Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 896107

Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 26. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 17:40:56

Just got home from getting my bioidentical hormones and low and behold the owner of the pharmacy was there. He with other docs holds seminars in our area. Well long story short you can get your neurotransmitters tested by urine. Didn't know this. I found out when we were discussing SSRI's and benzos he suggested the testing as a way to know if I could supplement with something to get off. He doesn't believe in SSRI's as he said they depleat neurotransmitters. Suggested the testing as this way bye bye to benzos forever. Also brought the adrenal axix and thyroid axis into conversation. Learned so much. Love Phillipa ps he also will never get a vaccination. He believes as some that especially flu vaccines are worthless as thousands of strains out there. Well that's my story of today sure I've left other things out.

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested. » Phillipa

Posted by ricker on May 16, 2009, at 18:45:15

In reply to Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 17:40:56

Hey Jan, check out this site on neurotransmitter testing.

https://www.neurorelief.com/showarticle.php?NewsletterView&ArticleID=493

Regards, Rick

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested. » ricker

Posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 19:37:28

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested. » Phillipa, posted by ricker on May 16, 2009, at 18:45:15

Rick sounds like it could help tie in thyroid, lymes old, whether depressed or anxious? And which meds might help or am I totally off base. Thanks profusely. Ps am just now starting on bioidentical hormone theraphy for balancine hormones in postmenopausal women. What's your take on this and why don't docs use it as a tool?Love Jan

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by linkadge on May 16, 2009, at 19:57:03

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested. » Phillipa, posted by ricker on May 16, 2009, at 18:45:15

There is little/no proof that:

a) neurotransmitters are low in depression

b) urine levels of neurotransmiters correspond to brain levels of neurotransmitters

c) supplementation with iscolated amino acids is safe or effective in the treatment of depression

Linkadge


 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by ricker on May 16, 2009, at 20:03:35

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested. » ricker, posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 19:37:28

>> What's your take on this and why don't docs use it as a tool?Love Jan

Hi Jan, ya know, the more I read about chemical imbalances, neurotransmitters, antagonist, re uptake, the more I'm convinced that we're dealing with an event that is way to advanced as far as "curing mental health illness"???

Everything we know is so involved, too much dynamic movement at the cellular level in the brain to try and repair?

Maybe I think outside the box, or maybe I'm too much of simplest, but, if you develop a mental illness, it's a life long sentence with partial therapeutic relief by drugs, for some, others aren't so lucky.

If scientists can determine whether a fetus is predisposed to a certain medical illness by genetic markings, why not find a genetic marker that indicates one is susceptible to depression?

It may be too late for me, but treating / curing mental health is a shot in the dark with minimal success.

The key is "preventing" the illness from taking hold while at the fetus stage. Maybe with advancements in stem cell research a time will come when no-one will live a life of misery??

I told you, I'm outside the box but at least it makes sense to me, unlike the current path to recovery.

Regards, Rick

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested. » ricker

Posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 20:53:37

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by ricker on May 16, 2009, at 20:03:35

Rick I think there is something to this mystery of illnesses, hormones, thyroids(as have mentioned in past while working as charge nurse in psych a great deal of the patients had thyroid problems) so think or actually know it's related as even pdoc said it was and I've read various studies which indicate same. And hormones cause hypothyroidism at menopausal age. Had the bloodwork for hormones 0 estrogen, progesterone, testosterone so they must be related. Well one more month on the hormones and levels rechecked. Anyway I've always been non traditional with meds loved alternative. It was nursing the skewed my mind with the drug company propaganda. Feel Rick you are not beyound help. Seriously. Love Phillipa

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by Elanor Roosevelt on May 16, 2009, at 20:56:47

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by ricker on May 16, 2009, at 20:03:35

I am going for a check-up this week
will try to talk my md into checking my thyroid
do i have to as him for a specific test?

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 20:57:25

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested. » ricker, posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 20:53:37

I Feel I just believe there is an answer for most maybe even everyone. Confused right now so forgive me if insulted anyone. Love Jan since you both know me.

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by ricker on May 16, 2009, at 21:14:34

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 20:57:25

> I Feel I just believe there is an answer for most maybe even everyone. Confused right now so forgive me if insulted anyone. Love Jan since you both know me.

