Ladies, I am thinking back to how bad I felt at the tail end of winter as a non-functional blob and and how much better I feel now, resurrected from the dead. There were many posts back then from many of us feeling utterly miserable. I read through Vitamin D posts and made a connection from there to my multi-year log, more internet info, and now several months out in the sunshine to know that, for me, solar power is the key for me. I am a different person in July than in March, for sure. 100% better.

My MD cautioned against upping my Vitamin D doses. I take two kinds and was told that over-doing it could lead to serious problems. But I doubled up anyway for a while, to no avail. For me, it is the actual sunshine that has helped in any number of ways. I kept adding estrogen too, and it didn't make a difference.

I would like to know if any of you have noted a remarkable, wonderful improvement in how you feel since those dark days of winter. You know, when you couldn't drag yourself around and the Christmas decorations were still piled up at Easter.

I want to avoid this next year and since I can't do it with pills, I hope that we can strategize a little when the time comes. For now, I just want to know if you notice a truly night and day improvement from how you felt in winter darkness to summertime sunshine

I hope you do.
GK

I also hate the dark days of winter, so I bough ta lamp that ever so slowly brings daylight to my room in the morning, when it's time to rise and shine my room is filled with bright sunlight, and it's still pitch black outside. It was the best 200.00 I've ever spent. Try it this winter. Jill

A long dark winter, followed by a dismal, rainy spring have all conspired to make me feel miserable.

Blood tests confirmed I'm deficient in Vitamin D.

Now that we've had a string of sunny days, I've made it a point to get at least 20 minutes of sun per day. (I still supplement with D3). I notice my mood is brighter and my body aches have lessened quite a bit, too.

Go summer!

well this has a medical name for it its called S.A.D. SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER..... i have it also

Sorry to read you have it. I hate it. I bought a full spectrum light years ago, but it doesn't do it for me. Have you found anything to help you?
GK

I don't think there is much doubt that those of us who live in northern climates do suffer with SADD to some point. Some just get a little lazy and tired (lucky bastards!!) and others become barely functioning sickos!

I would suggest trying ALL of the 'tricks'..upping your Vit D, making sure you have enough of the Vit C and the Bs. Use a full spectrum light for 30 minutes in the early part of the day. My DD uses hers to put her makeup on with. You could try the tanning beds for 10 minutes 3 times a week (that apparently helps some people). Take a holiday someplace tropical in january!!!!

Are you using D3? My doctor recommends 5000iu a day.

I have previous posts wherein I talk about how wonderful I felt in the spring after laying out in my pool on a warm sunny day ,, Yes my body needed to generate vit D from sunshine,, I craved it like chocolate !!

Hi GK<
You and I have discussed this, wondering why we suddenly felt so much better after being in the sun.

I continue to feel better, have been able to lower my dose of thyroid medicine. And I am convinced it is not the Vit D from the sun, as I was taking high amounts of D3 for awhile now, and though it helped marginally, nothing like I am now experiencing.

I do know that when the sun enters our eyes it does affect all our hormone systems through the pineal gland, and this is separate from the vit D. This explains why so many people do get relief from SAD from using full-spectrum light boxes, since they do not get any Vit D from it. But they must be true full spectrum that mimic the wavelengths of the sun. Some people can get relief from SAD with just plain bright lights, but many do not unless they are true full spectrum.

If I cannot get away this coming winter to a sunny climate for a week or two, I am investing in a full spectrum light box. I simply cannot go through another winter. I didn't realize the difference in how I felt because prior to starting the thyroid and estrogen I was feeling so dreadful, and then after a couple months on them I felt so much better by comparison, but I have felt even better being able to be in the sun for at least 20 minutes/day.

Now that I see that it's possible to feel this good, I don't want to go back to how I was this winter. So I am resolving to get in a sunny vacation or get the light box.

Don't have to worry about this here in Texas. Unless there is something for the opposite feeling. I get angry and irritable because it's so hot and sunny here all the time. Sometimes I just wish for rain, not because the plants need it, but I'm just sick of the sun and the glare.

Thanks, all. I am NOT going through this the same way next year. I will note your suggestions and add some of the supplements mentioned. My diet is probably lacking here and there. I already take Calcitriol and Drisdol, so don't want to take more Vitamin D. And since my light box doesn't do it, I need a plan. I'll go outside with bare skin in winter more frequently and also look into doing time on a tanning bed. I think, for me, the sunlight needs to penetrate my skin. Now that the sunshine is upon me, I am convinced that even my BHRT is more beneficial, based on how I feel. I am not a sun-lover either, much preferring cool and cloudy to the brightness and glare. I am coming to appreciate it much, much more than ever though.
GK

I have suspected SADD for years, but this year was the topper with the long, rainy spring. That's all I needed on top of my meno-misery. SADD was confirmed when a blood test showed my vitamin D level was down to 17. I will be using a full-spectrum light and supplementing with D3 during winter months from now on. So what is the best brand/type of light to get, and where do I find it?

JC

Ditto... Californian here. The heat makes me extremely cranky and uncomfortable. Sitting in the sunshine in the dead of summer is often intollerable. (But I do love that sunshine!!!)

Fortunately I live in Florida, whereas the winters are beautiful. If anyone makes a trip to Florida, do so in the Winter...

I do agree though, cuz I know I feel great when I lay out in the sun. Heck last year I was honestly addicted, I just couldn't wait to lay out... I have stopped doing it as much just do to the fact the damaging effects of the sun.... But I do go out around 5 PM, every day and go in the pool. Some of my best days is when I take that 15 - 30 minute time to myself, in the pool ahhhhh...

Then there are some days that I try and go out in the earlier afternoon for about 15-30 minutes. I love being outside, on most days, I much rather work in yard than house work... I also think sweating all the stuff out of you does wonders too... But there is surely something to it, and yes I too believe it has to do w/vitamin d... I also agree w/Sariah, it does have a positive effect on the hormones, and just so many things... It's funny you mention that about the eyes, cuz I feel it to.

Great topic, thanks for sharing....