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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sleepless in the ATL on November 22, 2004, at 12:50:14
I am reading conflicting reports about the legallity of tryptophan in the US. I know all about the recall that happened years ago but have been reading lately that the FDA has relaxed the law.
I am currently taking Effexor after quitting Wellbutrin due to hairloss. My hair is still falling out. Tryptophan sounds more natural and I haven't heard of many side effects.
How effective is it and do you have to take other supplements with it? Please help.
Posted by MKB on November 22, 2004, at 21:13:47
In reply to Tryptophan - legal in the US? safe? side effects?, posted by Sleepless in the ATL on November 22, 2004, at 12:50:14
I first used Tryptophan over 20 years ago for mild depression. It was a real setback for me when it was taken off the market, as I was subsequently prescribed Zoloft, followed by Paxil, then Serzone, Wellbutrin, and most recently, Effexor XR. These all varied in their side-effects and effectiveness, with the Effexor XR being definitely dangerous, at least in my book. I started using Tryptophan again about a month ago, after following up on some links I found on this site. It is legal to purchase Tryptophan in the U.S. now and has been for several years. You can read what the law actually states and get information on Tryptophan at www.healthrecovery.com. On the opening page, find the link to individual products, then find Tryptophan.
I take 500 mg every night and it is working beautifully. I have had lifelong dysthymia and in recent years have developed chronic disabling anxiety. I also suffer sleeplessness from time to time. All of these problems result from a depletion of serotonin. Tryptophan is the amino acid that helps produce serotonin, so it is exactly right for me. I feel very calm. I can think much more rationally about things that previously would have set me off on endless worrying and brooding. I definitely think it is worthwhile to try since it cannot hurt you. Just make sure that wherever you purchase it, you are getting pharmaceutical grade.
Some people take a much higher dosage, but I don't see the sense in doing that at first. Work your way up to a level that is best for you.
Posted by Sleepless in the ATL on November 23, 2004, at 7:51:52
In reply to Re: Tryptophan - legal in the US? safe? side effects?, posted by MKB on November 22, 2004, at 21:13:47
How did you ween yourself off of Effexor and when did you start taking the trytophan again.
Posted by MKB on November 23, 2004, at 8:23:59
In reply to Re: Tryptophan - legal in the US? safe? side effects? » MKB, posted by Sleepless in the ATL on November 23, 2004, at 7:51:52
Weening myself off Effexor: I was only taking the 75 mg, then 37.5 mg of Effexor so that helped. For about the last 5 days, I only took one every other day. In addition, I took a low dose of Benadryl at night, because I had an itchy rash caused by the Effexor and couldn't sleep. Even so, I suffered during the withdrawal, but stuck it out. I'm sure individuals who have been on it longer or at higher doses will have more problems. The benefits of the medicine were definitely far out-weighed by the side-effects, so it's worth a couple of weeks of suffering to get off it.
I think I started the Tryptophan right as I was ending the Effexor.
Posted by Sleepless in the ATL on November 23, 2004, at 18:09:20
In reply to Re: Tryptophan - legal in the US? safe? side effects? » Sleepless in the ATL, posted by MKB on November 23, 2004, at 8:23:59
So how do you feel Tryptophan has helped you? With the SSRIs I felt more level but I also felt less. I feel that I'm missing out on some emotions that I would like to have. What is your personal experience?
Posted by MKB on November 23, 2004, at 19:18:41
In reply to Re: Tryptophan - legal in the US? safe? side effects?, posted by Sleepless in the ATL on November 23, 2004, at 18:09:20
Everything is better. My emotions are more appropriate than they ever were before. I'm more sensitive to the feelings of others, feel a greater depth of joy, have more patience, am less irritable, am able to concentrate, do work, get up in the morning feeling rested. It's great! There is no drugged feeling, just a healthy, normal, calm feeling. It works for me. I certainly cannot guarantee that it will do the same for you, but it can't hurt you and it's worth a try.
Posted by Sleepless in the ATL on November 23, 2004, at 20:06:51
In reply to Re: Tryptophan - legal in the US? safe? side effects? » Sleepless in the ATL, posted by MKB on November 23, 2004, at 19:18:41
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your input. I have heard really nothing but good things so I think I may give it a go. One more question if you don't mind. What vitamins do you take it with and at what time?
