The Diet Cure / The Mood Cure... - Page 2

Looweewoo · 10-22-2009, 11:03 AM

I bought and have been taking those things which applied to the problems I had before starting Low Carb Dieting. I'm taking L-Glutamine, L-Tyrosine and 5HTP and I have increased my D-3.

So far nothing except I seem to have felt a little lift at one point. Who knows, feelings are so subjective.

lighterbeing · 10-22-2009, 11:19 AM

There is another book that is really good, along the same lines. I read it several years ago and started using 5-HTP then, along with a few other supplements that were helpful. It is "Natural Highs" by Hyla Cass, M.D. She has since written several other books, I just noticed when I looked into her books in Amazon. Really good information concerning using natural substances vs. chemical substances (pharmaceuticals).

Indychick829 · 10-23-2009, 06:58 AM

Ok - just a quick update...my HTP-5 finally came in the mail yesterday!

Last night I took ONE 100 mg pill when I came home from work...I think I felt pretty good last night! mood-wise...lol but that coulda been the placebo affect.

I did NOT use my valerian root to go to sleep last night - and as usual I was tossing/turning like freakin' crazy - but I do NOT expect it to work like *that* (snaps fingers) from one pill...so I am gonig to try and keep track of my sleeping from now on with only JUST taking one 100 mg 5-HTP pill and see if it makes a difference...if - in two weeks it does not, I will up it to two pills (which I think is about the most one should take, from what I've read...

I will keep everyone updated!

I do plan on buying some L-Tyrosine as well - I THINK...as I have a LOT of focus problems...but I'm going to wait til I'm done with both books to decide which other supplement to get whether I feel like I would do better with the L-Tyrosine or the GABA - but I don't want to go too crazy on the supplements. who knows though. so we'll see!

Indychick829 · 11-01-2009, 09:53 PM

ok - so it's been one week now that I've been taking the 5-HTP and I wanted ro report that i honestly think I'm stopping this pill. I really had high hopes for it as it seems to work for so many people - but I have had TWO nights now (including tonight) where I've had a mini anxiety attack and extremely uncomfortable, unplessant thoughts.

I really don't think it's helping with my insomnia and I honestly do not want to keep taking something that I think has been making me have these weird thoughts.

I hope that others who are taking this it really helps them - but after doing a google search and finding a few others who talked about this giving them the same side effect, I am def. stopping it.

Looweewoo · 11-01-2009, 10:25 PM

Sounds like a good plan to me!

DiamondDeb · 11-01-2009, 10:41 PM

Great book, very sound advice on supplements, dosages and timing.

Taking them correctly can make the difference between no results and great results. I found that out over night when I started following her suggestions a few years ago.

DiamondDeb · 11-01-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indychick829

ok - so it's been one week now that I've been taking the 5-HTP and I wanted ro report that i honestly think I'm stopping this pill. I really had high hopes for it as it seems to work for so many people - but I have had TWO nights now (including tonight) where I've had a mini anxiety attack and extremely uncomfortable, unplessant thoughts.

I really don't think it's helping with my insomnia and I honestly do not want to keep taking something that I think has been making me have these weird thoughts.

I hope that others who are taking this it really helps them - but after doing a google search and finding a few others who talked about this giving them the same side effect, I am def. stopping it.

Yes, I'd discontinue it. If it was going to help you'd have noticed right away as she mentions in the book.

You could not get 50mg capsules? 100mg might be too much for you. You could also try some of the other supplements suggested. Also small doses of more than one of them often works better than a higher dose of just one.

cleochatra · 11-02-2009, 06:41 AM

Def stop taking it. If you have essentially the opposite results that you're supposed to have, you don't need that particular amino.

Once I took GABA and could stop my leg from bouncing for over two hours.

ETA: If you took 100mg at a time, that's more than you need. She recommends only 50 mg doses. While those are harder to find, they are available.

