L-Tryptophan??

[Sarasmiles]

L-Tryptophan??

Hey Folks,
This thread has been quiet for a while, but I've just read through it to look for some answers. I've been taking Prozac, 30 Mg., for several years, with only a few breaks. Whenever I've gone off of it, even gradually, I've gotten very tearful and overly sensitive and stressed. I don't want to be on it forever, mostly because of the side effects, but I also feel it's not fully effective. I still have days when I am very blue, and times when stress makes me want to drink. I've tried 5HTP, and didn't think it helped. I know there's a risk of Serotonin Syndrome if I take L-Tryp along with the Prozac, so I'm wondering if I should taper Prozac and try L-Tryp. I have not been able to find a doctor who supports non-prescription alternatives or the use of supplements. Any advice? I want so much to get a better handle on my moods...

[JAMMS]

L-Tryptophan??

Good question Sara, I am expecting the l-tryp I orded any day now. I'm wondering if I should take it with the Lexapro? What is Serotonin Syndrome?

[Sarasmiles]

L-Tryptophan??

'Mornin' Jamms. Serotonin Syndrome is an overdose of serotonin, that can occur when you combine serotonin-boosting drugs and supplements. It causes some bad reactions, and can potentially be very dangerous. I'm not a doctor or a nurse, so I won't go into it. But I think you should ask whoever prescribes your Lexapro before taking l-tryp.

Maybe someone else here knows more?

[JAMMS]

L-Tryptophan??

Thanks Sara. I'm going to ask him. It's funny because when I checkd "drug digest" it said there were no interactions. I wonder if there is anything else that it is not acurate about. Scary.

[nancy]

L-Tryptophan??

Hi all

Maybe it's not listed on drug interactions because l tryptophan is a supplement.

There is such a thing as serotonin syndrome so you don't want to combine two things that boost serotonin (prozac, tryptophan, st john's wort, 5htp) without getting medical advice from a doctor. I know we have some old threads on serotonin syndrome, RJ may have even commented at one point. You could do a search. I will see if I can find it and bump it.

I think I remember reading that anti-depressants wear off after a while so you have to boost dose or try something else. You could ask your doctor about switching to tryptophan. I heard that it supplies serotinin instead of not letting serotonin leave the gates. Ask your internist about it and if they are not supportive ask about other medical options. If you want to do tryptophan with medical advice (I certainly would), see a doctor trained in complementary medicine, like at a place affiliated with major medical center, conventional plus alternative.

You need to get good advice before just switching off prozac.

Good luck.

[nancy]

L-Tryptophan??

bumped threads

I found two on serotonin syndrome, see research and meds sections.

[Sarasmiles]

L-Tryptophan??

Thanks, Nancy.

In "The Mood Cure" the author recommends adding 5htp or L-Tryrptophan to SSRIs, but with a doctor's supervision. I did see a psychiatrist specializing in alternative medicine who suggested 5htp along with Prozac, and said at a low dose of each, I would be fine. The 5htp didn't seem to help though, and I think the L-tryp is helping. Maybe I'll go back and see him again, instead of just ditching the Prozac.

[redbird]

L-Tryptophan??

I hope it's okay to bump this thread. I came across it and was hoping somebody could answer my question.

I took L-Tryptophan (2000 mg/NOW Foods brand) about 3 weeks ago. I took it 2 nights in a row, for sleep, and for mood. But after 2 nights, I felt ill, so I quit taking it (it did make me sleep though).

I've been suffering from nausea, fatigue, lack of concentration, sweaty palms, and I just don't feel right. My doctor has been treating it as a sinus infection (since I had similar symptoms to this less than a year ago). So far that treatment (antibiotics and a steroid pack) haven't helped.

My blood tests came back normal. Maybe it's a coincidence, but I really think the tryptophan did a number on my brain. Has anybody else encountered this? Will this clear up with more time? Thanks for your reply.

