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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by McPac on November 7, 2003, at 21:29:48
In reply to Whats the maximum I can take of tryptophan?, posted by Wolf Dreamer on November 7, 2003, at 12:29:24
Great link Wolf! Thanks!
Posted by McPac on November 7, 2003, at 21:34:52
In reply to Whats the maximum I can take of tryptophan?, posted by Wolf Dreamer on November 7, 2003, at 12:29:24
http://www.beautynhealth.com/tryptophan/
(Not cheap though)
Posted by matthhhh on November 7, 2003, at 22:01:24
In reply to 99.6% Pure Tryptophan link, posted by McPac on November 7, 2003, at 21:34:52
I am still taking tryptophan but tapering off wellbutrin. I feel very shaky (ie shaking hands) and have sweaty palms. Im wondering if this is due to the withdrawal from the wellbutrin or the tryptophan. Its hard to see how the sweaty palms could be do to the wellbutrin because I just started experiencing it when i started the tryptophan. Does anyone know?
Posted by McPac on November 9, 2003, at 21:49:23
In reply to Shaking and sweating, posted by matthhhh on November 7, 2003, at 22:01:24
I am still taking tryptophan but tapering off wellbutrin. I feel very shaky (ie shaking hands) and have sweaty palms. Im wondering if this is due to the withdrawal from the wellbutrin or the tryptophan. Its hard to see how the sweaty palms could be do to the wellbutrin because I just started experiencing it when i started the tryptophan. Does anyone know?
>>>>>>>>> Matt, the tryptophan may very well be causing the sweaty palms.....many of the serotonergic meds can cause increased sweating and since trypto is ultimately converted to serotonin, that would be my best guess (by the way, I also noticed some increased sweating after taking tryptophan)....tapering the Wellbutrin is also capable of causing withdrawal-type problems, so shaking certainly wouldn't surprise me, just taper very gradually and slowly if you need to.....one other thing that I've noticed, it seems, is that sometimes when I take the trypto, I get sort of 'hyper', like my body gets 'revved up'....even though I have felt drowsy and calmer after taking the trypto, there are other times when I get a bit hyper...for what it's worth....take care Matt!
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 10, 2003, at 7:21:40
In reply to Larry Hoover, Re: Afraid about tryptophan, posted by McPac on November 6, 2003, at 15:42:56
> > 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?Because they don't do the same thing as tryptophan. One reason we know that is *because* it takes weeks for ADs to work.
> > 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).......One way to avoid serotonin syndrome is to never try anything that is remotely associated with it. Or, you could carefully augment your pharmacological treatment with small doses of things like tryptophan. Dose makes the poison.
About Pfeiffer: There is no treatment that's right for everybody. Looks like it's time to move on.
About Neuroplete: You can use their supervision etc., but nobody says you have to use their products. If you don't want 5-HTP, don't take it.Bottom line (based on your own evidence), you feel better using tryptophan than not. If you get a headache, take an aspirin, tylenol, whatever. If you start feeling sicker than that, go to a doctor, and tell him what you've been taking.
Lar
Posted by matthhhh on November 10, 2003, at 7:31:59
In reply to Re: Shaking and sweating, posted by McPac on November 9, 2003, at 21:49:23
hey macpac thanks for the reply!
Posted by mileniumuk on November 10, 2003, at 9:56:21
In reply to Re: Afraid about tryptophan, posted by matthhhh on October 23, 2003, at 15:26:22
Matthhh,
Has anyone tried adding vit B3 (niacin) to tryptophan as a booster. Logic: It takes 60 molecules of tryptophan to produce 1 molecule of niacin, roughly speaking.
So using excess niacin should spare quite a lot of the consumed tryptophan.
Best wishes
Bob (chemically trained not medically qualified)
Posted by McPac on November 10, 2003, at 17:12:15
In reply to Re: Larry Hoover, Re: Afraid about tryptophan » McPac, posted by Larry Hoover on November 10, 2003, at 7:21:40
Posted by jparsell82 on November 12, 2003, at 11:07:47
In reply to 99.6% Pure Tryptophan link, posted by McPac on November 7, 2003, at 21:34:52
http://www.biogenesis.co.za/pi-l-tryptophan.asp
Have you tried Sceletium?? http://www.sceletium.com
You're supposed to notice the effects within an hour or 2 of taking a pill. It enhances Serotonin in some way. Some websites claim it's an Ssri but I don't believe so... wouldn't it take awhile to notice it's effects if only inhibited the reuptake of serotonin? Other have suggested it works in a way similar to Ecstasy. I've ordered some but haven't go it yet, I wish someone else on this board had experience with it.
Posted by matthhhh on November 12, 2003, at 15:49:39
In reply to My Tryptophan Link » McPac, posted by jparsell82 on November 12, 2003, at 11:07:47
Hey MacPac, yes ive ordered the real sceletium from Africa, and it really didnt do much for me, just made me a bit tired. Let me know how you find it.