Indychick829 · 11-02-2009, 06:48 AM

yeah - I'm disappointed that it's not working for me the way it works for everyone else - but obviously I know when something is making me feel weird and I did NOT like how I felt last night...I've never had a full blown anxiety attack - so I'm not sure what one actually feels like - but last night I think I was very close. it was scary.

I am still reading her book and may try something else later on - but I'm sticking with my vitamin regime for now and maybe in a few months try something else.

As far as my sleep goes, I'll stick with the valerian root for now.

I am sure this stuff works for other people - and with anything you can really only try it for yourself and see what, if any, side effects you get - or if the product delivers what it says it will. For me, unfortunately, it did not.

thanks all!

cleochatra · 11-02-2009, 06:51 AM

If it makes you feel any better, 5-HTP makes hubby dizzy, so he can't have it. But that's ok! It means you both don't need it!

Lillianna · 11-02-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indychick829

yeah - I'm disappointed that it's not working for me the way it works for everyone else - but obviously I know when something is making me feel weird and I did NOT like how I felt last night...I've never had a full blown anxiety attack - so I'm not sure what one actually feels like - but last night I think I was very close. it was scary.

I am still reading her book and may try something else later on - but I'm sticking with my vitamin regime for now and maybe in a few months try something else.

As far as my sleep goes, I'll stick with the valerian root for now.

I am sure this stuff works for other people - and with anything you can really only try it for yourself and see what, if any, side effects you get - or if the product delivers what it says it will. For me, unfortunately, it did not.

thanks all!

5-htp had me so wired that I never slept all night. I stupidly took it for two more nights thinking that if it worked for everyone else it had to work for me... I have chronic insomnia.

I did just get the book but haven't had the time to read it much yet. I should bring it to bed with me tonight for that 2:00am - 5:00am block.

I, too, have focus issues, and was diagnosed with ADD a few years ago. Have you tried SAM-e? It's one of the few things that helps my mood/focus without making me wired. What I did get from the Mood Cure is that my problem is probably a dopamine deficiency--I had read that before. I tried the Tyrosine before with mixed results --I should give it another try. As I recall, it helped my focus but gave me a headache.

Good luck in trying to figure it all out...

Indychick829 · 11-02-2009, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lillianna

5-htp had me so wired that I never slept all night. I stupidly took it for two more nights thinking that if it worked for everyone else it had to work for me... I have chronic insomnia.

I did just get the book but haven't had the time to read it much yet. I should bring it to bed with me tonight for that 2:00am - 5:00am block.

I, too, have focus issues, and was diagnosed with ADD a few years ago. Have you tried SAM-e? It's one of the few things that helps my mood/focus without making me wired. What I did get from the Mood Cure is that my problem is probably a dopamine deficiency--I had read that before. I tried the Tyrosine before with mixed results --I should give it another try. As I recall, it helped my focus but gave me a headache.

Good luck in trying to figure it all out...

yeah - i was actually just reading on another forum about dopamine deficiancy and it really sounds like that is much more what my issue is.

i can sometimes have a very "flat" mood - lousy working memory - focus issues - foggy and spacy - some small things tick me off but other big things do not.

my insomnia and sleep issues are usually...MOST nights I toss and turn so much and constantly wake up every few hours (2, 4, 6 a.m....)
there are some nights I feel like I get sleep (maybe 4-5 hours TOPS all in a row) - but for the most part yeah it's tossing/turning/getting up to go to the bathroom every few hours. THAT is what most of my nights are.

my husband HATES how he'll tell me something and I turn around and forget it 5 minutes later.

some days ALL i can think about / focus on is my diet and these boards and ideas I get into my head instead of work or housework or things I SHOULD be focusing on...

so I dunno - it'd be nice just to feel 'normal'.

ya know?

also - the third night I took 5htp - i didn't mention that I DID take TWO of the 100 mg pills...and i did not sleep at ALL that night!

Houston Heather · 11-02-2009, 07:44 PM

Indy, you sound so much like me 8 years ago it is SCARY.

