Big Meals

[Altostrata]

Neurotransmitters aside, low glycemic-index carbs such as legumes (beans, lentils, etc.) and whole grains are indeed a good way to maintain blood sugar.

 

Off to buy and roast some sweet potatoes myself.....

[Meimeiquest]

Lexi, How is the battle going?

[areyouthere]

I'm glad that you like the site, Lexi. I think it has a lot of good and interesting information that can help us make informed decisions about what we should or could be eating.

 

After taken pills all my life I really, really , really hate taking supplements and never really have... except vitamin D & Calcium.  I don't know about you but I would much rather control proper nutrient intake and boost my immune system and manage my moods by doing my body a favor and eating properly.

 

Since I really took this eating healthy kick seriously and have been eating many more fruits and vegetables & switching to natural starches such as potatoes & brown rice rather than bread I have been feeling good. 

 

I wish you and all of us here the same... those who help themselves... etc etc..

 

RU

[Marie]

Hi Lexi.This thread is turning out to be very interesting as far as blood glucose levels, and how drops and spikes during the day can make a big difference in the way we feel.I'm sure you've probably got that idea by now. Just yesterday, I had worked hard to cook a really healthy dinner, had eaten my usual oat bran with yogurt, and just before the food was ready, had to eat a peanut butter sandwich to hold me over for an hour or so. Yep, that low blood sugar can really hit you at times.But I think it's also important to realize that benzo withdrawl (at least for me) is often it's own special "situation" that balancing blood sugar alone may not help. The gastrointestinal system is often termed the "second brain" for the number of GABA receptors it contains. And this is why so many benzo users going through the withdrawl experience often have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Many are so incapacitated by their sx that they are literally bedridden, and I'm not just referring to GI sx.With the influence of the GABA/glutamate system, the largest neurotransmitter system in the brain (I do believe) and it's power over every nerve in every system in the body, many benzo users withdrawing have no appetite, are unable to eat w/o distress, much less get out of bed to cook a nutritious meal or shop to get those nutritious ingredients. In fact, eating may be the last thing on their mind. For many benzo taperers, they would give anything imaginable to have that appetite, and be able to simply eat a protein bar and have that make these awful sx go away.I surely can't speak for AD withdrawl, and after reading many threads on this site, it surely doesn't look easy at all, and I don't know how it compares to benzo withdrawl at all. But I just reiterate that benzo withdrawl can be a pure hell that balancing blood sugars alone will not ameliorate as it is not blood sugar balances that are causing the problem, but it is the down regulation of the gaba receptor, the absorption of some of those receptors into the surrounding brain tissue, and the alteration and production of new receptors as upregulation occurs with withdrawing that is causing the myriad of sx the benzo taperer experiences.

 

I do believe we should eat as healthy as possible for healing and recovery, and I also think that the slow, careful taper for benzos with any change we make in our dosing schedule, number of doses, switches to liquids or just any change at all with holds  as necessary be done slowly and as recommended  by this great site that is SA is the best way to have a successful taper off benzos.

 

Marie

[Barbarannamated]

I'm often amazed that so many are able to shop and cook through this. Of course, I never did cook even when stronger...

[areyouthere]

I'm often amazed that so many are able to shop and cook through this. Of course, I never did cook even when stronger...

I started really slowly Barb. I started changing how I ate the beginning of July. I was having significant digestive issues... It didn't take very long for me to start losing a little weight, a nice little side affect, but it took a good two and a half months ( really just the last two weeks) for my digestive system to be normal as in regular. 

 

Marie is right & I've read it before ( but not in too much depth... just wanted to fix it not understand it) that the gut is somehow involved in the whole brain chemical feedback deal. 

 

I didn't REALLY believe it until my gut issues recently resolved and even at that... who knows? Maybe I'm just gluten intolerant. 

 

I'm not much of a cook either... and I have to admit it takes some cooking...  but it can be easier than you think. Yogurt with live cultures is an easy way to start: I make a cup parfait with a layer of yogurt ( I like plain) squish honey on top, 6-7 cashews, another laayer of yogurt.