Hi Jan, nothing to forgive, I appreciate your posts! :-)

Hey, I'm very thankful for the drugs we have, when they work, they "rock"!!
But why can't they work a little bit longer? Seems I've been on a "rocky" road way to often..... the desire to travel on a paved highway seems like just a dream...... I'd even accept on few potholes!!

Regard, Rick

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested. » Elanor Roosevelt

Posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 21:42:43

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by Elanor Roosevelt on May 16, 2009, at 20:56:47

Eleanor full thyroid panel and TPO for autoimmune which comes with menopausal women frequently. Good luck. I've chosen this route as I just know there is an answer. I truly believe this!!!! Love Phillipa

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 23:36:22

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested. » Elanor Roosevelt, posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 21:42:43

You know I was always passionate about alternative medicine. Wasn't til nursing school as I was well and graduated Magna Cum Laude And Was Running My own Aerobic Dance Business, Running With Jim Fixx When He Was In Town He lived l0 years longer than his brother or father as heart disease ran in his family. Ran with the guys at the Y five miles at lunch time. Three kids. Took my Shaklee Vitamins before they changed and went on to be manufactured in other countries . I believed in this form of health and was so healthy and happy. When started working the drug companies got me off track. Now I see the meds being pulled off the marker like vioxx and celebrex, statins seem dangerous as cholesterol creates hormones it's like a song. They all work together. Yes there definitely are those that meds work well for. But to me the most natural is the best. I feel like my eyes again were opened today again and want to get back on track with continuing my excercise, good nutritional habits darn the chocolate truffles!!! and follow-up with this testing. After all what do I have to lose some money? I will gladly do that to regain my health or try at least try to regain it. I continue to support all who take meds and of course am still on mine but hopefully someday will not need them. Well the soapbox is over. But in a way I feel liberated. Love Jan

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 23:50:53

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 23:36:22

Check this one. No don't intend to have them do it the doc I'm seeing will. Love Jan

http://www.modernherbalist.com/neuro1.html

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by Neal on May 17, 2009, at 5:25:30

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 23:50:53

Even if neurotransmitters could be tested by means of urine, the only way to get an accurate baseline test would be to go off all meds that effect neurotransmitters and stay off for weeks before being tested.

Otherwise, all you are doing is testing what your body sloughs off from the meds you are taking.

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by linkadge on May 17, 2009, at 7:58:04

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by Neal on May 17, 2009, at 5:25:30

Yeah, cause the funny thing is that because SSRI's decrease serotonin metabolism, they generally lead to less serotonin in the bloodstream and probably urine.

So all of these sick people come in on SSRI's, and the naturalpath can honestly say "oh you've got low serotonin in your urine", you must need some 5-htp.

B.T.W. Some studies show that there is an elevated level of serotonin in the blood in depression.

Linkadge

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by bulldog2 on May 17, 2009, at 10:05:34

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 23:36:22

> You know I was always passionate about alternative medicine. Wasn't til nursing school as I was well and graduated Magna Cum Laude And Was Running My own Aerobic Dance Business, Running With Jim Fixx When He Was In Town He lived l0 years longer than his brother or father as heart disease ran in his family. Ran with the guys at the Y five miles at lunch time. Three kids. Took my Shaklee Vitamins before they changed and went on to be manufactured in other countries . I believed in this form of health and was so healthy and happy. When started working the drug companies got me off track. Now I see the meds being pulled off the marker like vioxx and celebrex, statins seem dangerous as cholesterol creates hormones it's like a song. They all work together. Yes there definitely are those that meds work well for. But to me the most natural is the best. I feel like my eyes again were opened today again and want to get back on track with continuing my excercise, good nutritional habits darn the chocolate truffles!!! and follow-up with this testing. After all what do I have to lose some money? I will gladly do that to regain my health or try at least try to regain it. I continue to support all who take meds and of course am still on mine but hopefully someday will not need them. Well the soapbox is over. But in a way I feel liberated. Love Jan

I will give my experiences with alternative health. At the age of 20 I began eating well and studying alternative health. I began using supplements and lifting weights, hiking, jogging and cycling. I enjoyed the exercise and always felt better after I was finished. I was also in good physical health. The bad news is that my panic attacks, anxiety and bouts of depression persisted.
I used the services of accupuncturists, herblists and naturpaths. I spents thousands of dollars. My anxiety, panic attacks and bouts of depression still persisted.