"Oh, natural supplements will help me".

In my case, it's like trying to put out a forest fire with a shot glass. In fact, the 5-HTP harmed me, I started having far more extreme manias and went from type two bipolar to type one.

They MIGHT help you, but I hate to think that someone with mental illness would rather self medicate with OTC supplements (like I did for YEARS) than get real help with pharmaceuticals.

Sure, you could end up with a side effect or two, but nothing in life is safe. You could choke on a bite of steak. You could develop a food allergy. You could get hit by a car while walking to work.

My medication is a LOT cheaper than the supplements, MILLIONS of times more effective... my only regret is I let myself suffer so long.

I guess I just have the opinion: if it's bad enough that you are willing to buy a book, and a bunch of supplements, than it's probably bad enough for you to see a psychiatrist and get some medication.

I came so close to the edge, so many times, with violent and self-destructive behavior, taking those "natural supplements". I am absolutely convinced the 5-HTP played a significant role in the progression of my illness from type 2 to type 1 - and it's proven hard to manage as a result.

I hate, hate, hate the thought of someone suffering like I did, too afraid to face the fact that I needed a prescription or two.

cleochatra · 11-03-2009, 06:32 AM

Bi-polar, Ross states, is definitely NOT treatable with aminos. You are definitely dealing with a different set of circumstances, Heather. {{{Heather}}} I applaud you for getting the assistance you need.

I understand what you're saying--people should make sure a condition is not something more serious, as with bi-polar, prior to embarking on an amino journey.

In my opinion, many many people suffering from only seratonin issues do not need medication. They need a natural intervention. So many friends who I have told about Ross' book are better now because of her mandates. When I realized I was bummed enough to talk to the doctor about Zoloft, I was thankful fawn put me onto Ross' book. I've never felt better!

Most psychiatric drugs for seratonin issues cause more side effects than they're worth. The aminos are what we're supposed to produce naturally, but often can't due to damage done to the body after years of the standard high carb diet short circuiting the good brain emotions.

Lillianna · 11-03-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indychick829

yeah - i was actually just reading on another forum about dopamine deficiancy and it really sounds like that is much more what my issue is.

i can sometimes have a very "flat" mood - lousy working memory - focus issues - foggy and spacy - some small things tick me off but other big things do not.

my insomnia and sleep issues are usually...MOST nights I toss and turn so much and constantly wake up every few hours (2, 4, 6 a.m....)
there are some nights I feel like I get sleep (maybe 4-5 hours TOPS all in a row) - but for the most part yeah it's tossing/turning/getting up to go to the bathroom every few hours. THAT is what most of my nights are.

my husband HATES how he'll tell me something and I turn around and forget it 5 minutes later.

some days ALL i can think about / focus on is my diet and these boards and ideas I get into my head instead of work or housework or things I SHOULD be focusing on...

so I dunno - it'd be nice just to feel 'normal'.

ya know?

also - the third night I took 5htp - i didn't mention that I DID take TWO of the 100 mg pills...and i did not sleep at ALL that night!

Wow--we must be twins--you just described me to a T--especially the part about having a "flat" mood and spacey memory. If my boss wasn't so sweet I would have been fired long ago. She keeps lightening my work load because I don't get anything done--I'm surfing the net all day--because this diet/health stuff fascinates me and my job doesn't! I feel so guilty but my ADD makes it impossible for me to focus on things I'm not interested in. The SAM-e helps a little, though. I've also found that Co-Q10 helps with my energy levels.
Sometimes I wonder how much the insomnia has to do with my spacey-brain. If I could just get some sleep I'd probably do a lot better. Your sleep habits are exactly like mine. Do you have trouble falling asleep initially? I never do--I'm out like a light and typically wide awake 3 hours later...then awake for 2 hours, in a light sleep for an hour, then awake again, all night long. If I'm in bed for 10 hours I might get 6 hours of sleep; usually it's 4 or 5hours of broken sleep on an average night.
I won't give up trying to figure this out --If I find something that helps I'll let you know!

