Posted by Poetess on November 27, 2004, at 0:55:25
In reply to Re: 5HTP » Poetess, posted by Larry Hoover on November 26, 2004, at 12:54:50
Hi Lar,
*Thanx so much* for the info, this is incredibly helpful.
I read the link you sent me as well as your message and I'm wondering something. Where is the line between having serotoninergic syptoms and having serotonin syndrome? He has several of the list of symptoms.
One thing I did notice with him is that since he's been slowly decreasing his Lexapro, the symptoms have improved somewhat. He decreased the dosage a little over a week ago. If the problems were side effects from the Lexapro,would his symptoms improve that quickly? If it was serotonin symptoms/ syndrome would it improve this quickly?
Sorry to ask all this, I'm not seeking any medical or diagnostic advice, just general info. Only asking because won't talk to his doc about this - he barely talks to me about it and I get worried.
Thanx
Poetess
> Rather than having similar effects, they have complementary effects. 5-HTP increases the overall supply of serotonin, while Lexapro enhances the half-life of serotonin in the synapses, i.e. it increases the strength of a given serotonin "signal".
>
> There is an increased risk of becoming hyperserotinergic, that is, developing serotonin syndrome, as too much serotonin in the blood can cause some very unpleasant and potentially dangerous effects. That said, usually that would happen very quickly upon combining two serotinergic meds. That it hasn't happened suggests that it may not happen. Still, being aware of the symptoms is a darn good idea.
>
> http://www.mindbodyconsult.com/protocols/serotonin.html
>
> High doses of 5-HTP can also cause serotinergic symptoms, the most common being headache, irritability, and stomach complaints. Individual tolerance varies.
>
> Lar
>
poster:Poetess
thread:420496
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20041123/msgs/420781.html