again. 0 -
@wheatlessgirl66 is it too soon to ask for a progress update?0
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totaloblivia wrote: »@wheatlessgirl66 is it too soon to ask for a progress update?
Are you referring to Sytrinol? It hasn't arrived yet so I haven't begun taking it. I'll post a comment on this page when I do. I know, it's going awfully slow. I think it will take at least a few weeks after I start taking it before I'll see any effect.0 -
Thanks @wheatlessgirl66 yes, sorry I should have been more specific, but was typing on my tablet earlier and i am very concise when doing that as find it a bit tedious tapping slowly on that! Yes, I meant the sytrinol.
I have got my sytrinol and taking it once a day for the last few days - hard to decouple any effects from doing keto as well I think. But I will let you know if my jiggly belly suddenly deflates! I agree it will probably be a few weeks to see any effect - I really hope it works the way you want it to.
Thanks for the response and best wishes!0 -
I just went to the shops today and bought a bottle that says 'Stress and Anxiety'. It contains 187.5 mg Rhodiola,
300 mg Whithania (Ashwagandha), 20 mg Sacred Basil, 150 mg Siberian Ginseng, 214.20 mg Lemon Balm.
The naturopath asked what it was for (so that she could advise me) and I said anxiety *and* post menopausal cortisol reduction to help get rid of 'this' and grabbed a handful of stomach. She kinda didn't know what to say to that ha har!!!
I know one thing, it sure tastes better, and crunches up more easily than the valerian. I can't swallow tablets so I have to chomp them down into a powder in my mouth, along with something flavoursome, so that I can get them into me.
I'll update if I notice any changes.0 -
Theanine is also a good calming agent. SunTheanine (TM) is the brand that's mostly been used in the studies that have shown a benefit. It doesn't knock you out, either. Some people use it like a nootropic, by having coffee with it. It's also good to help promote sleep (without the coffee).0
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Sytrinol Update: Well, I finally received the Sytrinol yesterday, but I'm returning it because it has add-ins that I don't think would be prudent for me to take. For now at least, I'm giving up on it until there's one available that doesn't have soy or other ingredients that I want to avoid and that lists all ingredients specifically so I know exactly what's in it before I buy. In addition, an article I read today from one of the drug companies stated that when you take Sytrinol you should have your lipids checked frequently to make sure all is well. Some people experience raised cholesterol, etc. when they take it. I'm not up for diddling with that at this point.
@totaloblivia I hope the Sytrinol works really well for you! Keep us updated! I still think it sounds promising and hope at some point I'll be able to try it.0 -
I'm sorry Ellen, that must be disappointing. But you're certainly doing the right thing!0
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GrannyMayOz wrote: »I'm sorry Ellen, that must be disappointing. But you're certainly doing the right thing!
Yes, extremely disappointing b/c I had such hopes that it would trigger losing something.0 -
I'll keep you posted on my Rhodiola and Ashwa'wotsit'. Hopefully they can substitute for the Sytrinol.0
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Oh dear, what a shame @wheatlessgirl66 ... the one I have got has olive oil in a softgel capsule. I really want my body to preferentially lose weight from my belly....I know it's wishful thinking, but would be great.0
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Ellen and Olivia, don't forget Ashwaganda as another option. I've been taking my 'Stress and Anxiety' Rhodiola,
Whithania (Ashwagandha), Sacred Basil, Siberian Ginseng and Lemon Balm for 2 days (instead of the valerian I was taking before) and my weight seems to be coming down again. Obviously it's too early to report on the belly fat, but I will keep you informed. I certainly feel calmer and happier, and surprisingly, along with that seems to be more 'up and go' to achieve tasks instead of being overwhelmed by them and doing none of them tee hee!0 -
Double post - mumble, grumble... 0
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What Times of day do you take all those, @GrannyMayOz and in what combination? Grateful for your advice as always. I feel like I'm a bit inconsistent in my supplement taking so I'm sure that doesn't help. I'm thinking of getting one of those pill organisers to manage it better!0
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It's a combo @Olivia so just the one tablet. I take one tablet about an hour before bed. The bottle says 1 - 2 per day but the first day I took one at 1pm (just after I bought them) and 1 at midnight. The midnight one quite literally made me starry-eyed. My vision went all pretty/shiny, though I was 100% normal in every other way. So the next day I took half a tablet at 10pm and the other half at midnight, just to be on the safe side LOL And all was well.
After having a few scares with my blood pressure in February and May, it is now 111/69 first thing in the morning so I'm sure that the valerian (first week or 2) and now the Rhodiola combo (instead of the valerian) have helped with that too.
ETA The brand I bought is an Australian one, but there's a similar formula available on eBay by a naturopath that looks good. It's half the price of the bottle I bought from the health store. Maybe eBay.co.uk will have something? Rhodiola and ashwaganda (AKA withania) seem to be the main ingredients required.0 -
Thanks, may! I have rhodiola and relora.... I think I just need to establish a consistent routine with them!0
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