Indychick829 · 11-03-2009, 06:55 AM

Houston Heather:
I totally understand what you area saying - and - I actually work in the pharmaceutical research industry...so while part of me truly thinks that society in general is "over-medicated" I also, obviously, understand and agree that SOME prescriptions drugs truly DO wonders for people...and I too applaud you for being able to control your own issues by having found the medications that do work for you.

However I absolutely agree with Cleo as well - as long as the symptoms are not truly serious or life-threatening in any way, natural cures are the way to go, if they can be done right.

In my instance, I tried the 5htp and had a bad side effect. So I learned that this one is NOT the amino I am lacking. I truly believe I am lacking in some sort of amino, though - as my sleep suffers, I have lack of focus, OCD tendencies and bad short term memory...but I do not feel that any of these issues I am dealing with are life-threatening in any way nor do they require a doc's attention.

I have brought up my sleep to my doc before and she suggested the melatonin - which some nights work, some nights don't...being that I AM ocd - i'm actually going to start (starting this morning) a journal with everything in it from how I slept the night before (whether or not I remember waking up every other hour to if I took melatonin or valerian or nothing...)

Right now I'm not taking any aminos as I just don't have any extra $$$ to spend and I have such a big regimine of vitamins as it is...lol so instead I'm gonig to journal my days and nights to see if there's any patterns as to when I DO get a good night's sleep and when I don't - and also what I ate during the day before, etc...(this will also help with my woe as i haven't journaled in MONTHS! lol)

I really like Ross's books and have found another forum, too, which is pretty much only about "natural cures" - st. john's wort, 5htp, etc...

So we shall see!

Indychick829 · 11-03-2009, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lillianna

Wow--we must be twins--you just described me to a T--especially the part about having a "flat" mood and spacey memory. If my boss wasn't so sweet I would have been fired long ago. She keeps lightening my work load because I don't get anything done--I'm surfing the net all day--because this diet/health stuff fascinates me and my job doesn't! I feel so guilty but my ADD makes it impossible for me to focus on things I'm not interested in. The SAM-e helps a little, though. I've also found that Co-Q10 helps with my energy levels.
Sometimes I wonder how much the insomnia has to do with my spacey-brain. If I could just get some sleep I'd probably do a lot better. Your sleep habits are exactly like mine. Do you have trouble falling asleep initially? I never do--I'm out like a light and typically wide awake 3 hours later...then awake for 2 hours, in a light sleep for an hour, then awake again, all night long. If I'm in bed for 10 hours I might get 6 hours of sleep; usually it's 4 or 5hours of broken sleep on an average night.
I won't give up trying to figure this out --If I find something that helps I'll let you know!

ack!!!!! are we the same person?! lol. yeaaaaah - I've had a LOT of "downtime" in the past 3 months while training for my new position - and some days I'm so afraid I'm gonna get caught (hey, i'm posting at work right now! lol) constantly either being on this board or finding a new recipe or blogging on my blog...but i'm also a great multi-tasker - so that's one thing I have going is that I DO get my work done!

I truly LOVE my job and couldn't be happier here - and want to learn as much as possible...but most days I just am so focused on finding that next great recipe or "tweak" that I can do to this lifestlye...

yeah - the flat mood thing has only been pretty recent...it's weird because sometimes I'll have these thoughts in my head and try to think of whether or not certain situations would truly affect me...I used to be SO incredibly sensitive to EVERYTHING I'd cry at the drop of a hat - and a few years ago, about 6 months before I met my now husband - I broke up with a guy and literally cried for 4 months straight! every single day for 4 months...yet now I don't know if I even HAVE any more tears left in me for certain things, sometimes.

yet then there are days when a song on the radio will make me tear up.

As far as me falling asleep - most days I do - some days I don't. Some nights I'm literally laying there until 2 or 3 a.m. and other nights I'm out at 11. It's pretty sporadic throughout the week. It's more the STAYING asleep which is my issue. and what you described sounds like me the most...