Several years ago I went to a doctor who specialized in hormone replacment. Got all my hormones balanced but my anxiety, panic attacks and bouts of depression persisted.

I belong to forums where people practice alternative medicine and use hormones and still suffer from mental illness and have to use drugs.

To me eating well and exercising is common sense and many who practice good health practices still fall prey to mental illness.

At this point I feel that many who practice alternative medicine practice voodoo medicine. They make outrageous claims and prey on depesparate people and drain their money.

Yes mainstream medicine sucks but at least my insurance pays for most of it. They rarely cure diseases but use meds to controll symtoms. But if thats the best out there I will use that.

I will no longer use alternative doctors as 30 years of trying them has not helped me. They tend to make outrageous claims with no studies to back up their claims.

What many fail to see is that much of behavior is genetically coded and inherited from parents and really cannot be substantially changed. You can eat purely and jog from here to the moon and your personality will not be substantially changed. Yes diet and exercise if that makes you feel better and you enjoy it but don't expect miracles.

I often look at the behavior of dogs who are similar to us in many ways. Much of their behavior is genetic and some can be modified by the environment. Some are born fearful and skittish, some even keeled, and some aggressive and dominant. There are ocd dogs and they are often treated with successfully with clomiprmaine. These dogs may eat well and be in great shape but that does not change their behavior. Now sometimes we can modify their behvaior with experiences. You can make a fearful anxious dog less anxious thru behavior modification where you desensitive to things that he is afraid of. But he will always remain somewhat shy and fearful. Maybe with experiences less so.

Now you might say people are not dogs but I see so much genetic behavior in people and there are many similarities between the animal world and us.

It is to simplistic to think you can cure mental illness with diet and exercise. It may help you cope better with stressors but don't expect this is a silver bullet or you will end up disappointed.

By the way I am neither pro med or anti med as I also have been disappointed by mainstream medicine. Right now I don't believe there is a silver bullet out there. I use a patchwork of many things and do the best I can.

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by bulldog2 on May 17, 2009, at 10:09:16

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 23:36:22

> You know I was always passionate about alternative medicine. Wasn't til nursing school as I was well and graduated Magna Cum Laude And Was Running My own Aerobic Dance Business, Running With Jim Fixx When He Was In Town He lived l0 years longer than his brother or father as heart disease ran in his family. Ran with the guys at the Y five miles at lunch time. Three kids. Took my Shaklee Vitamins before they changed and went on to be manufactured in other countries . I believed in this form of health and was so healthy and happy. When started working the drug companies got me off track. Now I see the meds being pulled off the marker like vioxx and celebrex, statins seem dangerous as cholesterol creates hormones it's like a song. They all work together. Yes there definitely are those that meds work well for. But to me the most natural is the best. I feel like my eyes again were opened today again and want to get back on track with continuing my excercise, good nutritional habits darn the chocolate truffles!!! and follow-up with this testing. After all what do I have to lose some money? I will gladly do that to regain my health or try at least try to regain it. I continue to support all who take meds and of course am still on mine but hopefully someday will not need them. Well the soapbox is over. But in a way I feel liberated. Love Jan

Don't get to high or you may end up crashing to earth in a heap of ashes both disappointed and much poorer. Have realistic expectations. To many have been disappointed that their claims (alt med) were just the words of scammers and con artists.

