Posted by Larry Hoover on July 12, 2003, at 7:10:45
In reply to questions abt. natural supplement interactions, posted by bookgurl99 on July 11, 2003, at 0:36:54
> To combat migraine, I currently take a prescription med, verapamil, 30 mgs x 3.
>
> Due to recommendations from "Health Notes," I'm also looking into taking 5-HTP, 200 mgs daily; 5 mgs of melatonin daily, and 400 mgs B2(Riboflavin) daily -- all in an effort to reduce the frequency and severity of the migraines. (Last one still affecting me over a week later.)This is in addition to supplemental calcium and magnesium, evening primrose oil, and some omega-3's.
>
> Would I need to fear the effects from combining all of these substances?In a word, no.
However.....
5-HTP is an upstream raw material for serotonin. Melatonin is a downstream product of the same pathway. You may find that 5-HTP solves the melatonin problem (assuming that is part of the problem). To make sure that the 5-HTP can do its work, you need other B's, and zinc. So, as I've often said, take a B-complex in addition to any particular B recommended for treatment of a particular disorder (e.g. the riboflavin, in this case).
If you decide to use the melatonin, be aware that it has an inverted-U dose/response curve. Think of the classic bell curve. Slope up, level off, fall away again.
What that means is that too much melatonin can have as little effect as too little. And, the peak of the bell curve is at different doses for different people. So, you may find that a quarter of a 5 mg tab is quite effective, whereas a full tab does squat (just an example, not a prediction). It may require a little experimentation.
My melatonin comments are in reference to its sleep inductive effects. If there is another reason to take it, with respect to migraine, forgive the aside.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:240805
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030708/msgs/241120.html