If you feel tired and awful ALL the time, READ THIS!
EEpling89
Posts: 152
For the past two years of being on this weight control journey and some time prior, I haven't felt well at all. Everyone on MFP always talks about how great they feel while eating healthy, after a work out,, etc. I was extremely depressed, anxious, nauseous, dizzy, brain foggy, had ZERO sex drive, and absolutely no energy or motivation to do ANYTHING, just to name a few. I went to doctors and was told I was depressed and needed to see a psychiatrist. But although I FELT depressed, I knew I didn't have the brain of a depressed person, if that makes sense. I knew I WANTED to feel better and my brain was trying to but my body wasn't cooperating. I didn't want to be drugged up and sent on my way. I felt like my depression wasn't the problem but only a symptom of the problem.
This went on for about three years. Typing this now, I can't believe I lived that way. I got to the point where feeling like that was a new normal.
Then about 3 or 4 months ago, I was in a hurry to try to find something healthy for breakfast. All we really had was oatmeal. I didn't want to eat just plain oatmeal and I needed more calories. My husband's uncle had been staying with us and we joke with him about the "weird" food that he buys. He had left some flax seeds out, which I had never tried before but I knew they were supposed to be healthy so I mixed a scoop in with my oatmeal and quickly ate and ran out the door without giving it much thought.
On the hour long drive to work that day, I gradually started feeling better and better. I couldn't believe it. The only way to even describe it was that I felt normal. Not like I had superpowers, not like I could run a marathon. I just felt normal and it was the most amazing feeling ever. I had forgotten what it felt like. I got so much accomplished that day. I knew I had to have done something different but I couldn't think of what it was until I remembered the flax seeds. I ate them again the next day and felt the same way.
Without turning this post into a novel, I did some independent research and found that one of the main things that flax seeds are packed with is manganese. Manganese deficiency can cause depression, anxiety, lethargy, apathy, etc. and so forth. All the symptoms that I had. But I had never even considered a mineral deficiency because I was taking a multivitamin religiously.
After reading the label, it was just that. A multiVITAMIN. It contained no minerals.
After confirming this theory with my doctor, she determined that I was, in fact, dangerously deficient in both manganese and magnesium. I switched supplements right away.
I can tell you now that I've never felt better in my life. My relationships are improving, I do better at work, I get along better with my husband and my weight is finally on the decline again.
Moral of the story: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR MULTIVITAMIN!! Don't just assume that your symptoms are something else besides a vitamin or mineral deficiency just because you're taking a multivitamin. Everyone always says, "There is no magic pill," for whatever ailment you're dealing with but when it comes to a deficiency, a supplement can be your magic pill.
This is my story. I'm not a doctor and have no medical training, so definitely talk to your doctor if you think you might be deficient in something but don't just assume that he/she will know. The same doctor that told me I was simply depressed and had no physical symptoms was the same one who ultimately diagnosed my mineral deficiency.
I hope this helps someone!
This went on for about three years. Typing this now, I can't believe I lived that way. I got to the point where feeling like that was a new normal.
Then about 3 or 4 months ago, I was in a hurry to try to find something healthy for breakfast. All we really had was oatmeal. I didn't want to eat just plain oatmeal and I needed more calories. My husband's uncle had been staying with us and we joke with him about the "weird" food that he buys. He had left some flax seeds out, which I had never tried before but I knew they were supposed to be healthy so I mixed a scoop in with my oatmeal and quickly ate and ran out the door without giving it much thought.
On the hour long drive to work that day, I gradually started feeling better and better. I couldn't believe it. The only way to even describe it was that I felt normal. Not like I had superpowers, not like I could run a marathon. I just felt normal and it was the most amazing feeling ever. I had forgotten what it felt like. I got so much accomplished that day. I knew I had to have done something different but I couldn't think of what it was until I remembered the flax seeds. I ate them again the next day and felt the same way.
Without turning this post into a novel, I did some independent research and found that one of the main things that flax seeds are packed with is manganese. Manganese deficiency can cause depression, anxiety, lethargy, apathy, etc. and so forth. All the symptoms that I had. But I had never even considered a mineral deficiency because I was taking a multivitamin religiously.
