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Hello, Mary, yes I've heard that 5htp Tryptophan should not be used with SSRI's, but on occasion when sleep is really long overdue, I will add 5htp Tryptophan and have never had any bad reactions. I don't use it frequently, however.

I also use an antihistamine, called Zyxal, 5 mg. on occasion. I agree definitely that we build up histamine (that's why I suspect a lot of bipolar illness is related to genetic inheritance of an allergy gene along with whatever else is the problem---which I suspect is partly an exorphin sensitivity at this time).

Zyxal is a medically prescribed antihistamine, a much stronger and concentrated version of Zyrtec, and it really puts me to sleep, and it's restful sleep. My allergy specialist prescribed it. Your psychiatrist might do so, as well, I hope.

The whole B series is excellent for nerve conditions; however, it's best not to take it at bedtime because it can interrupt sleep. An excellent multiple vitamin once daily is the way to go, in my view.

I've referred the following article to people about caffeine many times: http://www.DoctorYourself.com/caffeineallergy Ruth Whalen, the writer, is a former
laboratory technician, and she tells the situation exactly the way it is about the dangers of caffeine. It's well worth anyone's reading, as is the new book by Dr. David Williams called Wheat Belly.

Anything else? (I hope I'm able to help; you gals and guys are smart and really know your helpful methods to correct things in your own diets.

Sometimes I think it's related, in part, to circadium rhythms. I know they play a large part in our feeling tone, including insomnia. So many have complaints in spring and winter with feeling tones. S.A.D. may be implicated in winter drop in feeling tone.

Two things have been outstanding for me: addition of Omega 3's and
stopping the use of wheat. I noticed improvement with feeling tone within 7 days of stopping it, and there were really no cravings for me after the 3rd day. I even attribute Omega 3's for helping with that. The major change was in having such a positive outlook on everything. Worry seemed to melt, nature seemed so beautiful, and people seemed so friendly and kind, etc.; you know the feelings.

I've looked at so many surveys regarding bipolar conditions and have almost smiled at some of them, when it seems so obvious now to me that exorphins play such a
large part of both schizophrenia recovery and bipolar improvement. All this
business about exorphins was known years ago in the 1970's.

One of the best published bits of information concerns two missing enzymes (a genetically inherited condition) in the metabolism of folic acid into folate (the vitamin B9 form which can cross the blood-brain barrier and is so helpful in depression). Usually, genetic testing is done to determine if one is missing the enzymes, but my psychiatrist felt that since it was a food med, we should try it and if it worked there was no need for genetic testing. For me, it is excellent; I wouldn't be without it. It's called Deplin and available in 7.5 and 15 mg. tabs, one daily (About $20.00 for a one-month supply).

Here's an interesting statement regarding all that: research studies that tend to suggest cutting out a food rather than using a medication for symptom relief don't often get serious consideration by the pharmaceutical industry. (The logic is that they want to sell medications, not have people change their diets. Obviously, it's the money thing.)