Posted by McPac on November 12, 2003, at 16:42:49
In reply to My Tryptophan Link » McPac, posted by jparsell82 on November 12, 2003, at 11:07:47
"I wish someone else on this board had experience with it".
>>>>>>>>>>> J, someone does....ask Ame...he has taken it and knows a lot about it.
I've never tried the stuff.
Take care!
Posted by McPac on November 12, 2003, at 16:44:01
In reply to Re: My Tryptophan Link » jparsell82, posted by matthhhh on November 12, 2003, at 15:49:39
Matt,
I've never tried that stuff...Ame has though.
Take care!
Posted by Maxime on November 12, 2003, at 22:35:14
In reply to Whats the maximum I can take of tryptophan?, posted by Wolf Dreamer on November 7, 2003, at 12:29:24
hello. I realise I am late on this one ....
Anyhow, Canadian gal here who has been prescribed 1 gram of Tryptan (canadian pharmaceutical version of of L-tryptophan) a day. I do remember reading that for bipolar (which i am) up to 8 grams a day can be taken.
And I have been told to take it with food to prevent stomach upset.
I hope this helps.
Maxime
> How much of this stuff can I take and still be safe? I want as much of it is possible in me throughout the day, to increase its effects.
>
> When I first take it, bam! Instant fix. So I thought if I could just pop some in throughout the day just to keep things going smoothly, it'd be great.
>
> Its found naturally in many types of food, but I'm not sure how much. I don't want to overdose, if it could be hazardous.
>
> http://216.239.41.104/search?q=cache:34bjEp0MN_UJ:www.smart-drugs.com/JamesSouth-tryptophan.htm+tryptophan+doses+anxiety&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
> This is odd. Not enough room on the bus, so don't try getting it from food.
>
> Wait... didn't someone say there was something that should be taken on an empty stomach to prevent competition with other amino acids? Doh! I need to stop taking it with breakfast. Then I'll get more to my brain.
>
> I'm thinking I can take a bit more and see what happens. I'm reading that link now, and it has some good information.
>
Posted by sheelanagigs on November 13, 2003, at 14:11:34
In reply to Lar, Re: I feel GREAT on tryptophan! !, posted by McPac on October 21, 2003, at 18:55:18
i get my doc to write a prescription for tryptophan and a compounding pharmacist makes capsules for me.....go to the PCCA website to find a compounder near you...the geniuses of health care, as far as i am concerned....
oh, yes and meds in PLO gel...wonderful!
Posted by Wolf Dreamer on November 18, 2003, at 3:26:21
In reply to Re: got tryptophan... horse powder hard to mix » matthhhh, posted by Wolf Dreamer on November 6, 2003, at 11:05:25
I don't get the instant results as I did the first couple of days.
I take it every day, except once when I forgot and couldn't do it before bed without waking up to urinate since the powder takes a lot of liquid to swallow.
Thats also why other than my claritin D, I take all my medications in the morning now, not at night.
Anyway, I do feel my anxiety is better, either from it, or a combination of other things.
Anxiety still happens, but not nearly as severe, and it is easier to stop if I concentrate.
Posted by CraigD on November 18, 2003, at 12:42:50
In reply to Re: got tryptophan... horse powder hard to mix, posted by Wolf Dreamer on November 18, 2003, at 3:26:21
I just got this off Healthrecovery.com. It is a site primarily to help alcoholics recover and they sell bundled supplement kits as well as individually.
I am psyched to get my first bottle in two days (I paid $30 for 60 pills, including the 2-day shipping) and see if I can feel better without returning to SSRIs.
And speaking of SSRI's, read this excerpt...
Is It Safe?
Tryptophan has been widely used by orthomolecular physicians, clinics like Health Recovery Center and the general population, in doses of one to four grams daily. Since you can't store it in your body, you cannot accumulate toxic levels. However, taking high amounts of tryptophan can produce some side effects:
Feeling drowsy the next morning
Bizarre or strange dreams (rare)
increased blood pressure in persons over sixty who already have high blood pressure.
Aggressiveness (this rare side effect can occur in the absence of sufficient co-nutrients needed for the normal conversion of tryptophan to serotonin)
Warnings:Do not use tryptophan if taking MAO inhibitors.
Do not use tryptophan if you have liver damage, or you are restricted from taking phenylalanine, tyrosine, or histadine.
Tryptophan cannot break down into serotonin without B6. Without adequate serotonin there will be erratic sleep and ongoing irritability.
Can Tryptophan Be Combined With An SSRI Anti-Depressant?
Combing SSRI drugs and tryptophan is inviting a deluge of serotonin into the brain...it's dangerous to do, and in most cases not recommended. However a recent client is taking a very small dose (5 milligrams) of Prozac in conjunction with daily tryptophan and the result has been exactly right for her. Warning: Do not play with this or any combination of tryptophan and anti-depressant drugs. Your doctor MUST be supervising such an experiment.
