Worried

[Farley]

I'm worried that my recent "home issues" may have been caused by low serotonin levels. I am on Cipralex and have been for over a year. I wonder if my mood swings and irritability are related to my low-carbing or not. I googled "Atkins-attitude" on the advice of a friend... I know the internet is full of propaganda, so I take anything I read with a grain of salt, but it made me wonder. It will certainly give me something to think about and to be cognative of while I am on the program. This morning I felt (phsyically) the way I do when I miss a dose of my meds, even tho I didn't miss a dose. I'm also committing to more exercise. Twice a week wasn't enough.

We'll see...

[Whatsername]

Re: Worried

I haven't found Atkins to hurt my moods. When I have had mood changes, it is when I cheated. That was emotional and physical...I felt awful. As long as I stick to Atkins, I find I feel very good.

What I suggest is that you keep track of what you are eating (you can use fitday.com or something similar if you find it helpful), and keep track of your moods. I believe fitday has that option also but I haven't used it. There are also mood charts online or what I have done in the past is a simple "+" "-" on my calendar (or 1, 2, 3).

How long have you been on Atkins? If you are new to it, it is normal for you to feel some "withdrawal" symptoms as your body gets used to no sugar and fewer carbs. That doesn't usually last long though, 1-2 days I think.

Good luck!

Jane

[Farley]

Re: Worried

6 weeks, not by the book, as I had not bought the book until last weekend. I'm tearing through it tho, and hope to adhere more closely to the "rules"...

I felt better after B-fast.

[paminmd]

Re: Worried

I find doing some kind of exercise every day helps my mood, even if its just an hour walking. Exercise helps the seratonin production.
Good luck. It looks like you are getting great results, weight-wise.

[lannerjarv]

Re: Worried

i used to be on anti-depressants, so i know what you mean when you reference "missing a pill".
i have found that doing this WOE accurately makes me "moodless". As in, I am not at all moody.
exercise is key however, and i feel so amazing after a run or a workout at the gym. keeps me a happy camper for the rest of the day usually.

you may want to consult your doctor and let him/her know that you are really watching your food intake and "eating clean" (as in no processed carbs.. don't tell him Atkins because people tend to "go off" on the WOE.. instead of seeing it for what its really worth) and see if you even need your meds, or perhaps need a different dosage.