Day 31 -- Severe Depression

[Guest guest]

I returned from Christmas vacation on Friday. I'm currently

experiencing a horrible bout of depression. Today is day 31 for me.

Here is a quick snapshot of how my first 4 weeks went on the scd diet:

days 1-7 good

days 8-13 bad*

days 14-16 good

days 17-22 bad*

days 23-25 good

days 26-31 bad*

* depression, anxiety, nightmares, aches, weight loss, fatigue, etc

I just discovered that a supplement that I had been taking is not

SCD-compliant. It had the following illegal ingredients: Spirulina,

Chlorella, Kamut grass. I was also using flax seed and psyllium which

are also SCD-illegal. I am immediately removing all of these items

from my diet. I had to remove unrefined honey earlier.

I started using bentonite clay to help with nausea. I switched to

activated charcoal 2 days ago. The only other supplements I'm

currently taking are Cod Liver Oil and Vitamin C (acerola cherry

powder). I've had some strong reactions to synthetic vitamins in the

past (before SCD). I was able to tolerate liquid supplements by

Floradix. I'm wondering if Magnesium or a B-Vitamin supplement might

be helpful in my situation? Does anyone know if the Floradix brand is

SCD-legal?

I also read that using commercial yogurt for a starter is acceptable.

But, I notice that most of them have a bifidum culture which Elaine

did not recommend. Can someone please shed some light on this? What is

the best way to make the 24-hour yogurt?

I don't know if the bad episodes are due to my diet mistakes, die-off,

or a combination of the two? I'm looking forward to better days

but the first month has been very rough. I need help…

[Guest guest]

,

It's not unusual for someone new to SCD to cycle through periods of not feeling

well. Fatigue in particular can be due to die-off. It seems like you've had a

rough start partially due to the inclusion of quite a few illegals.... so now

that you've removed them, you may go through more severe die-off, now that you

aren't feeding little bits of illegals to the " last hold outs " of the gut

pathogens down there. So, yes, I think you've suffered from a combination of

die-off and mistakes from illegals.

Not sleeping well would be depressing to anyone.... and I feel for you, since I

am a lifelong insomniac. Then, there's Christmas itself! It's a rough time of

year sometimes.... and if you're in the northern hemisphere, just the lack of

light at this time of the year is enough to send someone over the edge.

I would definitely recommend epsom salts baths...... every day..... to help

with detoxification and calming. If you're using any caffeine at all.... weak

coffee, or legal tea.... you might consider weaning yourself off of it entirely.

Disregard if you don't use those items.

Yes, a magnesium supplement would be helpful in calming..... however, I would

recommend you look for magnesium glycinate. Magnesium citrate would be helpful

if you tend to be constipated, but I'm warning you..... for ME, anyway, mag

citrate causes insomnia. Maybe if you took it in the morning, I don't know. It

might not have that effect on you, but I switched to glycinate.

B-vitamins are always a good idea. I don't know about the Floradix product. I

know they make more than one supplement.... so you'd have to list out ALL the

ingredients. I don't have time to go Google it and research it for you. There

is a list of legal/illegal supplement additives on www.pecanbread.com under

" Supplements " . You can compare the labeled ingredients to that list and check it

yourself. If there is something listed that you're unsure of, post it here and

we'll see if we can figure it out. As far as B-vitamins go, I can really only

recommend the Freeda vitamins as SCD legal for sure.

When Elaine first made recommendations for using commercial yogurt as a starter,

it was not at all common for manufacturers to include bifidus strains in their

products. Now, it seems like almost all of the do...... which renders them

unusable for us. I highly recommend that you try the Lyosan/Yogourmet

starter.... available from Lucy's Kitchen Shop. www.lucyskitchenshop.com .

You'll have reliable good results. The yogurt making instructions are on

www.pecanbread.com .

Are you absolutely sure that your vitamin C is completely free of illegals? Just

a thought. I'm sure you're also wanting to be absolutely sure now.... so I

assume you've been over this one.

Most of all, I think you just need patience now..... (and maybe a week on a

sunny beach in the tropics?) The days are getting longer now, you're off to a

better start and things are bound to improve for you soon.

Chin up!

Patti

Day 31 -- Severe Depression

I returned from Christmas vacation on Friday. I'm currently

experiencing a horrible bout of depression. Today is day 31 for me.

Here is a quick snapshot of how my first 4 weeks went on the scd diet:

days 1-7 good

days 8-13 bad*

days 14-16 good

days 17-22 bad*

days 23-25 good

days 26-31 bad*

* depression, anxiety, nightmares, aches, weight loss, fatigue, etc

I just discovered that a supplement that I had been taking is not

SCD-compliant. It had the following illegal ingredients: Spirulina,

Chlorella, Kamut grass. I was also using flax seed and psyllium which

are also SCD-illegal. I am immediately removing all of these items

from my diet. I had to remove unrefined honey earlier.

I started using bentonite clay to help with nausea. I switched to

activated charcoal 2 days ago. The only other supplements I'm

currently taking are Cod Liver Oil and Vitamin C (acerola cherry

powder). I've had some strong reactions to synthetic vitamins in the

past (before SCD). I was able to tolerate liquid supplements by

Floradix. I'm wondering if Magnesium or a B-Vitamin supplement might

be helpful in my situation? Does anyone know if the Floradix brand is

SCD-legal?

I also read that using commercial yogurt for a starter is acceptable.

But, I notice that most of them have a bifidum culture which Elaine

did not recommend. Can someone please shed some light on this? What is

the best way to make the 24-hour yogurt?

I don't know if the bad episodes are due to my diet mistakes, die-off,

or a combination of the two? I'm looking forward to better days

but the first month has been very rough. I need help.

[Guest guest]

Patti, thanks so much for the helpful post! I have weeded out all the

'known' illegals in my diet. I ordered 2 bottles of Freeda

supplements: Multivitamin and B-Complex. I purchased a couple of boxes

of the yogourmet starter and have started working on a new batch of

legal yogurt (without Bifidus). I also purchased a copy of the

Grain-free Gourmet cookbook. The Vitamin C that I'm taking is 100%

acerola cherry powder. I'm still battling the depression and insomnia.

I hope the adjustments turn me around. I really appreciate all the

information you sent my way.

Thanks,

>

> ,

>

> It's not unusual for someone new to SCD to cycle through periods of

not feeling well. Fatigue in particular can be due to die-off. It

seems like you've had a rough start partially due to the inclusion of

quite a few illegals.... so now that you've removed them, you may go

through more severe die-off, now that you aren't feeding little bits

of illegals to the " last hold outs " of the gut pathogens down there.

So, yes, I think you've suffered from a combination of die-off and

mistakes from illegals.

>

> Not sleeping well would be depressing to anyone.... and I feel for

you, since I am a lifelong insomniac. Then, there's Christmas itself!

It's a rough time of year sometimes.... and if you're in the northern

hemisphere, just the lack of light at this time of the year is enough

to send someone over the edge.

>