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested. » bulldog2

Posted by Phillipa on May 17, 2009, at 11:20:25

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by bulldog2 on May 17, 2009, at 10:09:16

Bulldog never said it was a silver bullet or could cure me but I'm not spending thousands. This doc I see see's you once and then just repeats the testing in two months and then adjusts hormones. Right now my " tank is on empty " so some will surely help. As far as supplements no one's said to take them. Even the pharmacist who I brought up all these subjects with as wanted to pick his brain didn't recommend that I take any. I asked why can't they have a substitution of benzos as I've been on them too many years. And he mentioned as store was about to close well they have neurotransmitter testing by urine. No pressure. There was a symposium in Charlotte I wish I'd known about on March 29 where a team of ob-gyns like my doc and compounding pharmacists gave speeches or something. It's on google how I found it. I'm getting most of my info from the books I'm reading yes reading Suzanne Somers. And a lot is garbage to me but a lot is valid in my opinion. But back to life before SSRI's. I was happy now that's something to hold onto. Phillipa

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by bulldog2 on May 17, 2009, at 11:43:37

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested. » bulldog2, posted by Phillipa on May 17, 2009, at 11:20:25

> Bulldog never said it was a silver bullet or could cure me but I'm not spending thousands. This doc I see see's you once and then just repeats the testing in two months and then adjusts hormones. Right now my " tank is on empty " so some will surely help. As far as supplements no one's said to take them. Even the pharmacist who I brought up all these subjects with as wanted to pick his brain didn't recommend that I take any. I asked why can't they have a substitution of benzos as I've been on them too many years. And he mentioned as store was about to close well they have neurotransmitter testing by urine. No pressure. There was a symposium in Charlotte I wish I'd known about on March 29 where a team of ob-gyns like my doc and compounding pharmacists gave speeches or something. It's on google how I found it. I'm getting most of my info from the books I'm reading yes reading Suzanne Somers. And a lot is garbage to me but a lot is valid in my opinion. But back to life before SSRI's. I was happy now that's something to hold onto. Phillipa

Life before ssris no longer exists as you were young than. I to realize I can no longer capture my youth. Things change and the body and brain change. That is called aging. For some reason the hormones did not make me feel better. I have a theory that as the brain ages it can no longer utilize the higher hormone levels. Now some do say they feel better and maybe you'll be one of them. My wife tried the bioidentical hormones and started bleeding and stopped them. She lowered the dose and still was bleeding. So she stopped them as she feared they might cause cancer.

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by bulldog2 on May 17, 2009, at 11:45:23

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested. » bulldog2, posted by Phillipa on May 17, 2009, at 11:20:25

> Bulldog never said it was a silver bullet or could cure me but I'm not spending thousands. This doc I see see's you once and then just repeats the testing in two months and then adjusts hormones. Right now my " tank is on empty " so some will surely help. As far as supplements no one's said to take them. Even the pharmacist who I brought up all these subjects with as wanted to pick his brain didn't recommend that I take any. I asked why can't they have a substitution of benzos as I've been on them too many years. And he mentioned as store was about to close well they have neurotransmitter testing by urine. No pressure. There was a symposium in Charlotte I wish I'd known about on March 29 where a team of ob-gyns like my doc and compounding pharmacists gave speeches or something. It's on google how I found it. I'm getting most of my info from the books I'm reading yes reading Suzanne Somers. And a lot is garbage to me but a lot is valid in my opinion. But back to life before SSRI's. I was happy now that's something to hold onto. Phillipa

I am currently on 60 mg of parnate and almost in remission. I think you might do well on nardil.

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by bleauberry on May 17, 2009, at 12:17:49

In reply to Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2009, at 17:40:56

> ...Also brought the adrenal axix and thyroid axis into conversation.

Excellent, now we're starting to get somewhere. Of course, good ole bleauberry has been preaching this to you for how long?

>Learned so much.

Awesome. We can never know enough, but the more we know of both sides of the fence, the better our grasp on things.

>...he also will never get a vaccination. He believes as some that especially flu vaccines are worthless as thousands of strains out there.

I look at it a different way. Most of the flu vaccines out there have a preservative in them that is, guess what, mercury.

There is little/no proof that:

a) neurotransmitters are low in depression

b) urine levels of neurotransmiters correspond to brain levels of neurotransmitters

c) supplementation with iscolated amino acids is safe or effective in the treatment of depression

Linkadge

Linkadge is quite correct. The only scientific studies on dl-phenylalanine for example (two) were done in the 1980s and were poorly controlled small studies. Every study I've seen on 5htp or tryptophan has shown benefit on sleep and anxiety, but not depression at all (except when tryptophan is added to antidepressants when it can be helpful).

