There is some evidence that St. John's Wort is a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (whether that's MAOI-A, B, or both, I'm not sure), and also that it acts as a Cytochrome P450 3A4 inducer (may interact with Clonazepam), which means that combining it with 5-hydroxy-tryptophan (5-HTP) could be more risky than beneficial to one's short and long term mental health.
There was a time when I combined high dosages of both, and ironically began to experience side effects consistent with those I felt when withdrawing from ~8 months spent on an SSRI medication known as Zoloft (Sertraline) - 'brain zaps' included.
Edit - By the way, Lyrica (Pregabalin) may (or may not) be a good option for anyone here who has decided to try Rx meds such as SSRIs, but have not observed any significant reduction in their symptoms. This may be due to its suppressant pharmacological effects upon Norepinephrine (implicated in anxiety and panic attacks) and Substance P (reportedly released in abnormal amounts in people suffering from illnesses in which widespread muscle pain and cognitive dysfunction (brain fog) are apparent).
NMDA antagonists and blockers might also be an option for LTC sufferers. And apparently, one of them also happens to be a vital mineral: Magnesium, but I digress.
I've been on it about a month so far. The dose and half life is really annoying. You have to take it like 3x a day because the half life is 2 hours. It means I often wake up feeling anxious or depressed until it kicks in. Its also not a very good anxiolytic but by far the most effective antidepressant. It just kind of puts me in a naturally good mood and seems to stop all intrusive thoughts.Is there anyone still on tianeptine? How does it work? Is it still beneficial?
I think I should start posting in this thread Currently working my way in recovery, some days are good, some days are terrible... mostly, I have two symptoms:
1 - Brain zaps: annoying, like electricity, won't let me sleep, they (are usually) triggered when I want to sleep. Right between when I'm awake and I'm sleep, which wakes me up (obviously)
2 - Hypnic jerk: I'm still having these. They are split between "violent" and "small": the violent ones are the ones that I get on the bed usually (or when I am relaxed), in which I "jump". It's like a group of muscles, like you get scared, and you "jump", actually move in the bed or the chair, as if someone poked you with a needle. The small ones, I still get them everyday, all the time, they are annoying when I use the computer. Is like small "mini jumps", but I do not "jump" with them (only my hand, or fingers, move, not the entire body). The mouse in the computer still detects the movement, which is annoying.
I did not have panic attacks, aside from the "I've ruined my life" moments. The rest of my body/mind keeps functioning fine. No depresion, as well. I feel good. A bit of a lower libido.
It started after my week in Ibiza last Sept, I consumed 5 blue ghosts pills in 1 week, + some untested crystal, which I'm not sure if it was MD or something else (I know, I KNOW, huge mistake). One month later, I drank a couple of red bulls with vodka, and the issues started there. I'm off caffeine as well.
I used it one more time, last month, very low dose, and had a couple of rough days. I don't feel any different than I used to feel before taking that small amount (IE, not better, or worse, things are still the same).
I went to two neurologist, did lots of blood tests, did an extended egc, they found nothing, as usual. They gave me Pregabalin 25mg to help me with the brain zaps and Clonazepan in drops (2 drops, 3 times per day) to help me with the jerks.
I'm currently taking fish oil, some vit b and folic acid, and I started using SJW (Hypericum), but I don't see much difference with that. Perhaps I'm using the wrong dose of SJW, it's on drops, I'm taking 25 drops 2 times per day. I'm currently off the Clonazepan and the Pregabalin, but I had a very bad night yesterday, and I'm considering re-taking them for 2-3 days.
I have HTP-5 available, but the dosing is large (120mg) on each capsule, so I'm not sure I should take that.
I've been on it about a month so far. The dose and half life is really annoying. You have to take it like 3x a day because the half life is 2 hours. It means I often wake up feeling anxious or depressed until it kicks in. Its also not a very good anxiolytic but by far the most effective antidepressant. It just kind of puts me in a naturally good mood and seems to stop all intrusive thoughts.
