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Post by crillmom on Jun 28, 2004 16:54:30 GMT -5
I remember a while back you told me to be careful with 5-htp and pheneylalinine(sp?) but I can't remember why can you refresh my memory. My son did well on becalm last year for his anxiety but I remember you saying this can you refresh my memory thanks
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Post by ohmama on Jun 28, 2004 17:25:37 GMT -5
I bumped up an old post on 5-HTP for you. Let me know if this is what you were thinking about or if it was something else more specific?
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Post by crillmom on Jun 28, 2004 17:36:03 GMT -5
wow that was alot of awesome information. It at least makes me realize that 5-htp may not be right for us. I am looking to get my son off anti-depressents he takes lexepro for ocd . He does not have compulsions just "bad thoughts" He causes him great anxiety. St. johns wort sounds promising but does it only help for depression or will it help for ocd, which is also based on a lack of seritonum. Can it be taken while he is being weaned off anti-depressant? He also takes ritilan for adhd. Can you use st. John wort with a stimulant? Thank you so much for being so on top of all this. You are an invaluable resource.
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Post by ohmama on Jun 28, 2004 18:20:14 GMT -5
Crillmom, I hate to do this but I am going to try to answer you according to my memory as I need to go out for the day and wanted to get back to you soon. Check the posts on SAM-e and see what you think about giving that after he has been weaned. Oh, just realized you started that thread! I would not give St.John's Wort while weaning from antidepressants because they both affect serotonin. I'm real new to meds so just not sure on an issue of weaning with that one. Also, Anne gives her son St.John's Wort with Concerta. She is having good results with that combo. Am I right Anne? In general mixing amino acids and herbs with meds requires some expertise and I'm not so sure I'm the one to ask. You can try the drug interaction checker at www.savonhealth.com They may be able to give some information on this? I hope others who may have more information will chime in here. Calling Catatonic.... |
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Post by catatonic on Jun 29, 2004 7:58:27 GMT -5
Crillmom, here's my understanding of the situation...phenylalanine is a precursor to the amino acid tyrosine. 5-HTP is also a precursor of tyrosine. By taking these together, it's really kind of overkill, since they're all aimed at building tyrosine. On the other hand, there are formulations you can buy containing all three of them, obviously operating on the assumption that if your body can't use one well enough, the others will do the trick. However, tyrosine and phenylalanine compete with other amino acids...if you take other amino acids, don't take them with tyrosine/phenylalanine/5-HTP. The risk, once again, is most likely to be serotonin syndrome. 5-HTP, phenylalanine, tyrosine...all are purported to increase serotonin production. Taking them separately is probably safer. Taking them together may be more effective (or may not) but you would have to be careful to adjust the dosage of each one downward. There's a brief summary of phenylalanine that may be helpful here: www.smartbodyz.com/PhenylalanineText.htmThere are recommendations for using phenylalanine and tyrosine together (including suggested dosage) here: www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-089.shtmlPersonally, I am NOT a fan of using phenylalanine in any form. I believe that it is toxic to the brain, just as MSG and several other "Excitotoxins" are. (You might want to read Russell Blaylock's outstanding book "Excitotoxins".) Take a look at this cautionary article on phenylalanine: www.sweetpoison.com/phenylalanine.html |
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Post by AnneM on Jun 30, 2004 12:05:48 GMT -5
Crillmom, I would not give St.John's Wort while weaning from antidepressants because they both affect serotonin. I'm real new to meds so just not sure on an issue of weaning with that one. Also, Anne gives her son St.John's Wort with Concerta. She is having good results with that combo. Am I right Anne? .... Hi Crillmom and OhMama and others on this thread ! ... YES Oh Mama (Wow you have a great memory!  ) my son is on both Concerta and st Johns Wort ... and the result has been incredible for HIM... it is ALSO mentioned as an awesome combination in Dr Amen's book ... BUT only for certain types of adhd/add! ... not for all ... I think it is really important you know this because I would hate for you to give this combination to your son and find things might even get worse! ... My son is add (hyperactivity is not and never really has been an issue for him ... there is a "llittle" there .. but really nothing of note) ... he was diagnosed at age 13 (he is now 16) with adhd (predominantly inattentive type) and depression ... I also would NOT give SJW to someone coming off any other antidepressant. I understand SJW should NOT be taken with any prescription antidepressant. I would really recommend weaning your child completely off a prescription antidepressant BEFORE starting SJW ... If I can give any more help on the SJW or on the SJW/stimulant combination please let me know ... GOOD LUCK !! .... |
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