Joie has Sjogren’s, Hashimoto’s, fibromyalgia & collagenous colitis (all diagnosed after severe mold exposure) and shared how GABA is a life saver for her anxiety, how theanine helps at night with her insomnia and how 5-HTP makes a significant difference in lessening her daily pain. Here is her wonderful feedback in her own words (my feedback for her follows):
I was diagnosed with Sjogrens several years ago. I also have Hashimoto’s, Fibromyalgia & Collagenous Colitis. All of these happened after a severe mold exposure which destroyed my pituitary, and caused Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI). I have to take human growth hormone injections daily, as my pituitary isn’t working, digestive enzymes for the EPI, and have experienced the anxiety and depression you’ve written about.
The GABA has been a life saver for me (for my anxiety), and I share this with all I know who experience anxiety. I also use L-theanine at night because of insomnia. The 5-HTP has helped somewhat for sleep. L-tryptophan didn’t seem to make a difference. However the 5-HTP has made a significant difference in lessening my daily pain levels, which I am most grateful for.
Unfortunately, I am also taking Klonopin and Gabapentin, both of which I have tried to get off of but keep finding myself back on both in order to have greater than 5 hours of sleep at night. Even with these, I often awaken after 4-6 hours and take 1-2 chewable GABA which allows me to go back to sleep and get 2-4 more hours of sleep.
She shared this on the blog, Sjogren’s syndrome: tryptophan and GABA for anxiety, and moisturizing for dry skin and inflammation?, where I write about the prevalence of anxiety and depression in this autoimmune condition, and the fact that serotonin and GABA are often low.
I shared how sorry I was to hear how mold has impacted her but that it was wonderful to hear the GABA has been a lifesaver for you in terms of anxiety (and when waking in the night) and that theanine helps her sleep. It’s wonderful that 5-HTP helps ease her daily pain (here is fibromyalgia research on 5-HTP) and helps somewhat with her sleep issues.
Has she increased the amino acids to the optimal doses for her unique needs?
My question for her was this: “how much of each of these amino acids are you using and have you increased them to the optimal doses for your unique needs?” I asked this because many folks don’t do this and we always want to capitalize on what is working.
Here are some examples that relate to Joie:
- When 5-HTP helps with pain relief we also do afternoon and bedtime trials to see if it can improve sleep further. And we always explore some of the reasons why serotonin may be low and address those too. You can read more on that here: what causes low serotonin
I shared that tryptophan doesn’t work for everyone and some do better with 5-HTP, but I do also consider melatonin when sleep is an issue, especially timed release to prevent waking in the night.
- Since GABA is a lifesaver for her in terms of her anxiety and also helps when she wakes, trialing higher doses at bedtime may prevent the early morning waking. The same could be said for trialing a higher dose of theanine and using both GABA and theanine together at night (a 2019 study shows the combination decreases sleep latency and improves NREM sleep).
High cortisol, rebound sleep issues with meds and/or poor fat digestion?
If she has already done the above, I’d explore high cortisol and do a 5-collection an adrenal saliva test). When cortisol is high during the night, the use of Seriphos can be a game-changer for many.
Unfortunately both Klonopin and Gabapentin (especially the former) can cause rebound insomnia even when they seem to be helping in the short-term.
I also mentioned that my recent blog post many be helpful since she mentions exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which could affect sleep by impacting her fat digestion – Waking in the night due to environmental toxins: impacts on the liver, gallbladder and fat digestion (making oxalate issues worse). This has relevance whether or not oxalates are an issue.
Autoimmune-Paleo (AIP) diet, pyroluria and moisturizing for reducing inflammation
It goes without saying that since Sjogren’s, Hashimoto’s and even Collagenous Colitis are autoimmune conditions, following an Autoimmune-Paleo (AIP) diet is key too. I have links to some AIP resources on the above Sjogren’s blog post.
In this blog I also mention pyroluria which may be relevant for someone with Collagenous Colitis and is crucial to address when there has been toxic mold exposure or other chronic issues like Lyme disease or MCAS. More on this here.
And you can also read about the value of moisturizing for reducing inflammation.
I thanked her and said I plan to share her results and my response as a new blog as I feel it will help others and give hope!
Resources if you are new to using amino acids as supplements
If you are new to using any of the amino acids as supplements, here is the Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution (you can see all the symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalances, including low serotonin and low GABA).
If you suspect low levels of any of the neurotransmitters and do not yet have my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution – How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings, I highly recommend getting it and reading it before jumping in and using amino acids on your own so you are knowledgeable. And be sure to share it with the practitioner/health team you or your loved one is working with.
There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and they are discussed throughout the book in the sections on gut health, gluten, blood sugar control, sugar cravings, self-medicating with alcohol and more.
The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs. You can find them all in my online store.
If, after reading this blog and my book, you don’t feel comfortable figuring things out on your own (i.e. doing the symptoms questionnaire and respective amino acids trials), a good place to get help is the GABA QuickStart Program (if you have low GABA symptoms). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support.
If you are a practitioner, join us in The Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals program. This is also a paid online/virtual program with an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids.
Has GABA helped with your anxiety and insomnia? What about theanine? And 5-HTP for your pain? Or melatonin for sleep?
Have you used taurine with success for fat digestion? Or Seriphos for high cortisol?
What else has helped you with symptoms like these ones?
If you have questions please share them here too.
