Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Has anyone here noticed that their asthma symptoms have changed since being on Flovent.  I am talking about when you are actually having some asthma trouble.  I notice that my attacks come on slower now and less frequent with Flovent – and I also notice that the symptoms tend to be different.  Before Flovent my asthma symptoms always started with a tightness in my upperchest and a definite Wheezing.  Now I find they seem to start lower down in the chest – feels likea tightness in the lower back actually – and I don’t get wheezing as much as I just feel short of breath.  I wondered if I was along in this sensation.

If it’s helping, I don’t see it. I’ve had three bouts of bronchitis since Sept. Helen

Response:

CarolR hit it right on the head. After being on Flovent for about a year, my symptoms changed from having chest tightness to a feeling only my small airways were slowly closing on me.  Atrovent, by the way, takes care of "that" feeling much better then Albuterol….

Response:

Has anyone here noticed that their asthma symptoms have changed since being on Flovent.  I am talking about when you are actually having some asthma trouble.  I notice that my attacks come on slower now and less frequent with Flovent – and I also notice that the symptoms tend to be different.  Before Flovent my asthma symptoms always started with a tightness in my upperchest and a definite Wheezing.  Now I find they seem to start lower down in the chest – feels likea tightness in the lower back actually – and I don’t get wheezing as much as I just feel short of breath.  I wondered if I was along in this sensation.

I get the tightness and feel short of breath also.  I rarely ever wheeze anymore.  I don’t get the typical asthma attacks.  I almost feel like only my small bronchioles are affected now rather than the large bronchus.  Kinda weird . CarolR

Response:

Has anyone here noticed that their asthma symptoms have changed since being on Flovent.  I am talking about when you are actually having some asthma trouble.  I notice that my attacks come on slower now and less frequent with Flovent – and I also notice that the symptoms tend to be different.  Before Flovent my asthma symptoms always started with a tightness in my upperchest and a definite Wheezing.  Now I find they seem to start lower down in the chest – feels likea tightness in the lower back actually – and I don’t get wheezing as much as I just feel short of breath.  I wondered if I was along in this sensation.

Response:

Question:

Can anyone tell me if Pulmicort is as effective as I have heard from people? Side effects?  I am currently on intal, becloforte and singulair but my asthma is not completly controlled. Thanks Scott

Response:

Dear Scott, Pulmicort is approximately the same potency as Becloforte.  The most significant difference between them is that Becloforte is a traditional spray inhaler and Pulmicort is a dry powder inhaler without aerosol propellant.  Some people find that dry powder inhalers are much easier to use than an aerosol.  Many people find it difficult to inhale from spray front moving at more than 100 kilometers per hour.  For such people, switching to Pulmicort (or a comparable dry powder inhaler like Flovent Diskus) can improve asthma control.  If patients can use an aerosol inhaler and a dry powder inhaler with equal ease, Becloforte and Pulmicort will generally produce similar clinical benefit.  Has your doctor, pharmacist or other caregiver watched you using your inhaler to be sure that you can use it adequately? Your treatment regimen seems a bit confused.  Most asthma experts find that there is little benefit from adding Intal to a high concentration inhaled steroid like Becloforte.  Is your asthma being monitored by a specialist? Good luck. — Kenneth Chapman Director Asthma Centre of The Toronto Hospital Professor of Medicine University of Toronto

Response:

I have moderate asthma and have been on Pulmicort since 2/98.  I used to take Flovent 220mcg.  I was switched to Pulmicort as it did not have the systemic steroid side effects as Flovent. I have found Pulmicort to be very effective in controlling my asthma.  It has been used in europe for years prior to being approved for use here in the States.

Response:

One thing that is important is the way you take the medication. Do not tip the inhaler upward when delivering a dose.  It is easier to tip you head back slightly to open the airway and inhale the medication. It take a little time to get used to using this inhaler versus the propellant type inhaler we where all used to taking.  Good Luck!  

Response:

Can anyone tell me if Pulmicort is as effective as I have heard from people? Side effects?  I am currently on intal, becloforte and singulair but my asthma is not completly controlled. Thanks Scott If you would like current and past scientific research material, then I

