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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by KellyD on October 22, 2003, at 21:18:50
In reply to Re: Where do you get tryptophan? » loolot, posted by Larry Hoover on October 22, 2003, at 15:47:06
Posted by matthhhh on October 23, 2003, at 15:23:33
In reply to Run for the Roses? (nm), posted by KellyD on October 22, 2003, at 21:18:50
hey lar and everyone, im kind of worried about this tryptophan im taking. I mean i feel really good! on it and im afraid because its says its not intended for human consumption. Is this stuff really dangerous that im taking?? Could it be different from the tryptophan sold by prescription?
Posted by matthhhh on October 23, 2003, at 15:26:22
In reply to Afraid about tryptophan, posted by matthhhh on October 23, 2003, at 15:23:33
by the way, if it is legal in the US why are so many companies selling under "veternary use only" like the gp site and the biochemicals.com site? thanks
Posted by john1022 on October 23, 2003, at 18:21:44
In reply to Re: Afraid about tryptophan, posted by matthhhh on October 23, 2003, at 15:26:22
Is it really legal in the U.S.? How come places like GNC and Vitamin World don't sell it?
Posted by matthhhh on October 24, 2003, at 20:35:13
In reply to Re: Afraid about tryptophan, posted by john1022 on October 23, 2003, at 18:21:44
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684844885/drbobsvirte00-20
Use this link, its at amazon.com.
Posted by McPac on October 25, 2003, at 19:30:41
In reply to The real story on tryptophan..., posted by matthhhh on October 24, 2003, at 20:35:13
Is the tryptophan still working well for you?
You mentioned that you used to take 5htp but it didn't give you the positive effects that trytophan has...were you taking enough of the 5htp to produce positive effects (or was the dose very small)?
Thanks!
Posted by matthhhh on October 25, 2003, at 20:12:54
In reply to Matt, Re: The real story on tryptophan..., posted by McPac on October 25, 2003, at 19:30:41
Tryptophan is still working like a miracle. I still cant believe it! i was taking up to 200mg at a time of different brands of 5 htp plus all the other supposed serotonin boosters and they did absolutely nothing.
Posted by McPac on October 26, 2003, at 11:18:21
In reply to Re: Matt, Re: The real story on tryptophan..., posted by matthhhh on October 25, 2003, at 20:12:54
Matt,
how much tryptophan are you taking each day?
Also, what are you mixing the powder with (I tried orange juice but the tryptophan doesn't mix well at all with that). Thanks!
Posted by matthhhh on October 27, 2003, at 18:20:07
In reply to Matt, Re: The real story on tryptophan..., posted by McPac on October 26, 2003, at 11:18:21
Hey there, im taking just a little bit, probably a little less than 500mg per morning and around 250 mg in the afternoon. The tryptophan i got from the gp site comes with a little measure cup thats about 1100 mg per scoop, so i usually take little less than half per morning- not really much at all. So where did u get your tryptophan? have u tried the stuff from the gp site?
Posted by McPac on October 28, 2003, at 23:14:51
In reply to Re: Matt, Re: The real story on tryptophan..., posted by matthhhh on October 27, 2003, at 18:20:07
Hi Matt,
I bought my tryptophan from the same site as you...I got the Ultra-Pure also....only problem is that I'm on an ssri so I am very leery of taking the tryptophan....I had the tryptophan for a few weeks and didn't take any due to the ssri...but, finally, I've tried it on only 2 separate occassions...and both times I felt a good bit better after taking it (happier, more calm)....I wish I could take it every day but I can't chance that with the ssri (bummer!)...good luck!
Posted by matthhhh on October 29, 2003, at 16:14:03
In reply to Matt, Re: The real story on tryptophan..., posted by McPac on October 28, 2003, at 23:14:51
Hey MacPac, my experience with the ssris is that they caused my way too much sedation. They worked nice for a month or two but then went downhill from there.
Id say if the tryptophan works for you, then stick with that because its natural. But understand what your saying, that you dont want to take both at once.
Im still astonished that the tryptophan from that gp site has worked so well. I got a prescription for tryptophan today, so im anxious to see if it works as well as the veternary stuff.
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 2, 2003, at 7:39:59
In reply to Re: Afraid about tryptophan, posted by matthhhh on October 23, 2003, at 15:26:22
> by the way, if it is legal in the US why are so many companies selling under "veternary use only" like the gp site and the biochemicals.com site? thanks
The answer is simple: To avoid red tape. If they sell it for human consumption, the onus is on them for the safety of the product. If they sell it for veterinary use, they avoid FDA oversight.