[lilnev]

L-Tryptophan??

If you've been feeling bad for three weeks, I don't think it's the tryptophan. It could be a sinus infection that's resistant to that particular antibiotic, or any number of other things....

[meditation mama]

L-Tryptophan??

Hi redbird!

My suggestion with the L-Tryp is to start out slowly. I am not sure if you took 2000mg right off the bat, but if you did that can make you very off!! It is recommended that you start off with only 500mgs per day the first day and add 500mgs per day until you feel the desired effect. I doesd up to 1500mgs and found that it was too much, so I backed down to 1000mg (500mg in the mornng and 500mgs an hour before bedtime). That was the MAGIC number for me.

I hope you are feeling better now. I know you posted this a few weeks ago, but would love to hear how you are feeling..

Namaste,

MM

[redbird]

L-Tryptophan??

Thx MM.

I did start out at 2000, which was stupid, I know. Unfortunately, I'm still not feeling better. I have an appointment with a neurologist on Friday. I really think I had a bad reaction to the tryptophan. My symptoms mimic those of EMS, so I'm very concerned.

[VissralNaction]

L-Tryptophan??

Overall, it seems that L-Tryp is better than 5-HTP as per this thread ... as almost everyone trip reporting on either has said "felt nothing on 5-HTP", "noticable difference with L-Tryp."

My own experience with L-Glutamine has been positive, I genuinely feel a positive difference when using it. I will be starting on L-Tryp tomorrow to see how that helps. I am also interested in a dopamine supplement too ... but one thing at a time.

[nancy]

L-Tryptophan??

Hi Redbird

What is the NOW brand? I think brand does make a difference. Supplements are not regulated so you don't know what you are getting.

From the last things I read about tryptophan, I got the impression that there is a lack of evidence for it. Do you know what else is in the supplement you are taking? It might be something in the supplement or it might be something in the other supplements you are taking.

I had a skin problem recently. It's hard to tell whether the skin problem is from one product, two or three. Best not to introduce too many at the same time and stop things if you feel ill.

Adding some thoughts in: I can't remember, there were a few threads a while back and I think the issue came up of whether you can actually supplement tryptophan, so it's not a question of what tryptophan does, but whether supplements work. That's why the drug companies focus on keeping naturally made serotonin in the body with SSRIs. As for aminos, from what I read, you have to have all together to work. So there is some question about supplementation with one amino acid. But with most anti-depressants, there is a strong placebo response.



Nancy

[redbird]

L-Tryptophan??

NOW foods is a pretty big supplement brand. I've used them for other things and never had a problem with them.

I'm still sick over 2 months later. I have no idea what is wrong though. I know it's not EMS now, because of my blood results. But I've never been this ill this long. I still think I had a reaction to the l-tryp, but it's really hard to confirm it.

I really felt the serotonin, in the sense that my mood elevated very rapidly. I wonder if flooding my brain with serotonin that quickly could cause neuron damage or something (I also took it with a big glass of orange juice to help cross the blood-brain barrier). I'm just grasping at straws obviously. But I can't help but think it was the l-tryp. Just impossible to prove. But I clearly can't live like this anymore, no matter what the cause. Having poor mental health is bad enough. But pile on poor physical health, and really, what's the point.

[Nostalgia]

L-Tryptophan??

Hi Rebird,

I know this is a really old thread, but I thought you might get a notification when there is a new post. I just stumbled upon this thread because I started taking L-Trypto and I have similar side effects to the ones you described.

I took low doses of 180 mg three times a day, and each time, after taking it, I felt extremely drowsy and it even knocked me out two times already. I fell asleep about 30 minutes after taking the pill and had really heavy sleep. I had a very swollen feeling in my throat and nose and difficulty breathing while I was asleep, which is why I halfway woke up a few times, feeling extremely heavy. My head was spinning heavily as well.

If anyone else experienced side effects like this, please post about them.
I will continue taking them.

Thanks,N