Mia Lundin quite literally saved my life!

Due to a hormone and neurotransmitter imbalance and an undetected bacterial infection, I went from being an articulate, polished, six figure income professional to completely unable to function professionally or personally. 

I was experiencing acute and chronic anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, memory loss, heart palpitations, incessant crying, emotional instability, and impaired speech and hearing to such a degree of severity that I was unable to perform simple daily tasks, make decisions or take care of myself.  It was without a doubt the most terrifying experience I have ever had in my life as I was completely unable to control these debilitating conditions that were robbing me of my life and ME.

Prior to this time, for my entire life, I had been an independent, self sufficient and very much in control professional woman.  I could not understand or get a handle on what was happening to me, and the trauma, suffering and out of control conditions that were occurring in my body and mind were rendering me completely helpless and hopeless.   In addition to the physically debilitating conditions I was experiencing, I became so despondent because I thought that I had become severely mentally ill and would never be able to return to normal life again. 

The afternoon I sat in Mia’s office, my symptoms were so severe; I literally thought I was dying.  Mia immediately recognized my level of distress and calmly took control, assessed my condition, and then with authority yet compassion assured me that I was not dying or mentally ill and that I would feel better the next day by following her prescribed protocol.  She recognized that I was unable to think clearly or make any decisions, and lovingly just took complete care of me, which is exactly what I needed that terrifying afternoon.  I sat and cried uncontrollably at the thought of finally being rid of this torment that had wrecked my life.  She formulated a plan for my recovery that literally gave me my life back.  Mia’s unique and rare combination of personal experience, wisdom, knowledge, research and years of working closely and compassionately with her patients enables her to provide life changing care and advice to her patients that,  in my opinion, most other doctors and health care practioners are unable or unwilling to offer.  She sees and gets the whole picture, and all of the complexities of how hormones, neurotransmitters, nutrition and gut health all integrate to create health or illness.  Mia’s open attitude and combination of both standard medical treatment, when necessary,  and alternative forms of healing enable her to offer her patients total wellness and healing, as opposed to piece meal bits of information and treatment from several different “specialists” who only work in their narrow and specific area of expertise.  

Of all the numerous other health care practioners I have been to over the last 20 years (and been blown off by or misdiagnosed), Mia truly is the only person I have seen who is in touch with all of the numerous and complex issues that profoundly affect the quality of life.   Besides her incredible breadth of professional knowledge and experience, Mia’s authentic compassion, unconditional commitment to her patients and very personal understanding of what women go through is what truly sets her above everyone else.

I owe my physical and mental health and recovery from unspeakable suffering to Mia.  My Gratitude to Mia extends beyond what can be expressed in words.

I absolutely love your book!

Your book, thus far, has followed me to a tee or is it ‘T’!  I wish I had this information available to me years ago.  I had a conversation with my husband this weekend and as if he doesn’t know already, I told him that I’ve felt like I’ve been PMS’n since I was 16 years old.  Such a waste of good emotions.  I am now fifty-three and in early menopause.  I’ve purchased books from other authors with big star names, but I find your advice much more practical and easy to follow.  Thank you for this.  I absolutely love your book!

Karen Bates

Are you suffering from anxiety, irriability and rage?

Some experts believe that low serotonin has become a virtual epidemic in the United States. Serotonin is the key to our feelings of happiness, and it helps defend against both anxiety and depression. That said, it is no surprise that serotonin imbalance is one of the most common contributors to mood problems. When you have too little, you will usually feel uneasy, distressed, and highly emotional or agitated. Often, depression can occur in women because of low serotonin in combination with fluctuating estrogen levels, which may explain why some women have increased emotional imbalances during postpartum, premenstrual, and menopausal times.

In the central nervous system, serotonin acts as a calming neurotransmitter, and one of its main roles is to balance and control the other stimulating neurotransmitters.

With normal levels of serotonin you may feel:
Happy
A sense of well-being
Mellow and relaxed
Hopeful and optimistic
At peace
Creative and thoughtful
Solid impulse control; Can say “no” more easily
Reduced sensitivity to pain
Deep restful sleep
Secure and safe

With low levels of serotonin you may feel:
Angry, irritable, filled with rage
Violent and anti social behavior
Can’t sleep well, insomnia
Anxious
Panicky
Rapid thoughts
Decreased interest in sex
Carbohydrate and sugar cravings
Alcohol cravings
Headaches and migraines
Aches and pains
Intestinal distress

Serotonin levels can be raised by a natural supplement called 5-HTP. 5-HTP is a compound produced in the body from the amino acid called tryptophan. Brain cells synthesize 5-HTP in a two-step process that begins with tryptophan, which comes from dietary sources such as turkey and milk. Once absorbed into the cell, tryptophan is converted into 5-HTP the precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin (for peace and calming) and the hormone melatonin, which helps in sleep regulation.

There are several advantages for taking 5-HTP, as opposed to L-tryptophan to elevate brain serotonin levels. The main one is simple: 5-HTP is one step closer to metabolically building serotonin than tryptophan. In other words, 5-HTP more readily converts to serotonin than tryptophan does.

