any suggestions for tryptophan products? I suddenly have an interest in this supplement and am looking around for good ones. and may consider investing in some.

doctor supervision as long as you are using that Lexapro.

Some doctors allow a little bit, and others don't.

yeah i just talked to my doctor about discontinuing lexapro, and trying out the tryptophan for awhile. so any suggestions for brand names? doctor's best or jarrow?

i just can't decide which one to purchase.

I'm now thinking about going with doctor's best

Brand. NOW is reasonably priced and always good quality.

Doctor's Best is a good brand too.

You need adequate B6 to work with tryptophan to make serotonin.

It is best taken at bedtime on an empty stomach.
If you take it with food, the other amino acids in the food will compete for tryptophan at the blood brain barrier and less will pass into the brain.

Although it is still best to double check w/ the Dr. if you are on an antidepressant (can't stress that enough), I have heard through the grapevine, that taking L Trytophan occassionally for sleep while taking an antidepressant, is not likely an issue. However, some antidepressants might be more of an issue than others. Always good to double check w/ your Dr. (or pharmacist).

The one my DH and I like is by Bluebonnet. It says on the bottle "Pharmaceutical Grade," and gives me a little more comfort (due to the previous scare).

I take 1/2 of the capsule (usually). Others take the whole thing (500 mg). Our experience...very helpful for sleep...no side effects.

I'm not sure why, but this works better for me than Melatonin. I find that even 1 mg. can bother me...making me a little sleepy in the morning. I understand that you can find Melatonin now in fraction tablets...available at Life Extention (LEF)...which I am considering trying instead.

I do take plenty of B vitamins...I think they are helpful for my health and often recommend them to others.

How does tryptophan work in compairason to an antidepresant, like elavil? I am taking a little dose of elavil (20 mg) at bedtime for neuropathic pain. I have felt better, but i am also taking lyrica (150 mg a daY) so i don't know if improvement is more due to lyrica than to elavil.

So just tell me if i am getting this right. L-tryptophan, along with b vits and a light visor enhances serotonin production. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is believed to be defficient in people with depression. Since light enhances serotonin production, depression occurs more often in the wintes because we serotonin levels are low, along with other funtions that involve activity, that's why being sleepy is common in depressed people... Am i getting it right?

Then in read that elavil is an antidepressant that blocks reuptake of serotonin.

So now i don't understand.... Should serotonin be blocked or augmented to avoid depression?

In spite of taking a low dose of elavil (20 mg a day) i am concerned about it, could i get its effect with something more natural, say th elight visor?

elavil despite what it says about blocking the reuptake of serotonin, it is supposed to increase serotonin levels in the brain.

are weak SSRIs in action.

They do not make more serotonin. They block the reuptake in the synapse, so the serotonin that is there lasts longer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricyclic_antidepressant

They also block reuptake of norepi, and it is this dual action that is beneficial in mediation of central pain perception.

In fact SSRI actions result over the long term in LESS serotonin synthesis in the brain, and measured metabolites in the CSF confirm that.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin

Where you live there should be adequate sunlight so you won't need a light visor. It is in the cold dark North during winter that
the visor is useful when daylight is short and weak.

You can still take the supplements tho.

How is the Chiral Balance working for you? Anything new to report?

Tryptophan can indeed boost serotonin and help with sleep. However, it should be taken with caution when combining it with other products which increase serotonin.

Thre are many excellent, trustworthy companies that sell Tryptophan such as Jarrow (http://www.jarrow.com/) , Solray and Life Extension Foundation (http://www.lef.org).

If hypoallergenic products are required, I saw a post on http://www.itsnotmental.com about brands of hypoallergenic products and tryptophan was one of them.