 

Easy. Also... I have a hard time eating leafy green vegies. So I make smoothies with an old blender. Thoow some yogurt in a blender, kale, spinach, beet greens, or romain lettuce, some fruit ( banana , raspberries... whatever), milk, ice, honey, blend.   I don't even take the blender apart.... rinse it off. Nummy and easy.

 

Instead of a sandwich? I take 4 thin slices of cheese & put them on a plate, put dome unprocessed deli meat on top, roll it up & zap it in the microwave for 25 seconds.... eat it with a fork....

 

Now I'm hungry..... THANKS!!!   Oh... I HAVE been making soup lately....RU

[EagleWolf]

This statement from post above is concerning to me:"Good carbs bathe the brain in serotonin, there are thousands of clinical and anecdotal articles online to support this.".Is it not flooding our brains in serotonin (or GABA or...) that landed us in this horrible position?I mean no disrespect to you, Eaglewolf. I believe we have to exercise caution with statements that ascribe healing properties to any single neurotransmitter or support the "chemical imbalance theory" in any way.

 

Hi Barbara

 

I understand what you are saying, but in Lexi's case, as per her signature she was quickly detoxed off two SSRI's, which may* have indeed caused a deficit (albeit temporary) in the manufacture of Serotonin, hence my suggestion of supplementation of low/medium GI carbs, which help with the manufacture of natural Serotonin. 

 

As Lexi is also on Ativan (a benzo), her GABA receptors may* be down regulated, they certainly would not be flooded with anything except Benzos, which bind tightly to receptor site.  Some people, myself included can even have 'inverted' GABA receptors.

 

I personally do not ascribe to the 'chemical imbalance' school of thought.  However, I do believe that we can help ourselves immensely with smart food choices.

 

Incidentally, I thought, I should mention the works of Dr Phillip Day.  He has cured thousands and thousand of people from ailments such as MS, Parkinson's, Cancer and the like, purely through holistic living and diet alone.  He believes all disease is just that ~ 'dis-ease' within the body.  I saw him when he toured Australia and he was just amazing.  I have two of his books, which I highly recommend..  'Health Wars' and 'The Mind Game'.  I mention this as Dr Day is kind of a 'savant', in that he believes Western Medicine is killing us all, slowly but surely.

 

Here is a brilliant review on his book 'The Mind Game' which debunks many psych medications as no more than 'poison by prescription'[.  http://credencegroup.co.uk/ozstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10&zenid=95523c1aa23de0aa88e06fe5831c3823

 

Anyway, I did not want to come off as prescriptive to Lexi, as my sole intention is to help her and ease her suffering in any way we can.

 

Eagle.

[EagleWolf]

Hi Lexi.This thread is turning out to be very interesting as far as blood glucose levels, and how drops and spikes during the day can make a big difference in the way we feel.I'm sure you've probably got that idea by now. Just yesterday, I had worked hard to cook a really healthy dinner, had eaten my usual oat bran with yogurt, and just before the food was ready, had to eat a peanut butter sandwich to hold me over for an hour or so. Yep, that low blood sugar can really hit you at times.But I think it's also important to realize that benzo withdrawl (at least for me) is often it's own special "situation" that balancing blood sugar alone may not help. The gastrointestinal system is often termed the "second brain" for the number of GABA receptors it contains. And this is why so many benzo users going through the withdrawl experience often have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Many are so incapacitated by their sx that they are literally bedridden, and I'm not just referring to GI sx.With the influence of the GABA/glutamate system, the largest neurotransmitter system in the brain (I do believe) and it's power over every nerve in every system in the body, many benzo users withdrawing have no appetite, are unable to eat w/o distress, much less get out of bed to cook a nutritious meal or shop to get those nutritious ingredients. In fact, eating may be the last thing on their mind. For many benzo taperers, they would give anything imaginable to have that appetite, and be able to simply eat a protein bar and have that make these awful sx go away.I surely can't speak for AD withdrawl, and after reading many threads on this site, it surely doesn't look easy at all, and I don't know how it compares to benzo withdrawl at all. But I just reiterate that benzo withdrawl can be a pure hell that balancing blood sugars alone will not ameliorate as it is not blood sugar balances that are causing the problem, but it is the down regulation of the gaba receptor, the absorption of some of those receptors into the surrounding brain tissue, and the alteration and production of new receptors as upregulation occurs with withdrawing that is causing the myriad of sx the benzo taperer experiences.

