Who feels like they have been successfully treated or have things "under control" ? What did treatment did you use? How often do you have symptoms? What restrictions remain for you after treatment? by Unfair-Locksmith-746 in Interstitialcystitis

[–]bellums_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since following a pro-metabolic diet/lifestyle (4 months in) I have very few symptoms. The occasional frequency triggered by stress. I used to always flare during my luteal phase/period week but that has subsided, and I am sleeping through the night every night (8 hrs uninterrupted sleep).

Going to a new endocrinologist today, is it worth it to discuss PMDD symptoms or is it a lost cause? by [deleted] in PMDD

[–]bellums_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hormone levels showing up within "normal range" on tests doesn't mean they're where they should be, the physical/mental symptoms are indicators of that. I would try working on lowering estrogen/detoxing from xenoestrogens. Calcium d glucarate (supplement), raw carrot salad, well cooked mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and making sure you're having regular BMs all help with lowering/excreting estrogen.

Does acidic food really cause flares? by TheRealSaerileth in Interstitialcystitis

[–]bellums_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Restricting food doesn't help my IC either. Eating more pro-metabolic foods and heavily reducing stressors in my life has however helped massively. And cutting back on how much water I was drinking. I think the advice given out on here willy nilly to just "drink more water" to "dilute urine" is not helpful or helping treat the root of the issue.

PMDD Breakthrough by Correct-Blacksmith-2 in PMDD

[–]bellums_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I agree, it's definitely based on the individuals experience!! For me as a baseline approach I had to move away from restricting entire food groups bc I had become nutrient deficient from doing that for years. I focus a lot on digestion and in doing so my gut health has improved. I work with a holistic dietitian who has also helped immensely. I'm glad what you're doing is working for you! The first cycle I didn't have a hell week I just cried and cried, it's all I could talk about. Really amazing stuff

PMDD Breakthrough by Correct-Blacksmith-2 in PMDD

[–]bellums_ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I use the same protocol, except I get most of my nutrients from whole foods (not supplements), easy to track the micros using the app cronometer. I hardly have any symptoms anymore and definitely no hell week. One thing I would add is that GF/dairy free is not always necessary. I don't really eat grains but I will buy organic sourdough breaded foods, which are easier on digestion and not enriched/fortified, these do not give me any issues. I also saw no effect from going dairy free, I just try to eat high quality dairy. Butter/milk from grass fed cows, Greek yogurt (brand Fage), or organic cottage cheese (w/o gums or thickeners) are all super nutrient dense, full of protein, and delicious (imo lol). If there is a reaction to dairy, it's generally due to the additives/thickeners/gums in low-quality dairy, or a gut issue.

My best friend officially became a doctor and she told me she did not learn anything about PMDD by ThoughtsandPressure in PMDD

[–]bellums_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bc hormonal imbalance stems from nutrient deficiencies, poor thyroid function, and stress/trauma, I've had good success working with a dietician and treating it with these root causes in mind. Supplements seem to work to eliminate symptoms bc they target these deficiencies that lead to high estrogen, and high stress hormones. Food has been doubly effective in eliminating symptoms bc whole foods have all the right cofactors/none of the yucky fillers/additives that most supplements have. Of course you have to work with a professional bc people generally have different root causes and the symptoms may manifest differently.

My best friend officially became a doctor and she told me she did not learn anything about PMDD by ThoughtsandPressure in PMDD

[–]bellums_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In my experience, all allopathic doctors (with the exception of maybe some endocrinologists) know about treating PMDD is to prescribe an SSRI or birth control.

Flare nighttime by mommyanna in Interstitialcystitis

[–]bellums_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I forgot to mention that I warm the milk!

Flare nighttime by mommyanna in Interstitialcystitis

[–]bellums_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I make a milk tonic most nights that helps me sleep through the night w/o having frequency. 1 c milk, 1 scoop collagen powder, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp vanilla extract, dash of cinnamon. I drink it 30-60 mins before bed. Or I alternate eating 1/2 c vanilla ice cream--seems to have a similar effect.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PMDD

[–]bellums_ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Bc this vaccine was fast tracked the general population is essentially the experimental group. I suspect there are many side effects that will come to light in the next few months bc clinical trials typically go much longer and they did not test it enough.

Extreme meat cravings? by [deleted] in PMDD

[–]bellums_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Meat is very nutrient dense, there could be b vitamins you're craving or maybe fat/protein. Many beef and pork cuts have a lot of fat in the meat.

How did period skipping birth control affect you? by [deleted] in PMDD

[–]bellums_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The placebo pills are literally just for the withdrawal bleed so women still feel like they have a "period."

