[auntybiotic]

Scotty,
Phosphatidylserine


What you will find on this page

Phosphatidylserine information
Mind Power Rx -- Brain Formula developed by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
A Phosphatidylserine Product


Phosphatidylserine is a natural nutrient found as part of the cell membrane of cells. Phosphatidylserine is most notably found in the cell membrane of neurons, comprising about 7 to 10 percent of its lipid content.
Although lecithin (phosphatidylcholine) has been available as a supplement for many decades, phosphatidylserine became available to the North American market in the mid 1990s. In the past, phosphatidylserine was obtained from the brain of cows. In fact, if you read some of the research studies published with phosphatidylserine, it will identify this nutrient as BC-phosphatidylserine. The BC stands for bovine cortex, or cow brain. The reason BC-phosphatidylserine is not sold is because of the fear of viruses or infectious agents being inadvertently introduced in the phosphatidylserine product when extracted from the brains of cows. The phosphatidylserine currently available over the counter is derived from soy.

PS or BS?
Does Phosphatidylserine really boost memory or are you better off spending your money on a better mind booster? Read on...

Phosphatidylserine Research
Several studies in the past in Europe have evaluated the role of oral BC-phosphatidylserine administration in both animals and humans. In general, the results have shown positive benefits in terms of mind and memory enhancement. However, we need to keep a very important point in mind. The studies with phosphatidylserine have used bovine cortex as the source. Can we assume that the results with soy-derived phosphatidylserine would be similar?
No, we can't. phosphatidylserine consists of serine attached to fatty acids. The serine molecule in phosphatidylserine found in cow brain is attached mostly to long chained polyunsaturated fatty acids such as DHA or AA (arachidonic acid). In addition, the cow brain extract is not pure phosphatidylserine. It most likely contains other brain components such as sphingolipids, sphingomyelins, and other brain constituents, which may have led to improvements in brain function. For obvious reasons--potential viruses present in cow brain --we should not be using the cow brain extract of phosphatidylserine. The phosphatidylserine in soy is basically serine attached to saturated on monounsaturated fatty acids, along with other fats from soy, which are chemically very different than the fats found in cow brain. Hence, we are basically comparing apples to oranges. It is medically and scientifically improper to use the results of studies done with phosphatidylserine from cow brain and thus claim that soy derived phosphatidylserine is also effective.


There have been two studies published recently using soy derived phosphatidylserine. The results are mixed. See below.

Choline ß ÃÂ** Acetylcholine
â
CDP-Choline
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Phosphatidylserine ÃÂ** Phosphatidylcholine

Phosphatidylserine Summary
There are many mind boosters that have good scientific support that phosphatidylserine, at this time, is low on my list, particularly since it is also very expensive. However, soy-derived phosphatidylserine does have its supporters who claim that it works for them, and a couple of studies indicate it may have stress modifying effect. As to phosphatidylserine in relation to memory, I have listed two studies below which have come to different conclusions, one supporting its use, another did not find PS to influence memory. We have made this product available for those who notice benefits from it. As to overall brain enhancement, most people prefer the results from Mind Power Rx.

Mind Power Rx - Formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.


Mind Power Rx is a sophisticated cognitive formula. It combines a delicate balance of brain circulation agents and neurotransmitter precursors with powerful natural brain chemicals that support:

• Memory and Mood
• Mental clarity
• Concentration
• Alertness & Focus


Why buy all the individual herbs and nutrients separately -- at great expense -- when you can buy this excellent combination?

The herbs in Mind Power Rx include: Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Fo-Ti, Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng, Mucuna pruriens, and Reishi. The nutrients and vitamins in Mind Power Rx include Acetyl-l-carnitine, Carnitine, Carnosine, Choline, DMAE, Inositol, Methylcobalamin, Pantothenic acid, Trimethylglycine, Tyrosine, and Vinpocetine.
Click phosphatidylserine below in blue for more information, or to purchase at Physician Formulas

Phosphatidylserine - PS-100
60 Softgels - Jarrow Formulas


• Phosphatidylserine 100 mg
• Promotes Brain Function
• Cogni-PS Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a natural phopholipid that is an essential component of cell membranes.
Cogni-PS™ is a concentrated form of phosphatidylserine derived from soy phopholipids.

Amount Per Softgel
Phosphatidylserine (PS) - 100 mg
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) - 45 mg
Gamma tocopherol - 4 mg

Suggested Usage: Take 1 softgel with a meal up to three times daily, or as directed by your qualified health consultant.

Retail: $39.98 Sale Price: $25.95

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Click here to purchase Phosphatidylserine or Mind Power Rx at Physician Formulas
Plus: Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Twice a month e email a brief abstract of several studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Passion Rx Sexual Enhancer for men and Women -- the herbs in Passion Rx also enhances mental clarity and supports healthy vision.


Passion Rx is an outstanding libido product that formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.. It enhances enjoyment, stamina, and performance, in Men and Women. Herbs in Passion Rx include Ashwagandha, Catuaba, Cnidium, Horny goat weed, Maca, Muira Puama, Rhodiola, Shilajit, Suma, Tribulus, Tongkat ali, and Yohimbe. Some of these herbs, for instance ashwagandha, have mind boosting properties.

To order or for more information, click Passion Rx


Availability of Phosphatidylserine
BC-phosphatidylserine is not available in the US but soy-derived phosphatidylserine is sold in vitamin stores. Each 500 mg gel capsule contains several phospholipids with 100 mg being actual phosphatidylserine. Phosphatidylserine is an expensive nutrient with each pill costing between 50 cents and one dollar. It is worth emphasizing that the phosphatidylserine currently available is derived from soy products and thus has a different fatty acid composition than the bovine cortex-derived phosphatidylserine used in published studies. Therefore, the chemical makeup of BC-phosphatidylserine is different when compared to soy-phosphatidylserine.

Additional Mind Boosting supplements include:
Aetyl-l-carnitine 300 mg, lipoic acid, DMAE, and SAM-e.