Posted by MKB on November 23, 2004, at 20:36:38
In reply to Re: Tryptophan - legal in the US? safe? side effects?, posted by Sleepless in the ATL on November 23, 2004, at 20:06:51
I read that you need B6 with Tryptophan, but I just take a multivitamin and Omega-3 Fish Oil. I usually take them in the morning with food. I also read that you should take Tryptophan with fruit juice, but I don't always do that. I do know that Tryptophan works best on an empty stomach. If I were you I would try not to add too many other things at the same time.
Posted by Sleepless in the ATL on November 23, 2004, at 20:48:03
In reply to Re: Tryptophan - legal in the US? safe? side effects? » Sleepless in the ATL, posted by MKB on November 23, 2004, at 20:36:38
Why do you take the fish oil? Does taking it in the morning not make you tired?
Posted by MKB on November 23, 2004, at 21:45:44
In reply to Re: Tryptophan - legal in the US? safe? side effects?, posted by Sleepless in the ATL on November 23, 2004, at 20:48:03
There is quite a bit of information on Psycho Babble Alternative about Omega 3 Fish Oil. That's where I first became aware of my need for it. Here's a link with more information:
http://www.mercola.com/article/omega3.htmI take the Omega 3 fish oil because I know I consume too much Omega 6 fatty acid and because I'm concerned about cardiovascular problems, Alzheimer's and depression.
I don't feel tired. I wasn't aware that the time of day mattered.
Posted by cherylann on November 25, 2004, at 0:07:12
In reply to Re: Tryptophan - legal in the US? safe? side effects? » Sleepless in the ATL, posted by MKB on November 23, 2004, at 21:45:44
You seem to be pretty knowledgeable about tryptophan, so I'm wondering did you, at any time, try 5-htp? I've heard there's a difference between it and tryptophan.
I tried 5-htp with mixed results, but mostly a feeling of slight agression. NOT me at all.
Thanks,
cherylann
Posted by MKB on December 1, 2004, at 0:24:29
In reply to taggin on here, question for MKB..., posted by cherylann on November 25, 2004, at 0:07:12
Sorry to be so late in responding, but I was blocked. No, I haven't tried 5-HTP. Most of my "knowledge" has come from trusted websites like www.healthrecovery.com and from people like Larry Hoover here on PsychoBabble. I'm out of my L-Tryptophan right now and I have really noticed a difference. I can't wait until the next order comes. I only seem to need 500-1000 mg each night to keep me balanced and rested.
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 10, 2004, at 9:27:21
In reply to Re: Tryptophan - legal in the US? safe? side effects? » Sleepless in the ATL, posted by MKB on November 23, 2004, at 20:36:38
> I read that you need B6 with Tryptophan, but I just take a multivitamin and Omega-3 Fish Oil. I usually take them in the morning with food. I also read that you should take Tryptophan with fruit juice, but I don't always do that. I do know that Tryptophan works best on an empty stomach. If I were you I would try not to add too many other things at the same time.
I just want to emphasize one issue with tryptophan. To get the most bang for the buck, i.e. to get the most drug-like effect, you need to take tryptophan in the absence of other amino acids. That's the empty stomach rule, in a nutshell.
Tryptophan has to be pumped into the brain, as it otherwise cannot cross the blood/brain barrier. The transporter responsible for that pumping action is not specific to tryptophan. Others use it too (e.g. phenylalanine, tyrosine, valine, leucine, isoleucine), and they all bind to the transporter better than does tryptophan. Moreover, those others tend to be in higher concentrations in food than is tryptophan.
So, you're trying to manipulate nature a bit. By supplying only tryptophan on an empty stomach, there really is not much else in the blood to directly compete with it for access to the brain.
The second aspect you might want to manipulate is insulin. Following ingestion of carbs or sugars, insulin is released, to control blood sugar. Insulin drives tryptophan into the brain, preferentially.
If you take tryptophan with fruit juice, on an empty stomach, you're accomplishing both things at the same time.
Allow about 45 minutes before eating a protein-containing food.
Lar
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