IBS and Serotonin

[Judee]

So my IBS has mostly been in remission for several years now but in order to change my sleep patterns I recently I tried 5-htp and later L-Tryptophan.

It was such a bad decision for me and I wish I had researched it more. These supplements have triggered the worst episode of IBS I have had in years and none of my go-to remedies are working so far.

@Gondwanaland helpfully pointed out that there have been several studies on the relationship between serotonin in the gut and IBS in this post.

I also found a really good explanation for the mechanism for this here.

Just wanted to let others know (in case I'm not the only one who doesn't know about this relationship) so they can avoid this happening to them.

(Maybe we should have a section called Anecdopes [misspelling intentional] to show remedies to undo the things we have tried that backfire on us.)

 

[RWP (Rest without Peace)]

@Judee

Yes, we've had poor results with 5-HTP (regarding effectiveness for sleep---actually backfired), and so that's no surprise. We look forward to reading more about this, using your link.

RWP + PWR

 

[Gondwanaland]

The attached papers address FMS - one of the symptoms is insomnia so maybe they can help. After reading them I have been avoiding to eat fruit after 5PM and also eat them away from meals and these small changes greatly helped me with pain, migraines & headaches, cramps and insomnia.

 

[Judee]

After reading them I have been avoiding to eat fruit after 5PM and also eat them away from meals and these small changes greatly helped me with pain, migraines & headaches, cramps and insomnia.

Thank you, @Gondwanaland and @RWP (Rest without Peace) .

I don't eat fruit that often because Dr Wilson in his adrenal fatigue book advises against it, I think because in adrenal fatigue the body tends to go hyperkalemic and fruit is high in potassium.

However, I was once on Suzanne Somers diet and she also advises eating fruit away from other things and after I finished her diet I was able to drink coffee which used to "tear up" my stomach. I had not been able to drink it for years. I think you/they are definitely onto something with these studies and not mixing certain foods.

 

[RWP (Rest without Peace)]

@Judee

That link you provided was very helpful. I was diagnosed with IBS in 1988, about 6 months before my "CFS" diagnosis (that's what it was called then). I have found quite a bit of help through the years, but it's still a weak area.

I look forward to sharing more info with my PR friends when I can finish my writing project (3-part series).

RWP