Phosphatidylserine Research Update
Effects of soy lecithin phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylserine complex (PAS) on the endocrine and psychological responses to mental stress.
Stress. 2004 Jun;7(2):119-26.
Phosphatidylserine, derived from cow brains, has been shown previously to dampen the ACTH and cortisol response to physical stress. Further research investigated the influence of soy lecithin phosphatidylserine supplementation on mood and heart rate when faced with an acute stressor. In this study, we investigated the effects of soy lecithin phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylserine complex (PAS) supplementation on pituitary adrenal reactivity (ACTH, cortisol) and on the psychological response (Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory stress subscale) to a mental and emotional stressor. Four groups of 20 subjects were treated for three weeks with daily dosages of either 400 mg PAS, 600 mg PAS, 800 mg PAS, or placebo before exposure to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Treatment with 400 mg PAS resulted in a pronounced blunting of both serum ACTH and cortisol, and salivary cortisol responses to the TSST, but did not affect heart rate. The effect was not seen with larger doses of PAS. With regard to the psychological response, 400 mg PAS seemed to exert a specific positive effect on emotional responses to the TSST. While the placebo group showed the expected increase in distress after the test, the group treated with 400 mg PAS showed decreased distress. These data provide initial evidence for a selective stress dampening effect of PAS on the pituitary-adrenal axis, suggesting the potential of PAS in the treatment of stress related disorders.

Safety of soy-derived phosphatidylserine in elderly people.
Nutr Neurosci. 2002 Oct;5(5):337-43.
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid which has been claimed to enhance neuronal membrane function, and can be derived from several sources. Earlier studies used brain cortex derived Phosphatidylserine, of which the human tolerability of 300mg daily in 130 patients has been shown. The human tolerability of Phosphatidylserine derived from soybean has not been reported, although it is widely sold as a nutritional supplement which may improve cognitive function in the elderly. We report the results of a study of the safety of two dosages of soy-phosphatidylserine in elderly. Subjects were 120 elderly of both sexes who fulfilled the more stringent criteria for age-associated memory impairment; some also fulfilled the criteria for age-associated cognitive decline. Subjects were allocated at random to one of the three treatment groups: placebo, 300 or 600 mg S-Phosphatidylserine daily. Standard biochemical and hematological safety parameters, blood pressure, heart rate and adverse events were assessed at baseline, after 6 and 12 weeks of treatment. No significant differences were found in any of the outcome variables between the treatment groups after Bonferonni-Holme correction. In conclusion, soy derived Phosphatidylserine is a safe nutritional supplement for older persons if taken up to a dosage of 200 mg three times daily.

The influence of phosphatidylserine supplementation on mood and heart rate when faced with an acute stressor.
Benton D. Nutr Neurosci 2001;4(3):169-78
There have been previous reports that supplements of phosphatidylserine blunted the release of cortisol in response to exercise stress and that it improved mood. The present study extended these observations by considering whether Phosphatidylserine supplementation influenced subjective feelings of stress and the change in heart rate when a stressful mental arithmetic task was performed. In young adults, with neuroticism scores above rather than below the median, the taking of 300mg Phosphatidylserine each day for a month was associated with feeling less stressed and having a better mood. The study for the first time reports an improvement in mood following Phosphatidylserine supplementation in a sub-group of young healthy adults.

The influence of soy-derived phosphatidylserine on cognition in age-associated memory impairment.
Jorisse BL. Nutr Neurosci 2001;4(2):121-34
Experimental Psychopharmacology Unit, Brain & Behaviour Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid widely sold as a nutritional supplement. Phosphatidylserine has been claimed to enhance neuronal membrane function and hence cognitive function, especially in the elderly. We report the results of a clinical trial of soybean-derived PS (S-Phosphatidylserine) in aging subjects with memory complaints. Subjects were 120 elderly (> 57 years) of both sexes who fulfilled the more stringent criteria for age-associated memory impairment (AAMI); some also fulfilled the criteria for age-associated cognitive decline. Subjects were allocated at random to one of the three treatment groups: placebo, 300mg S-Phosphatidylserine daily, or 600mg S-Phosphatidylserine daily. Assessments were carried out at baseline, after 6 and 12 weeks of treatment, and after a wash-out period of 3 weeks. Tests of learning and memory, choice reaction time, planning and attentional functions were administered at each assessment. Delayed recall and recognition of a previously learned word list comprised the primary outcome measures. No significant differences were found in any of the outcome variables between the treatment groups. There were also no significant interactions between treatment and 'severity of memory complaints'. In conclusion, a daily supplement of Phosphatidylserine does not affect memory or other cognitive functions in older individuals with memory complaints.

An open trial of plant-source derived phosphatydilserine for treatment of age-related cognitive decline.
Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci. 2000;37(4):302-7.
We assessed whether the efficacy of plant-source derived phosphatydilserine for treatment of age related cognitive decline is consistent with previous (placebo controlled) positive findings with bovine derivative of PS (BC-PS). Eighteen healthy elderly volunteers meeting Age Associated Memory Impairment inclusion and exclusion criteria were treated for 12 weeks with plant-source derived phosphatydilserine (PS) (100 mg x 3/day p.o.) and evaluated at base line, after 6 weeks of treatment and at the end of the trial. Fifteen concluded the study. All but two outcome measures elicited a significant drug over time effect. Post-hoc paired t-tests showed that the significant effect was attributable to an improvement from base line to week 6 and that effect was maintained at week 12. These results are encouraging. However, they await double-blind controlled verification in a large sample before suggesting that this may be a viable approach to the treatment of age-related cognitive decline, without exposing the patients to possible hazards involved in the treatment with bovine derivative of PS (BC-PS).

Expert Opinions regarding Phosphatidylserine
Companies promoting soy-Phosphatidylserine make positive claims about this supplement and defend its promotion by citing research studies done on BC-Phosphatidylserine . I interviewed many experts on fats, including Drs. Simopoulos, Hibbeln, and Salem, regarding their opinions on Phosphatidylserine . All experts were unanimous in their assessment that one can’t automatically use the studies done with BC-Phosphatidylserine to claim the same benefits as that of soy-Phosphatidylserine . Lloyd Horrocks, Ph. D., Professor Emeritus of Medical Biochemistry at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and an expert on fatty acids says, “The fatty acids in bovine cortex Phosphatidylserine are mostly made of DHA and arachidonic acid while the fatty acids from soy-derived Phosphatidylserine are made mostly from oleic, linolenic, and linoleic acids. It’s quite likely the DHA and arachidonic acids in BC-Phosphatidylserine could have some cognitive effect. It’s also possible that the clinical effects from taking Phosphatidylserine may be due to this nutrient influencing the release of histamine, glucose uptake in the brain, or in other yet unknown ways.â€�

Michael Schmidt is Professor of Applied Biochemistry and Clinical Nutrition at Northwestern College of Health Sciences. He tells me, “The DHA found in BC-Phosphatidylserine could have important effects. However, it’s possible when soy Phosphatidylserine is ingested that the body will take its own DHA and attach it to the phosphoserine head group, thus replacing the smaller chained fatty acids. Synthesizing phospholipids requires energy and effort. If Phosphatidylserine provides the phosphoserine head, then it will give brain cells a break from having to create it de novo.â€�


Scotty,

I know lecithin is similiar and is excellent for the twitching amd trembling caused by withdrawals.

