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L-Tryptophan for FATIGUE - anyone?

I don't know what's wrong with me. For years I suffered with panic attacks, but once I overcame them, I was left with this unrelentless fatigue. It affects me 24/7. I'm chronically exhausted, occasionally anxious, but even when I get 'excited' over something, the good feelings are severely short lived.

My biggest complaint is the chronic spaciness/depersonalization, fatigue/dizziness. Anti-depressants didn't really help me much in the past. I've had every single blood test known to man (including thyroid). Doctors are puzzled.

I know tryptophan can cause fatigue, but is this a temporary symptom? Like is it something I will eventually sleep off? I'm so desperate to feel normal. I really like the all-natural approach. I've tried 5htp with no real results. Please share and help
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329994 tn?1301663248
I am so sorry for what you are going through and I can truly relate. I have seen so many doctors and not getting answers either. My primary does believe in EBV and CFS, but doesn't really know how to treat it.  There is a great book called "From Fatigued to Fantastic" written by a doctor who is an expert in the field. I bought mine from Amazon.com for around $10.  If your EBV is currently active, I don't see how they can possibly dismiss you. See if you can find a doctor in your area that treats CFS.  It is hard though.
For my fatigue, I just try to go with it. On days I am really bad, I don't do anything and I take naps. Naps are my friend. On days I feel good, that is when I try to get things done. The biggest thing for me is, if I do alot one day, the next day I am wiped out, so I have to rest. Just listen to your body.
Let me know!
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Avatar universal
I tested positive for epstein barr virus, but according to several doctors, that test alone cannot be used as a definitive diagnosis, because 90% of all adults get it by age 40. Most of the doctors I've seen don't even believe in it. I have no idea anymore... the fatigue makes me depressed :-(
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329994 tn?1301663248
Did you have a blood test for the Epstein Barr virus? I have severe fatigue, where I wake up in the morning and all I want to do is stay in bed. I am not at all depressed, just so extremely tired and it is extreme. I was tested for the Epstein Barr virus and have been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Just a thought.
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Avatar universal
Utilizing L-Triptophan is only going to result in making you more sleepy and tired.

From your symptoms it sure sounds like Major Depression.
I might add that not all antidepressants have a sedating effect. There are many that have a very evergizing effect that also help with anxiety.

A good Psychiatrist can point you toward a more energizing antidepressant with will make you feel more connected.

One drug that stands out is Protriptilyne. It is the only TRi-cyclic that has this unique "energizing effect" that many people with chronic fatuge find very theraputic.

At higher dosages Effexor can also be energizing (notice I say at higher dosages)
Another option is to add Ridalin (spelling) to a good antidepressant.

Finnaly, I don't know how long you were taking any of the antidepressants, but many of them take as long as 8 full weeks before they really can work.

I think there are a ton of antidepressant therapies that you have not yet explored.
In the last 20 years I have tried about 45 different antidepressants. Of all those, only about 15 actually worked for me.

As for SSRI's like Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa, Prozac, none of them work for me because they are too sedating.

Look for antidepressants that have a direct effect on Norephinepherine because that is the key to improving your energy and combating your depression.
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585414 tn?1288941302
L-Tryptophan has been shown to be dangerous. Best to discontinue it. The natural remedies I take are supervised by my providers (in addition to conventional medications) and only because known treatments didn't work. Anti-depressents can cause sedation of course. Depersonalization would not be caused by them and should be diagnosed. Every hard to diagnose symptom eventually has an answer even if it takes seeing multiple providers. Bloodtests would be a good starting point but from there it would make sense to get an EEG and MRI from a neurologist or any other test they think makes sense as any set of symptoms that are mental that can't be understood within the understanding of a psychiatrist might be understood by a neurologist. Ask your psychiatrist for a referral.
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