suggest you refer to the internet site http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/freemedl.html and then click on INTERNET GRATEFUL MED and enter in the Query Terms: pulmicort, side effects, and efficacy, which should result in 17 articles you can look up in your nearest health science library or you can get an overview of the information by reading the abstracts. Budesonide, generic for Pulmicort,  is the first corticosteroid dry powder inhaler for the maintenance treatment of asthma that is used in prophylactic drug therapy. The usual dosage is 2-3 puffs per day in which there is 200mcg/puff. The drug should improve nighttime symptoms and reduce the dependence on direct beta-2-agonist bronchodilators such as albuterol sulfate. The most common associated side effects are respiratory infection, headache, orad candidiasis, dysphonia, and pharyngitis, but inhaled corticosteroids are relatively safe and effective anti-inflammatory medications. However, as with any medication, your doctor should monitor your drug therapy and any switches/add-ons to your current medications. Also, a common consumer complaint is that the drug is very fine so you might not see the drug inhalation. Intal, a mast cell stabilizer, and Singulair, a leukotriene modifier, act on different steps of the body’s reaction asthmatic attacks. There are other internet sites available to consumer such as http://www.rxmed.com and http://www.fda.gov that provide helpful new and past drug information, including clinical trial information, dosage available, drug interactions, and contraindications. If you click on http://www.pslgroup.com/ASTMA.HTM, there are over 50 internet sites that are linked including the American Lung Association and more discussion groups available. Also, http//www.publinet.it/pol/cmol/steroids/htm has individual drug monographs available on other asthma drug medications. Finally, Pulmicort should be more effective then your current medications, and if you use it chromically, it should help you to control the asthma to improve your quality of life.                                                         Bly I hope the information I suggested will be helpful to you, but I cannot make any guarantees as to its accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or relevance to your particular situation. There is no substitute for having an ongoing, two-way dialogue with a licensed health professional whom you know and trust. Good luck.

Response:

Can anyone tell me if Pulmicort is as effective as I have heard from people? Side effects?  I am currently on intal, becloforte and singulair but my asthma is not completly controlled. Thanks Scott If you would like current and past scientific research material, then I

suggest you refer to the internet site www.nlm..nih.gov./databases/freemedl.html  then click on INTERNET GRATEFUL MED and enter in the Query Terms: pulmicort, side effects, and efficacy, which should result in 17 articles you can look up in your nearest health science library or you can get an overview of the information by reading the abstracts. Budesonide, generic for If you would like current and past scientific research material, then I suggest you refer to the internet site Pulmicort,  is the first corticosteroid dry powder inhaler for the maintenance treatment of asthma that is used in prophylactic drug therapy. The usual dosage is 2-3 puffs per day in which there is 200mcg/puff. The drug should improve nighttime symptoms and reduce the dependence on direct beta-2-agonist bronchodilators such as albuterol sulfate. The most common associated side effects are respiratory infection, headache, orad candidiasis, dysphonia, and pharyngitis, but inhaled corticosteroids are relatively safe and effective anti-inflammatory medications. However, as with any medication, your doctor should monitor your drug therapy and any switches/add-ons to your current medications. Also, a common consumer complaint is that the drug is very fine so you might not see the drug inhalation. Intal, a mast cell stabilizer, and Singulair, a leukotriene modifier, act on different steps of the body

Question:

My doctor prescribed accolate initially but it didn’t seem to have an effect for me so I asked about changing to singulair.  He willingly wrote the rx for singulair but said he preferred accolate because of the 12 hr interval vs. 24 hr.  For me singulair seems to have been efficacious.   Does anybody know if singulair is more slowly metabolized or is its affinity for leukotrienes that much higher?

Randy interesting question and will be look for opinions but  I just had a quick comment, I had to go to my computers Thesaurus to find out what efficacious was.  Please when you have great questions, don’t confuse me with too much intelligence, especially after a long day, Thanks and take care, Linda

Response:

I’m not sure if it is metabolized slower or faster than Accolate, but different drugs work differently for different people. I took Singulair for 3 mo and a/o I did feel better; it was not the best drug for me. I have been on Accolate over a month now and I never thought I could feel this good. Sometimes I briefly forget I have asthma, which is amazing b/c i have been balttling out of control asthma for over 5 yrs! Dana I do think 12 hr pills are better than 24 hr ones. For one I never felt good in the morning on Singulair and when i took Zyrtec it only seemed to last 16 hrs instead of 24! So now on a bad allergy day i split that Zyrtec in 1/2 and take a 1/2 of one every 12 hrs instead of a whole one every 24. And it works great and doesn’t make me as drowsy!

Response:

 I resisted taking Singulair in the beginning due to its high sodium content. And in the 3 months I have really noticed a difference. My clothes feel tighter and I have not changed my diet and my weight hasn’t fluctuated much (2 or 3 lbs).