GINGKO BILOBA at 120 Mg to 240 Mg at bedtime reduces the cortisol levels and makes sleeping sounder with less waking during the night.

Scotty,

I would ask you doc for the 24 hour cortisol testing by saliva to see when your cortisol levels are peaking. With SSRI users, Cortisol levels/ adrenaline peaks at night when it should natuarally be at its lowest levels. Thus the high cortisol produces anxiety and lack of sleep.

Gingko Bilobo will reduce the cortisol levels and help sleeping and reduce anxiety.

Scotty, My knees are really bothering me today so I am not good to research the Bach Essences for you but I will try and get to that later this week.

Try the Ginko Bilobo starting at 120 Mg and see if it helps with sleep.

[auntybiotic]

Some supplements for those not able to sleep:

Nutrition - Vitamins and Supplements

Deficiencies in certain vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes may disrupt sleep. Calcium, magnesium, B vitamins, folic acid and melatonin deficiencies may impair sleep.

The following are specific nutritional supplements known to aid sleep:

Calcium, especially when contained in food, has a sedative effect on the body. A calcium deficiency in the body causes restlessness and wakefulness. For adults, doses of approximately 600 milligrams of liquid calcium have been shown to have a relaxing effect.

Dosage: 1,500-2,000 mg daily, in divided doses, after meals and at bedtime.

Magnesium, in doses of approximately 250 milligrams, can help induce sleep. Magnesium deficiency is responsible for nervousness that prevents sleep. Magnesium-rich foods include kelp, wheat bran, almonds, cashews, blackstrap molasses, and brewer's yeast.

Dosage: 1,000 mg daily.

Note: The lack of calcium and magnesium can cause leg cramps during the night. Calcium and magnesium produce calming effects on the brain. They are essential for normal sleep. Calcium and magnesium taken 45 minutes before bedtime have a tranquilizing effect. Use a 2:1 ratio, such as 500 mg of calcium and 250 mg of magnesium in tablet or capsule form.

The B vitamins are known to have a sedative effect on the nerves.

Vitamin B6 supplements of 50 to 100 milligrams/day can help to prevent insomnia. A tablespoon or two of nutritional yeast is an excellent Source of vitamin B6. Stir it into a glass of juice.

Vitamin B12 is another important supplement for treating insomnia. 25 milligrams of vitamin B12, supplemented with 100 milligrams of pantothenic acid (B5) can serve as an effective anti-insomnia vitamin regimen. The pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is good for relieving stress. The best food sources of the B vitamins are liver, whole grains, wheat germ, tuna, walnuts, peanuts, bananas, sunflower seeds, and blackstrap molasses.

Inositol enhances REM sleep. Take 100 mg daily, at bedtime.

Chromium is often effective for someone with a blood sugar problem that is keeping them awake at nights. Brewer's yeast is a good source of Chromium. If you prefer supplements, take 250 to 500 micro- grams twice a day.

Tryptophan (L-tryptophan)

Tryptophan is an amino acid that plays a key role in the repair of protein tissues and in creating new protein. In the brain, tryptophan is converted into serotonin, a natural sleep-inducing chemical. It also enhances the brain's ability to produce melatonin, the hormone that regulates your body's natural inner clock.

L-tryptophan is found in foods such as milk and turkey. Tryptophan supplements were banned in the United States by the FDA after a contaminated batch from a Japanese manufacturer was suspected of causing a serious blood disease in several people. There is no risk associated with eating tryptophan-rich foods. It is a key amino acid for sleeping problems.

Clinical studies showed that L-tryptophan produces only modest effects in the treatment of insomnia. Not everyone who takes it for this purpose experiences the results they seek. People have to take relatively high doses of the substance (doses less than 2,000 mg are generally not effective). More importantly, research showed that L-tryptophan can reduce REM sleep while increasing the time spent in non-REM sleep.

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine is an amino acid that helps the brain regulate the amount of cortisone produced by the adrenals. It is helpful for those who cannot sleep because of high cortisone levels, usually induced by stress. Cortisone is usually at high levels in the morning, for wakefulness. It is found to be high in people with high stress at night that prevents them from sleeping.

Serotonin

Serotonin is an important initiator of sleep. Our body makes serotonin from the amino acid tryptophan. Taking tryptophan will raise serotonin levels and promote sleep. Tryptophan is more effective for cases of sleep-onset insomnia, since its greatest effect is to shorten the time required to get to sleep.

More effective than tryptophan is 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a form of tryptophan that is one step closer to serotonin administration. 5-HTP has also been found, in several double-blind clinical studies, to decrease the time required to get to sleep and to decrease the number of awakenings. To increase the sedative effects of 5-HTP, take it with a food high in carbohydrate such as fruit or fruit juice near bedtime.

5-HTP increases the REM sleep by about twenty-five percent while simultaneously increasing deep-sleep Stages 3 and 4, without increasing total sleep time.

It is important to maintain adequate levels of vitamin B., niacin, and magnesium when using 5-HTP, as these nutrients serve as essential cofactors in the conversion of 5-HTP to serotonin.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone secreted naturally by the pineal gland. Melatonin is the sleep hormone. It is said to induce sleep without any negative side effects. Melatonin is secreted mainly at night. Melatonin is found naturally in plants and in algae.

In several studies, supplementation with melatonin has been found helpful in inducing and maintaining sleep in both children and adults, for both people with normal sleep patterns and those suffering from insomnia. It is also useful in banishing jet lag.

However, it appears that the sleep- promoting effects of melatonin are most apparent only if a person's melatonin levels are low. In other words, taking melatonin is not like taking a sleeping pill or even 5-HTP. It will only produce a sedative effect when melatonin levels are low. Melatonin appears to be most effective in treating insomnia in the elderly, as low melatonin levels are common in this age group.

Safety: Studies of melatonin's safety are limited, with isolated reports of exacerbation of depression, fatigue and restriction of coronary arteries.