After reading the label, it was just that. A multiVITAMIN. It contained no minerals.
After confirming this theory with my doctor, she determined that I was, in fact, dangerously deficient in both manganese and magnesium. I switched supplements right away.
I can tell you now that I've never felt better in my life. My relationships are improving, I do better at work, I get along better with my husband and my weight is finally on the decline again.
Moral of the story: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR MULTIVITAMIN!! Don't just assume that your symptoms are something else besides a vitamin or mineral deficiency just because you're taking a multivitamin. Everyone always says, "There is no magic pill," for whatever ailment you're dealing with but when it comes to a deficiency, a supplement can be your magic pill.
This is my story. I'm not a doctor and have no medical training, so definitely talk to your doctor if you think you might be deficient in something but don't just assume that he/she will know. The same doctor that told me I was simply depressed and had no physical symptoms was the same one who ultimately diagnosed my mineral deficiency.
I hope this helps someone!
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Replies
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Yep, magnesium deficiency can cause some awful symptoms. So can D deficiency. Hope this helps someone. :flowerforyou:0
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I have a hard time believing that it it work that fast. Not that it worked... just that it worked that fast.0
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Thank you for sharing your story!0
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thanks for sharing. it's amazing what some of the "junk" food masks in terms of actual vitamin & mineral deficiency. glad that you & your doctor figured it out!0
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Mongoosedog, it was literally within minutes that I noticed a difference. Like I said, it wasn't a miraculous healing or anything but I could tell something was up. Of course, now that the levels of it in my body have evened out, I feel great.0
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Thank you for sharing. Glad you're feeling better 0
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Glad you figured it out! Indeed we focus so much on the macro nutrients, we sometimes forget about the micro nutrients and what is needed in order for them to be absorbed. 0
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That's just what happened to me. When I started to take a multivitamin it was like a miracle. thanks for sharing this! 0
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Awesome information, thank you for sharing0
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I have a hard time believing that it it work that fast. Not that it worked... just that it worked that fast.
This worked for HER. It may not have the same effect on someone else, i.e. you. She is sharing her story, just in case it resonates with someone else.
It really annoys me, when reading the message boards, that someone is so quick to doubt, judge or be plain mean.0 -
Thank You for posting this! you may have just helped a lot of people feel better. Maybe even me!0
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Not sure that I quite agree with your conclusion. I think you should seek to correct deficiencies through your diet, if possible.0
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Not sure that I quite agree with your conclusion. I think you should seek to correct deficiencies through your diet, if possible.
"After confirming this theory with my doctor, she determined that I was, in fact, dangerously deficient in both manganese and magnesium. I switched supplements right away."0 -
Not sure that I quite agree with your conclusion. I think you should seek to correct deficiencies through your diet, if possible.
So tired of seeing these kind of comments. It made HER feel better...that is what matters to HER. OP, thank you for sharing this. I have alot of the symptoms you originally had and never once have I considered a mineral/vitamin deficiency to be the culprit.
Doctor confirmation...not a MFP dietary specialist know it all confirmation 0 -
Not sure that I quite agree with your conclusion. I think you should seek to correct deficiencies through your diet, if possible.
My doctor advised taking the supplement for a period of time while slowly adding foods to my diet that are rich in magnesium and manganese. The reason why I ended up that way was because none of those foods appeal to me, so I've been slowly incorporating ways to sneak them in, like flax seeds in soups and salads, spinach smoothies, etc. 0 -
That is wonderful that you found out what was wrong!!!!! I'm depressed too but mine is linked to anxiety (which links to other things) I'm sure this is my problem as well! I hate going to the doctors because all they want to do is put you on some pill to make you like a robot even after I say that maybe some test need to be ran. Then I get the "Oh, you're young and I wouldn't worry about it." uh ya that's my point. I'm young and I don't need to feel this way. I really need to start taking my pills again because I know I'll feel better!0
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:smooched:0
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Not sure that I quite agree with your conclusion. I think you should seek to correct deficiencies through your diet, if possible.
"After confirming this theory with my doctor, she determined that I was, in fact, dangerously deficient in both manganese and magnesium. I switched supplements right away."