Clip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Not to mention that the effects of Singulair never seem to last the full 24 hrs. It appears to last only 18-20 hrs at the most! The last time I was at the doctor, they were out of Singulair samples so I was given Accolate instead. And so far I think it is a lot better. For one I have never found once a day meds to be as effective as those you take every 12 hrs. My asthma seems to be responding to it much better but it does make me a little drowsy but so did Singulair in the beginning. I’m sure in another couple of days, I will have adjusted. My peak flow is on a good day 450 but since on Accolade I can blow a 500! And pants I couldn’t wear on Singulair just 2 days ago fit great! Anyone else ever experienced this? Dana

My doctor prescribed accolate initially but it didn’t seem to have an effect for me so I asked about changing to singulair.  He willingly wrote the rx for singulair but said he preferred accolate because of the 12 hr interval vs. 24 hr.  For me singulair seems to have been efficacious.   Does anybody know if singulair is more slowly metabolized or is its affinity for leukotrienes that much higher?

Response:

 I resisted taking Singulair in the beginning due to its high sodium content. And in the 3 months I have really noticed a difference. My clothes feel tighter and I have not changed my diet and my weight hasn’t fluctuated much (2 or 3 lbs). I have noticed that after the 1st couple of hours after taking my evening dose that my pants and top grow tighter and tighter. Not to mention that the effects of Singulair never seem to last the full 24 hrs. It appears to last only 18-20 hrs at the most! The last time I was at the doctor, they were out of Singulair samples so I was given Accolate instead. And so far I think it is a lot better. For one I have never found once a day meds to be as effective as those you take every 12 hrs. My asthma seems to be responding to it much better but it does make me a little drowsy but so did Singulair in the beginning. I’m sure in another couple of days, I will have adjusted. My peak flow is on a good day 450 but since on Accolade I can blow a 500! And pants I couldn’t wear on Singulair just 2 days ago fit great! Anyone else ever experienced this? Dana

Response:

Question:

I am using Azmacort and Serevent regularly and Maxair occasionally.  I have recently developed twitches in my eyelids that are quite annoying.  I have also been having headaches.   Does anyone know whether these are side effects of any of these prescriptions?  The pharmacist and physician both say "no." I don’t care if your name IS Erle Stanley, get your rake out of my petunias!

     I get similar symptoms when I have a sinus infection Patricia

Response:

Drugs such as serevent and maxair (beta agonists) can cause muscle twitching.  I have had several patients that had to stop the use of serevent due to severe tremors.  Do not stop your medication with out talking to your physician.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am using Azmacort and Serevent regularly and Maxair occasionally.  I have recently developed twitches in my eyelids that are quite annoying.  I have also been having headaches.   Does anyone know whether these are side effects of any of these prescriptions?  The pharmacist and physician both say "no." I don’t care if your name IS Erle Stanley, get your rake out of my petunias!     I get similar symptoms when I have a sinus infection Patricia

I just started getting eyelid twitches and am on the same meds. and here my husband thought I was winking at him!!!! Seriously, does anyone else have the same problems??? Peace, Tish are the thoughts,you have hidden in your heart…….

Response:

I am using Azmacort and Serevent regularly and Maxair occasionally.  I have recently developed twitches in my eyelids that are quite annoying.  I have also been having headaches.   Does anyone know whether these are side effects of any of these prescriptions?  The pharmacist and physician both say "no."

Take magnesium supplements for the twitches. Say 400 mg. Take before bedtime and it also will help you sleep sounder (helps the natural melatonin work). For the headaches try a gluten-free or corn-free diet. Don.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am using Azmacort and Serevent regularly and Maxair occasionally.  I have recently developed twitches in my eyelids that are quite annoying.  I have also been having headaches.   Does anyone know whether these are side effects of any of these prescriptions?  The pharmacist and physician both say "no." Any bronchodilator can cause twitching of any nerves, that have a tendancy to twitch. I have a familiar tremor in my hands. When I take alot of ventolin (and in the old days theophyline), my tremors would start up. These were the times one or both of my eyelids would twitch like crazy. —

Have you tried taking minerals, especially potassium?  I’ve found them to be helpful.

Response:

I am using Azmacort and Serevent regularly and Maxair occasionally.  I have recently developed twitches in my eyelids that are quite annoying.  I have also been having headaches.   Does anyone know whether these are side effects of any of these prescriptions?  The pharmacist and physician both say "no." I don’t care if your name IS Erle Stanley, get your rake out of my petunias!

Response:

I am using Azmacort and Serevent regularly and Maxair occasionally.  I have recently developed twitches in my eyelids that are quite annoying.  I have also been having headaches.   Does anyone know whether these are side effects of any of these prescriptions?  The pharmacist and physician both say "no."