Do not take melatonin supplement if:

You are pregnant or breast-feeding.
You are under the age of 35.
You are suffering from cancer of the blood or immune system.
You have kidney disease.

Melatonin supplementation can disrupt the normal circadian rhythm. In one study, a daily dosage of 8 mg a day for only four days resulted in significant alterations in hormone secretions.

Synthetic melatonin may be safer than melatonin from animal sources.

Dosage: Start with 1.5 mg daily, taken 2 hours or less before bedtime. If this is not effective, gradually increase the dosage until an effective level is reached (up to 5 mg daily).

5-HTP

5- HTP provides the quickest, most effective, and most consistent overall results in treating insomnia. it is an effective alternative for dealing with sleep problems in a safe and natural way compared to sleep medicines. 5-HTP improves the quality of sleep. More importantly, clinical studies show that 5- HTP is also useful in the treatment of sleep disorders other than insomnia.

5-HTP increases REM sleep significantly (typically by about 25 percent) while simultaneously increasing deep sleep stages 3 and 4 without increasing total sleep time. 5- HTP accomplishes this by shortening the amount of time you spend in sleep stages 1 and 2, which in certain ways are the least important stages of the cycle. The higher the dose, the more time spent in REM.

By shifting the balance of the sleep cycle, 5-HTP makes sleep more restful and rejuvenating. Instead of waking feeling tired, worn out, and "hungover," people taking 5- HTP feel vibrant, well rested, and ready to take on the challenges of the day. When we sleep more deeply and dream more efficiently, we wake in the morning with our physical and psychological batteries fully charged.

The impact of 5-HTP on sleep stages is dose-related; taking higher doses produces a somewhat greater impact. In most cases, the lower dosage is adequate. Higher doses may lead to a greater number of disturbing dreams and nightmares due to abnormally prolonged REM sleep. It can also lead to mild nausea.

Recommended Dosage: Take 100 to 300 mg, thirty to forty-five minutes before retiring. Start with the lower dose for at least three days, then consider increasing the dose if results are not what you expected.

See Also: Melatonin and 5-HTP

Daily Dosages Summary:

Most Important
Calcium: 1,000 - 2,000 mg daily, in divided doses, after meals and at bedtime.
Magnesium: 500 mg - 1,000 mg daily.
Vitamin B complex: 100 mg

Helpful
Niacin: 100 mg at bedtime
Extra pantothenic acid (vitamin B5): 50 mg daily.
Melatonin: Start with 1.5 mg daily, 2 hours or less before bedtime. If this is not effective, gradually increase the dosage until an effective level is reached (up to 5 mg daily).
or (preferred) 5-HTP 100-300 mg 30-45 minutes before bedtime.
Inositol - 100 mg daily, at bedtime.

Related Topic: Food and Diet Therapy for Insomnia

See Also: Vitamins Infocenter in holisticonline.com

Nutrition Infocenter in holisticonline.com

Next Topic:

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[auntybiotic]

Scotty.

More info regarding sleeplessness.

Dreaming of sleep: if you toss and turn at night, you can't rejuvenate your body. Read on to get the restful night you need
Better Nutrition, Sept, 2005 by Mary Bove

Save a personal copy of this article and quickly find it again with Furl.net. It's free! Save it.
If you're unable to sleep, then you might be one of the 35 million Americans who suffer from some degree of insomnia. Over a third of us do, but 5 percent have symptoms that are chronic or severe enough to seek medical help.

Insomnia can be either the inability to fall asleep or a broken and restless sleep with early waking. There are many possible causes but the effect is the same: a self-perpetuating cycle of sleep disruption. Getting enough sleep is essential to having a healthy body, mind and spirit. Sleep restores our bodies--it's when many important body functions occur, including tissue regeneration, muscle building, fat metabolism and blood sugar and insulin regulation. It also provides time for conscious and unconscious mind communication. By contrast, chronic sleep deprivation accelerates brain aging, as well as tissue degeneration and an inability to cope.

the sleep cycle

Normal sleep patterns repeat themselves on a 24-hour cycle, but sleep needs vary according to age and gender. For instance, a baby needs 14-15 hours while an adult may need only 7-9 hours; women tend to require more shut-eye than men do.

When we sleep, we alternate between two types of sleep: REM (a period of rapid eye movement and dreaming) and non-REM. Non-REM sleep is divided into four levels of brain-wave activity. As sleep progresses, the sleep deepens and the brain waves slow until the cycle ends with the most restive period before entering REM sleep. We may experience between four and six of these cycles a night.

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interrupting insomnia

Clarifying the factors that may contribute to sleep deprivation can help you find your way to restful nights. Tossing and turning can be caused by a host of different things, including stress, anxiety, depression, sleep apnea, nocturnal hypoglycemia, emotional arousal (i.e., anger, depression, excitement), caffeine, alcohol, restless leg syndrome and a disruptive environment (i.e., your sleeping area is noisy, too light, too hot, too cold or the bed isn't comfortable). Here are some helpful tips for beating insomnia:

Rethink your evenings

Consider the night as your time to unwind. Do soothing activities: Listen to relaxation tapes, focus on progressively relaxing your muscles, take leisurely walks, meditate, read or write in a journal. Regular exercise can help you sleep better, but do it in the morning or early afternoon to avoid stimulating activity late in your day. An evening exercise session isn't the only thing that can stimulate your body; watching television, talking on the telephone, working on the computer, playing video games or being in crowded social situations are all stimulating activities that can affect your sleep.

Avoid stimulating substances

In the late afternoon and evening, steer away from ingredients that are known arousers, such as caffeine-containing beverages, chocolate, alcohol, vitamin B complex and herbs such as ginseng, bee pollen and guarana.

Keep your blood sugar level on an even keel

The body considers low blood sugar a stressor and, as a result, releases the hormone cortisol, which stimulates the nervous system. Consider eating a balanced bedtime snack, which includes carbohydrates, protein and fat, and follow good daytime eating habits. (See "Eat for Energy" in this issue for examples.) Or keep a little fresh fruit juice next to your bed, and sip it upon waking to prevent blood sugar dips. I often recommend supplementing with phosphatidylserine: 100 mg at dinner, bedtime and first wake of the night. (If you do not wake up during the night, then you don't need to take this supplement.) Phosphatidylserine helps to stabilize blood sugar function during the night to prevent sugar drops, which will trigger a stress response in the adrenal gland and disrupt sleep.

