L-Tyrosine

[bigsister1982]

Hi all,

I have been browsing the drugstores for non-prescription ideas for a huge anxiety problem that's basically taking over my life. I am taking B-Complex with subtle results. I tried L-Tyrosine and I thought it was great!

However I know that L-Tyrosine is not for people with high blood pressure. I do have high blood pressure and I've been to the doctor about this. I was telling my story about how I feel, and all of a sudden, the nurse looks at my file, then at me, and says, "oh... is XXXX your brother???", gives me a sympathetic look, and told me my high blood pressure was DEFINITLY stress related .

One afternoonm, about a week after I started taking L-Tyrosine, I got dizzy and disoriented. My heart was beating so fast I thought it was going to pop out of my chest. This was about 1/2 hour after I took a L-Tyrosine pill and I haven't taken any since.

Does anyone here take L-Tyrosine? It definitly works except for the scary dizzy spell. I was taking 500mg pills, maybe I should take less? Any advice would be great. Like I said, I don't want anything prescription. The idea of having a prescription at my house would definitly aggrevate my stress more than help

Thanks!
BigSister

[least]

That kind of reaction sound like something a doctor should be told about. I'd be afraid of giving any advice about anything, tho I don't have any about L-Tyrosine, after such a severe reaction. I'd see a doctor if I were you. Doesn't sound like anything to mess around with.

[historyteach]

Please call your doctor.
We are not able nor equipt to give medical advice.
And that's exactly what you need.

Shalom!

[SailorKaren]

I concur with the above posts. But you might check out the Wikipedia article on it. According to it, L-tyrosine is a natural component found in high concentrations in cheese. Alrighty then! So I am taking it! (Wisconsin girl loves her cheese...) I did some searching on the subject, and it seems others have experienced similar reactions to yours. It sounds like they take in on an empty stomach, thinking that the amino acid will cross the blood-brain barrier unchanged and shift neurotransmitter levels in the brain. When eaten with foods, the other amino acids interact with L-tyrosine and there is less of an effect. I would be concerned about folks who pop L-tyrosine as a way to feel better. Are they not using a substance to manually override brain chemistry in an attempt to shift mood? I would be reluctant about it, because I think this is how addictions start. Have you read through the latest sticky posted by Morning Glory? It describes how neurotransmitter levels in the brain are naturally altered by the brain itself as it retrieves memories. The paper suggests a therapeutic approach to mood management that involves working with difficult memories in a way that lessens their negative impact in terms of emotions and neurochemistry. It is reminiscent to me of the techniques we were taught in my abuse recovery therapy.

Would you be willing to share a little bit about your anxious feelings? I know that remembering them and writing about them will possibly cause you to feel the anxiety, and that may be unpleasant. Our role can be to help present a different perspective to what happened, one that you can re-member as a bit more positive, and less disturbing. We are each a special and unique being, deserving of none of the trauma that may have come our way. This is a safe place to take a little risk and share, in the hope of love and support in return.

[Doingokdave]

I would absolutely check with your own personal physician or find a doc who understands the role of nutrients, rather than simply prescribing drugs. Its unprofessional to give specific advice without seeing and having a relationship with a patient, so I wont. But I can tell you that you really dont want to mess around with having hypertension. Long term high blood pressure can lead to all sorts of extremely serious medical problems, including a stroke. However, there are natural agents many docs wont even try before using a drug---if you give me a personal message, i would be happy to give you some details of what I have used and found effective for patients.

[Doingokdave]

karen
that was a beautiful post --you are very eloquent. I would take exception and disagree with your belief on the use of L-tyrosine or other amino acids. they obviously shouldnt be used indiscriminately and without knowledge from either a knowledgeable health professional or your own research, if you feel confident enough in learning about it and distinguishing what is accurate and what is nonsense---we all know that there are plenty of topic on the Internet which you cant have any faith in. My opinion is that the appropriate use of them can prove to be highly beneficial and although they may have pharmacodynamic properties---these are not drugs and zero potential for abuse. I am not saying they cant be misused however. good luck to everyone. I am new to this forum and truly impressed with the empathy that is clearly shown throughout all of the postings.

[Paulos]

I was taking L Tyrosine a lot to get my brain better working...... guess it didn't work.

[historyteach]

Paulos;

What amount did you take and for how long?
I'm just beginning to study this stuff, and I'm finding it pretty interesting.

Thanks for sharing!

And Doingokdave!
Welcome to SR!
I hope to see you here often!

Shalom!

[reader]

Since the supplement bothered u why not take it nutritionally, by eating cheese. If, weight causes ur high blood pressure. cabot lights are natural and fabulous. I am a big believer that a good diet can help us with our depression/anxiety. I know it helps me. Good luck to u....