Any bronchodilator can cause twitching of any nerves, that have a tendancy to twitch. I have a familiar tremor in my hands. When I take alot of ventolin (and in the old days theophyline), my tremors would start up. These were the times one or both of my eyelids would twitch like crazy. —

Response:

: I am using Azmacort and Serevent regularly and Maxair occasionally.  I : have recently developed twitches in my eyelids that are quite : annoying.  I have also been having headaches.   Does anyone know : whether these are side effects of any of these prescriptions?  The : pharmacist and physician both say "no." I don’t take the precise same medications you do (I’m on Pulmicort and Bricanyl), but although the corticorsteroid (Pulmicort) doesn’t have any recognizable side-effects other than those caused by the turbuhaler, the Bricanyl bronchodilator causes a noticeable hand tremblor and a few twitches that sound similar to yours.  Especially for the first hour or two after I have to hit the bronchodilator. : I don’t care if your name IS Erle Stanley, : get your rake out of my petunias! — Murray Stone, Barrister & Solicitor phone:  (403) 486-5146  fax:  (403) 483-7791 snailmail:  616-21, 10405 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, AB, T5J 3S2 Canada

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am hoping someone may have some suggestions/advice for me. I have been diagnosed with ADD for which I take Concerta (36 mgs at 6:00 am). This has helped me quite a bit. I however start to feel tense and anxious in the afternoon which will build up until I take 100 mg Seroquel about 1/2 hour before sleeping. I work in the computer field which I enjoy very much. I can’t seem to let my work go and am constantly studying and extremely curious about computers/networks in general. It seems I am always thinking out scenarios in my head about various ways to do things. The problem is that this compulsive thinking is leading to my anxious state. My dr. has tried me on numerous meds such as paxil, zoloft, effexor, luvox, depakote, lithium, remeron, wellebutrin, etc. I am not depressed, I just am (and have always been) somewhat hyper and cannot relax. It seems any med that works with serotonin just gives me bad headaches. I respond easily to Klonipin, not so well with Antivan. I guess I have ADD and am somewhat obsessive/compulsive. Erv

ever try strattera? or good old tca meds like imipramine? LM — The charter is available at:

Question:

Thanks. I am curious does a psychiatrist have to prescribe?

No, GPs can do it too. But chances are they will know less about how to treat anxiety disorders than psychiatrists do. I only trust psychiatrists with a lot of experience in the treatment of anxiety disorders and an open mind (not *benzophobic*, for instance). Reason is my psychiatrist can be hard to get a hold of–ie he just have several offices he shares around town. Whereas my general practioner is always at his office day after day in case I need a dosage switch or whatever. Do general practiioner/internal medicine physcians have a enough info to reliably presribe SSRI’s?

Basically the main rule is *start low, go slow* to prevent initial worsening of symptoms. I think you should be able to reach your pdoc when necessary, maybe it will take some calls to find out where he is but it seems you *can* reach him. That would be better IMO.   Also I am very concerned SSRI’s will turn me into a robot–I have never taken any. I really dont want to get drowsy at work, etc.

Most of us are med phobic, it’s always difficult to start a (new) med. You will *not* turn into a robot though, I can assure you. Drowsiness on Zoloft is also not the first thing to expect but YMMV.   But I do want to get these racing anxiety oriented thoughts out of my head. Due to an injury I am nearly impotent at 36 yrs old so obviously those thoughts constantly race through my head—I want them to disappear.

I am very sorry to hear that. I do wonder if an SSRI like Zoloft will be the right med for you as SSRI’s very often cause sexual dysfunction including impotence as a side effect. Maybe a TCA like imipramine would be a more appropriate choice. Possibly even better would be a benzo like Xanax XR. It *is* obvious that you’d better talk to your psychiatrist about this. I find it strange that he prescribed Zoloft while knowing about your problems with impotence. I would certainly ask him about that. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my psych has me starting out on zoloft at 50mg,,,after doing some reading should I ask him for 25mg starting dose? Yes, that will make for a smoother ride. Ideal starting dose is 12.5 mg IMO. Philip

Response:

my psych has me starting out on zoloft at 50mg,,,after doing some reading should I ask him for 25mg starting dose?

Response:

my psych has me starting out on zoloft at 50mg,,,after doing some reading should I ask him for 25mg starting dose?

Yes, that will make for a smoother ride. Ideal starting dose is 12.5 mg IMO. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Thanks. I am curious does a psychiatrist have to prescribe? Reason is my psychiatrist can be hard to get a hold of–ie he just have several offices he shares around town. Whereas my general practioner is always at his office day after day in case I need a dosage switch or whatever. Do general practiioner/internal medicine physcians have a enough info to reliably presribe SSRI’s? Also I am very concerned SSRI’s will turn me into a robot–I have never taken any. I really dont want to get drowsy at work, etc. But I do want to get these racing anxiety oriented thoughts out of my head. Due to an injury I am nearly impotent at 36 yrs old so obviously those thoughts constantly race through my head—I want them to disappear.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my psych has me starting out on zoloft at 50mg,,,after doing some reading should I ask him for 25mg starting dose? Yes, that will make for a smoother ride. Ideal starting dose is 12.5 mg IMO. Philip

Response:

Question:

I have been on prozac, effexor. paxil, celexa, and back to prozac over a 15 year period give or take a few years. and i was wondering if there is any way for getting over my depression, panic, personality disorder, and other things that i have, I dont want to be with this stuff for ever, how can i get rid of it….?