Take magnesium

To get a better night's rest, the mineral magnesium is often helpful since it is needed for serotonin production. I often prescribe 125-250 mg of magnesium taurate, which is magnesium bound with the amino acid taurine, to be taken at dinner or bedtime with a good multimineral/vitamin that is made from foods.

Supplement with herbs

Several herbal remedies stand out as sleep improvers and help you fall asleep:

* Valerian--reduces anxiety and relaxes the muscles

* Passionflower--brings on sleep and diminishes any pain

* Linden flower and lemon balm--help calm over-excitability

* California poppy--encourages deep relaxing sleep

* Lavender flowers (used in hops, as a tea, bath or in a pillow)--helps calm

* Sleep teas combining chamomile, linden flowers, lavender, lemon balm and rose petals--all can help restore sleep

Try sleep aids

Several other natural sleep aids that you might try (individually) to help you sleep better include melatonin, the amino acid L-tryptophan or its precursors, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) or L-theanine.(NOTE: 5 HTP CANNOT BE TAKEN WHILE ON LEXAPRO).

Try some of these suggestions and your sleepless nights might just be past nightmares.

[auntybiotic]

Scotty and others wanting to know more about Bach Flower Essences.
Agrimony: This Essence helps those who appear carefree and humorous, but actually they hide behind a mask to hide their anxieties, worries and inner pain and fears. They dislike being alone and are very sociable, seeking company as a distraction. Agrimony helps them express their pain, fears and worries, moreover their cheerfulness will come from within, instead of covering up pain and worries.

Aspen: This Essence helps those who feel fears and worries of unknown origin. The fears or worries comes suddenly without any specific reason. A typical need for Aspen is on waking in fear from a bad dream, even if the dream itself is forgotten. Aspen helps us to an inner peace, security and fearlessness.

Beech: This Essence is for those who are constantly being critical toward other people. Beech will help you accept them as they are.



Centaury: This Essence is for those who can't say "no." They let themselves be imposed on and even bullied by others. For example, if your boss knows that you have to leave early on Wednesdays, to pick up your daughter from soccer, but every Wednesday you boss has something you need to have done before you leave and you always end up staying longer and therefore always shows up late after your daughter's soccer is over over. Centaury helps you say "not today, I need to pick up my daughter. Any other day is okay but not on Wednesdays." Centaury will help you stay in touch with your own wishes and you will be able to express and defend your own opinions.

Cerato: This Essence helps you when you have a hard time making decisions. When you have to make a decision; such as, where to live, what to wear or where to go. You tend to seek advise and confirmations from others, not listening to your own intuition. You might often follow others advise and later regret is, since you actually knew that it wouldn't be what you wanted.

Cerato helps you listening to your own wisdom and follow it.

Cherry Plum: This helps you when you are on the verge of breakdown, possible suicide. You feel in such despair that you feel that you are loosing your sanity. You have a feeling that you are going to explode and are afraid to give way to violent impulses. Cherry Plum helps you to find an inner balance so that you can think and act rationally.



Chestnut Bud: This Essence helps you when you keep doing the same mistake over and over again, you just don't seem to learn. You keep repeat the same mistakes, such as falling over and over again for the same partner, or continuing to work in an unsuitable job. Instead of learning from past mistakes you tend to forget them. Chestnut Bud helps you to take full advantage of daily experiences and learn from them so that you can move forward in life.

Chicory: This Essence helps you at times where you get too selfishly possessive, you tend to manipulate your loved ones and expect others to conform to your values. You may be too critical, interfering and nagging. Chicory helps you to be less selfish and be able to offer genuine love. You will feel fulfilled and self-assured.

Clematis: This Essence helps you when you loose interest in the present. You have difficulty in concentrating, due to a tendency to daydream rather than lack of innate ability. Clematis helps you get a lively interest in the world around you and in life.

Crab Apple: This Essence helps you when you feel self-disgust or believe that something about yourself or partner is unclean. Crab Apple it the cleansing essence for mind and body. This Essence is needed when you can not look in the mirror and appreciate how you look. Crab Apple helps you look at yourself without unrealistic critique.

Elm: This Essence helps you when you feel overwhelmed by responsibilities. It can be at work, at home, or at life in general. You just feel that thing are over your head. Elm helps you calm down and think rationally. Elm will help you take one step at the time and before you know it you will feel that you have everything under control again.

Gentian: This Essence helps you when you feel discouraged and despondent. You get easily discouraged and depressed when things go wrong or faced with difficulties. Gentian helps you realize that there is no such thing as failure when one is doing one's best, no matter what the result. No obstacle seems too great, and no task too daunting to undertake.

Gorse: This Essence helps you when you feel hopelessness and despair, you may suffer from a chronic illness and been told that nothing can be done. Gorse helps you get a sense of faith and hope, despite current physical or mental problems.



Heather: This Essence helps you at times where you are too self-preoccupied, you may talk to others about your problem without realizing that you have buttonholed anyone of them. Heather helps you put your own suffering to good use by empathizing with others.

Holly: This Essence helps you when you feel jealousy, envy, suspicion and hatred. These feelings often come from insecurity and mental suffering and lack of ability to love. Holly helps you feel compassion, love and inner harmony.

Honeysuckle: This Essence helps you move forward when over-attached to past memories, you may feel regrets over things that happened in the past. Honeysuckle helps you move forward and to live in the present. Aging is accepted as a natural process.

Hornbeam: This Essence helps you when you have the "Monday morning feeling" all week. The weariness is rather mental than physical and it is difficult to face the day's work. Procrastinating is often as result of the mental imbalance.

Impatiens: This Essence helps you when you get impatient and irritated. Other people appear slow and inefficient and you get nervy, frustrated and impatient. Impatiens helps you relax and feel sympathetic to those who are slow. You will cope calmly and diplomatically with irritating problems.

Larch: This Essence helps you when you lack self-confidence and self esteem. You doubt your abilities and therefore do not even try. Although, you are aware, secretly, that you have potential abilities you refuse to acknowledge it and thereby avoid the risk of failure. Therefore, you tend to become discouraged and depressed. Larch helps you regain a realistic sense of self esteem and confidence, unworried about failure or success.