What is in the urine does not say a thing about what is in the nervous system. What is measured in urine are neurotransmitter metabolites, not the neurotransmitters themselves. The only way to know what is in the nervous system is to do a spinal tap or a brain biopsy, which obviously no one is going to do.

Even if we could somehow know, it is of little help. If depression was from low serotonin in urine, then 5htp supplements should cure it right away, right? Well, they don't. Outside of those clinics and seminars where they make all this stuff sound so fantastic, you have to hunt far and wide to find anyone that has found benefit from 5htp, dl-phenylalanine, tyrosine, or Gaba, for any length of time.

What they don't account for is that we have enzymes that determine how much of our proteins will be converted to serotonin, dopamine, whatever. Any excess is not converted. So maybe the problem is not in having enough dopamine, but rather the rate-limiting genes involved in making dopamine (example). Those genes have to be manipulated, not the amount of raw material they are given to make neurotransmitters.

Phillipa, I had that urine test. Results:
Dopamine normal.
Norepinephrine normal.
Epinephrine high normal.
Glutamate normal.
Serotonin very low.
Gaba elevated.

Was that information at all useful in finding what would help me feel better? Absolutely no. It would appear I need 5htp or tryptophan, right? Oh so wrong. Nope, what makes me feel better is norepinephrine/dopamine, as in Milnacipran, Ritalin, Parnate. That is totally unpredicted by the above urine test results.

I do believe however their bioidentical approach to hormones is going to help you a lot in overall symptoms. And I do believe if they give you 5htp and/or gaba, you will see a reduction in anxiety.

But why is all this stuff messed up? Well, you know you used to have amalgam fillings, so you know there is a lot of stored mercury in your nervous system. And you know you had/have Lyme, which loves to sequester mercury. Both of those issues are notorious for screwing up the immune system (as in Hashimotos), screwing up the adrenals, screwing up thyroid, and keeping your nervous system bathed in neurotoxins.

Treat those things. Just because you did this or did that many years ago has no bearing whatsoever on 2009. Use the bioidentical people to help you lessen symptoms and have an improved life, but treat the diseases. The meds you need are:

Tetracycline 500mg every other day for a year.
Clyndamycin added to it at 6 months.
DMSA 12.5mg + 12.5mg Alpha Lipoic Acid every 4 hours 3 days on and 4 days off for about a year.
Heavy doses of refrigerated high potency probiotics.
Diet heavy on proteins, veggies, and fruits, very scarce on sugars and caffeine.

There ya go. (I know you won't listen, so I'm just practicing). Love ya though!

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested. » bleauberry

Posted by Phillipa on May 17, 2009, at 13:13:32

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by bleauberry on May 17, 2009, at 12:17:49

BB we're half in agreement and half not. I feel belief is very important to how you feel. Since this is a real ob-gyn MD he's delivered babies and treated women for over 30 years here. So he knows both sides of the story. He offers both methods well more than two and leaves it up to you wish you chose to try. I was vemenent that I didn't want a period by taking the estrogen a certain number of days minicking the real body and then progesterone a certain number of days to bring on a period. But you know what it makes sense as if you don't shed the uterus lining you get a build up of tissue that could lead to cancer. Planning on the two months of hormones and then testing by serous or blood to see where they are now. So far have some nipple tenderness and not to offend slight discharge clear first since menopause so things might be beginning to improve. I am thinking of writing the doc and saying I'd like to get the period month again as much more normal to the body's functioning. Now I could do his number one choice which was vivelle, or climara patch for estrogren bioidentical but FDA approved, and a troche for progesterone before bed, and testosterone cream. But that is more expensive. Also asked the owner of the pharmacy and he liked the creams better also. Now this pharmacy is in a small town across the street from the hospital and isn't just compounding full service with medical equipment so not in business for just compounding. yes tryptophan he told might help. We didn't discuss much more. But here's where we disagree as I told him about my lymes and asked about antibiotics. His feeling was that since the spirochettes kind of encapsulate that antibiotics won't touch them. Know that's why your pulsing yours. Kind of what I did for over two years. I now have crowns ceramic on all my teeth but three. Had them switched over 20 years ago. No problems for many years. Yes I know the dangers. Also reverse osmosis water is what should be consumed. Just can't afford that. So I will do what I can do. Do eat healthy downfall but my only enjoyment is the truffles at night as lost taste and smell over five years ago. So I am hopeful. You know for some reason I can't get you e-mail to copy on a fresh e-mail but will try again. Love Jan

