TRYPTOPHAN

[lulu747]

Hey guys!  Hope you're all having a lovely weekend.  I just wanted to share some info with you in hopes that it helps those of you that are detoxing, or are clean and still having troubles with depression/anxiety/sleep.  About 3 months ago I went to my doctor and told her I wanted to get off my sleeping pills and benzos that I was using for sleep because I want to get pregnant.  She prescribed me Tryptophan.  I didn't even know that it came in prescription form!  Well, I was able to basically cold turkey the zoplicone (lunesta) that I'd been on for nearly 2 decades, and I have been doing a fairly aggressive benzo taper and have felt NO w/d symptoms.  I've been sleeping longer and deeper than I ever have in my life and I find it's really helped my mood stabilize even though I'm going through a medical crisis that involves extreme pain, a lot of stress, and involves me taking hormones which normally make me CRAZY.  I'm not saying I feel awesome or anything- but I think if I was taking the tryptophan and nothing else and was medically stable that I WOULD feel awesome.
Tryptophan is a natural seratonin booster and mood stabilizer.  It takes awhile to build in your system (around 3 weeks)
I am curious if it's available in the US (I'm Canadian) and would love for those of you who are suffering to try it out if you can as an alternative to AD meds and sleep meds.
I just wish I'd discovered it 3 years ago when I went cold turkey.  I'm guessing it will make my taper post op much easier.
That's it.  Love you!
Lu

[lulu747]

Great info Weaver.  Personally, I have never really struggled with anxiety or depression that was not drug or hormone related (as in, when I'm putting drugs or hormones in my body I feel unbalanced) The progesterone I'm taking now makes me feel like I am on an emotional rollercoaster normally.  Since I added in the tryptophan I feel more stable.  Like I'm still on a ride but the climbs and drops aren't as intense (more like a kiddie roller coaster (:)
When I'm clean (which in all honesty I haven't been ENTIRELY due to the benzo I still take for sleep for quite some time) I don't really suffer from these things.  I am an emotional creature by nature, sensitive and extremely aware of energy- especially others.  I always take care to channel this with my art and by surrounding myself with positive energy, and exercise.
Now that I am pretty much physically incapacitated because of my illness, unable to exercise, and needing to take pain meds to alleviate some of the suffering- I really do feel the tryptophan is working.
I am unfamiliar with SAMe.  L-Tyrosine and 5 htp worked for me for a brief time during early detox but created some serious anxiety after I was through the worst of my withdrawals.
I am extremely sensitive to ANY stimulants- natural and chemical.  I can barely drink coffee, tea, and green tea makes me feel truly terrible.
I like things that help calm and sedate me and I think this is why the tryptophan works.
I take a pretty high dose - 2000 mg at bed time.  It does upset the tummy so I eat some crackers with it.
I am groggier in the morning, but because I work at night mainly, this is ok for me.

Meegy-
Yes- it's pure concentrated 100% tryptophan.  I've heard of Alteril but have never seen it here in Canada.

I've also noticed that my tolerance to the pain meds I am taking has not grown as quickly as normal.  Maybe this is because I don't always take the same dose.  The days I am less active and therefore don't stir up the pain- I take a very low dose.  This allows me wiggle room for the bad days and when symptoms worsen.  So far in the 8 weeks or so I've been taking the meds daily, I have never taken the prescribed dose.  Always under.  I don't know if the tryptophan is helping this stabilization or if it's just that I'm doing a lot of other pain management strategies BEFORE going to the drugs like deep breathing, meditation, and visualizations.  I always go into fight or flight when I feel the pain coming on so I do the exercises I've learned in yoga and pain management seminars to cope before I put a pill in my mouth.
This makes me feel more confident in my ability to manage my pain post-op and do a fast taper.
It is also making my benzo taper basically painless.  Before I started the tryptophan I kept getting stuck at 10 mg.  If I went lower I would not sleep AT ALL for days.  Even after a month at that dose.  Now after less than two months I'm down to five, and in two weeks I will go to 2.5 then 8 weeks later- NO MORE EVER AGAIN.  I know that with my chronic illness and possible future operations, opiates may be something I will have to take for a time to manage.  I can honestly say I will never put another benzo in my mouth again for as long as I live.

So I just wanted to share- I hope that it helps others.  It's always best to research and try holistic therapies before going to the drugs.  Especially for us addicts who sometimes have no other choices (:
On that note.  I'm off to bed.
Nighty night MH.
Big love
Lu

[meegWpaw]

idk Lu I take Alteril which I think has tryptophan in it ... im too lazy to go look.  so you're saying that this is more effective because its a higher amount of it ... im interested in looking into that as my sleep is horrible. ty!

[weaver71]

I believe there is going to be a great deal of amino acid use in future Mental Health care. Tryptophan, SAMe, tyrosine, GABA, DLPA, 5-Htp, all the amino acids are the building blocks of the brain. Some people can't assimilate one of these and the symptoms arise as behavior. Our very thoughts, moods, and sense if being are influenced by these simple proteins. Autism, OCD, and ADHD showed a 70% decrease in medications using SAMe, and monitoring zinc and copper. It takes some experimenting, but if we can find our deficiencies, I think amino acids will be the mood stabilizers and anti-depressants in the near future. Every body is different, so I am glad you find what works for you. I like Tryptophan, I take it with SAMe, I feel more stable, the family says I'm acting well. DLPA made me manic, so use the amino's cautiously. They can have a powerful effect, depending on an individual's chemistry. I am definitely an advocate, I think that is the future science to watch. I am happy you are doing so well.

[Amandag78]

Hey my sweet Lu !!! Im so happy your finding comfort through something that is finally working for you !!!
Its about bloo#y time, praise the lord : )
This makes me so happy.
There is hope it will be ok my special friend.
Love to you xoxo