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 2, 2003, at 7:41:22
In reply to Afraid about tryptophan, posted by matthhhh on October 23, 2003, at 15:23:33
> hey lar and everyone, im kind of worried about this tryptophan im taking. I mean i feel really good! on it and im afraid because its says its not intended for human consumption. Is this stuff really dangerous that im taking?? Could it be different from the tryptophan sold by prescription?
You're worried because it's working? In my opinion, the product you are taking is equivalent to human prescription grade tryptophan.
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 2, 2003, at 7:43:04
In reply to Re: Afraid about tryptophan, posted by john1022 on October 23, 2003, at 18:21:44
> Is it really legal in the U.S.? How come places like GNC and Vitamin World don't sell it?
It's really legal in the U.S. It was quietly made legal again, in 1994.
See:
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-tryp1.html"Although FDA continues to enunciate its concern about the safety of dietary supplements containing L-tryptophan and related compounds such as L-5-hydroxytryptophan, this does not mean that FDA prohibits the marketing of dietary supplements that contain L-tryptophan. Under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the Act), as amended by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), the manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that its products are safe. A firm is not required to obtain premarket review or approval from the FDA of its products before marketing them as dietary supplements. Moreover, a firm is not required to submit scientific evidence to FDA of the safety of its products or ingredients. While we are unaware of conclusive scientific data that would establish that a dietary supplement L-tryptophan would be safe, if a firm has information that it believes establishes that a product containing L-tryptophan is safe within the meaning of the Act, it could market such a product as a dietary supplement. The burden and responsibility for assuring that such a product is not adulterated under the Act is with the firm and not FDA."
Lar
Posted by lotus on November 2, 2003, at 22:17:24
In reply to Re: Afraid about tryptophan » john1022, posted by Larry Hoover on November 2, 2003, at 7:43:04
Is there a difference between pharmaceutical grade and prescription grade?
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 3, 2003, at 8:32:02
In reply to Re: Afraid about tryptophan, posted by lotus on November 2, 2003, at 22:17:24
> Is there a difference between pharmaceutical grade and prescription grade?
No. Just my semantic sloppiness.
Lar
Posted by matthhhh on November 3, 2003, at 20:12:49
In reply to Re: Afraid about tryptophan, posted by lotus on November 2, 2003, at 22:17:24
ive recently switched from the veternary to the precription tryptophan 1000mg day. It works amazing! and no side effects! it blows ssris and all the other amino acids away, of course i suppose everyone reacts differently though.
Posted by McPac on November 3, 2003, at 20:37:15
In reply to Re: Afraid about tryptophan, posted by matthhhh on November 3, 2003, at 20:12:49
Lar,
I took about 1,100 mg's of tryptophan and felt my moods lifted (happier) and also much less physical anxiety (more calm)....after ONE dose I felt a difference.....I then repeated this on 2 other occassions (each time spaced many days apart), again I felt the same way each time. Can tryptophan affect someone after only one dose (I felt better within hours)? I don't believe this was a placebo effect at all but I wonder how trytophan could cause this effect so quickly? Unfortunately, I'm taking an ssri now (Lexapro, 20 mg's/day) and am therefore VERY hesitant to take the tryptophan regularly at all...bummer. Thanks!
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 4, 2003, at 9:29:55
In reply to Lar, Re: Afraid about tryptophan, posted by McPac on November 3, 2003, at 20:37:15
> Lar,
> I took about 1,100 mg's of tryptophan and felt my moods lifted (happier) and also much less physical anxiety (more calm)....after ONE dose I felt a difference.....I then repeated this on 2 other occassions (each time spaced many days apart), again I felt the same way each time.How long did the positive effect last?
> Can tryptophan affect someone after only one dose (I felt better within hours)?
Sure. Do you distrust your own experience?
> I don't believe this was a placebo effect at all but I wonder how trytophan could cause this effect so quickly?
Pure aminos go into the blood quickly. The effect lags just behind the blood concentration.
> Unfortunately, I'm taking an ssri now (Lexapro, 20 mg's/day) and am therefore VERY hesitant to take the tryptophan regularly at all...bummer. Thanks!
