[quote]bushidobadboy wrote:
I think your scale numbers may go up as cortisol levels come down, since cortisol is highly catabolic and will signal the muscles to lose glycogen and protein.
So you may lose some subQ water, but your muscles may become fuller as they replenish glycogen levels.
Hopefully it will settle out in a short time, and you will look better, having less water around the abdomen, and fuller muscles.
Now, onto the ‘unwinding’ part. Obviously you are in a stressful period of your life and that is going to challenge you whether you like it or not.
However you may want to do a quick review on a nootropic (brain drug) called aniracetam. As well as improving cognitive function and memory and recall, it is said to posses anxiolytic properties, which means that is reduces anxiety levels.
It is relatively side-effect free and cheap.
I’m literally about to pop my first dose, so I’ll let you know if it chills me out at all, lol.
Bushy[/quote]
I am beyond stressed right now. Please let me know how that nootropic works for you because I have zero cognitive function, memory or recall at the moment. Not kidding either.
The scale is lucky to be alive right now. It is hidden right now - literally, I told my aunt to hide it.
[quote]BigRagoo wrote:
MsM wrote:
I imagine that you are right BigRagoo but sometimes there are events and events and situations that are out of your control and you just have to deal with them as best you can. I’ve realized that I have to change the way I deal with some of them though. Having this thread has really helped me with that.
Oh, trust me, I understand. Life always hands you all that you can handle at any given time. It’s just really important during these times that you focus solely on yourself at some point during each day. It will give you strength to keep trucking along.[/quote]
Sure does, doesn’t it? I haven’t even cut back at all since the last time I posted. Way too much going on. I figured I was better off to be able to stay where I was. Had I have tried to take anything new on, I would’ve ended up throwing in the towel.
I have been in sort of a maintence phase I guess. Not the best and definitely not my plan so far but considering, I think that it was reasonable considering the 20000 things that backfired this last week.
Anyhow, things are somewhat stable now and I’m ready to get on with it again…I think.
[quote]Burn wrote:
I’ve been in a similar situation myself. I’ve been using ephedra since the time of the eph supplements. In similar doses as well, usually in excess of 240mg per day. And usually in combination with loads of coffee, or taurine containing energy drinks.
It did give me terrible nervousness sometimes, or I would suddenly crash for no reason and feel depressed for hours on end. And I was irritable all day long. It got progressively worse and one day it just hit me how stupid some of my decisions were.
It really does create a dependency, and I can’t tell you it was easy giving it up, but if your experience was anything like mine, then in the end it will be worth it. You’ll be much more calm, and experience a clarity of thought you couldn’t when all the neurotransmitters were racing across your brain. And you’ll be a more pleasant person to be around.
Don’t worry about the weight gain, it won’t be drastic if you don’t go crazy with your diet. Your metabolism will pick up in a few weeks. I’d recommend added cardio in the meanwhile. Like another poster said, try not to be oversensitive to yourself. It will pass.
Oh and good luck. You’ve made good progress, be strong, keep it up.[/quote]
Thanks for sharing that Burn. I gave up the energy drinks last year but still drink a ton of coffee. One thing at a time right?
Not sure if anyone that’s been around me the last week will be around to tell me how pleasant I am but thanks. lol Suppose I have been a little on edge.
I think I may break down and give the cardio a go soon even though I really don’t like it. I did notice a gym in town though and I think I’ll check it out within the next couple of days. Hopefully somebody there will understand me. Everybody here is french and mine’s a little rusty.
Thanks for the vote of confidence there again. I hope everything I typed makes sense…my head really hurts tonight.
[quote]MsM wrote:
BigRagoo wrote:
MsM wrote:
I imagine that you are right BigRagoo but sometimes there are events and events and situations that are out of your control and you just have to deal with them as best you can. I’ve realized that I have to change the way I deal with some of them though. Having this thread has really helped me with that.
Oh, trust me, I understand. Life always hands you all that you can handle at any given time. It’s just really important during these times that you focus solely on yourself at some point during each day. It will give you strength to keep trucking along.
Sure does, doesn’t it? I haven’t even cut back at all since the last time I posted. Way too much going on. I figured I was better off to be able to stay where I was. Had I have tried to take anything new on, I would’ve ended up throwing in the towel.
I have been in sort of a maintence phase I guess. Not the best and definitely not my plan so far but considering, I think that it was reasonable considering the 20000 things that backfired this last week.
Anyhow, things are somewhat stable now and I’m ready to get on with it again…I think.