Response:

Hi and Welcome to the ng, I have been on prozac, effexor. paxil, celexa, and back to prozac over a 15 year period give or take a few years. and i was wondering if there is any way for getting over my depression, panic, personality disorder, and other things that i have, I dont want to be with this stuff for ever, how can i get rid of it….?

Are you in therapy now? Peace, Lynda — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

I have been on prozac, effexor. paxil, celexa, and back to prozac over a 15 year period give or take a few years. and i was wondering if there is any way for getting over my depression, panic, personality disorder, and other things that i have, I dont want to be with this stuff for ever, how can i get rid of it….?

Have you given therapy with a really good therapist a try? Fiona — If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste the adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.      – Anne Bradstreet, Meditations Divine and Moral, 1664

Response:

Yes I am in therapy. I dont see how just talking helps I get to feeling like all i do is cry. Its not like i always have bad things that happen all the time. It just seems like they get me down the most….. how come i dont get happy when good thing happen….Actually i have been to see several therapist…. and counselors….. and psychiatrist……. i just get the feeling like they just sit and agree with me. beckie — "If you have a candle, the light won’t glow any dimmer if I light yours off of mine." (STEVEN TYLER) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Are you in therapy now? Peace, Lynda — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer Have you given therapy with a really good therapist a try? Fiona — If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste the adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.      – Anne Bradstreet, Meditations Divine and Moral, 1664

Response:

Hi again, Yes I am in therapy. I dont see how just talking helps I get to feeling like all i do is cry. Its not like i always have bad things that happen all the time. It just seems like they get me down the most….. how come i dont get happy when good thing happen….Actually i have been to see several therapist…. and counselors….. and psychiatrist……. i just get the feeling like they just sit and agree with me. beckie

 Beckie I am so very sorry. Email me anytime. Peace, Lynda

Response:

Question:

For anyone who’s ever been on it or is familiar with the drug: What is the average dosage for this stuff? Thanks…

Response:

I have taken 75-150 mg before. I currently take regular effexor (not XR) 100 mg.  Effexor XR dosages range from 75 (low) to 450mg (very high).  Avg is from 150mg to 225mg.  You know you are taking too much if you begin to have more and more trouble getting up in the morning. hope this helps, SaNd For anyone who’s ever been on it or is familiar with the drug: What is the average dosage for this stuff? Thanks…

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Response:

I have taken 75XR… my doctor inscreased my med at 150… Yark… I have had hallucinations. Aline – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For anyone who’s ever been on it or is familiar with the drug: What is the average dosage for this stuff? Thanks…

Response:

I am on 150mg/day, and having difficulty getting up in the morning. But that was the same before Effexor. I think it is my depression that keeps me tied to bed. Why are you suggesting to lower the dose in this case? I mean, how does high dose of Effexor cause difficulty waking up? cem

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have taken 75-150 mg before. I currently take regular effexor (not XR) 100 mg.  Effexor XR dosages range from 75 (low) to 450mg (very high).  Avg is from 150mg to 225mg.  You know you are taking too much if you begin to have more and more trouble getting up in the morning. hope this helps, SaNd For anyone who’s ever been on it or is familiar with the drug: What is the average dosage for this stuff? Thanks…

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Response:

If you are having more difficulty getting up now than you were before you began taking effexor or when you ere on a lower dosage, then you know that getting up in the morning is becoming even more difficult than before.  That is when you might suspect that you are taking too much effexor.  If you are having the same difficulty getting up inthe morning as you were before you began taking it or when you were on lower doses, then you may not be taking enough and/or it may not be working for you.   Is that a little easier to understand? I know it can be hard to tell how difficult getting up inthe morning is.  I guage it by how long i sleep.  The longer I sleep, the more difficult it is to get up.  Taking too much effexor when it is working can paralyze a person and it can be maddening because it happens so slowly. =) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am on 150mg/day, and having difficulty getting up in the morning. But that was the same before Effexor. I think it is my depression that keeps me tied to bed. Why are you suggesting to lower the dose in this case? I mean, how does high dose of Effexor cause difficulty waking up? cem I have taken 75-150 mg before. I currently take regular effexor (not XR) 100 mg.  Effexor XR dosages range from 75 (low) to 450mg (very high).  Avg is from 150mg to 225mg.  You know you are taking too much if you begin to have more and more trouble getting up in the morning. hope this helps, SaNd For anyone who’s ever been on it or is familiar with the drug: What is the average dosage for this stuff? Thanks… __ Posted Via Binaries.net = SPEED+RETENTION+COMPLETION = http://www.binaries.net

