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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by NewQuestions on January 12, 2009, at 16:53:28
I have posted my long term use of SSRI's, and eventual hypersensitivity to them, and other AD's, elsewhere on this site. In summary, after successful use of zoloft for 8 years to treat my depression, it stopped working and I experienced a variety of side effects (even paradoxical side effects) cycling onto every other AD out there, from A to Z.
My latest hypersensitive reaction is as follows:
I tried a very small dose of 5-HTP and it made me depressed. However, it also greatly improved my appearance. My skin, which is somewhat stiff and dry, became more soft and supple and my hair, which is dry and brittle, became much more healthy looking. (I attribute it to long term SSRI use.) It seemed my skin and hair retained oils that it normally doesn't retain.
What does that say about me and what is happening biochemically?
Posted by sissy35 on January 12, 2009, at 20:10:44
In reply to Drug Experts--Can you tell me what you think?, posted by NewQuestions on January 12, 2009, at 16:53:28
I am not as drug savy as others here, but the improvements in hair and skin sound like your thyroid gland has kicked in.(possibly) Dry shin and brittle dry falling out hair is a sign of poor thyroid function.
So have you heard of anything about SSRIs affecting the thyroid or adreanal glands.
I don't know how long you have been taking it but 5-HTP does help improve thyroid fuction.ergo it should improve depression. It might not help derpression if it was not thyroid induced to begin with.Let me know how your doing
Sissy35
Posted by Phillipa on January 12, 2009, at 21:45:50
In reply to Re: Drug Experts--Can you tell me what you think? » NewQuestions, posted by sissy35 on January 12, 2009, at 20:10:44
Wish could remember where but recently someone suggested switching from conventional meds to supplements 5htp was one. OMG it was my pdoc imagine that!!!!! That's amazing. Alternative board wonder if posting going on there? Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on January 12, 2009, at 23:12:09
In reply to Re: Drug Experts--Can you tell me what you think? » sissy35, posted by Phillipa on January 12, 2009, at 21:45:50
> Wish could remember where but recently someone suggested switching from conventional meds to supplements 5htp was one. OMG it was my pdoc imagine that!!!!! That's amazing. Alternative board wonder if posting going on there? Phillipa
Well, 5HTP and Tryptophan, especially tryptophan are not just entirely alternative medications -- they are ones that are sometimes recommended by some psychiatrists for sleep problems.
Now of course they do have some slight psychoactive properties, especially 5HTP I think, so interactions should be checked.
-- Jay
Posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2009, at 0:40:42
In reply to Re: Drug Experts--Can you tell me what you think? » Phillipa, posted by yxibow on January 12, 2009, at 23:12:09
Jay what do you know about 5 htp? Seriously. Love Jan
Posted by yxibow on January 13, 2009, at 3:36:36
In reply to Re: Drug Experts--Can you tell me what you think? » yxibow, posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2009, at 0:40:42
> Jay what do you know about 5 htp? Seriously. Love Jan
It has some psychoactive properties, although its mechanism hasn't really been studied.
It does cross the blood-brain barrier and thus is a potential substance that can cause serotonin syndrome, as well as be possibly beneficial in helping the sleep cycle just as its precursor l-tryptophan, which is sometimes recommended by physicians.
Beyond that I'm not sure.
I do take it along with tryptophan at bedtime -- whether it has any additional effects for me, I can't say whether it is a placebo or not. I don't think it has harmed me.
Its not the cheapest thing, and l-tryptophan is more expensive from what I've found since its return to the market because of isolate purity problems that caused severe and I think fatal sequelae.
-- Jay
Posted by bleauberry on January 13, 2009, at 17:15:53
In reply to Drug Experts--Can you tell me what you think?, posted by NewQuestions on January 12, 2009, at 16:53:28
You and me sound similar. I wish some researchers could examine us and use us as study examples of longterm ssri use.
When I try small amounts of 5htp I get depessed just like you. But I notice stunning physical improvements. Boils that antibiotics can't kill just shrink away in days. Skin is better. It is hard to put my finger on it, hard to put it in words, but everything seems better. Except for my mood. My body loves it, my brain doesn't.
There are theories that longterm ssri use diminishes serotonin receptors by a large percentage. They just vanish. If that is so, then maybe all it takes for the remaining serotonin receptors to function is a small amount of bodily serotonin. Not many receptors, not much serotonin needed, right? There are only a few to feed. The problem is that the rest of the body is starving for serotonin. Just a wild theory on my part though.
I had a urine neurotransmitter test done. All neuros were normal except for serotonin, which was extremely low. My doc and I have not found this to be a useful guide at all, as I show hints of improvement only to norepinephrine agents, and dramatic worsening on serotonin agents. But the fact serotonin metabolites in urine was so low kind of makes one wonder how longterm ssri use affects circulating serotonin levels in the body.
If that is true, then there must be a way to fool the autoreceptors so that they think there is less serotonin than there is, so that they send signals to produce more, but to simultaneously block the remaining serotonin receptors from what they would perceive as excess serotonin.
The only meds I know of that fit that scenario are Pindolol and/or Abilify in combination with 5hpt, or possibly an SSRI. Kind of hesitant on the SSRI, since that is where the problems came from in the first place.
Maybe an MAOI, starting at ultra low doses, slowing increasing over several months, would bring things back into balance?
It is a mysterious thing. I just wanted to share that I have experienced the same as you and I try to play detective with it all the time.
Posted by NewQuestions on January 16, 2009, at 10:19:06
In reply to Re: Drug Experts--Can you tell me what you think? » NewQuestions, posted by bleauberry on January 13, 2009, at 17:15:53
Bleauberry: are you experiencing cognitive decline or muscle ache? Have you tried ECT or TMS or anything like that? Have you tried opiates? What about vitamin or amino acid therapy?
Posted by Elanor Roosevelt on January 27, 2009, at 22:32:28
In reply to Re: Drug Experts--Can you tell me what you think? » NewQuestions, posted by bleauberry on January 13, 2009, at 17:15:53
well i have that lousy look that depression gives me
i'm going to try 5htp for a few days and see if i look any better
This is the end of the thread.
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