[/quote]
Well the fact that you are able to control you’re dose while dealing with all the other crap going on in your life is a good indication that you have the strength to beat this demon. The fact that you decided to do something about your problem during such an upheaveal in your life speaks volumes about your self awareness and self worth.
Imagine if you let yourself go and let the ism dictate how you still live. Not a good thought, huh. Like I had said earlier, take it day by day. I really believe you can beat this.
[quote]MsM wrote:
BigRagoo wrote:
MsM wrote:
I imagine that you are right BigRagoo but sometimes there are events and events and situations that are out of your control and you just have to deal with them as best you can. I’ve realized that I have to change the way I deal with some of them though. Having this thread has really helped me with that.
Oh, trust me, I understand. Life always hands you all that you can handle at any given time. It’s just really important during these times that you focus solely on yourself at some point during each day. It will give you strength to keep trucking along.
Sure does, doesn’t it? I haven’t even cut back at all since the last time I posted. Way too much going on. I figured I was better off to be able to stay where I was. Had I have tried to take anything new on, I would’ve ended up throwing in the towel.
I have been in sort of a maintence phase I guess. Not the best and definitely not my plan so far but considering, I think that it was reasonable considering the 20000 things that backfired this last week.
Anyhow, things are somewhat stable now and I’m ready to get on with it again…I think.
[/quote]
Give yourself a pat on the back. It's not controlling you, you're controlling your consumption well. As you said shit happens and the mere fact you didn't drop a few extra is to your credit. Nobody said you had to beat this in any set time frame. Obviously you want to do it asap, but being realistic is good.
Take the break, and get your ass back in gear, and you should keep on dropping again. Remember, you’re doing this for YOU and your body will love you so much for it later. And it will reap rewards you never thought of as well…pleasant surprises await.
[quote]BigRagoo wrote:
Well the fact that you are able to control you’re dose while dealing with all the other crap going on in your life is a good indication that you have the strength to beat this demon. The fact that you decided to do something about your problem during such an upheaveal in your life speaks volumes about your self awareness and self worth.
Imagine if you let yourself go and let the ism dictate how you still live. Not a good thought, huh. Like I had said earlier, take it day by day. I really believe you can beat this.[/quote]
I am seriously wondering why I picked now to do it too. There is so much going on that I am really having a difficult time trying to determine whether headaches and such are being caused by less ephedra or just stress. That’s in my nature though. I always take on too much, go like crazy and then eventually drop.
Let myself go? Never. lol I think turning 33 a couple of weeks ago had me thinking a little more about my health, etc. Not really sure what it was about that number…
[quote]InTheZone wrote:
Give yourself a pat on the back. It’s not controlling you, you’re controlling your consumption well. As you said shit happens and the mere fact you didn’t drop a few extra is to your credit. Nobody said you had to beat this in any set time frame. Obviously you want to do it asap, but being realistic is good.
Take the break, and get your ass back in gear, and you should keep on dropping again. Remember, you’re doing this for YOU and your body will love you so much for it later. And it will reap rewards you never thought of as well…pleasant surprises await.
Good job and keep at it.
ToneBone
[/quote]
Thanks ToneBone. It was really tempting I tell you to use everything going on as an excuse to give up. I almost did quite a few times actually. No set time frame to quit but I did have a goal. Sometimes you have to adjust them. I’m still headed in the right direction though. Down to 150mgs today. Allergies are crazy right now and I feel like a Mac truck is running through my head.
I sure hope that my body will love me for it later because my head and my body are having a difference of opinion right now.
Thanks for the support. It means a lot since after the move I’m surrounded by people now that only speak french so I dare say that I haven’t got a huge friends network right now. I don’t know what I’d do without the people here.
-down 110mgs/day
-headaches worse
-allergies worse
-want to eat everything in sight
-insane fluctuations in weight/water
-skin still really, really bad
Just wanting to keep everything in perspective here for myself and keep track of numbers.
-down 110mgs/day
-headaches worse
-allergies worse
-want to eat everything in sight
-insane fluctuations in weight/water
-skin still really, really bad
Just wanting to keep everything in perspective here for myself and keep track of numbers.[/quote]
Please remember that even when you are making a positive change, things will get worse before they get better. Your body is out of whack right now so don’t be so hard on yourself. (^:
Please remember that even when you are making a positive change, things will get worse before they get better. Your body is out of whack right now so don’t be so hard on yourself. (^:[/quote]
Thanks tootles:) Hope I don’t come across as being hard on myself. I just want to make sure I do it right and don’t end up doing it again or replacing it with something equally as stupid. For sure it’s a positive change.
Cortisol and adrenalin have been shown in studies to severly impede memory, recall and cognitive ability, especially under chronic conditions, so no surprise there.
