[Counterpoints]

Whoa, exercise does help increase my confidence and motivation, and reduces POIS symptoms.

ALL - I'll be having blood work done again and would your suggestions for what to test for.  So far I have:

Dopamine
Prolactin
Cortisol

What else should I test for?

TSH, T3, and T4.  My TSH and T4 were normal, but my T3 was flagged.  (You could mention that these were the results for someone in a similar condition, since sometimes physicians will be hesitant to order T3 or T4 tests "without cause").  B12 and DHEA tests might also be useful.  For cortisol testing, you'd want the AM test and the PM test. (So you can see how cortisol is suppressed).  You may also want a glucose tolerance test, and a 24 hr urine cortisol test.  Just some ideas.

[girlwind]

Whoa, exercise does help increase my confidence and motivation, and reduces POIS symptoms.

ALL - I'll be having blood work done again and would your suggestions for what to test for.  So far I have:

Dopamine
Prolactin
Cortisol

What else should I test for?

Whoa-- I agree that it would be good for cortisol tests to include both am and pm levels. This is why I prefer
the saliva tests that ZRT Labs offer. They have FOUR cortisol tests--am, noon, afternoon and evening saliva. This
gives you a thorough profile of your cortisol levels throughout the day.

You could also test these hormones: Free Testosterone, DHEA-S, IGF-1 (which evaluates pituitary function),
Free T3, Free T4, TSH, TPO and Reverse T3 (which all evaluate thyroid function.)

(Both my cortisol and my Free T3 were too low, as I have adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism issues.)

It might also be good to get a complete blood chemistry, which will include a big panel of tests like: fasting
glucose, the electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus) and tests to check liver and kidney
functioning. The name of this test varies according to the lab, but it's one of the main panels used, so your doctor
would know what it's called now.

Good luck with it.

[demografx]

When we hit PAGE 100, to
celebrate.................I propose
that we get Counterpoints to fly us
all to this fine POIS Retreat!!!

I'm still waiting for my ticket  []

Martin, don't worry! Countepoints assures us that it's in the mail! []

[Limejuice]

Thank you for the suggestions.  I'll talk with my doctor to determine how many specific tests can be preformed from one blood draw.

I intended on entering the blood draw in peak POIS so to look for issues - no fenugreek or relora and normal carbs.  I think you would all agree with this.

[demografx]

Thank you for the suggestions.  I'll talk with my doctor to determine how many specific tests can be preformed from one blood draw.

I intended on entering the blood draw in peak POIS so to look for issues - no fenugreek or relora and normal carbs.  I think you would all agree with this.

I think a 2-tests comparison, if possible, between POIS stage  and "normal" non-POIS stage would be meaningful. But I just drew blood in the latter "normal" non-POIS stage only, it was unplanned.

Peak-POIS sounds good, though; it would certainly pick up abnormalities.

Just my opinion, with zero training in medicine!

[demografx]

When we hit PAGE 100, to
celebrate.................I propose
that we get Counterpoints to fly us
all to this fine POIS Retreat!!!

.  I was recently talking with a Dr. about how this thread is growing at a phenomenal rate.  It took about 1.5 years to reach about 30 pages... and then only about 4-5 months later we are at 100 pages!

Counterpoints, that's only because of your charm, good looks, and superscientific ways!

[demografx]

EXERCISE

Does this happen to anyone else?

Exercise most often backfires on me! Instead of the "feel-good" endorphins associated with cardiovascular workouts (no, I don't overdo it), I get as anxious as someone who had a ton of coffee poured down their gullet!

Or I get tired and need to nap.

Very rarely do I get "energized"!

My GP/internist believes me but says he never heard it before. I wonder if it's somehow related to POIS?

[underwater]

Exercise, POIS and General Anxiety----

I had my first serious Panic Attacks and Anxiety issues in 1976--1978--
I suffered miserably for about 2 years---
From 1978 thru approx. 1990, I became a competitive long distance runner (marathons etc).  My symptoms vanished as the endorphins overwhelmed my biochemistry.
I never would have achieved what I have without exercise. I continued to run daily up to 3 1/2 years ago. I easily ran over 30,000 miles in that time frame. Last 3 1/2 years: I swim daily. If I didn't I'd be very ill. I only take time off when I'm sick, like today. When I don't exercise, I feel sick. Swimming helps contro my GAD. I can feel bad, but after the swim I'm fine for a couple of hours until the endorphins wear off. Now, what about POIS? This is trickier. I monitor my feelings as I swim. Sometimes it helps to reduce it, sometimes I'm not so sure. Look, I'm not a biochemist, but I'll frame this metaphorically: Vigorous exercise FOR ME seems to help with my serotonin universe of deprivation (GAD) without question!! The same exercise may not help as much in the (dopamine?) universe of deprivation. One thing for sure, serious exercise has made it possible for me to have a successful life. To separate out the two universes is very, very difficult. I can't. For a couple of months in the last year, 1mg.at bed  of valium worked fairly well for both conditions. Then it stopped cold!! Benzos are basically poison for me after a few months, and I never take much so I can taper off fast. But this forum is great, and I think we can come up with some strategies to reduce pois symptoms in the future.

[demografx]

Just proves we're all different!

And we've already come up with strategies here to reduce POIS symptoms. Hopefully we'll go even further in the future.

