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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on January 9, 2004, at 15:48:23
I recently lowered my Celexa dose, and restarted ltihium. I read in a few places that lithium facilitates the uptake of tryptophan into the brain. It also supposedly increases serotonin synthesis from the precursors.
So I said to myself why not load up on tryptophan. So I did, and I have been having much sucess. My mood and sleep have imroved dramatically.
I take the 5htp with the lithium.
I am pleased.
Linkadge
Posted by PoohBear on January 9, 2004, at 16:30:07
In reply to unespected success with 5htp, posted by linkadge on January 9, 2004, at 15:48:23
Wow!
I've been having trouble sleeping at night, and neither seroquel or trazadone work, only larazopam.
Maybe I should just have a turkey leg every night???
TR
Posted by john1022 on January 9, 2004, at 17:11:40
In reply to Re: unespected success with 5htp, posted by PoohBear on January 9, 2004, at 16:30:07
I also had really good success with 5htp for depression and sleep for a while. Stopped taking it because it was aggrevating my tinnitus, but I might start it back up eventually. Lorazapam would only work for sleep for me as well until I tried 5htp.
"Maybe I should just have a turkey leg every night???"
Why not buy a bottle of 5htp and give it a shot? Probably one of the easiest and safest ways to increase your serotonin levels
Posted by PoohBear on January 9, 2004, at 17:14:09
In reply to Re: unespected success with 5htp, posted by john1022 on January 9, 2004, at 17:11:40
John:
Where do I get it, and will it interfere with my Effexor and WB?
TR
Posted by john1022 on January 9, 2004, at 17:35:39
In reply to Re: unespected success with 5htp » john1022, posted by PoohBear on January 9, 2004, at 17:14:09
Poohbear- unfortunately you can't take it with Effexor because of the risk of serotonin syndrome. It can be taken with Wellbutrin though from what I understand
Posted by Metalblade on January 9, 2004, at 18:23:26
In reply to Re: unespected success with 5htp, posted by john1022 on January 9, 2004, at 17:35:39
I take Melatonin for sleep. works great and you can find it in the supplement section of wallmart.
Posted by simus on January 9, 2004, at 21:23:56
In reply to Re: unespected success with 5htp, posted by Metalblade on January 9, 2004, at 18:23:26
I tried melatonin once and I had a bad reaction - high level of anxiety.
Posted by simus on January 9, 2004, at 21:25:05
In reply to Re: unespected success with 5htp, posted by john1022 on January 9, 2004, at 17:35:39
Does that mean that you can't take it with any SSRIs? I am on Lexapro.
Posted by Metalblade on January 10, 2004, at 0:49:33
In reply to Re: unespected success with 5htp, posted by simus on January 9, 2004, at 21:25:05
No, I don't think that the ssri's are the problem. I take it and I'm on paxil.
Posted by simus on January 10, 2004, at 1:42:45
In reply to unespected success with 5htp, posted by linkadge on January 9, 2004, at 15:48:23
> I recently lowered my Celexa dose, and restarted ltihium.
Sorry for my ignorance. I know lithium is sold as a prescription drug. But can it also be purchased as a mineral, like calcium or magnesium? Is it safe to take with Lexapro?
> I read in a few places that lithium facilitates the uptake of tryptophan into the brain. It also supposedly increases serotonin synthesis from the precursors.
>
> So I said to myself why not load up on tryptophan. So I did, and I have been having much sucess. My mood and sleep have imroved dramatically.
>
How do you buy the tryptophan? Wasn't it a controlled supplement? Can this be used with Lexapro? (Sorry again for the lack of knowledge.)> I take the 5htp with the lithium.
How do you buy the 5htp? Is it a prescription too? Thanks for your patience. I am more than a little hopeful now that I read this information.
>
> I am pleased.
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
>
Posted by linkadge on January 10, 2004, at 6:51:45
In reply to Re: unespected success with 5htp, posted by simus on January 10, 2004, at 1:42:45
THe mineral form of lithium might work, although I have sucess with 300mg of lithium carbonate, not sure if that dose through mineral lithium is possible.
As far as safety goes. Lithium can be taken with lexapro. While l-tryptophan was taken off the market in the 80's, it is the precursor to a newer supplement called 5-htp. It is a more direct precursor to serotonin than l-typrophan was. It is available at health food stores.Here is a study showing the combination of tryptophan and prozac.
http://biopsychiatry.com/tryptophan.htm
Serotonin syndrome is a potential risk. I am taking a very low dose of Celexa, which may or may not be why I am having no interaction. However some caution must be advised. The threshold for s,syndrome to occur is generally unknown.Linkadge
Posted by simus on January 10, 2004, at 12:17:35
In reply to Re: unespected success with 5htp, posted by linkadge on January 10, 2004, at 6:51:45
Linkadge,
Thank you so much! Hope!
This is the end of the thread.
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