I think the best thing you could do would be to find tyourself an anxiolytic that works for you, yet still allows good function, so not something like valium, etc, but more like GABA, valerian root, rescue remedy, or other herbal stuff.
I can’t say that the aniracetam has chilled me out, but then I’m not exactly stressed…
If I think of anything practical, I’ll be sure and let you know.
Stay strong!
Bushy[/quote]
I have tried a few anxiolytic’s before and most of them take away your quality of life more than they help. Drooling is not hot. Maybe they have new ones now that I am not aware of. And no, valium + me = not a good idea. lol One time two diazepam put me to sleep for two days. For some reason my tolerance for stimulants is through the roof and for sedatives or even some herbs, it is VERY low so I stay away from them. I’ll see if I can find some valerian root tea or something in town tomorrow. Thanks for that idea. I’ve seen it a million times but never tried it.
Just did some reading up on aniracetam and that I find very interesting. Finding a doctor in my new province is on the list of things to do so hopefully I’ll find one with a bit more of an open mind. How much would you say it’s relaxed you?
Please remember that even when you are making a positive change, things will get worse before they get better. Your body is out of whack right now so don’t be so hard on yourself. (^:
Thanks tootles:) Hope I don’t come across as being hard on myself. I just want to make sure I do it right and don’t end up doing it again or replacing it with something equally as stupid. For sure it’s a positive change.[/quote]
You can vent as much as you want. You are not being hard on yourself, it’s just really frustrating!! I’ve been where you are now and maybe if I got to vent I would have been better off. (^:
Charles Poliquin has talked about this extensively in many of his seminars. He doesn’t like to use stimulants year round, and starts very small increasing dosage over many months. We the full dosage is reached, they stop and rebuild there adrenals.
Right now you should take an adrenal stress test to see if your cortisol is depressed in the morning, this is common when people abuse stimulants and start running of adrenaline.
the protocols to rebuild your adrenals depend on what your circadian cycle currently is.
as a general rule
icrease vit c, take some adrenal extract, extra b vitamins, fishoil, and lay off it for awhile.
[quote]tootles27 wrote:
You can vent as much as you want. You are not being hard on yourself, it’s just really frustrating!! I’ve been where you are now and maybe if I got to vent I would have been better off. (^:[/quote]
I don’t know how you did it all on your own. I really don’t. You are one strong woman.
[quote]MISCONCEPTION wrote:
Charles Poliquin has talked about this extensively in many of his seminars. He doesn’t like to use stimulants year round, and starts very small increasing dosage over many months. We the full dosage is reached, they stop and rebuild there adrenals.
Right now you should take an adrenal stress test to see if your cortisol is depressed in the morning, this is common when people abuse stimulants and start running of adrenaline.
the protocols to rebuild your adrenals depend on what your circadian cycle currently is.
as a general rule
icrease vit c, take some adrenal extract, extra b vitamins, fishoil, and lay off it for awhile.
[/quote]
I will have to do a search on here then to find some of Poliquin’s ideas on use of stimulants. Thanks for pointing me in that direction.
Oh I know that my adrenals are out of whack without even doing a test.
Any suggestions about how much vit c and b to use? I do use a ton of fishoil already. The adrenal extract I have never seen before. Now that I’m settled in the new house, the diet is pretty good so I think that’ll help a ton also.
[quote]electric_eales wrote:
How’s the progress Susan?
I tested myself, I have found i can stop taking Eph its a bit hard abd i eat a shit load of Chocolate and drink loads of coffe but I can do it.
I supppose my body craves some kind of stimulant, I could not make it through the day without a lot of sugar and caffine, pretty sad really[/quote]
Well, as of today, down to 125mgs/day. I thought it would get easier as I went along but it is getting much, much more difficult now. It’s been a rough day and I’m just glad I still have things to do around the house to keep myself busy all of the time.
I can relate with the coffee thing. When I am done with ephedra, I plan on working on the caffeine intake also. Chocolate, don’t even get me started on that. I have a love/hate relationship with it. I love it, it hates my thighs. lol I do try to stay away from it except once in a blue moon I’ll have it PWO.
Pretty sad? No you’re not. I’ve found that when you look at “everything”, it can be too overwhelming. Just concentrate on one thing at a time. Have your big goals and then your smaller ones leading up to them. It’s bloody hard but I think if you care about yourself enough, you can do it.
Glad that you stopped by again. I was wondering how you were doing.
I hope those drugs don’t ruin your pretty face. Seriously… get help if you need it, talk to a doctor; it may be extremely unsafe to come off of it or to lower your doses without medical supervision!