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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 jasmineneroli on November 24, 2004, at 16:33:59
Crap! Had the first real anxiety attacks today, in months.
Had to take 1/2mg Klon. to regain control, and function - had to teach an exercise class, this am(my usual total daily dose 2 x .25mg). Still have tremendous "butterflies" now, hours later. Will have to take some more Klon. probably.I don't think the 1500mg of trypt. is having any anxiolytic effect at all. It's not helping me fall asleep (I'm laying awake with racing thoughts for a couple of hours, even though extremely tired), but once asleep, I'm STAYING asleep, which is very good, until my alarm. I awake "fairly" refreshed. It IS helping my mood be a bit more even.
I'm 3 1/2 weeks off Celexa and on tryptophan. My Klon. dose has remained the same, as previous.I just don't know what to do. I go back to the Pdoc next week, for a review of Trypt., and I simply don't want to try anymore pharmaceuticals.
Should I increase the trypt. to 2000mg? (I have the OK to go up to 3000mg). Should I add a low dose of Melatonin at bedtime (2 or 3 mg) to help me fall asleep? ( I have some 1mg pharmaceutical grade Melatonin, just purchased, but unused).Any advice?
Sorry to be ALWAYS asking questions recently.
Jas
Posted by lotus on November 25, 2004, at 16:52:54
In reply to Having anxiety attacks, ..tryptophan not working?, posted by jasmineneroli on November 24, 2004, at 16:33:59
Just as a prerequisite are you taking a b complex.This helps the Tryptophan convert to serotonin.Also a study done on the anti depressant/anxiolytic effect of Tryptophan used an additional 300mg of B6 in divided doses along with 2grams Tryp. at bedtime
Posted by jasmineneroli on November 26, 2004, at 19:15:59
In reply to Re: Having anxiety attacks, ..tryptophan not working?, posted by lotus on November 25, 2004, at 16:52:54
Thx for your response.
I take (P5P)B6 100mg x 2 per day, 500mg Niacin x 1,B5 (pantothenic acid), and Biotin 200mcg(sometimes considered a B vitamin) x 1.
When I took B complex, I seemed to get gastro and headache s/e's. So the above are the only B's I supplement.
It's my understanding that some Tryptophan ingested will convert into niacin, so it's important that you are well-supplemented with that, so you don't lose some Trypt. there. I also read that B6 is required to help utilization of Trypt. I will increase the B6 to 300mg.
Do I need other B's to help optimize Tryptophan?
Thanks,
Jas
Posted by jujube on November 26, 2004, at 21:15:48
In reply to Re: Having anxiety attacks, ..tryptophan not working? » lotus, posted by jasmineneroli on November 26, 2004, at 19:15:59
Jas,
I read that, in addition to the B vitamins, zinc is important because it, along with the Bs, helps the brain manufacture its neurotransmitters out of the amino acids.
I had also read that, unlike the basic supplements (vitamins, minerals, etc.), amino acid supplementation will be needed only temporarily. You will know when you no longer need aminos when you get adverse symptoms like headaches, tiredness or jitteryness. All this to say that perhaps what you need to do is actually decrease your dose of tryptophan for a period rather than increase it. I am certainly no expert, but the anxiety you are experiencing could actually be a symptom of over-supplementation.
Tamara
> Thx for your response.
> I take (P5P)B6 100mg x 2 per day, 500mg Niacin x 1,B5 (pantothenic acid), and Biotin 200mcg(sometimes considered a B vitamin) x 1.
> When I took B complex, I seemed to get gastro and headache s/e's. So the above are the only B's I supplement.
> It's my understanding that some Tryptophan ingested will convert into niacin, so it's important that you are well-supplemented with that, so you don't lose some Trypt. there. I also read that B6 is required to help utilization of Trypt. I will increase the B6 to 300mg.
> Do I need other B's to help optimize Tryptophan?
> Thanks,
> Jas
>
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 10, 2004, at 10:15:15
In reply to Re: Having anxiety attacks, ..tryptophan not working? » jasmineneroli, posted by jujube on November 26, 2004, at 21:15:48
> Jas,
>
> I read that, in addition to the B vitamins, zinc is important because it, along with the Bs, helps the brain manufacture its neurotransmitters out of the amino acids.
>
> I had also read that, unlike the basic supplements (vitamins, minerals, etc.), amino acid supplementation will be needed only temporarily. You will know when you no longer need aminos when you get adverse symptoms like headaches, tiredness or jitteryness. All this to say that perhaps what you need to do is actually decrease your dose of tryptophan for a period rather than increase it. I am certainly no expert, but the anxiety you are experiencing could actually be a symptom of over-supplementation.
>
> TamaraThat's a reasonable explanation. Too much of a good thing.
Sometimes I do best with certain supplements when I take them in bursts, i.e. on a few days, off for a few, then on again. My body doesn't shift it's balance (homeostasis) because no particular state is the new normal.
It's an intuition thing. Some nutrients every day (e.g. all the water-solubles), others in bursts.