Another downside, not sure if this one is just me but I find myself craving junk food, alcohol and tobacco. Also seems to make me want sex a lot more, total opposite of SSRIs!
I think the neurogenesis stuff is very overblown, this isn't the answer to our problems. Its just a pleasant little mood booster that makes coping a bit easier.
Alright guys, I need a real advice or answer here. I've asked once but here we are. I kept my condition hidden from my family, for the best. But they are taking me for a trip and I have to take the plane. Im scared as hell. I'm like obliated to go. Can anything bad happen? I've take the place 10+ times but with the altitute and the air pressure etc, idk. Is it gonna be fine? Anyone?
Sounds like you're doing pretty well Depression is one of the worst things about a whole LTC. It can really fuck with your life in a big way, and prevent you from doing the things, such as being active and socialising, that can really help recovery. It's good you're not having to deal with it.
I wish you all the best in continuing your recovery. Hypnic jerks can really suck. I remember the ones I were getting the day after I'd finished my massive 3 day binge. The jerk was so intense I jumped out of bed and thought I was going to die right there and then. They've subsided in intensity for me since then and some nights I don't get them at all, but it's still something I'm dealing with fairly occasionally.
Interesting that your issues didn't begin until after caffeine and alcohol. Were you getting anything at all until the red bulls and vodka?
Thanks for all the info! It's a lot, and a bit technical for me hehe!
Don't worry, I'm not mixing SJW with HTP-5, I'm not taking any HTP-5 at all, doctor told me to stay away from it. Also I'm not mixing it with Clonazepan, as I'm currently not taking any. I've never been with antidepressants, not now and not before.
The Lyrica helped me during the worst brain zaps, at first. I was only taking 25mg before going to sleep. I was also having the Exploding Head Syndrome, which is annoying but not as annoying as the brain zaps. I took magnesium, but I don't think it did any difference to be honest.
Another thing that I'm taking, when I have a hard time sleeping, is melatonin, one capsule.
Another study that the Dr. ordered is cortisol, dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline and serotonin (blood test). All were fine, within the normal ranges, serotonin was a bit low (91 ng/ml, the reference values were 20-230 nl/ml) but it was in range.
Oh! I forgot one thing, which is "weird", but might explain some of the things I felt: when I'm about to get my period (a couple of days before) and a couple of days into the period, I almost have no problems (no zaps, no jumping, I sleep well). I've read that when the women are in their period, they create less serotonin, that's why we feel so down sometimes. Perhaps one fix is something that inhibits the serotonin generation for a couple of months?
So do you havw anxiety or not? The neurotransmitter tests like the serotonin mean nothing since blood and brain are totally different as serotonin doesnt cross the BBB.
For the other stuff like cortisol or other endocrine hormones, the ranges are so wide that everyone will technically be in the normal range. For cortisol am it goes from like 3-20 ug/dL or 8-20 ug/dL. But healthy ppl without anxiety have am cortisol from 17-20. AND thats when unstressed. When you have anxiety and are stressed out, an AM cortisol of like 13 or 14 which is in the normal range is not good at all cause cortisol should increase in order to counteract increased adrenaline from anxiety.
So if its NOT elevated then depending on ur stress/anxiety levels you are experiencing adrenal insufficiency/HPA Dysfunction.
Severe anxiety and cortisol not elevated points to that. The lab ranges are meant for addisons/cushings clear cut cases not these functional disorders.
Thanks for the reply, you the man ro.
That's no good friend. Probably a sign to relax aittle.The music and dancing is good, but it's really hard to dance without the drug.
That's no good friend. Probably a sign to relax aittle.
you are right, mdma gives me the energy to dance without judgment from other people. I don't care how bad I dance but I have the energy to bust my moves. When I'm sober, my legs are usually limp and I worry about what others think of my dance moves.