Quote:

Do you have trouble falling asleep initially? I never do--I'm out like a light and typically wide awake 3 hours later...then awake for 2 hours, in a light sleep for an hour, then awake again, all night long.

So I don't know. I do know that my sleep truly affects how I am at work though! Like I said, I just got a new position - and in my other position (which I loved the work, but had issues with co-workers...) I'd come in around 9 but EVERYONE knew NOT to talk to me til after 10! This was more due to the fact that I had a huge issue with one of my co-workers, specifically...(who i still in a round-about way work with but sit VERY far away from now! lol) - but I didn't realize that my sleep issues as well as hearing issues (whole other set of issues, i just got a hearing aid, long story short)...were to blame.

So now that I've moved positions and cubes I really try to do my best at being social in the mornings. I HATE when people ask me, "good morning, how are you today?" i don't know how I am - my day just started! grrrrr.
i'm just not a people person - but I AM trying...

so yeahhhh. anyways - you ever wanna pm me, please do!

Portia · 11-03-2009, 02:15 PM

I just got this book today from the library and can't wait to read it.

10-23-2009, 06:58 AM	#33
Indychick829 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 490 Gallery: Indychick829 Stats: Highest-217. starting-197/current-166/goal-160 WOE: Atkins (5'8" - current size 11/12) Start Date: January 2009. Currently in Pre-Maintenance	Ok - just a quick update...my HTP-5 finally came in the mail yesterday! Last night I took ONE 100 mg pill when I came home from work...I think I felt pretty good last night! mood-wise...lol but that coulda been the placebo affect. I did NOT use my valerian root to go to sleep last night - and as usual I was tossing/turning like freakin' crazy - but I do NOT expect it to work like that (snaps fingers) from one pill...so I am gonig to try and keep track of my sleeping from now on with only JUST taking one 100 mg 5-HTP pill and see if it makes a difference...if - in two weeks it does not, I will up it to two pills (which I think is about the most one should take, from what I've read... I will keep everyone updated! I do plan on buying some L-Tyrosine as well - I THINK...as I have a LOT of focus problems...but I'm going to wait til I'm done with both books to decide which other supplement to get whether I feel like I would do better with the L-Tyrosine or the GABA - but I don't want to go too crazy on the supplements. who knows though. so we'll see! __________________ Read my story / blog @: Livin' and Lovin' the Low Carb Life Proud member of my own "PETA"... People. Eating. Tasty. Animals High wt: 220 lbs (2003) - Low wt: 160 lbs (2004) Started Atkins @ 197 (January 2009) Current - 167 (September 2009) Goal - 160 (??)

11-02-2009, 06:41 AM	#38
cleochatra Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,322 Gallery: cleochatra WOE: organic, baby!	Def stop taking it. If you have essentially the opposite results that you're supposed to have, you don't need that particular amino. Once I took GABA and could stop my leg from bouncing for over two hours. ETA: If you took 100mg at a time, that's more than you need. She recommends only 50 mg doses. While those are harder to find, they are available. Last edited by cleochatra; 11-02-2009 at 06:42 AM..