If you would like to buy professional grade 5-HTP, click here.

I am not going crazy!

Hi Mia,
I have just purchased your book, and although I am only through the first 40 pages, I already have a renewed sense of confidence that I "am not going crazy!"

My "anxiety" began shortly after my son was born in 2006. I would struggle with day to day decisions such as "what are we going to do today" or "what is Jackson (my son) going to wear today?" It would overwhelm me to the point where I would get dizzy, my heart would race, and I would feel this incredible sense of doom upon me.

My Dr. quickly prescribed me Xanax for PPD and I took it for 1 month and started to feel better. I weaned myself off and felt "almost normal" for 2 years.

About 1 year ago, my husband and I started trying for our 2nd child. After about 8 months of no luck, I started tracking my ovulation and realized that I was not ovulating. Quickly, my Dr. started me on clomid with no real explanation of why I may not be ovulating on my own. After two failed clomid attempts, we decided to take a break.

During this time, my anxiety heightened, especially leading up to my period. One day, about a month ago, my legs became tingly, my mind went foggy, and I had my worst panic attack to date.

Back to the Dr. I went, only to be described Zoloft and Xanax again. This only made things worse, as I experienced depression, confusion, and complete nausea from the medicine.

Currently, I am on Welbutrin and although I do not have the side effects, I still feel very anxious. I would like to focus on the "chemical and hormonal balance" that I know I have and also believe this would help with my fertility problems as well.

I will read the rest of your book word for word and hope that it can lead me to the answers I need. At the very least, I feel comforted knowing that there are so many other women out there that are going through the same thing I am!!

Best Regards,
HB

All That You Have Is Your Soul

In this blog I will share with you new research and information that I will come across pertaining to women’s hormones, brain chemistry and well being. I will also share music and poetry that moves me. The song, “All That You Have is Your Soul,” by Tracy Chapman, is not just appropriate as a starter for this blog, but it also will remind us how important it is to feel well emotionally, something we should never take for granted. Please enjoy!

-Mia Lundin

Finding Your True North

Do you feel like you are on an emotional rollercoaster losing it or going insane? One minute you may feel agitated, and lash out irrationally at friends and loved ones. The next minute you may weep and want to be held. Do you feel overwhelmed, sad beyond words, or scared for no apparent reason, or do you find it difficult to shut down your anxious brain to go to sleep then wake in the middle of the night wide-eyed with your heart racing-- You are not alone. Many women feel just like you, hoping and praying for an end to their suffering.

One goal of my book and website is to open up the discussion between women throughout the world and to provide a place where you and other women with similar experiences can share your fears, worries, and triumphs—without judgment-- and learn from each other. Another goal is to empower you with helpful knowledge that explains why you feel the way they do, and to offer practical advice to help you regain control of your life and experience comfort again. It is like giving you a compass, so you, too, can find your True North.

To encourage you to open up and share your stories with me and other women, I shared my personal Female Brain Gone Insane story in my book. Today, I want to share an email I recently received from a woman with whom you may identify. In the future, you will hear from my associates at The Center for Hormonal and Nutritional Balance Inc., who will tell of their emotional upheavals and how they found peace within.
To share your story, or ask other women for suggestions or support, either send me and email and I might post it as a blog in the future. You can also post it on my Facebook page, or as a short tweet on my Twitter page.

There is always a way!

-Mia Lundin

“I wake up in a panic. My house is clean, there is food in the fridge, there are no explosions outside, and the air is calm and cool. But there is a hum in my chest and I’m completely out of sorts. It’s only 6:30 am and I get up and feel anxious, uneasy, as I make my way to brew some tea. What’s going on? My life is working. I am living in a pretty home and nothing is really wrong externally.I must be losing my mind. I must be finally going mad. I remember those movies where women went insane for no apparent reason. Women are just hysterical, right? I better keep my mouth shut and block this discomfort, hide it and pretend everything is fine.My friends and family will be upset. I can’t fall apart. I hold it all together. I look in the mirror and see a tired woman who is upset.

What is wrong with me? I can’t pretend anymore, something real is going on and I’m ashamed to be like this. I’m beside myself. Literally standing to one side and seeing me spinning, scared, and melting down. How can I help me?

Apparently I am not alone. This isn’t a personal problem although it is very personal. I share a process of change with millions of women who are making transitions from one age to another, from one hormonal pattern to another, and my brain knows it. It’s trying hard to keep it together but it’s changing too. I need some help. Such shame and embracement surrounds me as I go to work all dressed and looking good but knowing underneath a woman is losing it and maybe by the end of the day I’ll be a puddle by my desk. Where is she they’ll wonder?

My friends look like they are just fine. They are off to Pilates or the market and are cooking special meals, having their hair colored and I’m barely able to make a phone call to order pizza. I realize, after calling around and probing, that I am not alone. That we all have some experience of feeling fuzzy in the brain, spinning without sleep, or unable to push ourselves off the couch to brush our teeth.Is everyone else is handling everything the way they should? Am I and alone suffering from a crazy mind and failing body?”