Posted by matthhhh on November 18, 2003, at 13:32:41
In reply to Trypt and safety/ssri's/great internet source!, posted by CraigD on November 18, 2003, at 12:42:50
Hey everyone, Im still taking the tryptophan and its working great, except that im experiencing some shaking and sweating. Does anyone know anything about this or if there are any tests to determine the amount of serotonin in your system? thanks!
Posted by matthhhh on November 18, 2003, at 20:56:34
In reply to Re: Trypt and safety/ssri's/great internet source!, posted by matthhhh on November 18, 2003, at 13:32:41
Does anyone know if thiis is serotonin syndrome?
Posted by JLx on November 21, 2003, at 8:38:51
In reply to Does anyone know if thiis is serotonin syndrome?, posted by matthhhh on November 18, 2003, at 20:56:34
> Does anyone know if thiis is serotonin syndrome?
No, I don't, but what occurs to me is that these are also common side effects of the SSRIs. Did you have that same reaction on any meds? Perhaps it will get better with time as the med SEs sometimes do.
I would also wonder if it indicates that you're taking too much. Perhaps backing down on the dose will help, especially if you didn't have this experience intitially.
I was taking tyrosine and stepped up to 1500 mg...then I read something about the amino acid taurine and how it's necessary to take LESS for the same affect as one goes along, so I tried less tyrosine and it feels better.
Maybe the amino acids are more that way than the drugs or other supplements we're used to.
Speaking from ignorance....just a suggestion. :)
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 22, 2003, at 7:18:10
In reply to Re: Trypt and safety/ssri's/great internet source!, posted by matthhhh on November 18, 2003, at 13:32:41
> Hey everyone, Im still taking the tryptophan and its working great, except that im experiencing some shaking and sweating. Does anyone know anything about this or if there are any tests to determine the amount of serotonin in your system? thanks!
Stop taking the tryptophan. Those symptoms are serotonergic, at least in character. If stopping the tryptophan causes them to remit over a couple days, you've been taking too much. If you're using tryptophan with a serotonergic antidepressant, you have to be very cautious.
Lar
Posted by matthhhh on November 22, 2003, at 7:56:27
In reply to Re: serotonin syndrome » matthhhh, posted by Larry Hoover on November 22, 2003, at 7:18:10
Hey Lar, But im only taking 2grams per day. And im not taking any other serotonin enhancing drugs. Do you think that these side effects will eventually just go away? thanks
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 22, 2003, at 8:28:28
In reply to Re: serotonin syndrome, posted by matthhhh on November 22, 2003, at 7:56:27
> Hey Lar, But im only taking 2grams per day. And im not taking any other serotonin enhancing drugs. Do you think that these side effects will eventually just go away? thanks
To know if there's a link to the tryptophan, you have to stop. It's a new experiment. Your hypothesis (it's only two grams, the side effects may go away) ought not to supercede your reality (your experimental results).
After stopping, if the "side effects" remit, then you do a re-challenge experiment (i.e. start taking the tryptophan again). If the symptoms return, then you may want to do a dose-reduction experiment.
By the end of all that, you'll know.
Lar
Posted by matthhhh on November 25, 2003, at 13:01:37
In reply to Re: serotonin syndrome » matthhhh, posted by Larry Hoover on November 22, 2003, at 8:28:28
Well I got my blood test results and they showed that I have higher than normal levels of folic acid and some higher than normal liver enzyme. I think ive heard before that folic acid increases ocd, so maybe this is making my ocd worse. Im only taking a multivitam though which has folic acid- so i think im going to cut that out and just take b vitamins separate.
The second thing is the higher than normal activity of the liver enzyme. I did some research on it that shows that the amino acid tryptophan increases this, so that lower levels might be better- so ive lowered tryptophan to 0.5 grams per day and ive already noticed improved results. So what does everyone think?
Posted by matthhhh on November 25, 2003, at 14:20:09
In reply to Re: serotonin syndrome, posted by matthhhh on November 25, 2003, at 13:01:37
Hey there, well today i took a 0.5 g of tryptophan in the morning. In the afternoon I took some vitamin B 3 and vitamin B12 and about 30 min after while i was at the gym my face became incredibly red,flushed and itchy. Also i felt a little dizzy. Does anyone know if this is caused from the niacin? thanks
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 25, 2003, at 15:15:03
In reply to Re: serotonin syndrome, posted by matthhhh on November 25, 2003, at 14:20:09
> Hey there, well today i took a 0.5 g of tryptophan in the morning. In the afternoon I took some vitamin B 3 and vitamin B12 and about 30 min after while i was at the gym my face became incredibly red,flushed and itchy. Also i felt a little dizzy. Does anyone know if this is caused from the niacin? thanks
Sounds like classic niacin flush, made more intense by exercise.
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