I'm sure he meant food not supplements
The multivitamin I take also has minerals in it Opti-men. Not all multivitamins are created equal0 -
I just did a search on maganese (I at first assumed you were misspelling magnesium, LOL), and came up with this: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/manganese-000314.htm.
What you described is how I've been feeling for YEARS. I've attributed it to laziness, depression, being overwhelmed and not knowing where to focus, etc. And it may well be those things, but I do think I want to ask my Dr. to check my levels at my next physical. In reading the above, it sounds like there are too many dangerous side effects if you overdo it, so I'll refrain from the self diagnosis. Anyway, thanks for sharing!0 -
Thanks for putting up this post, it was very helpful. And, thank goodness you are feeling so much better. What a happy ending.0
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This is a great reminder for me to keep taking mine. Hope the biotin I purchased for my hair falling out works just as fast!0
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Good to know. Thanks for sharing your story. I've been thinking of seeing my doc and getting a bunch of blood tests done to see if I have something going on with me. I'm always tired. In fact if sleeping was a sport I'd be a gold medalist at it. I workout a lot - usually an average of 30-60 min about 5 times a week and my weight hasn't been moving. I've even gained a few pounds. I need to look at my multivitamin to see if it has minerals in it. I do have some flax seed at home so I will try using it more in my breakfast to see if that helps.
Thanks!0 -
pumpkin seeds have a lot of magnesium in them I eat them whenever I feel low on energy0
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Quick Oats alone give you a big energy boost.
People have been using them for pre-workout for a long time. Nice quick boost of energy that allows you to not have to pump pre-workout supplements all the time.0 -
Good to know. Thanks for sharing your story. I've been thinking of seeing my doc and getting a bunch of blood tests done to see if I have something going on with me. I'm always tired. In fact if sleeping was a sport I'd be a gold medalist at it. I workout a lot - usually an average of 30-60 min about 5 times a week and my weight hasn't been moving. I've even gained a few pounds. I need to look at my multivitamin to see if it has minerals in it. I do have some flax seed at home so I will try using it more in my breakfast to see if that helps.
Thanks!
they should probably check your thyroid0 -
Too much manganese will also cause depression, lethargy and an onset of symptoms like parkinson's disease..... once again, everything should be taken in moderation.0
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Not sure that I quite agree with your conclusion. I think you should seek to correct deficiencies through your diet, if possible.
My doctor advised taking the supplement for a period of time while slowly adding foods to my diet that are rich in magnesium and manganese. The reason why I ended up that way was because none of those foods appeal to me, so I've been slowly incorporating ways to sneak them in, like flax seeds in soups and salads, spinach smoothies, etc.
Just to be clear, I'm not saying your actions were unreasonable, it sounds like you did exactly the right thing.
However, I think a more accurate moral of the story would have been "pay attention to your micronutrient intake" rather than "pay attention to your multivitamin."
I'm just being my normal nitpicky self :drinker:0 -
I have a hard time believing that it it work that fast. Not that it worked... just that it worked that fast.
This worked for HER. It may not have the same effect on someone else, i.e. you. She is sharing her story, just in case it resonates with someone else.
It really annoys me, when reading the message boards, that someone is so quick to doubt, judge or be plain mean.
^^^THIS! why why why whhhy do people do that??? Bums me out
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I have a hard time believing that it it work that fast. Not that it worked... just that it worked that fast.
I've never taken manganese so can't comment, but I can tell you from experience that vitamin B12 works this quickly if you are deficient.
Also, it isn't always possible to correct deficiencies through diet. Some people have problems absorbing nutrients, and deficiences can be masked as something else for years and years. Often it can be just good luck to find out what's going on.0 -
Good to know. Thanks for sharing your story. I've been thinking of seeing my doc and getting a bunch of blood tests done to see if I have something going on with me. I'm always tired. In fact if sleeping was a sport I'd be a gold medalist at it. I workout a lot - usually an average of 30-60 min about 5 times a week and my weight hasn't been moving. I've even gained a few pounds. I need to look at my multivitamin to see if it has minerals in it. I do have some flax seed at home so I will try using it more in my breakfast to see if that helps.
Thanks!
they should probably check your thyroid
That's the 2nd time I've been told that. I'm going to get into the doctor this month on one of my days off and get tested. Thanks!0
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