Posted by KaraS on January 18, 2005, at 17:18:56
In reply to Re: What do you think of this?, posted by Cairo on January 18, 2005, at 16:03:16
> My doctor told me to walk for an hour in the early evening, eat some protein/carb (like apple with peanut butter), and then take a warm, not hot, bath for 20-30 minutes to boost serotonin. It helped my sleep some, but not enough to do without sleep meds. Since serotonin is affected by other neurotransmitters, assuming it's only serotonin may be simplistic. I agree with the above poster in checking thyroid function, but even thyroid levels may be "normal" but you may still have a hypofunctioning HPA axis.
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> Cairo
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> > A friend of mine has been experiencing early morning depression. She said that she's fine as the day goes on as long as she gets out of the house and keeps busy. To me she sounds dysthymic but she won't accept that. Here's part of her e-mail to me:
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> > "I know it's not an emotional depression because I'm really not depressed about anything immediate -- I'm pretty sure it's from (and I've read about this) my seritone (sp?) levels going down while I'm asleep, just as my blood pressure goes down too, and that they need to rise gradually once I'm up and about -- so obviously it's a chemical thing -- I'm wondering if there was something I could do (not take medication) that would keep the seritone levels from dropping while I'm sleeping."
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> > I tried to clarify some things for her and told her about 5-htp and tryptophan. I also suggested St. John's Wort. I'd be interested in other people's responses to her message and what they would advise her.
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> > Kara
Thanks. I've forwarded that information on to my friend as well.I know what you mean about normal thyroid levels but still having an underactive HPA axis. I bet that would describe me.
k
poster:KaraS
thread:442872
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050101/msgs/443833.html