11-02-2009, 07:44 PM	#43
Houston Heather Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 8,921 Gallery: Houston Heather Stats: 228/169/160 Waist: 42/31/31 WOE: Atkins 2002 Ongoing Weight Loss/pre maintenance Start Date: Feb 26, 2008 (second and last time)	Indy, you sound so much like me 8 years ago it is SCARY. "Oh, natural supplements will help me". In my case, it's like trying to put out a forest fire with a shot glass. In fact, the 5-HTP harmed me, I started having far more extreme manias and went from type two bipolar to type one. They MIGHT help you, but I hate to think that someone with mental illness would rather self medicate with OTC supplements (like I did for YEARS) than get real help with pharmaceuticals. Sure, you could end up with a side effect or two, but nothing in life is safe. You could choke on a bite of steak. You could develop a food allergy. You could get hit by a car while walking to work. My medication is a LOT cheaper than the supplements, MILLIONS of times more effective... my only regret is I let myself suffer so long. I guess I just have the opinion: if it's bad enough that you are willing to buy a book, and a bunch of supplements, than it's probably bad enough for you to see a psychiatrist and get some medication. I came so close to the edge, so many times, with violent and self-destructive behavior, taking those "natural supplements". I am absolutely convinced the 5-HTP played a significant role in the progression of my illness from type 2 to type 1 - and it's proven hard to manage as a result. I hate, hate, hate the thought of someone suffering like I did, too afraid to face the fact that I needed a prescription or two. __________________ Don't just weigh, measure too! I'll be praying for you! (James 5:16) "From the beginning, you have made a refreshing jug of lemonade from all the lemons that life pitched your way."Zer "Look at you! You're a walking picnic!" - looking in my purse Learn about Bipolar Disorder Learn about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome I have tested thee in the furnace of affliction - Isaiah 48:10 Perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed 2 Cor. 4:9

11-03-2009, 06:32 AM	#44
cleochatra Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,322 Gallery: cleochatra WOE: organic, baby!	Bi-polar, Ross states, is definitely NOT treatable with aminos. You are definitely dealing with a different set of circumstances, Heather. {{{Heather}}} I applaud you for getting the assistance you need. I understand what you're saying--people should make sure a condition is not something more serious, as with bi-polar, prior to embarking on an amino journey. In my opinion, many many people suffering from only seratonin issues do not need medication. They need a natural intervention. So many friends who I have told about Ross' book are better now because of her mandates. When I realized I was bummed enough to talk to the doctor about Zoloft, I was thankful fawn put me onto Ross' book. I've never felt better! Most psychiatric drugs for seratonin issues cause more side effects than they're worth. The aminos are what we're supposed to produce naturally, but often can't due to damage done to the body after years of the standard high carb diet short circuiting the good brain emotions. __________________ The Lighter Side of Low Carb blog Over 150 recipes, now organized Last edited by cleochatra; 11-03-2009 at 06:35 AM..

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10-22-2009, 11:03 AM	#31
Looweewoo MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,332 Blog Entries: 25 Gallery: Looweewoo Stats: 420/335/325/250 - 6'2" WOE: Carnivore / T2 Diabetic Start Date: Restart 10/17/2009 The best is yet to come!	I bought and have been taking those things which applied to the problems I had before starting Low Carb Dieting. I'm taking L-Glutamine, L-Tyrosine and 5HTP and I have increased my D-3. So far nothing except I seem to have felt a little lift at one point. Who knows, feelings are so subjective.

10-22-2009, 11:19 AM	#32
lighterbeing Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kennesaw, Ga. Posts: 318 Gallery: lighterbeing Stats: 260/244/160 WOE: Atkins with extra Veggies Start Date: June 2009	There is another book that is really good, along the same lines. I read it several years ago and started using 5-HTP then, along with a few other supplements that were helpful. It is "Natural Highs" by Hyla Cass, M.D. She has since written several other books, I just noticed when I looked into her books in Amazon. Really good information concerning using natural substances vs. chemical substances (pharmaceuticals).

11-01-2009, 09:53 PM	#34
Indychick829 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 490 Gallery: Indychick829 Stats: Highest-217. starting-197/current-166/goal-160 WOE: Atkins (5'8" - current size 11/12) Start Date: January 2009. Currently in Pre-Maintenance	ok - so it's been one week now that I've been taking the 5-HTP and I wanted ro report that i honestly think I'm stopping this pill. I really had high hopes for it as it seems to work for so many people - but I have had TWO nights now (including tonight) where I've had a mini anxiety attack and extremely uncomfortable, unplessant thoughts. I really don't think it's helping with my insomnia and I honestly do not want to keep taking something that I think has been making me have these weird thoughts. I hope that others who are taking this it really helps them - but after doing a google search and finding a few others who talked about this giving them the same side effect, I am def. stopping it.

