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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Questions about Tryptophan
        
(Message started by: dellp on Sep 4^th, 2003, 8:03am)

Title: Questions about Tryptophan
Post by dellp on Sep 4^th, 2003, 8:03am

Tryptophan got me thru the last 4 weeks of my cycle virtually pf with no side effects. One gentleman has had success relieving ch with trypt but it seems to be countering the effects of antihistamines. The allergies are severe but does he have to choose between them and ch?
Then there is a lady using the trypt. Initially the relief was significant with 3 500mg caps a day but the ha have been breaking through lately. Does anyone know how much tryptophan is too much or being an amino acid, is it safe at any level?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dell

Title: Re: Questions about Tryptophan
Post by HypnoticFreddy on Sep 4^th, 2003, 8:35am

Dellp,

Please check out this link below. It seems this is used for anxiety and depression. Like SSRI's, I think

http://avmazon.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=A&Product_Code=5-htp-100mg-120cap

Title: Re: Questions about Tryptophan
Post by Bob P on Sep 4^th, 2003, 9:47am

I took 5-HTP for a couple of months to see if it did anything. It did, it lightened my wallet. Here's a nice article from Teri Roberts on it:

http://headaches.about.com/library/weekly/aa031301a.htm

Title: Re: Questions about Tryptophan
Post by floridian on Sep 4^th, 2003, 9:55am

As an amino acid, I believe it is reasonably safe. But even essential nutrients can cause imbalance and disease when taking too much for too long a time. Individual reactions to any food or medicine are impossible to predict. There is a hypothetical link between high tryptophan levels and certain types of heart valve problems. Tryptophan may increase certain types of inflammitory reactions and cause or accelerate scleroderma. Maybe this is the reaction you mention with someone taking it and having allergies.

I take 5htp (a form of tryptophan) to help restore sleep patterns, and to abort/prevent clusters. When I am in cycle, I take only enough to re-establish normalcy (usually 2 caps a day for a few days). When I am out of cycle, I rarely take it unless I have symptoms of low serotonin - then it usually a capsule a day for one or two days.

Title: One other thing
Post by floridian on Sep 4^th, 2003, 10:03am

Tryptophan and 5htp should not be mixed with triptans (imitrex, sumatriptan, naratriptan, etc), or with anything that looks like serotonin (ergotamine).

Boosting serotonin with tryptophan or 5htp is not a good idea if you are also taking SSRIs, MAOIs, or other compounds that affect neurotransmitter levels. Many anti-depressants work by slowing the breakdown or reuptake of serotonin. Tryptophan and 5htp work by increasing the production of serotonin. Increasing production and reducing elimination at the same time is a recipe for serotonin syndrome - which is a serious condition.

Title: Re: Questions about Tryptophan
Post by dellp on Sep 4^th, 2003, 7:49pm

floridian,

Thanks for the info. I always recommend checking with the docs before taking the tryptophan or anything else. It would be a different world if people would just listen before acting.

Thanks again,
Dell