Lar
Posted by jasmineneroli on December 11, 2004, at 14:44:45
In reply to Re: Having anxiety attacks, ..tryptophan not working? » jujube, posted by Larry Hoover on December 10, 2004, at 10:15:15
Hi: My Pdoc told me to increase my dose.
I'm now taking 3,500 mg per day (500mg x3 during the day, and 2000mg at bedtime).
Doesn't make me in the least bit drowsy....which I was expecting. Nor do I have any other side effects - except stomach pain if I don't have food with the 2000mg.
I'm taking with 300mg P5P, 500mg Niacin, chromium and a multi (amongst other suppl.)
I'm feeling a bit more even, but it's very hard to keep to this schedule, because I'm supposed to take each dose with food (not protein, if poss., due to amino acids competing).
Not to mention cost! My recent prescript. was $132 CDN and will last about 3 weeks!!! Don't think my extended health plan will cover this....(covers 80% usually).
Rambling again, but I meant to say that the cost and awkward dosing requirements will probably result in me taking a break anyway!
Thanks for the input!
Jas
Posted by jujube on December 11, 2004, at 16:29:41
In reply to Re: Having anxiety attacks,Jujube/Larry » Larry Hoover, posted by jasmineneroli on December 11, 2004, at 14:44:45
Jas,
Do you get your Tryptophan in Canada? If so, where do you get it? Does anyone else know of any Canadian sources for Tryptophan?
Thanks.
Tamara
> Hi: My Pdoc told me to increase my dose.
> I'm now taking 3,500 mg per day (500mg x3 during the day, and 2000mg at bedtime).
> Doesn't make me in the least bit drowsy....which I was expecting. Nor do I have any other side effects - except stomach pain if I don't have food with the 2000mg.
> I'm taking with 300mg P5P, 500mg Niacin, chromium and a multi (amongst other suppl.)
> I'm feeling a bit more even, but it's very hard to keep to this schedule, because I'm supposed to take each dose with food (not protein, if poss., due to amino acids competing).
> Not to mention cost! My recent prescript. was $132 CDN and will last about 3 weeks!!! Don't think my extended health plan will cover this....(covers 80% usually).
> Rambling again, but I meant to say that the cost and awkward dosing requirements will probably result in me taking a break anyway!
> Thanks for the input!
> Jas
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 11, 2004, at 16:35:51
In reply to Re: Having anxiety attacks,Jujube/Larry » Larry Hoover, posted by jasmineneroli on December 11, 2004, at 14:44:45
> Not to mention cost! My recent prescript. was $132 CDN and will last about 3 weeks!!! Don't think my extended health plan will cover this....(covers 80% usually).
> Rambling again, but I meant to say that the cost and awkward dosing requirements will probably result in me taking a break anyway!
> Thanks for the input!
> JasMaybe your mare is a little skittish with the stallion in the same paddock, and you need the calming influence of veterinary tryptophan?
http://www.buygpdirect.com/gpefeed.htm
No problem with Customs.
Lar
Posted by jasmineneroli on December 11, 2004, at 21:45:19
In reply to Re: Having anxiety attacks,Jujube/Larry » jasmineneroli, posted by Larry Hoover on December 11, 2004, at 16:35:51
Lar!
I almost fell over laughing, when I saw the difference in price, between Equine trypt. & my prescribed trypt.!!!! Crazy. I hope that if I switch, I will be snoring, not snorting!
Posted by jasmineneroli on December 11, 2004, at 21:49:36
In reply to Re: Having anxiety attacks,Jujube/Larry » jasmineneroli, posted by jujube on December 11, 2004, at 16:29:41
Hi Tamara: I was obtaining the tryptophan from my local (Canadian) pharmacy, by prescription. But take a look at Larry's response to my post, above...........re Vet. tryptophan.
Jas
Posted by dancingstar on December 12, 2004, at 12:25:30
In reply to Re: Having anxiety attacks,Jujube/Larry, posted by jasmineneroli on December 11, 2004, at 21:49:36
I'm trying to heal from Effexor hell so I wandered over here...and had the greatest laugh out loud!!!!
Posted by jujube on December 12, 2004, at 13:52:38
In reply to Re: Having anxiety attacks,Jujube/Larry, posted by dancingstar on December 12, 2004, at 12:25:30
????????? You've lost me. What's so funny?
> I'm trying to heal from Effexor hell so I wandered over here...and had the greatest laugh out loud!!!!
>
>
Posted by jasmineneroli on December 12, 2004, at 22:17:30
In reply to Re: Having anxiety attacks,Jujube/Larry, posted by dancingstar on December 12, 2004, at 12:25:30
Happy to oblige, Dancing Star :)
Larry is a very funny guy, as well as being a deep well of knowledge and experience! You just have to respond in the same spirit, sometimes!!BTW, Effexor hell is familiar to me......keep going, we're all on the journey for the answers. Good luck and take care,
Jas
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