NeuroTalk Support Groups - amino acids....thinking about taking them.

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- - amino acids....thinking about taking them. (https://www.neurotalk.org/bipolar-disorder/240577-amino-acids-thinking-taking.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsD (Post 1225435)

My first impressions are this...but I need more information to figure out what might work best for you, Bizi.

1) That PDF seems old to me. L-tryptophan has been back OTC in the US for about 10 yrs now. It may work for some, and Mark in Idaho on TBI forum manages to have a positive result with it, and was able to get off high dose Paxil. You can PM him or read his posts on that. I find the information on GABA confusing and not useful. Oral GABA usually does not work well, but there is another form called PharmaGABA which does work some, but it is expensive. It is relatively weak compared to Klonopin.

2)No B12? B12 is the cofactor in the brain to make melatonin (the sleep hormone) from serotonin. So if you are low on serotonin, and/or B12 active methylcobalamin, then you will not have natural sleep. I found that B12 really helped me when I went thru the menopause..it boosted melatonin naturally for me.

3) Taurine is very helpful for nerve pain, and gall bladder or sluggish bile in the liver. You list digestive enzymes so I wonder if you have a digestive issue that would respond to taurine.

4) Magnesium (not the oxide which is not absorbed much) is also very calming. A chelate or chloride like SlowMag will be absorbed and be calming especially if taken at night.

5) do you take acid blocking drugs often or every day? Proton pump inhibitors, or H2 blockers like Pepcid, Zantac etc?

You can answer me thru PM if you like.;)

I take digestive enzymes because a naturopath reccomended them I just take them once a day with my big meal being lunch.
I do not take any acid reducing meds.
don't have that problem.
thankl you for your thoughtful reply.
bizi

Bizi, if you indeed decide to try tryptophan, it is best to do so
on an empty stomach. Amino acids compete at the blood brain barrier with each other, and tryptophan may not get into the brain where it is metabolized to serotonin. The building blocks for brain synthesis of neurotransmitters there, have to cross the blood brain barrier. The body itself does metabolize amino acids to neurotransmitters too, but these do NOT cross into the brain.
Only the amino acids and other compounds the brain needs are made inside the brain, and become neurotransmitters there.

So take it when other amino acids from protein in your meals is low.

I believe that since you are digesting protein, that taking amino acids may not really be needed.

Also your situation is complex with your drug therapies. Geodon and Klonopin are drugs that work on neurotransmitters in the brain. Those strong actions are creating complex effects on the receptors of dopamine and serotonin (Geodon). And GABA with Klonopin.

Geodon (Ziprasidone) Drug Information: Clinical Pharmacology - Prescribing Information at RxList
So if you continue with Geodon you do risk messing up your serotonin levels-- and I don't believe that there are people who can predict just how you would react.

example from a drug checker:
Drug Interaction Report - Drugs.com[]=major&types[]=minor&types[]=moderate&types[]=food&types[]=therapeutic_duplication&professional=1

So it is up to you to decide for yourself if you want to take tryptophan with Geodon.

My impression of Margo Kidder is that she does NOT use prescription drugs for her bipolar or psychosis. So the list she recommends that worked for her, would not create any drug interactions. I did read about her psychotic break when she disappeared and was found hiding in someone's back yard and incoherent. But details as to what triggered her, or if she used recreational drugs then, is really unknown IMO.

I always thank you for your thoughtful responses.
bizi

Thank you very much for your last post mrsD.

I have been having a discussion about taking lithium orotate in addition to my regular psych meds.
I just ordered some from amazon it should be here in 1-2 weeks.

This form of elemental lithium salt does not require blood testing and doesn't effect the thyroid.

I have felt that I have been undermedicted for quite some time. I think this could really help me.

I have not taking the amino acids because I am still drinking. They are to be taken on an empty stomach.

Maybe with better mood stabilization I won't drink as much, at least this is my thought process.
bizi

The lithium orotate could work for you.
I hope that it helps.

M

Taking the lithium could definitely help.

I do hope you have some oversight though…

AT this point I am sorry to say this, but I despise my pdoc.
bizi

She major stinks. Are there other pdocs available to you?

M

she is "the devil you know"
sigh
bizi
no other females that I know of....
and she doesn't take my insurance.