Posted by Larry Hoover on July 20, 2004, at 9:07:21
In reply to Re: 5-htp: How to make it work well » Larry Hoover, posted by Marty mc Fly on July 18, 2004, at 20:10:38
> First of all, I want to say that I quit the 5-htp and went back on good old tryptophan... I take it 2,5 hours after lunch. Would that be a good time, or should I take it 2,5 hours after dinner ? How much do (or did) you take of it ?
I use four grams, but I don't use it daily. As tryptophan is also a precursor to melatonin, some people find that drowsiness is associated with tryptophan supps. If that's the case, 1-2 hours before bed, empty stomach, with a sweet chaser, would be ideal.
> > Absolutely. It's always an option.....when properly supervised. Why don't you consider asking about being supervised on an augmentative trial of low dose St. John's wort?
>
> That's an excellent idea. Do you know of any more alternatives for augmenting a TCA or an AD in general ?About SJW specifically, its mechanism of action is unique. It is a non-specific reuptake inhibitor. It doesn't matter which neurotransmitter you're thinking of, its synaptic half-life is extended by SJW. That said, the effect is small, relative to e.g. an SSRI. There are also at least seven other antidepressant mechanisms associated with SJW, each subtle on its own, but adding up to something noticeable.
With respect to other herbs you might want to try, I'd lean towards the adaptogens, such as Siberian ginseng, Rhodiola, or Withania (Ashwaghanda).
Taurine may well be a useful adjunct for you, as might be niacinamide.
> > I'm a complex case. Multiple dysfunctions. Multiple diagnoses. If I could simplify how I got there, it would be that I was simply too stubborn and strong-willed for my own good.
>
> Join the club, same here.When I got my mood symptoms under control a few years back (not via drugs, via supps.....doctors were amazed and/or claiming it was a coincidence), I was left with other persistent symptoms which had confounded my earlier treatments, all along. It then became clear that I had a number of distinct but related "syndromes" to try and treat. The confusion had arisen because the symptoms of each syndrome tended to wax and wane together, suggesting that they were more linked than they really were. Instead, they each separately reflected the general stress level I was experiencing (gross simplification).
> > Right this moment, I am using only taurine. I want to focus entirely on its effects. I generally use a great variety of supplements. Currently, I am also rather heavily medicated (for me). Zoloft (I went psychotic on the last SSRI I used, but we're running out of options), trimipramine, and temazepam.
>
> Taurine is indeed a good supplement to try. In the book 'Healing fear' I read that the effect of tryptophan can be enhanced by taking taurine. (Is that why you use it ?) Probably because it has an insulin-like effect on blood sugar levels. Dr Shipko of the Panic Disorder Institute also is an advocate of taurine: www.algy.com/pdi/FAQ//supplements.htmlIt does more than regulate blood sugar levels. Look at my first post in the taurine thread....
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040613/msgs/365023.html> I'm pretty sure you already knew, but maybe there's some new information.
Now, I haven't yet had time to delve into taurine metabolism more fully. In common with other people's experiences with nutritional interventions, my experience with taurine has been that the effect diminishes with time. That said, it is my perception of the acute effects that diminishes. I have no doubt that the physiological benefit continues, despite my perception.
I will want to consider what other nutrients most closely interact with taurine, to ensure that I also support those interacting elements. Supplementing with single nutrients, whatever they might be, invariably places stress upon inter-relating biochemical systems. You can't safely put a big motor on a small boat. If you upgrade the motor, you need to upgrade the boat, too.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:366955
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040718/msgs/368150.html