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Response:

I am on 75 mg/day.  Many people are on 150 mg.  I have heard of people being on 300 and 375 mg/day.  That’s where some of the bizarre side effects seem to be seen.  (Try a Google search on "effexor side effects.") Contrary to some of the other posts in this thread, I don’t see Effexor having any impact on my ability to get up in the morning.  But I am on a pretty low dose.  I do find that it causes me to have extremely vivid, detailed, long, and sometimes illogical dreams.  Paxil had this effect on me as well. I have heard the opinion that Effexor’s effect on norepinephrine reuptake doesn’t kick in until 150 mg/day, e.g. below 150 it supposedly only works on serotonin.  But I’ve always done fine on 75.  Perhaps it is a function of concentration, which in turn is a function of both dose and body weight, as I am not a large person. Hope this helps.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For anyone who’s ever been on it or is familiar with the drug: What is the average dosage for this stuff? Thanks…

Response:

Thanks very much for the help. Much appreciated. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For anyone who’s ever been on it or is familiar with the drug: What is the average dosage for this stuff? Thanks…

Response:

Question:

My doc put me on a beta blocker she seems to think it will help. Bringing my heart rate down some. Has anyone been on this and has it helped at all?

Response:

Julie– I have mitral valve prolapse, and the first drug I was put on to control my symptoms (the most irritating being heart palipations and a racing heart) was a beta-blocker.   It did help but, since I have blood pressure in the normal to a-little-bit-low range, it ended up lowering my blood pressure to the point where I was feeling light-headed a lot.  For a while I counteracted that by eating salty foods, but eventually I went onto anti-anxiety meds (Xanax and Zoloft), which, for me, are actually more effective and have caused me far fewer side effects.  But, except for the blood pressure issue (mine went down to like 90/60 at one point, which will make you feel really, really faint), it wasn’t bad. Lori

Response:

Hi, I took a beta blocker for several years for my anxiety – however it was started at the same time I officially started the anti-depressant I currently take.  It is difficult for me to determine how much each helped to control my symptoms.  I do know that  prior to the beta blocker I did experience a hard pounding heart beat when I would lay down at night, which was very anxiety provoking.  The beta blocker did ease that for me.  For myself, the beta blocker  was a part of a combination of meds to help manage my PD, not the only thing I was taking for it. Debbie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My doc put me on a beta blocker she seems to think it will help. Bringing my heart rate down some. Has anyone been on this and has it helped at all?

Response:

My doc put me on a beta blocker she seems to think it will help. Bringing my heart rate down some. Has anyone been on this and has it helped at all?

I don

Question:

Where do I find veterinarian supply companies?   Maybe I’m being lazy here, but if you know I’d appreciate it. I’ve been to farm supply companies but don’t remember seeing tryptophan.  But then I was there for antibiotics myself. (worked great too!!) Thanks, dn

snipped for brevity – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – LT is available in 100 g. or larger quantities from veterinary suppliers, at a cost substantially less than prescription LT, though still more than the OTC product once cost. Veterinary LT is molecularly identical to the tryptophan we are interested in here, and purity and quality control are probably higher than most old OTC products. One caveat: if you are taking a SSRI (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor) antidepressent, concurrent LT use is strongly contradicated, as taking both together can produce the potentially lethal ’serotonin syndrome,’ due to toxic levels of 5-HT in the body. –Will

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Where do I find veterinarian supply companies?   Maybe I’m being lazy here, but if you know I’d appreciate it. I’ve been to farm supply companies but don’t remember seeing tryptophan.  But then I was there for antibiotics myself. (worked great too!!) Thanks, dn snipped for brevity LT is available in 100 g. or larger quantities from veterinary suppliers, at a cost substantially less than prescription LT, though still more than the OTC product once cost. Veterinary LT is molecularly identical to the tryptophan we are interested in here, and purity

There is a mail-order souce in Tucson, I don’t know their name. Check in alt.support.depression, or sci.med.pharmacy. –Will

Response:

snipped for brevity LT is available in 100 g. or larger quantities from veterinary suppliers, at a cost substantially less than prescription LT, though still more than the OTC product once cost. Veterinary LT is molecularly identical to the tryptophan we are interested in here, and purity There is a mail-order souce in Tucson, I don’t know their name. Check in alt.support.depression, or sci.med.pharmacy. –Will

Please also come have a look at our site for this product. Be Well. QHI — Medicines For The Modern Mainstream http://www.qhi.co.uk