Mimulus: This Essence helps you when you have fear of known things, such as, fear of spiders, fear of not being good enough, fear of being old, fear of not succeeding, fear of heights, fear of public speaking etc. You might also be shy, tongue-tied in company, you might even be blushing and stammering. Mimulus helps you regain courage to face trails and difficulties with humor and confidence. You will be able to stand up for yourself, and with the emotions under control can enjoy life without fear.

Mustard: This Essence helps you when you get depressed without any reason. You feel like a black cloud suddenly appears and disappears without reason. It destroys your normal cheerfulness and everything suddenly feels utterly hopeless. Suddenly for no reason the cloud disappear and you feel cheerful again and life suddenly feels full of hope again. Mustard helps you lift the cloud so that you can enjoy life in all aspects.

Oak: This Essence helps you when are exhausted but you keep to struggling on. You are normally strong and brave, but because of your sense of duty you ignore your tiredness and do not allow yourself rest. You feel tired, frustrated, stressed and depressed. Oak helps you restore your energy and makes you recognize the need to take time off to relax and look after yourself.

Olive: This Essence helps you when you feel utterly tired both mentally and physically. Olive restore strength, vitality and interest in life.

Pine: This Essence helps you when you feel guilt and self-reproach. You may blame yourself for other people's mistakes and everything that goes wrong. Pine helps you regain energy, vitality and pleasure in life. Responsibility is accepted realistically.

Red Chestnut: This Essence helps you when you worry about the health or well-being of your loved ones. Usually the worries are un-necessary and un-welcome.



Rock Rose: This Essence helps you when you feel terror, such as after being in an accident or having a near escape, or from witnessing an accident. The fear gives you a sense of frozen fear and helplessness. Rock Rose helps you to be present in mind and act calm in emergencies.

Rock Water: This Essence helps you when you are over-conscientious and set too high standards for yourself. Rock Water helps us hold high ideals with a flexible mind.

Scleranthus: This Essence helps you when you feel uncertain and can not decide between two possibilities, such as, choosing between pizza or chicken salad. Scleranthus help you make choice without a second thought.

Star of Bethlehem: This Essence helps you when you have been through an traumatic experience both during and after, even an experience that have happened when you were a child. Star of Bethlehem neutralizes the effect of trauma.

Sweet Chestnut: This Essence helps you when you feel hopeless despair. You feel a intense sorrow and feel almost destroyed by it. You may feel on the point of nervous breakdown. Sweet Chestnut helps us to feel a sense of optimism and peace of mind.

Vervain: This Essence helps you at times that you get over-enthusiastic, you put too much effort into everything and pushes yourself beyond your physical limit. You may feel that you are burning the candle in both ends. Vervain helps you to relax both mentally and physically.

Vine: This Essence helps you when you get too dominating and inflexible. You are most likely in a position where you are the boss, but you use your power to put others down. Vine helps you see the good in others and encourage and guide without controlling them.



Walnut: This Essence helps you go through changes, such as, moving, change job or through a separation. Walnut helps you go through transitions calmly and remain steadfast in your own path. It's a great protection against negative energy from other people.

Water Violet: This Essence helps those who are private and sedate, they are mostly knowledgeable, calm and capable. The are often lonely, because they keep a distance from others and seem un-reachable.

White Chestnut: This Essence helps you when your mind is full of unwanted thoughts and mental arguments. These mental arguments can often keep you from sleeping at night. White Chestnut helps you clear your mind and get the thinking under control and can be put to positive use in problem-solving. Worry is replaced by trust in a positive outcome.

Wild Oat: This Essence helps you when you feel uncertain as to which direction to take in life, such as, choosing an career, you have reached a cross-road in life and are completely undecided as to what way to go. Wild Oat helps you get a clear picture of what to do in life, with positive idea and ambitions, and the ability to decide upon one's true path.

Wild Rose: This Essence helps you when you are resigned to an unpleasant situation, but feel to apathetic to do anything. Wild Rose helps you to regain a lively interest in life and therefore helps you find your purpose in life.

Willow: This Essence helps you at times where you feel bitterness and self-pity. You ask yourself "Why does this happen to me?" "I don't deserve this." You feel grumble and critical. Willow helps you regain faith and optimism. You will be able to forgive and forget past injustices and enjoy life. You are in control of your own destiny.

Google Bach Flower Essneces to learn more.

[CHRISTINA2378]

Good morning all!

I have a question has anyone been feeling irritable ( body wise not mind?) Today I feel so tense I feel like my mussles are going to tear.... which of course is making me cranky. I use to get this before I would start a downward spiral, I forgot how much this feeling stinks.. Any Ideas? so far I have been able to prevent the depression kicking I just hope I will keep it up.

[auntybiotic]

Does anyone know how to delete from a post? I accidently double posted one of the previous articles, I thought I was deleting the one article from the post and ended up reposting the same article not deleting it. I only have two icons at the top of the screen and neither one delets a post. Body E............I know you were able to delete.HOW???

[kbk]

Hello All:
I have stopped taking lexapro(20 mg per day ) for about six days now.
I have been on it now for about 6-8 mos and prior to that was on paxil for 2 yrs. Reasons for taking one or the other were to treat "Generalized anxiety disorder". I feel that the meds have made me feel too lax and I've gained some belly, hip and thigh fat that I never had previously. So I thought I'd take a drug "holiday" for awhile to see if motivation increases and weight decreases and too see if I really have a problem with anxiety anymore. I have been fe
eling very dizzy when I walk about; almost like I could fall over and I am experiencing something like "head rushes". Dizzy not apparent when sitting, but this weird head rush feeling still occurs. I am determined to "ride this out" but I wonder how long it will be before I feel "normal" again. Does anyone have any advice to offer?

[Miss Lee]

Is anyone elses computer glich-ing ? Something about aunty's post is causing mine to freeze??

I feel a little off today. I started to up my liver clense dose, so that may be the culprit.

Hope everyone is well today. A least it is not raining in my neck of the woods!

Miss Lee

[freddygone]

Anyone else get penis shrinkage from Lexapro?

[Scotty]

Aunty,

Thanks very much for the wealth of info! Goodness you are quite the researcher! I couldn't sleep at all last night (as the song goes) so I'm positively loopy right now. I refused to take the Lunesta because I don't like the way it makes me all hypersensitive the next day.

I went and bought some melatonin and think I'm going to give it a try tonight. Here's what I found while reseaching it.

"Melatonin produces a substance called arginine vasotocin, which inhibits cortisol, often referred to as the stress hormone and secreted by the adrenal glands.

