SSRI is Paxil useage and lower seretonin

[pgreen6840]

I am in day 6 and have been eating 20 carbs a day. There is an inner calm that I feel and a real sense that the body is much happier on the diet!
Now, a question. I take paxil and knowing the need for extra serotonin needed in the brain, which is usually converted from carbs, I was wondering if 20 grams at induction are sufficient? Realizing that the carbs on this diet are quality ones and of the complex nature, not simple carbs perhaps that makes a difference. Hmmm. Well, all systems do feel good and in addition I work out 4 times a week 2xcardio,2x weights.
Thanks for being there;this support net is the best!!!

Phil
11/15/04 290 lbs
sw 11/9/04 293 lbs

[Barbde]

Re: SSRI is Paxil useage and lower seretonin

I am in day 6 and have been eating 20 carbs a day. There is an inner calm that I feel and a real sense that the body is much happier on the diet!
Now, a question. I take paxil and knowing the need for extra serotonin needed in the brain, which is usually converted from carbs, I was wondering if 20 grams at induction are sufficient? Realizing that the carbs on this diet are quality ones and of the complex nature, not simple carbs perhaps that makes a difference. Hmmm. Well, all systems do feel good and in addition I work out 4 times a week 2xcardio,2x weights.
Thanks for being there;this support net is the best!!!

Phil
11/15/04 290 lbs
sw 11/9/04 293 lbs

Hi Phil. :wave
I can only speak for myself here.
I have been on and off Zoloft for the past few years. I will say that I have not had any need for it since starting the WOE. And have not needed a Xanax in at least 2 months now. I am taking One A Day Carbsmart, as well as a B complex and Flaxseed and Fish Oil. I am seeing the doctor this morning to check in with him. Bloodwork came out great, so he should be happy. And I am feeling great!
Stick with it.... you may find you do not need the meds after a while!! :icondance

[claudine]

GOOD MORNING,

IV'E BEEN ON PAXIL FOR A COUPLE OF YRS NOW. I DO 20 CARBS A DAY YOUR WEIGHT LOSS MAY BE A LITTLE SLOWER WITH PAXIL BUT YOU WILL LOOSE. HANG IN THERE.

CLAUDINE

[2big4mysize]

you might want to do a little research on the subject so you fully understand the process better. Carbs are not converted to serotonin by the brain or any part of the body. Tryptophansp? amino acid it the molecule used to create it. the carbs trigger insulin which removes amino acids from the blood too then when the level falls the tryptophan can enter the sites without any competition from other amino acids better. Make no mistake you can make serotonin from a mixed field of amino acids you just do it better with a clear field.

Some Low carbers who suffer from depression and their meds aren't working may either need their dose adjusted as SSRI and Atkins foods use simmilar liver enzymes or they can try the low carbs eaten in a bolus to help raise the amount produced but that only lasts ofr a few hours before the levels fall again. You can also boost your level of serotonin by eating proteins high in tryptophan

[Dieselbud]

I quit Paxil last May 3.......... (after putting on a truckload of weight in 7 months) I found that the drug triggered the most UNBELIEVEABLE sugar cravings. I drank loads of coffee, started smoking again (up to almost a pack a day, after quitting for 11 months. that is twice as much as I was smoking previously) and lord help me I couldn't get enough chocolate!!

Since starting this WOL July 21, I have never felt better and wish I had found it sooner.

You *may* want to see if you can get your dosage lowered, but do it ONLY nder a Doc's supervision!!! You do NOT, I repeat NOT want to do it on your own.

You will find your weight loss is slower, as you can see it took me 5 months to lose what some people lose in 2, so the effects do seem to stick around even after being off the drug

Hang in there Phil, is it a tough, but VERY FULFILLING ride I find now that I have my blood sugar level stabilized, I am no longer depressed and anxious and moody.

Check out my pics............ my before pic was taken after 4 months on Paxil........ I am here for you, let me know if I can be of any help :hug

[loonatika]

I've been on Celexa (40mg daily) since the beginning and noticed no disadvantage with lower carbs. Actually started to feel alot better.

2big: My doc said it was fine to lower my dosage when I felt ready - what foods contain that Tryptophan stuff?

[Dieselbud]

I've been on Celexa (40mg daily) since the beginning and noticed no disadvantage with lower carbs. Actually started to feel alot better.

