Insomnia & Multiple Sclerosis
 

From LifeExtension Mag April 2008

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2008/...Cruel-Hoax.htm


Guess what is elevated in MS and does much of the damage???

Yep!! Pro-inflammatory cytokines!!!!

jackD

And this is why... I have 90 capsules of Tryptophan in my cupboard.

My neuro DID tell me to be careful with taking it too often, because he feels it has potential to hurt the liver, but my nutritionist swears by it. I get mine at the compounding pharmacy. :)

Cytokines info playground
 

If you happen to be research minded and a little weird then this "CYTOKINES INFO PLAYGROUND" will satisfy all your cytokines info needs.

http://www.copewithcytokines.de/cope.cgi

http://www.copewithcytokines.de/cope.cgi?key=MMP%2d9

Check out this page on NGF -Nerve Growth Factor

http://www.copewithcytokines.de/cope.cgi?key=NGF

Note the fact good old reliable Vitamin D3 causes our brains to produce more NGF Nerve Growth Factor came as a real surprise to me. Vitamin D3 also lowers MMP-9s.

This "potent producer of NGF" is another reason to take a LOT of Vitamin D3.

jackD

Cherie's my research minded girl. I'll take full credit for being the weird one. :D

I have insomnia on and off. I don't take Interferon drugs.

I have a difficult time turning off to sleep. I seem to be a person who gets more energy as the day goes on.

Most people get sleepier and I rarely do!:Sigh:

Maybe this is due to MS, but probably it is due to my own strange metabolism.

Tootsie:)

I'm not on an interferon. But I have insomnia that's really horrible. I'm trying to not blame this on the MS, because I dont like having everything blamed on the MS, sometimes there are other reasons.

What is vitamin D3?
 

Thanks for all the info. I have heard of vitamin D , of course, but not Vitamin D3.

Turkey is renowned for Triptophan. Should we include this in our diet once a week? I did not know that there were pills with Triptophan. I suppose if the source is food, such as Turkey, it is more beneficial for the body.

If old age causes so many problems because of the surplus production of... (forgot the word), then medication that produces (?) serotonin might be a consideration for old people. Question mark here. Some old people seem to be OK but simple blood tests could tell a doctor if a prescription is recommended.

It disturbs me to think that people out there are suffering and not sleeping when there is a solution.

Thanks again for the info. and forgive any mistakes i might have made!

You may not want to blame the MS for the insomnia but my main point was that MS IS probably the main culprit. Pro-inflammatory cytokines like Gamma Interferon and TNFa which are elavated in MS cause lots of damage to lots of things.

I only mentioned the Interferon Beta contribution because the referenced link included that comment and IFN-Beta users may suffer more from insomnia and depression.

The relation to MS depression should also be noted. Insomnia, depression and fatigue are an awsome burden for us MS folks. It appears that treating the insomnia will also help treat the depression problem.


I have purchased some L-Tryptophan and intend research the proper dosage and give it a try.

jackD

I took 1 500mg capsule a night, but since mine is though a compounding place, not sure what's all in it.

It IS covered by my medical insurance through work, surprisingly :)

It did help me to sleep for sure!

My L-Tryptophan comes in 2,000 mg capsules and the bottle says that "Serving Size: 4 Capsules".

This is why I am going to do a bit more research on the amount to take to get a favorable sleep results.

jackD