[underwater]

Body Temperature--
I wonder if anybody has either of these 2 symptoms:
1) Low body temperature generally---Usually below 98
2) Low body temperature during POIS
I've read about some of the contributions to reducing POIS symptoms on this site and I very much appreciate the work done here---A "toast" to Demo and all others------

[Limejuice]

My body temp is low in both cases.

[girlwind]

Body Temperature--
I wonder if anybody has either of these 2 symptoms:
1) Low body temperature generally---Usually below 98
2) Low body temperature during POIS
I've read about some of the contributions to reducing POIS symptoms on this site and I very much appreciate the work done here---A "toast" to Demo and all others------

Actually, low body temperature first thing in the morning is considered an indication of potential hypothyroidism.
If you take your basal body temperature with a glass thermometer first thing upon awakening, and it is below 97.4
degrees consistently for several days in a row, some thyroid experts say this can indicate your thyroid is not
working properly.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/01/02/temperature-regulation-for-thyroid-testing.aspx

[demografx]

I've read about some of the contributions to reducing POIS symptoms on this site and I very much appreciate the work done here---A "toast" to Demo and all others------

Thanks, Underwater!!

[demografx]

Re body temperature, not sure this is the same: my RIGHT hand, especially when on the computer...gets C O L D. Anyone else?

[Finally]

I usually have a fever within an hour after orgasm. Usually the face neck and shoulder areas.
 I have had morning temperatures just above 95, feeling normal.

[underwater]

Anybody with the widely used amalgam-mercury silver fillings??
I read about a research study claiming that amalgam mercury affects the neurotransmitter's uptake of dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine etc.---
In the 1950's, I must have had (literally) over 35 of these fillings, and I think
a lot are still there.
Also, anybody with Tinnitus??? I've had this at least 45 years-----

[girlwind]

Anybody with the widely used amalgam-mercury silver fillings??
I read about a research study claiming that amalgam mercury affects the neurotransmitter's uptake of dopamine, serotonin,
norepinephrine etc.--- In the 1950's, I must have had (literally) over 35 of these fillings, and I think a lot are still there.

Don't even get me started with the mercury amalgams! I have had HORRIBLE TOXICITY effects from them,
and can trace the beginning of some of my major health issues to the year after they were put in my  mouth.
Getting them removed in 1999 initiated the very long and very uncomfortable mercury detox from my body's
tissues, which has continued even still to this day.

The mercury in amalgam fillings is so toxic that US EPA has it labeled as "a WASTE DISPOSAL HAZARD,"
which means that it is considered to be TOO TOXIC to put IN A LANDFILL OR THE GARBAGE. So why does
the ADA consider it acceptable to put into someone's mouth!  [] [] [] [xx(] [xx(]

There are many things I tried to get the mercury out of my system (it showed up repeatedly in both my hair
and urine tests), but the thing that has so far worked the best is N-A-C. It REALLY worked, which is not some-
thing I can say for the 20 or more other things I checked out. I know some people have had results with chlorella,
and cilantro extract, and PCA-Rx (a clathration formula made by Maxam), and of course with EDTA and DMPS,
which are the intravenous chelators--that are much too strong for someone with compromised health. Of course,
it's best to do an entire protocol if you're going to detox heavy metals, and be under someone's guidance, because
like I said before it can be absolutely grueling.

There is A LOT of articles I've collected about this issue, and for anyone who is interested in more about it,
I'm posting some of the best ones below.

http://www.mercola.com/article/mercury/detox_protocol.htm
http://www.healingdaily.com/oral-chelation/N-acetyl-cysteine%20(NAC)-for-detoxification-what-it-is.htm
http://www.oralchelation.com/technical/medline2.htm
http://www.alternative-doctor.com/anti-ageing/heavy_metal.html
http://www.awakennutrition.com/more.html

[John21 (OP)]

Re: Mercury amalgams: I had mine all removed and replaced with the white stuff...it was painful and very expensive.

Also, anybody with Tinnitus??? I've had this at least 45 years-----

I have pulsatile tinnitus which is a different thing entirely from the typical ringing type tinnitus. I hear a clicking sound in time with my pulse, it's probably not good whatever it is. I've had it for probably 12-15 years. It started when I suddenly withdrew from Paxil, and I also had the "zaps", electrical jolts in your mind when you are sleeping. I was not informed by my uninformed doctor that I should withdraw slowly from this medication. My present doctor told me that the Paxil withdrawl was unrelated to these problems that occured (!!!) ....um, no mam.

[underwater]

John, I've had the pulse and the ringing since 1965---------
I learned very early on to pay them NO attention------------

[demografx]

REPLY FROM MY LETTER TO UNIVERSITY ENDOCRINOLOGY GROUP

"I have been thinking about you over the past week. First, I no longer have a lab and am not a *urologist so I could not instrument members of your group nor am I measuring anything that would likely yield an insight. I have had a couple of patients who have the complaints you describe and have not been able to come up with something brilliant for them with the exception of treating the accompanying depression.
 
So, since you don't want to see me as a patient and since I have not been able to think of something special to do either diagnostically or therapeutically, I am not sure how much good it would do to meet.
 
Dr. X [demografx' endocrinologist] sort of thinks of me as a universal reproductive problem solver, but sometimes it doesn't work.
 
All the best, 'Dr. Y' [by first name] "

[*note - I don't understand his reference to urologist - demo]