2big: My doc said it was fine to lower my dosage when I felt ready - what foods contain that Tryptophan stuff?

Remember when you ate a bunch of turkey and felt tired? There is truth to the turkey makes you tired statement. Turkey is a food high in tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin. Some of the other major foods rich in tryptophan are milk, yogurt, eggs, meat, nuts, beans, fish, and cheese. Cheddar, Gruyere, and Swiss cheese are particularly rich in tryptophan.

So, someone eating the AWOL, should feel really good unless they have a chemical imbalance

Interestting article:

When large amounts of carbohydrates are eaten, the body secretes large amounts of the hormone insulin to lower the ensuing high blood sugar. The insulin also clears from the blood most of the 5 amino acids that compete with tryptophan for a ride to the brain. Tryptophan then has the "bus" all to itself, allowing more tryptophan to reach the brain.

This strategy is instinctively known and practiced by many people who eat large amounts of carbohydrates like bread, cakes, pies, ice cream, chips, pizza, candy etc., especially when they are feeling depressed, stressed or anxious.

The increased brain serotonin this produces lowers arousal and anxiety, promoting a (temporary) sense of well being and security. However, this strategy comes at a price, the same insulin which enhances brain serotonin also enhances the conversion of the fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids cleared from the blood into stored body fat!

Hence the carbohydrate addition/ obesity serotonin connection.

http://smart-drugs.net/ias-tryptophan-article.htm

[2big4mysize]

yep that is why some low carbers who do suffer from depression can bolus their carbs on a 40 net carb AM dose and then 30 min later add the tryptophan proteins for an increase in Serotonin without the weight gain assept of it.

[ladysinger68]

yep that is why some low carbers who do suffer from depression can bolus their carbs on a 40 net carb AM dose and then 30 min later add the tryptophan proteins for an increase in Serotonin without the weight gain assept of it.

Could you please break that statement down for me? I am trying to keep up, really I am. :confused

[2big4mysize]

first you have to Know your depression is from a lack of serotonin and not something causing your neurotransmitters to be low like low thyroid.

if your depression is the SAD, seasonal affective kind you get it when we have periods of less day lenght like winter in the northern hemispher then all you need is exposure to bright light for your body to increase the serotonin production again and there are topics on that.

If you have the blues and you really need a temp boost and you have talked with your doc and your meds are the right amount for you then you can get a temperary increase in your serotonin production by eating your carbs at one sitting in the morning if you are an OWLer. you need about 40 of them to get the blood sugar high enough to trigger the insulin to clear the amino acids out of your blood stream so the tryptophan can do its thing and be the building blocks for the reaction.

SO you get up and you prepare a carb food by itself that you will eat. then 30 min later you eat the tryptophan proteins with your atkins fats to control the spike and to supply the extra serotonin.

this is a temporary fix and will only last for a few hours so it isn't a treatment for chronic depression. for that you really need to see your doc.

[Pebbbles]

Please discuss this issue with your physician. If you decide to quit Paxil you should ween yourself under the direction of your doctor!!!

Good Luck :wave

[chilo6]

Re: SSRI is Paxil useage and lower seretonin

Hi Phil. :wave
I can only speak for myself here.
I have been on and off Zoloft for the past few years. I will say that I have not had any need for it since starting the WOE. And have not needed a Xanax in at least 2 months now. I am taking One A Day Carbsmart, as well as a B complex and Flaxseed and Fish Oil. I am seeing the doctor this morning to check in with him. Bloodwork came out great, so he should be happy. And I am feeling great!
Stick with it.... you may find you do not need the meds after a while!! :icondance

careful tho, i thought the same thing not too long ago, I was doing good i went from 100mg down to 25, i got inpatient thought i didnt need it(felt great on this woe) so i stoppped... and a few months later... relapse back to 100mg. Taking the B complex is really goo tho but especially with SSRI's its not good to just stop and start, plus zoloft actually curves your apetite a little so its helpful. I agree with not taking Xanax tho, even tho i still keep them around...just in case.

Just hang in there all of you, dont stop taking your medications right away, when on SSRI's you must reduce the dosage step by step which should only be done under the supervision of a physician. There are alot of us out there so just keep your head up. :wave