Response:

                         The FDA Ban of                     L-Tryptophan:  Politics,                       Profits and Prozac1*                   By Dean Wolfe Manders, Ph.D.                  Copyright, All Rights Reserved      In the fall of 1989, the FDA recalled L-Tryptophan, an amino acid nutritional supplement, stating that it caused a rare and deadly flu-like condition (Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome — EMS). On March 22, 1990, the FDA banned the public sale dietary of L- Tryptophan completely. This ban continues today.      On March 26, 1990, Newsweek featured a lead article praising the virtues of the anti-depressant drug Prozac. Its multi-color cover displayed a floating, gigantic green and white capsule of Prozac with the caption: "Prozac: A Breakthrough Drug for Depression."      The fact that the FDA ban of L-Tryptophan and the Newsweek Prozac cover story occurred within four days of each other went unnoticed by both the media and the public. Yet, to those who understand the effective properties of L-Tryptophan and Prozac, the concurrence seems "unbelievably coincidental." The link here is the brain neurotransmitter serotonin — a biochemical nerve signal conductor. The action of Prozac and L-Tryptophan are both involved with serotonin, but in totally different ways.      Elevated levels of serotonin in the body often result in the relief of depression, as well as substantial reduction in pain sensitivity, anxiety and stress. Prozac, as well as other new anti- depressant drugs such as Paxil and Zoloft, attempt to enhance levels of serotonin by working on whatever amounts of it already exist in the body (these drugs are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). None of these drugs, however, produce serotonin. In contrast, ingested L-Tryptophan acts to produce serotonin, even in individuals who generate little serotonin of their own. The most effective way to elevate levels of serotonin would be to use a serotonin producer rather than a serotonin enhancer.      The continuing FDA public ban of L-Tryptophan prevents popular access to this most effective serotonin producer. The millions of Americans who for decades safely had relied upon L-Tryptophan to relieve depression, anxiety and PMS, as well as to control pain and induce natural sleep, have been forced elsewhere for solutions. Routinely, such solutions are pharmaceutical in nature: people are forced to use either often highly addictive, expensive, and some- times dangerous drugs like Xanax, Valium, Halcion, Dalmane, Co- deine, Anafranil, Prozac, and others, or, simply suffer.      Present FDA public policy maintains that L-Tryptophan is an untested, unapproved and hazardous drug. The analytical work done a few years ago by the Centers for Disease Control and the Mayo Clinic, research which traced the fall 1989 outbreak of the serious flu-like condition to contaminants found in batches of L-Tryptophan made by the Japanese company Showa Denko, has not convinced the FDA to allow L-Tryptophan back on the market. This decision is based primarily on the research of FDA and NIMH scientists who state that L-Tryptophan itself, irrespective of contaminants, is a dangerous substance. Other university-based research scientists disagree with these findings.      The public availability of L-Tryptophan is too important an issue only to be argued and shrouded within a scientific debate that remains, ultimately, mystifying to the vast majority of Americans. There are many obvious facts worthy of public attention, and public concern. For example, consider the following:      ~ On February 9, 1993, a United States government patent (#5185157) was issued to use L-Tryptophan to treat, and cure EMS, the very same deadly flu-like condition which prompted the FDA to take L-Tryptophan off the market in 1989.      ~ Notwithstanding its public ban and import alert on L- Tryptophan, the FDA today allows Ajinomoto U.S.A. the right to import from Japan human-use L-Tryptophan.  Distributed from the Ajinomoto plant in Raleigh, North Carolina, the L-Tryptophan is then sold to, and through, a network of compounding pharmacies across the United States. Purchased by individuals only under a physician’s order, L-Tryptophan emerges here as a new prescription drug in the serotonin marketplace; one hundred 500 mg capsules cost about $75.00, approximately five times more than if they were sold as a dietary supplement.      Since the FDA holds the political mandate and power of a public regulatory agency established, ostensibly, to protect people from raw corporate interests in drug production and distribution, the actions of the FDA in concert with Ajinomoto U.S.A. are illumi- nating. By publicly banning L-Tryptophan from its dietary supple- ment status and price, while allowing L-Tryptophan to be sold as a high-priced prescription drug, the naked duplicity of FDA L- Tryptophan policy is revealed.      ~ During and after the 1989 EMS outbreak, the FDA did not totally ban the use of L-Tryptophan in humans — then, as today, the FDA has granted the pharmaceutical industry the protected right to use L-Tryptophan in hospital settings.  Manufactured by Abbott Laboratories, the amino acid injectable solutions Aminosyn and Aminosyn II contain as much as 200 mg of L-Tryptophan.  (Moreover, L-Tryptophan has never been removed from baby food produced and sold within the United States.)      ~ While the FDA has banned the public sale and use of safe, non-contaminated, dietary supplement L-Tryptophan for people, the United States Department of Agriculture still sanctions the legal sale and use of non-contaminated L-Tryptophan for animals.  