Insomniac subjects generally have an anxious disposition and a tendency to produce too high levels of cortisol, which keeps them in an agitated state."

Pretty much describes me. Going to start with 1.5mg an hour before bedtime and see what happens.

Aunty-
The doctor said I might want to try Seroquel at a very low dose 25mg if I was jumpy and agitated at bedtime. After my experience with celexa I'm afraid to try anything else. Have any info on that?

I've actually heard Gingko Bilobo could keep you awake if taken at bed time. Lecithin most definantly helps with the shakiness. I take a teaspoon of the lecithin granules and they put me in a good state of mind for about 4 hours. Definantly can't recommend them enough.


Freddygone-
I had a very bad reaction to Celexa after just one dose and yes my member was quite shrunken for a couple of weeks but it came back.

Hope all are recovering and know my prayers are with you.

[auntybiotic]

Scotty.

I would NOT suggest SEROQUEL. A friend of mine was put on that to ease the withdrawal from PAXIL. It is 6 months later and she has gained 55 pounds without changing her eating habits. She went from a size 4 to a size 12 and is unable to stop the Seroquel.................you would be trading in one evil for another evil. All SSRI's are bad.............if you need something I personally would lean towards REMERON..............I think it is easier to stop although it still makes one gain weight.

I am curious to read your findings on Gingko keeping one awake. I would hate to hav emy daughter take it if that was the case. I have been told that it helps with sleeplessnessby decreasing cortisol.

Miss Lee,

How is your computer?
I just learned from my daughter how to cut and post but I missed up with posting doubles on a few...............I clicked and did not get a response,,so I kept clicking and ended up with multiple posts. Sorry.

[kdohl]

Man, I'm glad someone else has TMJ issues with this stuff!! I've been on Lexapro since about May, and like others have said, it nearly cured the anxiety, taking every ounce of energy with it. I was nearly lifeless, and on just 20 mg! My Dr.'s solution to my side effects was to continually increase the dosage. I was finally at 40 mg., but I was barely functional at a VERY intense new job with an advertising agency. I got so depressed at one point, like crying for days over nothing, that my Dr. added Wellbutrin back into the mix. I had been on Wellbutrin before, but quit taking because it made the anxiety worse. The combination seems to be working well so far, but as some people have mentioned when missing a dose or decreasing the dose, I feel awful pains in my head, face, and most of all, my jaws!!! The tension in my jaws is unbearable! I'm a teeth grinder in the night anyhow, but this is something else!!

****Wondered about this one too... Anyone else have issues with their eyes? I feel like I can't focus some times and find myself blinking uncontrolably like you do when you're really really tired. HOW EMBARRASING when you're trying to carry on a conversation with someone at a new job! I'm sure they think I'm LD to the core!

Anyway, Write back! I'd love to think I'm just crazy and not dillusional.

Kiley

quote:Originally posted by Chopinesque

[quest86]

Hi everyone,

Scotty -

Please take Aunty's advice and DO NOT try Seroquel for sleep. I took Seroquel along w/ Lexapro for two years and believe you me it has its downfall when it comes to stopping. Like Lexapro, there is a weaning process but not as tapered, nonetheless, you still experience withdrawal when completely stopping the drug. My after effects were that of diarrhea, headaches and insomnia, not a good thing at all because as soon as I felt better, I started to taper off the Lexapro.
Melatonin sounds like a good thing to try. It has certainly helped me get some sleep, a good five hours now. If you can try some soothing teas like Valerian Root, catnip, Chamomile before bedtime do so. Bare in mind that recovering your normal sleep pattern takes time, I learned that the hard way. Hang in there, it eventually returns.
Be well.
e.

[bodyelectric]

Aunty,

My, you've been busy. To delete a post, first you have to be logged in. Then go to your post and click on the little picture of the piece of paper with the pencil on it. Then you can delete, but it won't let you delete the whole thing, so just type something like "message deleted" where your message was, and you're good to go.

SSRI withdrawal newsletter: www.withdrawalsymptoms.us

[bodyelectric]

Oh--actually there's a better way. Once you're logged in, you can delete your whole post by clicking on the piece of paper with the trash can on it, and that will take care of it once and for all. The extra symbols don't show up unless you've logged in, though.

SSRI withdrawal newsletter: www.withdrawalsymptoms.us

[auntybiotic]

Body E.

Thanks for the deleting info. I have tried several times to sign up for your email and I keep getting "the host cannot be found"/any suggestions on what to do to get thru to you?

[bodyelectric]

Yeah, just hold tight for awhile. I'm redesigning the site into something more useful.

SSRI withdrawal newsletter: www.withdrawalsymptoms.us

[Miss Lee]

Hey-

Aunty- My computer is working again! Thanks for your concern.

So I took the full dose of that Liver clense stuff for the last two days and couldn't sleep at all. It made my trembling way worse! But on the other hand, I guess it is doing its job of cleaning up my liver. I can definatley tell the difference when I take it, I feel like the LEX is in my system again.

For the now, I seem to be stabalizing a little. I go to the nat doc today so we'll see. I am taking it one day at a time, but it is hard to not just want to look ahead.

Scotty- How are you feeling? I tried to email you back?? Did it work?

Kiley- My eyes have been very bothersome as well. You are not alone.

More later.

Miss Lee

[Miss Lee]

Got it Scotty!

Thanks!

[Brewer]

VERY BAD DAY

Brewer was here

[Brewer]

Sorry, I was just starting my post when it posted itself!

I feel like I've put on 20 pounds in less than 4 weeks. It's amazing how my body has changed since I went off Lex.

My breasts are bigger (remember, I had abnormal breast growth and lactation before!), my hips are wider and I feel awkward as hell!!! I bet I'm 2 sizes or 3 larger than normal (size 8).

Please someone tell me if this 1. Normal and 2. Will it go away?

Monday will be my 4th week off 20mg Lex cold turkey. It makes me feel very desperate and what in the hell am I doing wrong. I am eating LESS!!!


Brewer was here

[auntybiotic]

Brewster,

Have you been keeping track of weight gain with a scale? Lexapro cold turkey and tapering can cause water retention and bloating............so do you feel 20 lbs. heavier or do you actually weight 20 pounds more.

Lexapro disrupts your hormone system as well as adrenal systems and metabolism.

Imagine other things that disprupt the hormones and their side effects....