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested. » bulldog2

Posted by Phillipa on May 17, 2009, at 13:15:23

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by bulldog2 on May 17, 2009, at 11:45:23

Bulldog that's great am happy for you but I chose not to take maois. But glad you're doing so well you deserve it. Love Phillipa

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by bulldog2 on May 17, 2009, at 16:09:51

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by bleauberry on May 17, 2009, at 12:17:49

> > ...Also brought the adrenal axix and thyroid axis into conversation.
>
> Excellent, now we're starting to get somewhere. Of course, good ole bleauberry has been preaching this to you for how long?
>
> >Learned so much.
>
> Awesome. We can never know enough, but the more we know of both sides of the fence, the better our grasp on things.
>
> >...he also will never get a vaccination. He believes as some that especially flu vaccines are worthless as thousands of strains out there.
>
> I look at it a different way. Most of the flu vaccines out there have a preservative in them that is, guess what, mercury.
>
> There is little/no proof that:
>
> a) neurotransmitters are low in depression
>
> b) urine levels of neurotransmiters correspond to brain levels of neurotransmitters
>
> c) supplementation with iscolated amino acids is safe or effective in the treatment of depression
>
> Linkadge
>
> Linkadge is quite correct. The only scientific studies on dl-phenylalanine for example (two) were done in the 1980s and were poorly controlled small studies. Every study I've seen on 5htp or tryptophan has shown benefit on sleep and anxiety, but not depression at all (except when tryptophan is added to antidepressants when it can be helpful).
>
> What is in the urine does not say a thing about what is in the nervous system. What is measured in urine are neurotransmitter metabolites, not the neurotransmitters themselves. The only way to know what is in the nervous system is to do a spinal tap or a brain biopsy, which obviously no one is going to do.
>
> Even if we could somehow know, it is of little help. If depression was from low serotonin in urine, then 5htp supplements should cure it right away, right? Well, they don't. Outside of those clinics and seminars where they make all this stuff sound so fantastic, you have to hunt far and wide to find anyone that has found benefit from 5htp, dl-phenylalanine, tyrosine, or Gaba, for any length of time.
>
> What they don't account for is that we have enzymes that determine how much of our proteins will be converted to serotonin, dopamine, whatever. Any excess is not converted. So maybe the problem is not in having enough dopamine, but rather the rate-limiting genes involved in making dopamine (example). Those genes have to be manipulated, not the amount of raw material they are given to make neurotransmitters.
>
> Phillipa, I had that urine test. Results:
> Dopamine normal.
> Norepinephrine normal.
> Epinephrine high normal.
> Glutamate normal.
> Serotonin very low.
> Gaba elevated.
>
> Was that information at all useful in finding what would help me feel better? Absolutely no. It would appear I need 5htp or tryptophan, right? Oh so wrong. Nope, what makes me feel better is norepinephrine/dopamine, as in Milnacipran, Ritalin, Parnate. That is totally unpredicted by the above urine test results.
>
> I do believe however their bioidentical approach to hormones is going to help you a lot in overall symptoms. And I do believe if they give you 5htp and/or gaba, you will see a reduction in anxiety.
>
> But why is all this stuff messed up? Well, you know you used to have amalgam fillings, so you know there is a lot of stored mercury in your nervous system. And you know you had/have Lyme, which loves to sequester mercury. Both of those issues are notorious for screwing up the immune system (as in Hashimotos), screwing up the adrenals, screwing up thyroid, and keeping your nervous system bathed in neurotoxins.
>
> Treat those things. Just because you did this or did that many years ago has no bearing whatsoever on 2009. Use the bioidentical people to help you lessen symptoms and have an improved life, but treat the diseases. The meds you need are:
>
> Tetracycline 500mg every other day for a year.
> Clyndamycin added to it at 6 months.
> DMSA 12.5mg + 12.5mg Alpha Lipoic Acid every 4 hours 3 days on and 4 days off for about a year.
> Heavy doses of refrigerated high potency probiotics.
> Diet heavy on proteins, veggies, and fruits, very scarce on sugars and caffeine.
>
> There ya go. (I know you won't listen, so I'm just practicing). Love ya though!
>
>
>
>
>
>
The problem with amino acids is that they are only precursors to neurotransmitters. The body may not have the enzymes to convert them to the needed neurotransmitters. From what I've read even if this initially works it poops out after a couple weeks.