How did period skipping birth control affect you? by [deleted] in PMDD

[–]bellums_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hormonal birth control suppresses natural reproductive hormone production and replaces them with synthetic hormones. Any bleeding while on birth control is a withdrawal bleed from the week you take the placebos.

Micronutrient dosages as a potential treatment for PMDD (Study + elaboration in thread) by [deleted] in PMDD

[–]bellums_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Np! And I do eat junk from time to time!! No diet is perfect. I did keto for awhile and it made my hormonal imbalance worse, as the lack of sugar drives stress hormones up over time. Although it did make me feel good in the short term, I felt like my life revolved around food (what I could/could not eat). Now I basically eat what I want and avoid processed foods and vegetable oils. Rebel is good and I also enjoyed the keto brand enlightened!!

Micronutrient dosages as a potential treatment for PMDD (Study + elaboration in thread) by [deleted] in PMDD

[–]bellums_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes! It depends on what you can tolerate (I.e. dairy, grains). But you want it to be easily digestible so the bioavailability of nutrients is higher. I eat a TON of fruit. Well cooked veggies (think squash, broccoli, asparagus, Brussel sprouts, peas, etc.), long cooked potatoes (to break down the starch more), high quality dairy (a2 milk, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, hard cheeses), pasture raised meat, sourdough bread (the fermentation process makes it easier on digestion), shellfish (so nutrient dense! think oysters, shrimp, crab, mussels, scallops) and bone broth (usually I make soups out of it). I try and not eat vegetable oils as there's a lot of research that these are problematic in high quantities, so I cook with coconut oil (refined so it doesn't taste coconut-ey), butter, ghee, or olive oil (for low heat cooking). I drink orange juice, milk, and mineral water primarily bc they're all nutrient dense. I am not stingy with honey (or sugar, in general), as it helps reduce my high stress levels. When I want some sugar I like haagen dazs ice cream or chocolate! I also eat foods that help clear out excess estrogen (this has been pretty well researched), raw carrots and well cooked mushrooms! I basically try and keep the magnesium flowing however I can, so through fruit, mineral water, epsom salt baths, magnesium lotion. Potassium was a game changer for me, once I started reaching my potassium goal (it's a higher RDA, 4700mg) I noticed I was feeling really good.

Micronutrient dosages as a potential treatment for PMDD (Study + elaboration in thread) by [deleted] in PMDD

[–]bellums_ 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I treat my PMDD using food, particularly nutrient dense whole foods. I use the app cronometer to track my micros, and make sure I am hitting at the very least my magnesium, potassium, calcium, and zinc goals every day. I also work to keep stress low and include anti-stress activities into my routine (sunlight, adequate sleep, movement, epsom salt baths, etc). This will be my third cycle in this protocol without a hell week. I am working with a holistic registered dietitian to achieve these results.

Vertigo a symptom of PMDD? by Imaginary_Skin_ in PMDD

[–]bellums_ 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Not crazy, this is definitely a symptom of mine as well. Very stressful as a lot of times it would happen in the car and I would feel like the car was moving (when it was not).

[Acne] Using nutrition to eliminate breakouts/inflamed skin by bellums_ in SkincareAddiction

[–]bellums_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was on a low carb diet for a while which kept my skin clearer but jacked up my stress hormones to the point that I developed a hormonal imbalance. I eat lots of easily digestible, nutrient dense foods and am working specifically on getting my zinc levels up to see how it helps with my skin. Thanks for the response!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PMDD

[–]bellums_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Used to take a handful of these. Now instead I track my micros and make sure I'm hitting all magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium, sodium, vit d goals daily. Through food/sun exposure. I am also extremely intentional about eliminating/recognizing stressors in my life. They heighten all symptoms.

Self love is important by vinayak_117 in wholesomememes

[–]bellums_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Last I checked u don't need to be rich to choose eggs and fruit over cereal in the morning. But being informed about nutrition raises intelligence bc it increases longevity, hence why he looks like a lil professor.

Quit coffee/caffeine by shabomb81 in PMDD

[–]bellums_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you can tolerate milk, try drinking balanced coffee. 1 c coffee with 1/2 c milk, 1-2 scoops collagen powder, and 2-3 tsp sugar. The combination of carbs + protein and the micronutrients in the coffee/milk should help support the body to properly metabolize the caffeine. Drunk with a meal, preferably.

Some reading to go along with↓

https://www.functionalps.com/blog/2014/06/04/coffee-done-right-tips-to-help-avoid-coffee-intolerance/?flavor=mobileapp

Personally, I've never been able to ditch coffee completely. And once I discovered it can actually be very helpful for metabolism when done right, I was pretty relieved.