Pregnancy causes larger breast, fatigue,

Menopause causes sleeplessness, weight gain hard to lose by changing the metabolic system, moodiness, crying amd emotional outbursts, no desire for sex. etc.

PMS causes bad moods, short temper, bloating, enlarged breasts, bloated stomach, cravings for sweets.etc.

Now imagine that Lexapro use ..................then tapering or stopping lexapro................ has altered the hormones naturally occurring in the body, so that disruption can cause dramatic hormone fluctuations in men and women.

I think this is why some men are unable to reach orgasism, as well as women. In addition, the bloate bellies, wild mood swings, larger breasts, fatigue and many symptoms. Did anyone get the HYPER SEX URGE upon stopping lexapro. This in itself is proof how lexapro manipulates the bodies hormones.

The hormones can take quite awhile to readjust. I think hormone testing for men and women would be a valuable tool. Some women may test "menopausal" even though they may be 28......its all from hormone dispuption and adrenal fatigue and cortisol production. In my research...these three systems hold the key to a large part Lexapro withdrawals and the return to "normal" after a SSRI use.

The other part of withdrawls in my opinion, is due to lexapro being held in the bile of the liver and being recirculated for up to 18 months after one stops taking lexapro. The toxins can be released for a variety of reasons, many months after Lexapro was stopped, causing a return of the zaps and dizziness and other symptoms of withdrawal. For example after jogging one may feel worse due to toxins released by bile.

If the above systems can be eased back to functioning normally again................then the weigh, bloating, huge breasts, sex drives, moods and anxiety levels will go back to a more normal functioning.

Lexapro withdrawals are caused by stopping Lexapro which chemically altered many important systems in the body including, adrenal, hormonaal, metabolism and detoxification systems.

[shawns]

Hi all,
I recently switched from a few years Effexor (InEffexor) to Lexapro-10 mg ('bout 3 weeks now). After reading these posts I want to get off of it asap. It's funny to read the word "Zaps" because I never had a word for the feeling when I first started taking it. I am gaining weight like crazy and can't afford that. Does anyone think that trying to come off now (after such a short time) have any of these extreme withdrawl effects.
Thanks,
Shawn

[bodyelectric]

Brewer,

I can't find anything about Lexapro causing lactation. As Aunty pointed out, that doesn't mean it couldn't. I'll look some more. There might be something else going on, and I'll look into that, too.

To lift your spirits, I'll tell you something funny. In Sweden, lactating women sell their milk to make human breast milk cheese. It's very expensive. So, while we're trying to figure out how to make your faucets quit leaking, maybe you could set up a mail-order cheese factory. The holidays are right around the corner, afterall.

Okay -- so maybe that's not so funny from where you're sitting. I'm making light.

I'll see what I can find and get back to you before the end of the day. I think on these forums we only tend to answer the questions we have a possible explanation for. I had seen your posts but didn't know what to suggest, so I didn't say anything. I'm sorry you've been overlooked.

[bodyelectric]

About the weight gain -- from reading old posts, looks like some people gain weight and some people lose weight when coming off or going on lex. The Lexapro site says that weight change is not "clinically significant," which only means that you won't gain or lose so fast that it threatens your life (25 lbs in two weeks, for example). That doesn't mean that it won't turn you into a blimp or a rail over the course of a few months.

[bodyelectric]

Here are possible causes of abnormal lactation: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/003154.htm

I found another article that says that tricyclic antidepressants can cause it, but nothing yet on SSRIs. The pill can also cause it.

Did you say you had this before you started Lexapro? Or before you quit Lexapro?

[Brewer]

BE-
I started 20mg of Lex 3 years ago for post partum and GAD. The weight has slowly piled on but the last week I've been amazed.

Last year my doctor added Norpramin to give me more energy. Not long after my breasts started growing but I didn't tie the two together.

By spring I was at a d, now I'm a dd and lactating!

Several doctors were stumped because my blood levels are all normal. Now I'm seeing an endocrinologist and he took me off Norpramin first. Then the Lex. Monday I will be off Lex for 4 weeks. I went cold turkey off 20mg but my doctor didn't seem concerned.

Since I went off I've been taking Omega 3, Barley Powder, Bromocriptine (to stop lactation), I'm also taking Westhroid and Flexeril.

To top it all off I'm a TV anchor that specializes in health!!! And the camera adds 10 - 15 pounds. I'm so embarrassed I can't stand the thought of getting dressed.

I've heard lots of people talk about weight gain, but no one seems to have had success losing it! Very discouraging.

Brewer was here

[bodyelectric]

There you have it, then. Norpramin is a tricyclic antidepressant. I looked it up, and breast enlargement, lactation, and weight gain are all documented side effects of Norpramin.

Do you have a thyroid problem? That could also be a factor.

My guess is that the Norpramin effects will go away over time. Sounds like it took quite awhile before you started lactating, so it might be awhile before you stop.

My weight has fluctuated considerably since coming off Lexapro, but all within a 10-lb range. So long as you keep eating right and stay active, you should be alright over time. But again, a thyroid imbalance could keep all the dieting and exercise you do from having much of an effect.

SSRI withdrawal newsletter: www.withdrawalsymptoms.us

[bodyelectric]

More findings --

Westhroid can also cause weight gain.

Flexeril can cause puffiness in the face, making you feel heavier than you are.

Some drugs can keep bromocriptine from working. The pill, for instance, will keep it from working. It apparently can take weeks for bromocriptine to work anyway.

Take a look at the possible drug interactions on the different sites. I think you'll be fine, so hang tight.

[bodyelectric]

quest86--

Anything new with the itchiness? It could be caused by an allergic reaction to one of the new supplements you're taking.

It can also be caused by decreased bloodflow (Mg, Ca and potassium can help, so can Gatorade and lots of water, and quitting smoking if that's an issue).

It can also be caused by decreased serotonin. You're already taking 5-HTP, so you might consider SAMe, also. If your muscles start twitching, you get agitated or moody(er), or you start getting confused, STOP 5-HTP and SAMe. Too much serotonin (serotonin syndrome) is very dangerous. And if you are someone else reading this, absolutely do not go on 5-HTP if you haven't been totally off the antidepressant for at least a week or two.

I've found SAMe very helpful (2nd to omega-3), though there is some debate whether or not you should take it while still on an antidepressant. Some studies show it can really help boost your antidepressant's effects. Others say it could lead to serotonin syndrome, which you really don't want. And if you ever have mania or hypomania, you certainly don't want to take it.