 

I do believe we should eat as healthy as possible for healing and recovery, and I also think that the slow, careful taper for benzos with any change we make in our dosing schedule, number of doses, switches to liquids or just any change at all with holds  as necessary be done slowly and as recommended  by this great site that is SA is the best way to have a successful taper off benzos.

 

Marie

 

Great Post Marie,

 

Yep, benzo tapering is a beast all of its own and it certainly does play havoc with BSL's. I am so with you on the peanut butter sanger.  Sometimes that's all I can get down.

 

I force myself to have 5 small snacks a day and it has been helping me immensely, often I just grab a handful of almonds, or a banana, or even a small plate of strawberries.  I find this much easier on my GI tract as opposed to 3 square meals. 

 

My absolute staples are sweet potato seasoned with sea salt and almond milk and honey smoothies.  The smoothies are great for anyone who cannot hold down 'food'.  I went through that phase around 6 weeks ago.

 

Cheers,

 

Eagle

[Marie]

Eagle,

 

I'm so glad you posted, and that you also mentioned the sweet potatoes. I really do like them a lot and I think I will get some at the store. They really are loaded with nutrients and a staple food of many cultures.

 

Here in the US, I think we often forget about them until around Thanksgiving and Christmas, but your post has reminded me that they are available all year round, and since I like them so much, I am going to definitely get some most likely today.

 

I think it would be great to see you posting here more. I know you are busy with your blog and all your other projects, but i still enjoy reading your latest info, rather it be here or there.

 

Marie

[Altostrata]

It's unlikely that anyone ever experiences a deficit of serotonin, the gut is swimming with it -- so let's put that theory and those like it to rest!

[EagleWolf]

Eagle,I'm so glad you posted, and that you also mentioned the sweet potatoes. I really do like them a lot and I think I will get some at the store. They really are loaded with nutrients and a staple food of many cultures.Here in the US, I think we often forget about them until around Thanksgiving and Christmas, but your post has reminded me that they are available all year round, and since I like them so much, I am going to definitely get some most likely today.I think it would be great to see you posting here more. I know you are busy with your blog and all your other projects, but i still enjoy reading your latest info, rather it be here or there.Marie

 

Thank you Marie, you are too kind.  I've been quiet of late as I have much going on with my husband back in hospital.  I must try to visit more.

 

Hope you are keeping well.  Enjoy your sweet potatoes.  I love them, I even eat the skin!

 

Eagle.

[EagleWolf]

It's unlikely that anyone ever experiences a deficit of serotonin, the gut is swimming with it -- so let's put that theory and those like it to rest!

 

Hello Alto

 

I agree that a healthy gut is swimming in Serotonin, but I have to disagree with you on the fact that an individual can actually suffer from a deficit of Serotonin.

 

Why?  Because I have suffered from it myself.  I'd like to explain, so I do not come off as 'combative' or 'argumentative', which I probably will anyway, but here goes. 

 

I will preface the remainder of the post with the fact that I have the utmost respect for your knowledge and patience, which you give freely on this site.

 

 

I am a long time Migraneur, having suffered from severe Migraines since I was 16 years old.  I have undergone many neurological tests and some invasive ones at that.  Two top shelf neurologists have told me that Migraines stem from a quick drop in Serotonin. (For me a quick drop constitutes a deficit, as it demonstrates that levels do indeed vary in range). 

