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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by chefmws on May 9, 2002, at 10:13:55
i am currently taking 20mg of celexa in the AM along with 20mg of adderall XR for depression, GAD, and ADD.
from some of the information i have been reading about here and on other sites about how SSRI's work (and how the drug companies aren't sure exactly how the drugs work)i was thinking about using the amino acid L-Tryptophan since it is a natural seretonin producer.
i will be honest, i am somewhat concerned about the long term effects that the SSRI's might have. i know that sounds reactionary, but since it is possible that the brain will rewire itself if the inhibitors are blocked too long and esp. since the drug companies are not 100% sure on how the chemicals in the SSRI's are doing what they do.
by going to the L-Tryp, a natural amino acid that is broken down to 5-HTP then into seretonin and then finally into meletonin, you are giving the brain and its synapses seretonin in a way that it wants it. by blocking the receptors to increase seretonin levels it seems that you are trying to end run around the way the brain is wired. to me, this is a receipe for eventual long term problems.
and now i am reading that there is a new disorder called "antidepressant apathy disorder" that is basically a byproduct side effect from taking AD's in the first place. and if that were not enough, reading on MSNBC about how placebo's are being reported to be just as effective on depression as the AD's just adds fuel to the fire real quick for those of us who are not real keen on taking meds in the first place.
i would love to not be taking these meds, and if there is a way for me to get the same effects with something the body is wanting naturally then i would want to pursue that avenue.
i am asking the question about moving off of the AD's to this group because you all seem to be the most informed anywhere on the web. your opinion and insights carry much weight and i look forward to reading them.
thanks,
mark
Posted by Optimistic on May 9, 2002, at 11:53:41
In reply to thinking about stopping celexa and using L-Tryp, posted by chefmws on May 9, 2002, at 10:13:55
why not try 5HTP directly rather than L-Tryptophan that is converted to it??
Posted by chefmws on May 9, 2002, at 12:08:46
In reply to Re: thinking about stopping celexa and using L-Tryp, posted by Optimistic on May 9, 2002, at 11:53:41
> why not try 5HTP directly rather than L-Tryptophan that is converted to it??
2 reasons -
1 - 5-HTP is about 2 to 3 times more expensive
2 - L-Tryp is metabolized eaiser in the system than 5-HTP
Posted by jay on May 9, 2002, at 21:48:05
In reply to Re: thinking about stopping celexa and using L-Tryp » Optimistic, posted by chefmws on May 9, 2002, at 12:08:46
> > why not try 5HTP directly rather than L-Tryptophan that is converted to it??
>
> 2 reasons -
>
> 1 - 5-HTP is about 2 to 3 times more expensive
>
> 2 - L-Tryp is metabolized eaiser in the system than 5-HTPYes, I found L-Tryp MUCH better working than 5-htp. 5-htp seemed to have little effect on depression or anxiety, IMHO. And I tried many brands.
Jay
Posted by MomO3 on May 10, 2002, at 1:43:00
In reply to thinking about stopping celexa and using L-Tryp, posted by chefmws on May 9, 2002, at 10:13:55
I went to google and yahoo to do a search for "antidepressant apathy disorder" and did not find any exact matches. Where are you reading this? Can you describe the disorder?
Posted by chefmws on May 10, 2002, at 8:45:05
In reply to Re: thinking about stopping celexa and using L-Tryp, posted by MomO3 on May 10, 2002, at 1:43:00
> I went to google and yahoo to do a search for "antidepressant apathy disorder" and did not find any exact matches. Where are you reading this? Can you describe the disorder?
here is a link from someone here who has copied a report from a medical journal.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020425/msgs/104624.html
hope this sheds some more light on the AAD.
thanks
mark
This is the end of the thread.
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