Topic Title: Results so far
| |  "Results so far"
, Mon 14 Apr 10:33
About a month and a half ago I began at 50mg's for a week.
Then 100 mgs for two weeks.
Now I've been on about 300mg's for 3 weeks.
I feel no difference with my mild depression( in fact
yesterday I felt like crying). My anxiety has very
slightly subsided...I still need to take Rivatril daily.
I sometimes feel very slightly headachey, sometimes my
stomach bugs me which I solve immediately with ginger.
Often I feel a little 'out of it', and very very sleepy.
I don't take 5htp in the morning any more.
So, I'm not sure this stuff is worth it for me.
I tried Paxhell, it was horrible. I tried SJW, I
felt slow and apathetic.
I suppose what's left is the Rhodilia or SAMe.
Comments? Suggestions?
Posts: 2 | | Registered: Thu 6 Mar 2003 4:48 |
| |
| |  "Re(1):Results so far"
, Thu 1 May 13:37
Hi there,
You know, I finally got a hold of that book "THe Mood Cure" and I realized that I mixed up my information a bit. Basically, L-tyrosine is the amino acid that helps produce adrenaline, and it's very helpful in people who have the kind of depression that comes with very little energy and trouble waking up in the morning. But DLPA is the one that helps the body create endorphins, the natural pain killers I told you about. I'm really sorry to misinform you. I hope that if you tried L-Tyrosine, it hasn't been unpleasant, and perhaps has helped, but I imagine that DLPA might actually be better for you. Another anti-anxiety aid is GABA,which is actually a calming neurotransmitter. Julia Ross suggests taking this as a supplement at 100-500mgs 1 to 3 times daily. It helps "turn off" excitatory chemicals in the brain which produce those incessant thoughts typical of anxiety. I guess the best thing for you would probably be to buy the book yourself and take the questionairres to figure out what's best, though I'm happy to help as I can. Another book which has more information on anxiety as opposed to depression is "Depression Free Naturally" by Joan Mathews Larson. That was my first intro to the world of supplements to treat emotional imbalances. It's got tons of information,and might help even more than Julia Ross's book.
Anyway, Hope this is helpful
Sara
Posts: 10 | | Registered: Wed 23 Apr 2003 14:48 |
| | | "Re(2):Results so far" , Fri 2 May 09:55
No worries Sara, I didn't run out and purchase L-Tyrosine.
I did purchase the book however. It is certainly fascinating
reading although a little suspicious so far in that I haven't
seen any proper twin studies that support her claims
( If you know of any pro studies that back up her conjecture
please point me to them)
I alternate between irritability, mild dissociation,
and lethargy. The irritability and anger feelings I
control with minor tranquilizers like Ativan. The
5 HTP I take to basically improve my outlook on things.
I've increased to 300mgs and really haven't felt any
difference in mood except for a tightness around my
head and mild dizziness at points. It's not having
the desired effect so I'll finish this bottle in probably
4 days and if there's no change I suppose I'll try something
else.
You know, I may just be experiencing PTSD symptoms and there
may not be much else to do about it except work through the
trauma that caused them in the first place. However, if I
come across a herb that can make me feel more positive and
upbeat I'll certainly let this board know all about it!
SJW and now 5 HTP don't seem to work.
So, I'll read the book a little more and see what
else I can try.
Thanks for your input.
Jiddu.
Posts: 5 | | Registered: Thu 6 Mar 2003 4:48 |
| |  "Re(1):Results so far"
, Wed 23 Apr 16:02
Hi,
I just wrote you a really long email, but forgot to type in my password so it all went away. urrg!
You might try L-tyrosine. it's the raw material your body needs to make beta-endorphines, which are your body's own pain killers. People lacking beta-endorphins are extremely sensitive to emotional pain of any kind, and are apt to cry easily. Another possibility is DLPA. It's a building block for adrenaline, which helps you feel alert and energetic. DLPA has been helpful in treating depression and anxiety. There are many systems, not only the serotonin system, which can be lacking vital nutrients and substances and can cause depression of any kind. Have you ever had your thyroid function tested for example?
I'd try sticking with the 5-Htp a little longer, though perhaps increasing the dose to 200 mgs 3 times a day. That is a high but safe dose according to Michael Murray who wrote "5-HTP; the natural way to overcome depression, obesity and insomnia" You might also try another brand (I use Solaray, and it's been great) because some brands of 5-htp are not as potent as others.
In people who are very defficient in seratonin, it can take a long time to build up enough for significant changes to occur. 5htp usually works better and better over time, and it sounds like you were on a pretty low dose to begin with. There is also the possibility that it's just not the right substance for you. In any case, I reccomend you read as many books on the subject as you can get a hold of, and I especially reccomend Julia Ross's "The Mood Cure" which is very informative about multiple causes of depression and anxiety and how different treatments are helpful to different people.
Good luck. Just keep looking. You'll find something that works for you.
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Wed 23 Apr 2003 14:48 |
| | |  "Re(2):Results so far"
, Fri 9 May 19:16
I have taken several antidepressants only to find that I am not getting the results I think I should. I am still tired, I don't want to get up in the morning, and never feel rested. It's hard for me to be in a good mood, and I hardly feel like doing things. I have been reading about St John's Wort, SAMe, 5-HTp, L-Tyrosine. I really would like to know what would be best for my symptoms (if one is really better for certain things than others). I have a 11 month old and it is very important to me that I get better soon!!!
thanks so much
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Fri 9 May 2003 19:8 |
| | | "Re(2):Results so far" , Fri 25 Apr 09:49
quote:
Hi,I just wrote you a really long email, but forgot to type in my password so it all went away. urrg!You might try L-tyrosine. it's the raw material your body needs to make beta-endorphines, w
...
I just wrote you a really long email, but forgot to type in my password so it all went away. urrg!
Sorry about that WW...and thanks for the reply.
It took a while getting back to you because I stopped
checking for responses after not seeing any for a
couple of weeks. I'm saddened that this board isn't
more responsive considering it's a board for depression
and some people are in signicant pain. Anyways.
"Have you ever had your thyroid function tested for example? "
No I haven't. I'll have a look at getting that tested.
"You might try L-tyrosine."
In combo with the 5HTP I presume? What would you suggest
as a starting dosage when used in combination with 5 HTP?
Many of my symptoms are PTSD symptoms. I'm currently in
therapy and am praying that my outlook will change as I
progress through the therapy. I would love to hear from
people who have resolved PTSD symptoms via therapy and
have been able to cease taking meds of any sort.
In other words, it would be consoling to hear that I might
not be afflicted with a life long chemical imbalance.
5 HTP is expensive...especially at a 600mg dosage.
I'm averaging about 200mg a day in combination with
ativan for anxiety. Adding L-Tyrosine into the mix
will up the expense again.
It seems from what you and Dupont are saying that
200mgs is too low. I might try upping the dosage
if I can handle the headachiness and sleepiness.
I've tried taking the stuff at bedtime but felt 'wired'
and unrested in the morning.
I'll keep experimenting...thanks WW.
Posts: 3 | | Registered: Thu 6 Mar 2003 4:48 |
| | | "Re(3):Results so far" , Fri 25 Apr 11:09
Hi there,
I'm sorry I can't tell you much about ptsd. I have however spent many years (about ten) in therapy, and though it taught me a great deal about myself and how to maitain healthy realationships with others, it wasn't able to resolve my depression persay. But that doesn't mean that it won't do wonders for you. I simply come from a family in which depression seems to be in the genes, and I though I actually had a very good and happy upbringing, the chemical aspect seems to have been the major factor in my difficulties as a child and young adult. My mother however, came from a really abusive childhood, and resolved much of her pain through therapy. So I think it entirely individual what will work best.
It certainly may be that 5-htp isn't quite what you need, and I know how expensive it can get (though it's cheap compared to paying for antidepressants out of pocket). Luckily L-Tyrosine isn't quite as expensive. The dose I've been taking is 500mgs once a day. I'm actually not sure if that's quite the right dose, as I leant the book "The Mood Cure" to a friend, and forgot to check out the dose of L-Tyrosine first. I should be getting it back this weekend, so hopefully I can give you a more definate answer. I did mean to take it in combination with the
5htp, though perhaps you could start by simply adding the L-tyrosine or DLPA without upping the dose of 5htp. You might find that one of those substances works better for you anyway.
It's likely that the headaches will go away, but it's hard to be entirely sure.
I plan on checking this forum frequently, so at least the few of us that actually want to discuss options and get support can do so. Talk to you later,
Sara
Posts: 5 | | Registered: Wed 23 Apr 2003 14:48 |
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