 

When an individual suffers from a 10/10 Migraine, you normally have a 3 day hangover, which I have been reliably informed, is the time that it takes for your body to return to normal levels of Serotonin. This information comes directly from the two aforementioned neurologists.  Additionally, this is my pattern and seems to be observed in nearly all  hard core migraneurs.

 

I assume that there must be room for some debate over this matter, as my belief is that Serotonin Syndrome is an 'over supply' of Serotonin? 

 

Serotonin Syndrome is a consequence of excess serotonergic activity, therefore if  there can be over supply, surely on the other end of the scale, sits deficit?

 

 

Quotes from PubMeds;  

 

'Amongst the many neurotransmitters in the brain, the serotonergic (serotonin, 5-HT) system from the brainstem raphe nucleus has been most convincingly implicated in migraine pathophysiology".

 

'The documented changes in 5-HT metabolism and in the processing of central 5-HT-mediated responses during and in between migraine attacks have led to the suggestion that migraine is a consequence of a central neurochemical imbalance that involves a low serotonergic disposition'. (i.e. low serotonin levels).

 

The article goes on to explain that low levels of Serotonin, 5 HT are the cause of migraines. 

 

Here is the complete article for perusal if you are interested.  (Serotonin and migraine: biology and clinical implications. Cephalalgia. 2007 Nov;27(11):1293-300., ).

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17970989

 

PubMeds is one of the most reliable online repositories for medical information.  You will note that there are several accompanying citations, which basically support my viewpoint.

 

 

I hope this sheds some light on why I believe there may be an over supply/deficit situation in some cases.  Interestingly enough, I have not had a single full scale migraine in 2 years since being on Avanza, yet as I taper it, I am becoming more and more headachy. 

 

Cheers,

 

Eagle

[Altostrata]

Variations in serotonin levels in specific areas of the brain do NOT constitute a serotonin deficit.

 

Migraine research is quite specific. I would not generalize it. Detoxing off SSRIs doesn't effect serotonin levels, it affects the feedback mechanism (downregulation) detecting serotonin.

 

We don't support the "chemical imbalance" theory on this site.

[Barbarannamated]

Any recommendations on beverages to sip when I wake at nght that might help maintain blood sugar levels? I've tried Ensure and Boost; wondering if anyone has other suggestions.

 

Also, I sincerly apologize for taking this thread off on tangent earlier.

[lexicon]

Hi Barb, No apologies needed, feel at home please ..

Courtesy of all you wonderful people, there is so much useful information shared.

 

I am grateful to you Barb, to Alto and Marie, to Skyler and RU, to Eagle, Mei, and Abir.

We are here to help each other, and this thread accomplishes that and more ..

 

Personally, I have learned so much, from each of you.

 

Wishing blessings, love and joy, wellness and healing to all.

Thank you for contributing to this thread ..

Love, Lexi

[Skyler]

Have the symptoms you were having after dinner.. increased BP, etc. gotten any better with the balanced meals?

[lexicon]

Hi Sky,

Thank you for asking ..My symptoms remain the same, with some new symptoms added.

My BP continues to increase, but it has not taken me to the ER.

 

And the back of my head pressure is there. Symptoms seem to cycle in, cycle out ..

Old symptoms have returned, plus new symptoms show up to deal with.

 

Pretty much, my day accelerates downhill after 6-6:30 pm

At this point, I have no explanation for this. Just feeling distress over it.

 

I understand that congratulations are in order for you, on Halloween..

Well done Skyler

 

Lexi

[Altostrata]

Lexi, how are you eating now?

[lexicon]

Hi Alto,

Thank you for your care ..I eat as was suggested here ..

 

Today for example, I had Oatmeal in the morning with some cantaloupe.

For lunch A small salmon patty sandwich on multi grain bread, and a plum.

and for dinner later,asparagus, a half of a sweet potato, and a small filet of Cod.

 

So I think I do good with all the wonderful suggestions.

 

Maybe it will take some time for my symptoms to subside. That will be a blessing:)

 

I am grateful for your kindness Alto.

You are always in thought and prayer.

 

Lexicon