11-01-2009, 10:25 PM	#35
Looweewoo MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,332 Blog Entries: 25 Gallery: Looweewoo Stats: 420/335/325/250 - 6'2" WOE: Carnivore / T2 Diabetic Start Date: Restart 10/17/2009 The best is yet to come!	Sounds like a good plan to me!

11-01-2009, 10:41 PM	#36
DiamondDeb Fat Burning Machine Extraordinaire! Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 53,809 Gallery: DiamondDeb	Great book, very sound advice on supplements, dosages and timing. Taking them correctly can make the difference between no results and great results. I found that out over night when I started following her suggestions a few years ago.

11-02-2009, 06:48 AM	#39
Indychick829 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 490 Gallery: Indychick829 Stats: Highest-217. starting-197/current-166/goal-160 WOE: Atkins (5'8" - current size 11/12) Start Date: January 2009. Currently in Pre-Maintenance	yeah - I'm disappointed that it's not working for me the way it works for everyone else - but obviously I know when something is making me feel weird and I did NOT like how I felt last night...I've never had a full blown anxiety attack - so I'm not sure what one actually feels like - but last night I think I was very close. it was scary. I am still reading her book and may try something else later on - but I'm sticking with my vitamin regime for now and maybe in a few months try something else. As far as my sleep goes, I'll stick with the valerian root for now. I am sure this stuff works for other people - and with anything you can really only try it for yourself and see what, if any, side effects you get - or if the product delivers what it says it will. For me, unfortunately, it did not. thanks all!

11-02-2009, 06:51 AM	#40
cleochatra Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,322 Gallery: cleochatra WOE: organic, baby!	If it makes you feel any better, 5-HTP makes hubby dizzy, so he can't have it. But that's ok! It means you both don't need it!

11-03-2009, 06:55 AM	#46
Indychick829 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 490 Gallery: Indychick829 Stats: Highest-217. starting-197/current-166/goal-160 WOE: Atkins (5'8" - current size 11/12) Start Date: January 2009. Currently in Pre-Maintenance	Houston Heather: I totally understand what you area saying - and - I actually work in the pharmaceutical research industry...so while part of me truly thinks that society in general is "over-medicated" I also, obviously, understand and agree that SOME prescriptions drugs truly DO wonders for people...and I too applaud you for being able to control your own issues by having found the medications that do work for you. However I absolutely agree with Cleo as well - as long as the symptoms are not truly serious or life-threatening in any way, natural cures are the way to go, if they can be done right. In my instance, I tried the 5htp and had a bad side effect. So I learned that this one is NOT the amino I am lacking. I truly believe I am lacking in some sort of amino, though - as my sleep suffers, I have lack of focus, OCD tendencies and bad short term memory...but I do not feel that any of these issues I am dealing with are life-threatening in any way nor do they require a doc's attention. I have brought up my sleep to my doc before and she suggested the melatonin - which some nights work, some nights don't...being that I AM ocd - i'm actually going to start (starting this morning) a journal with everything in it from how I slept the night before (whether or not I remember waking up every other hour to if I took melatonin or valerian or nothing...) Right now I'm not taking any aminos as I just don't have any extra $$$ to spend and I have such a big regimine of vitamins as it is...lol so instead I'm gonig to journal my days and nights to see if there's any patterns as to when I DO get a good night's sleep and when I don't - and also what I ate during the day before, etc...(this will also help with my woe as i haven't journaled in MONTHS! lol) I really like Ross's books and have found another forum, too, which is pretty much only about "natural cures" - st. john's wort, 5htp, etc... So we shall see!

11-03-2009, 02:15 PM	#48
Portia Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 3,134 Blog Entries: 4 Gallery: Portia Stats: 244/240/199 WOE: LC Start Date: 9/1/09	I just got this book today from the library and can't wait to read it.