If
you wish to return to the 'Ask Dr. Dunc.' mainpage, please click
here
If
you wish to visit the 'Ask Dr. Dunc.' question archives, please
click here
Question 43: My questions is do you know anything
about treating TS with the amino acid Tryptophan? If
there's anything I could contribute to your site in terms of info
or just keeping it updated I'd be glad to volunteer to help. Keep
up the great work...and maybe someday I can get you to come to Costa
Rica and do some lecturing...well it never hurts to dream LOL! B.M.,
Costa Rica
Hello
B.!
Tryptophan
is a precursor to serotonin -- many drugs used in OCD and in the treatment
of anxiety and depression work in various ways to either increase serotonin
or increase the effectiveness of how your head USES serotonin. Since
having more tryptophan in your body would mean that it could manufacture
more serotonin I'm not surprised if some people find taking it helpful.
Given that it is an indirect solution though (i.e. simply taking medications
that directly impact the neurotransmitter serotonin is less roundabout)
I also wouldn't be surprised if this method is not as effective as taking,
for example, SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
Your offer
to contribute to the site is very kind sir -- thank you! One thing I
often do solicit from adults with TS are submissions to the "Grown-Ups
with TS" section -- basically various role-models I've met
write things they'd like to say to children with TS such as lessons
or strategies they've learned, or encouragement. If you ever wanted
to send me something for this section of the site I'd be very pleased
to receive it B.
Come to
Costa Rica, and again bask in the South American sun (I traveled to
Brasil in December of 2000)?? My goodness, you wouldn't have to ask
me twice!!! I'll keep my fingers crossed sir....... ;-)
