I started having attacks one evening 5 years ago and without warning.?

Question

I was down for atleast 6 months before anyone was able to get them to stop. I was told that it was due to insufficient seritonine. This was supposibly determined by a blood draw.
I have been taking Lexapro (Celexa) for the past 5 years and thought that i would see if i could make a try at getting off this medication and after 2 days the attacks came back.
Is there any thing that i can do to increase Seritonine, so that i can eventually get off this medication, also i was told that you cant determine Seritonine levels by blood draws that you have to have other tests to determine this. since the attacks started back then i now have anxiety about little things that i used to take for granted like: swimming , traveling , and multiple other things. I just wantto get my life back and am looking for insight from other people that may have the same things I do.
Thanks

Answer 1

*Our body chemistry is complex; many different hormones, neurotransmitters, and other substances influence how we feel. Serotonin is one chemical that has received a great deal of attention for its contribution to mood. It's a neurotransmitter (a chemical involved in the transmission of nerve impulses between nerve cells) that's formed in the brain and primarily found in three parts of the body � the brain, the lining of the digestive tract, and in blood platelets. In the brain, serotonin's main effects include improving mood and giving you that "satisfied" feeling from food. It's also thought to help promote sleep and relaxation.

Carbohydrate-rich meals often increase serotonin levels. However, manipulating serotonin levels through food may be very difficult to achieve because serotonin's properties may have varying effects in different people. Some people may experience a temporary lift in mood after a carbohydrate-rich meal, while others may become relaxed or sleepy. Certain foods that increase serotonin levels aren't the healthiest choices either. Believe it or not, candy and sweets, which are simple carbohydrates, have the greatest impact, but the effect will only last 1 - 2 hours. Complex carbohydrates (rice, potato, pasta) may increase serotonin levels, but not to the same extent because the protein content of these foods might actually inhibit serotonin production.

Here's a brief explanation of the mechanism behind the effect of food on serotonin levels: after consumption of a carbohydrate-rich meal, the hormone insulin is secreted, which causes a lowering of the blood levels of most amino acids (the building blocks of protein), with the exception of tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin. When there are high blood levels of tryptophan in relation to other amino acids, it enters the brain at a higher rate, thus synthesizing more serotonin. To make matters more interesting, tryptophan is present in many protein-rich foods, which have been found to prevent serotonin production. So, you can see how intricate and complex this system is.

In terms of specific translation of foods into the effects of serotonin, here are some nutritionist suggestions:

* If you're having trouble falling asleep, try a small snack of carbohydrate-rich food. Warm milk may work for the psychological comfort, but also because milk contains a moderate amount of carbohydrate in the form of lactose (milk sugar).

* If you tend to have only carbohydrate (i.e., plain bagel) before class, and you often fall asleep during class, try adding some protein by putting some hard cheese (cheddar, American, Swiss, etc.) or peanut butter on the bagel. Or, have a yogurt or cottage cheese instead.

* For those who are active (athletes or exercisers), don't be fooled by carbohydrate's relaxing effects. You'll do best with a diet rich in grains/starches, legumes (dried beans and peas), fruit, and vegetables in order to get carbohydrates for muscle energy. Don't skimp on protein either, which is necessary for muscle growth and repair. Additionally, include some fat for satiety and healthy skin.

The carbohydrate - tryptophan - serotonin pathway is simply a hypothesis at this point. Since each of us is unique, in order to get a "desired effect" from food, you would need to experiment eating different foods and observing how your body reacts to each of them. You'll also need to take into consideration your other lifestyle choices � how much sleep you get, whether or not you exercise regularly, the drugs you take, your stress levels, etc. � when figuring out what affects your moods in what manners

Answer 2

Firstly I don't really think that there is anything wrong with taking a medication that helps you especially if it has no side effects that hurt you. I believe that God gave people the intelligence to invent medications that will helps us. As always you should consult a doctor rather than fully relying on information gleaned from people on Yahoo. However, if you really want to get off the meds, DO NOT go cold turkey. Wean away from them. The chemical tryptophan is a precurser to serotonin. That means your body uses tryptophan to make serotonin. The more tryptophan you have the more serotonin your body can make. Some foods containing tryptophan include: bananas, chocolate, and of course, turkey. Yes, chocolate really can help your mood! lol These are my best suggestions. I hope that they help.

Note: Extremely large amounts of serotonin in the body can make you very ill but this is rare.

Answer 3

I can understand what you're going through and I also understand that you would like to get of the medication.
Unfortunately you can't just get yourself of it without a doctors supervision, your body is used to the meds and suddenly you withdraw them is the same as if a drug addict stops cold turkey.
If you would like to get of that particular med, you need to see a doctor and I suggest you seek another one, Its actually very good to do that, because he will run tests again and has fresh eyes. The doctor is there to help you and you have the right to question the treatment, he is obligated to tell you why you need it. It's your body.
I hope you will get your life back soon. Good Luck.

Answer 4

If you have your life back on the medication, and you aren't experiancing problems..... why would you try to take yourself off if it is working for you?
Ask your doctor what to do.

Answer 5

get a 2nd opinion from a different Dr...better to get the info from a Dr than anyone on Yahoo

Answer 6

I have the same problem. I'm on paxil. If you find an answer let me know. maybe try www.naturalcures.com