Today, as in the past, feed grade L-Tryptophan continues to be used as a nutritional and bulk feed additive by the commercial hog and chicken farming industry.  Additionally, L-Tryptophan is now available for use by veterinarians in caring for horses and pets.   ~ Outside of the United States, in countries such as Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, England, and others, L-Tryptophan is widely used. Nowhere, have any serious or widespread health problems occurred.      At bottom, the FDA public ban of safe, non-contaminated L- Tryptophan is uneven, expensive, and biased in favor of the phar- maceutical industry. The FDA proscription effectively awards billions of dollars in profits to pharmaceutical companies and their suppliers in the same proportion as it adds billions of unnecessary dollars to the nation’s already bloated health care expenditures.      On June 15, 1993, the FDA Dietary Supplement Task Force published a report on the work it had been doing in the area of developing FDA policy around nutritional supplements. On page two, the report admits, "The Task Force considered various issues in its deliberations, including… what steps are necessary to ensure that the existence of dietary supplements on the market does not act as a disincentive for drug development."      In this case, the FDA has succeeded in carrying out its stated policy goal. With competition from publicly available L-Tryptophan removed, the rapidly expanding market in prescription serotonin drugs — now among them L-Tryptophan itself — contains no major "disincentives" for the massive accumulation of pharmaceutical industry profits.      It is now time for appropriate congressional committees to review openly and aggressively the entire matter of L-Tryptophan. This will provide a needed forum where political, corporate, and scientific issues of FDA L-Tryptophan regulatory policy may be addressed. There exists ample precedent for such hearings: in the 1980’s and early 1990’s, for example, such investigations uncovered FDA favoritism in the approval of generic drugs and the bribery of FDA officials.      The story of L-Tryptophan illustrates a sad and perverse picture of the politics and priorities of public health in America: A safe, dietary-supplement serotonin producer is publicly unavailable to people, while daily fed to animals by corporate agribusiness.  A drug patent is approved to use L-Tryptophan to cure the very condition the FDA claims it caused.  And, while publicly exclaiming that L-Tryptophan is a dangerous and untested drug, the FDA, more quietly, allows human-use L-Tryptophan to be imported, and then marketed and sold by the pharmaceutical industry.       To allow the FDA ban of L-Tryptophan to continue unreviewed and uninvestigated condemns millions of Americans to unnecessary financial expenditures and needless suffering.      1.  This article appeared in Social Policy, Vol. 26, No. 2, Winter 1995.  Dean Wolfe Manders is a senior lecturer in humanities and sciences at the California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland/San Francisco.  He has lectured and done extensive research on the medical politics of L-Tryptophan.      *Blazing Tattles, June 96.  Responses to the above article may be quoted in future issues unless writer explicitly requests otherwise.  For information about Blazing Tattles send inquiry to: Tattles at P.O. Box 1073, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yet, to those who understand the effective properties of L-Tryptophan and Prozac, the concurrence seems "unbelievably coincidental." The link here is the brain neurotransmitter serotonin — a biochemical nerve signal conductor. The action of Prozac and L-Tryptophan are both involved with serotonin, but in totally different ways.      Elevated levels of serotonin in the body often result in the relief of depression, as well as substantial reduction in pain sensitivity, anxiety and stress. Prozac, as well as other new anti- depressant drugs such as Paxil and Zoloft, attempt to enhance levels of serotonin by working on whatever amounts of it already exist in the body (these drugs are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). None of these drugs, however, produce serotonin. In contrast, ingested L-Tryptophan acts to produce serotonin, even in individuals who generate little serotonin of their own. The most effective way to elevate levels of serotonin would be to use a serotonin producer rather than a serotonin enhancer.

Agreed that SSRIs and LTryptophan both work on serotonin. I have used both with good results. The distinction needs to be made that some depressions are more neurologic, others more hormonal or enzymatic. In cases of the former, SSRIs generally work much better, and in the latter, LT works better. I also agree that the continuing FDA ban looks suspicious, and it ought to be lifted immediately. LT is available in 100 g. or larger quantities from veterinary suppliers, at a cost substantially less than prescription LT, though still more than the OTC product once cost. Veterinary LT is molecularly identical to the tryptophan we are interested in here, and purity and quality control are probably higher than most old OTC products. One caveat: if you are taking a SSRI (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor) antidepressent, concurrent LT use is strongly contradicated, as taking both together can produce the potentially lethal ’serotonin syndrome,’ due to toxic levels of 5-HT in the body. –Will

Response: