Posted by Larry Hoover on November 15, 2003, at 8:01:33
In reply to Wellbutrin vs l-tryptophanLarry Hoover, posted by Jai on November 14, 2003, at 8:29:36
> Dear Lar, My husband always wants to get off his meds in the winter. This is a problem because he has chronic depression and all his emotions flatten right out and he gets real sad. This winter is no different, he wants off Wellbutrin again. I am sick of this cycle but want to honor his curiosity about replacing Wellbutrin with L-Tryptophan. He has always wondered what Wellbutrin does. He says it's a mystery and no one knows? I know for a fact it's the only med that has brought him out of depression and kept him out. But here it is again and he wants off. Usually he doesn't tell me about this and just goes off till I see he has sunk into depression again. what do you think about this idea of shifting to L-tryptophan? ps (he drinks 2 1/2 glasses, which equals a bottle, of wine everynight too.) thanks
The alcohol, combined with seasonal mood swings, is a really bad thing. It's the wrong thing to do, altogether.
There's no reason to replace the Wellbutrin with tryptophan. He can just add some tryptophan. The Wellbutrin affects a different neurotransmitter than the serotonin effect of the tryptophan. They interact, definitely, but that's not a direct effect of the two. I think they should work well together.
Really, the alcohol is part of the flat mood. That needs to be addressed, if you can support him through that. Initially, alcohol causes serotonin release. The problem is, your body can't keep doing that. The drinker is chasing after an effect that eludes him. There are nutritional aspects to drinking, as well, due to the toxic burden of the alcohol itself. That's how I first got interested in the nutritional aspects of depression, as I was in much the same situation as your husband.
I hope your husband decides to seek support for his alcohol abuse. There are many ways to get it, but he has to seek it out for himself. You may find some benefit from Al-Anon.
Good luck,
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:279664
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031104/msgs/279973.html