Why hesitate? You pay exquisite attention to how you feel. I pay attention like that, too. It's just how I am.....very sensitive.
Lar
Posted by mileniumuk on November 4, 2003, at 10:42:13
In reply to Re: Afraid about tryptophan » john1022, posted by Larry Hoover on November 2, 2003, at 7:43:04
Larry,
I note the above correspondence on tryptophan.I took it some years ago, just before the EMS scare. It worked for me in resetting my sleep pattern with my GP's concurrence. The depression was relieved considerably thereafter.
Probably melatonin would work well for the same reason.
As a 60 yr old I have a bit more experience of the susbsequent experiences of both myself and my son.
I believe I went manic-depressed about three/four years ago arising from a work pattern that included 12 hour days up 'til 2.00am in the morning UK. My body clock reset itself to daylength of about fifteen-sixteen hours routinely. I got extreme euphoria lasting about two/three years - same time to come down as to get up there in the first place. This is not recommended.
Apparently, the muscles also reset to their own clock cycle (can't remember the ref:).
Lower back pain, exhaustion after about four hours at work, ataxia, leg pain (claudication?), and several other symptoms were part of this cycle associated with over-work.
The effect of negative triggers was very surprising and almost immediate, with severe depression 'out of the blue'.
I can understand how people get to my age and 'come off the rails' with social interraction difficulties, that can cause marrital break-ups, depression, suicide and probably, a few murders if the truth be known.
I have striven to avoid the drug route as a treatment option, of which my older GP was understanding, wherever possible. Younger GPs don't seem to have the same ethos.
My current strategy has included a good multi-B vitamin tab and recently increased the amount of folic acid - probably doubled it to 700mcg or more.
I usually take about a gram a day of vit C with occasional magnesium. The recent effect of magnesium has led me to review whether or not to start taking the magnesiumvery day; I will give it a shot and see what happens to try and relieve the constant anger and agression whcih seems to happen later in the day after insufficient food.I try and keep up the high tryptohan foods, such as humous, as part of dietary control.
Be happy to give more details if needed
Bob (chemically trained not medically qualified)
Posted by McPac on November 4, 2003, at 22:13:48
In reply to Re: Lar, Re: Afraid about tryptophan » McPac, posted by Larry Hoover on November 4, 2003, at 9:29:55
> Lar,
> I took about 1,100 mg's of tryptophan and felt my moods lifted (happier) and also much less physical anxiety (more calm)....after ONE dose I felt a difference.....I then repeated this on 2 other occassions (each time spaced many days apart), again I felt the same way each time.How long did the positive effect last?
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I didn't monitor it too closely time-wise but it seemed to lift my mood for a couple of days...of course, that is while still on the Lexapro (if not on any Lex, who knows what the effect would be, maybe I'd need a larger dose and a more consistent supply to provide the positive effect?....one thing that I certainly noticed was that about a day-and-a-half or 2 days after taking it, I got a fairly bad headache each time (kind of like a withdrawal-type headache)....the 1st night I took it, I got one of those really fast 'twitchy things' in my deltoid (you know how sometimes you get those super-fast, little twitches, often around the side of the eye? Well, I got that exact same kind of super-fast twitch in my deltoid, lasted about a minute or so...it was rather amusing; it felt like no big deal at all but with being on an ssri I'm very cautious of combining the 2.
> I don't believe this was a placebo effect at all but I wonder how trytophan could cause this effect so quickly?
Pure aminos go into the blood quickly. The effect lags just behind the blood concentration.
>>>>>>>>> Lar, but why does it take AD's many WEEKS to affect some people...the drugs go into the blood rather quickly then too, don't they?
> Unfortunately, I'm taking an ssri now (Lexapro, 20 mg's/day) and am therefore VERY hesitant to take the tryptophan regularly at all...bummer. Thanks!
Why hesitate? You pay exquisite attention to how you feel. I pay attention like that, too. It's just how I am.....very sensitive.
