4 replies to this topic

[cap3]

Hi

The last week I have felt the best I have felt for almost a year. I wish I could say that this is due to me taking a certain supplement or because I have found the root cause of my depression. But no, the reason I feel so good is because I have had a slight throat infection. Whenever I have an infection of this kind all my symptoms disappear, like anxiety, dysthymia, lack of motivation poor speech fluency, also my vision is sharp and I don't have my usual spaced out feeling. This is not my imagination, I feel TOTALY different, however as my throat or runny nose etc clears up I can feel myself going back to feeling how I normally do.

I have been trying to solve my ongoing dysthymia, anxiety and poor speech fluency for about 10 years now without using drugs. I have had numerous tests done and tried pretty much every supplement aimed at depression available without any real success.

This has led me to tackle the problem from a different angle. I have recently been considering taking lots of anti inflammatorys to see if chronic inflammation is the problem but surely the immune system is pro inflammatory so why would I be feeling so much better 'normal' whenever my immune system is stimulated.

What could be happening in my body at times when I am not well to clear up all my mental problems?

Is there a way of making my body behave this way with supplements?

My diet is pretty good and I take a good quality multi every day. My most recent test I had done was on Organic Acids Urine test which showed I have extremely low serotonin levels. Yeast etc seems o.k.

Does anyone have any ideas?

[nowayout]

It is relatively common for people with autoimmune disorders to feel better (less pain, inflammation, etc.) when they have an infection. One might speculate that the infection distracts the immune system from attacking the body itself. Maybe something like this is going on with you.

[cap3]

I think it may be due to low cortisol which would increase when I am not well. I have done a saliva test in the past which showed low cortisol at each sample time.

I also have this weird vision problem where I have trouble maintaining focus especially if I am stressed or exert myself physically. For example when looking into peoples eyes every few seconds my focus suddenly judders a little but. This also gets worse in the afternoon.

[helluva nootro]

It seems quite common that some people claim to feel better, mainly just before getting ill not during, it appears to be due to your body boosting its defences and preparing itself (so to speak) with a host of anti-bodies e.t.c and your hormone levels can also adjust. Do you have any other known illness or conditions apart from the depression? Do you perhaps also stop/start taking certain supplements e.t.c when feeling ill that you wouldn't otherwise?

[Olon]

Elevated kynurenine level has been associated with depressive symptoms.
http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Kynurenine
Immune processes lead to production of kynurenic acid from kynurenine, lowering its level. Your low serotonin level makes me speculate whether you have a dysregulation of indoleamine dioxygenase (IDO).
http://en.wikipedia....:KP_pathway.jpg
Inhibiting or downregulating IDO might be worth a try.
http://en.wikipedia....2,3-dioxygenase

Edited by Olon, 31 May 2013 - 11:47 AM.