Now something that works is selegiline plus 5htp and or dl-phenyalanine. About 60% get a remission with these combos.

I think there are exciting possibilities with amino acids, sam-e, fish oil and food selection with antidepressants. Possibily the correct selections of these supplements that make neurotransmitters might alleviate depression. However if they don't you might get a potent combo of supplements plus the correct ad.

Sometimes I wonder if ads fail because the patient is not eating well. If you don't eat in a way that gives the body fuel to make neurotransmitters how can the ad work? For instance someone that binges on carbs or subsists on a junk food diet. I wonder how many psychiatrists instruct their patients on the value of a good diet?

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by Phillipa on May 17, 2009, at 16:52:47

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by bulldog2 on May 17, 2009, at 16:09:51

Took a break as my eyes hurt when on computer too long went to fancy mall. One of the ladies said her sister's ob-gyn has Suzannes book on his counter as he's always trying to learn. So looke like mainstream medicine at least for women may be taking a turn for the better.

Got to eat well excercise. It's not depression I'm looking to cure it's the zero homones which is something forgot before the pharmacist said reason my FSH is still way above l00 is because my body still wants the hormones. And I have to wonder about those women past menopause carrying a baby to term not that I necessarily believe in it. But I do believe in balancing the body. Thyroid is a hormone, insulin is a hormone, adrenal exhaustion is a hormone. Now that is definitely something I need to correct. Seems the recommendation from the many books and my endo is that bedtime should be l0pm as between l0 -2 am the HGH is repairing the body. Now that's a problem for me as we are up til 2-3. Trying to get to sleep in baby steps earlier each night. Melatonin might help with that as regulated body clock. So much info to absorb and so much research I need to also do. Oh btw mercury was discussed in all books as being horrible as well as many toxic substances we take into our bodies. Cholesterol is also needed to manufacture hormone.. Love Phillipa

 

Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested.

Posted by bulldog2 on May 17, 2009, at 17:48:37

In reply to Re: Neurotransmitters Can Be Tested., posted by Phillipa on May 17, 2009, at 16:52:47

> Took a break as my eyes hurt when on computer too long went to fancy mall. One of the ladies said her sister's ob-gyn has Suzannes book on his counter as he's always trying to learn. So looke like mainstream medicine at least for women may be taking a turn for the better.
>
> Got to eat well excercise. It's not depression I'm looking to cure it's the zero homones which is something forgot before the pharmacist said reason my FSH is still way above l00 is because my body still wants the hormones. And I have to wonder about those women past menopause carrying a baby to term not that I necessarily believe in it. But I do believe in balancing the body. Thyroid is a hormone, insulin is a hormone, adrenal exhaustion is a hormone. Now that is definitely something I need to correct. Seems the recommendation from the many books and my endo is that bedtime should be l0pm as between l0 -2 am the HGH is repairing the body. Now that's a problem for me as we are up til 2-3. Trying to get to sleep in baby steps earlier each night. Melatonin might help with that as regulated body clock. So much info to absorb and so much research I need to also do. Oh btw mercury was discussed in all books as being horrible as well as many toxic substances we take into our bodies. Cholesterol is also needed to manufacture hormone.. Love Phillipa

If one can afford it small doses of hgh can do wonders for the body. Idiot docs that say it is dangerous are looking at outdated studies where the doses were way to high. Suzan Sommers uses hgh and swears by it. She had cancer and still uses hgh. HGH is needed to convert throid (t4 which is synthroid) to t3 which is the biotactive form of thyroid. also is the hormone of repair. without hgh all the other hormones do not work right.


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