>>>>>>>>>> I'm 'afraid' of this serotonin syndrome thingy, lol,.....I was reading recently on the Babble board where "Linkadge" believes he had serotonin syndrome..they admitted him to a psych unit for 2 or 2 1/2 weeks or so after he went to emergency room......I don't want that....yes, my body seems to typically be VERY sensitive to meds (that can be both Good and Bad at times).......Lar, I've really got to tell you something though...you know how I've been going to the Pfeiffer Treatment Center...well, it's been almost 11 months now that I've been following their prescribed treatment plan and taking LOTS of supplements..their plan may have done some good...but I can honestly say that it seems to me that just ONE single supplement, the TRYPTOPHAN, has single-handedly done MORE for uplifting my mood than ALL the others COMBINED! Now, here's my thinking of why Pfeiffer did NOT have me on tryptophan or 5htp...2 possible reasons: 1) they did not want me on an ssri + tryptophan/5htp due to risk of serotonin syndrome OR 2) their main goal was to lower my histamine levels and I'm not sure trypt/5htp fit into that objective....I get little feedback from Pfeiffer, so I'm left to ponder why they didn't try the tryptophan....after not feeling much effect from Pfeiffer's plan, I came across the www.neuroreplete.com site...it sounded pretty good to me so I got hold of a nearby doctor who does follow their protocol...I am supposed to go to him fairly soon....I like the idea of them using precise testing methods to closely align my neurotransmitter levels through urine testing of such levels (as opposed to my willy-nilly methods...I don't want to only feel good for a certain period of time while unknowingly causing certain other NT levels to deplete over time and eventually feeling like crap again.....I guess I would feel more secure with their know-how and help than trying to balance my crazy brain on my own.....but it looks like the neuroreplete folks use 5htp in their products NOT tryptophan...bummer...I don't know if 5htp will have such a fantastic effect..........my body can be so very, very sensitive---I took about 1,000 mg's of tryptophan this morning...once again, my mood has lifted very nicely...but I feel a little TOO-revved up (slightly...just slightly a tad hypo...nothing at all to worry about...just energetic and somewhat revved).......please let me know all of your thoughts on my replies Hoovermeister....particularly re: the serotonin syndrome thing...I would definitely be taking trypt DAILY if not for that and being on an ssri......you rule Lar....glad you stayed!!!!!!!!
Posted by Wolf Dreamer on November 5, 2003, at 10:03:26
In reply to Lar, Re: Afraid about tryptophan, posted by McPac on November 4, 2003, at 22:13:48
Just checked outside, and there it was today.
I ordered the pure brand on the horse webpage Larry Hover mentioned.
I took 1905 mg, plus whatever I licked off my fingers after pulling that little scoop off the bottom.
This stuff doesn't dissolve in anything it seems. I tried putting it in a cup with my sugar free lemondade mixed with refrigerated distilled water, but it just floated around, and I couldn't get it all out. Stirring didn't work, as it just floated there, and when I drank everything, there it was stuck to the little cup still. So I just scooped it up with my finger and ate it.
Whats this I hear about a capsule form? Please post a link to where you can order the capsule form online. I think that will help people interested in trying it.
Posted by matthhhh on November 5, 2003, at 11:00:17
In reply to got tryptophan... horse powder hard to mix, posted by Wolf Dreamer on November 5, 2003, at 10:03:26
Hey wolf, ive tried the horse brand too, it was great for me but now im taking capsules by prescription. So what kind of effect did it have on you?
Posted by JLx on November 5, 2003, at 12:11:29
In reply to got tryptophan... horse powder hard to mix, posted by Wolf Dreamer on November 5, 2003, at 10:03:26
> Whats this I hear about a capsule form? Please post a link to where you can order the capsule form online. I think that will help people interested in trying it.I mix my bulk aminos with a spoonful of applesauce.
Here's a couple places with capsules. The first link is the recovery center/web page for Joan Matthews Larson, who wrote, "Depression Free Naturally". The second one is the source she USED to have on that page.
http://www.healthrecovery.com/
http://www.biochemicals.com/orderonline.php3
Posted by matthhhh on November 5, 2003, at 16:18:20
In reply to got tryptophan... horse powder hard to mix, posted by Wolf Dreamer on November 5, 2003, at 10:03:26
Im not afraid that that the tryptophan is working- just that it is so potent. I mean I feel like im buzzed, but its a good feeling. I guess im wondering why only 1 gram day makes me feel this way, when a normal person supposedly takes 2-3 grams a day just in food alone. Is it just because its reaching my brain faster and does not have to compete with the other amino acids? Could it be possible that too much serotonin is in my system? I just took 1 gram pill this morning- and another 3/4 of one this afternoon and the effect was really strong- but a good feeling. Also since 5htp had no effect on me whatsoever, why would tryptophan be the complete opposite? thanks
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