Hi Trudy,
Thank you for your info on Gaba, theanine 5-HTP, vitamins & supplements. I’m wondering if they are effective even if you are on Medication such as Welbrutrin and Lamictil? Thank you
Ortega
I have clients take tryptophan or 5-HTP 6 hours away from the SSRI (all with the prescribing doctor’s approval and monitoring). It’s advised to use these aminos when someone is on only 1 prescription psychiatric medication.
Best is to read this blog and work with and discuss with the prescribing doctor /pharmacist as there is the potential risk of serotonin syndrome with SSRIs and tryptophan/5-HTP https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/taper-from-antidepressant-tryptophan-amino-acids/
I have had insomnia for years. I have used GABA Calm with good results and also 5HTP and Melatonin (10mg) and 5mg Ambien. Recently I discovered I have mild sleep apnea and have made huge progress in modifying my night awakening. With my sleep apnea issues addressed, I would like to try to reduce my supplements and the Ambien…but this (thought) causes more anxiety- I feel so dependent on my nightly “cocktail”
What is the best way to reduce the fear of withdrawal and my nagging brain that tells me I “need” these things?
Many thanks for all the wonderful information you share!
Lynn
Glad to hear you have discovered sleep apnea as it’s a less recognized cause of insomnia. Are you now using a CPAP machine?
I have clients gradually reduce the amino acids and melatonin, one at a time – when they are concerned and not sure how much they may still be helping.
Ambien does need to be tapered very slowly and under medical supervision. There is a risk of seizures with abrupt withdrawal https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16950552/
Hi Trudy
I have a question about taking Gaba and lithium and tryptophan while Im on xanax and zoloft. I have a lot of physical and mental anxiety . I am in a IOP program with therapy and a psychologist . Is it safe to take these amino acids with my meds?
Rose
I have clients take tryptophan or 5-HTP 6 hours away from the SSRI (all with the prescribing doctor’s approval and monitoring). It’s advised to use these aminos when someone is on only 1 prescription psychiatric medication.
Best is to read this blog and work with and discuss with the prescribing doctor /pharmacist as there is the potential risk of serotonin syndrome with SSRIs and tryptophan/5-HTP https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/taper-from-antidepressant-tryptophan-amino-acids/
Hi Trudy, I notice that you don’t recommend pharma GABA. Is there a reason? I have been taking 1500 mg of GABA at bedtime and add 500 mg once or twice more when I wake up. Last night I tried Thorne’s 100 mg pharma GABA and finally fell back asleep. I have been wide awake at 4 am for over a week now. I just ordered Natural Factors 250 mg pharma GABA. I’m thinking for now I’ll take one around 4 am to see if I can get back to sleep.
Gary
My first choice is typically GABA but many folks do well or even better with pharmaGABA. Glad to hear it’s working well for you. Keep us posted on how the higher dose works and don’t forget to also explore the liver connection with 4am wakings https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/waking-in-the-night-due-to-environmental-toxins-impacts-on-the-liver-gallbladder-and-fat-digestion-making-oxalate-issues-worse/
PharmaGABA can be an issue when someone has histamine issues or MCAS https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/pharmagaba-vs-gaba-when-you-have-histamine-issues-mcas-does-pharmagaba-ease-physical-anxiety-or-make-things-worse/
GABA does nothing for me. (ME/CFS and MCAS) But Phenibut works wonders! The absence of stress allows me to function mentally, and in social situations. I only use it occasionally. Can you explain the difference in my response to Phenibut vs. GABA?
Your book and further information has been a godsend to me! Thank you!
Helen
I have found that GABA doesn’t work when it’s swallowed – sublingual, liopsomal and/or powder (or capsule opened) all held on the tongue works well for most folks. I also have clients increase in order to find their ideal dose.
I’m curious to hear which GABA products you have trialed and if you’ve increased as needed, how much you’ve used and how you used them?
I have concerns about phenibut because it’s so similar to benzodiazepines. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/phenibut-for-anxiety-and-insomnia-fda-warns-3-companies-to-cease-distribution-of-their-products/ Would you share how much you use and how often and which product you use?
Glad to hear my book and other info has been a godsend! Be sure to check out the pyroluria chapter for stress-free social situations.
Hi Trudy thx so much for all you do to help so many! Can you please recommend any transdermal GABA products? Can’t tolerate sublingual or oral supplements, thx so much! Blessings, Jane French
Jane
I’ve experimented with home-made topical GABA and found it to work quite well. I mixed GABA powder with water and use it topically.
Somnium is a topical GABA product that is available for purchase
Hi Trudy,
Can you please recommend what GABA brand and what form (powder, capsule, etc.) is best to consume? Also, for 5-HTP, can I mix the two? (GABA & 5-HTP) at night for Insomnia? If so, what dose is recommended? Any advice please and thanks!
Yanet
You can find the amino acid products I use here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-pyroluria-supplements/. At the bottom you’ll see how to set up an account with my online supplement store.
I do have clients use GABA and 5-HTP for insomnia but only after trialing one at a time so they know how each one is helping. Dosing depends on each person’s unique needs – we start low and increase to find the ideal amount.
If you are new to using amino acids my book The Antianxiety Food Solution is a good resource for the amino acids and all the dietary factors too – https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ You don’t mention what dietary changes have been made?
I am on a small dose of Lyrica and Buspirone for fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis pain and anxiety but would like to wean off using gaba. Can I take Gaba concurrently with these as I wean off them?
Julie
GABA is typically safe with these medications but I always have clients discuss with the prescribing doctor