The symptoms of fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) are all over the map. Why would one condition cause pain, fatigue, binge eating, self confidence, and abdominal problems? It's confusing and bewildering, not to mention way less than fun to live with!
But all of those seemingly random symptoms just might have something in common - some evidence suggests problems in how your body regulates serotonin. And they're not the only problems related to abnormalities this substance, which is both a neurotransmitter and a type of hormone.
Physical symptoms include:
- Chronic fatigue, in spite of adequate rest
- Disturbed sleep
- Either loss of appetite or carb cravings, possibly due to the body's attempt to make more serotonin
- Hot flushes and temperature changes
- Headaches
- Stomach pains
Emotional symptoms include:
- Loss of interest in sex
- Social withdrawal
- Sadness and frequent crying spells
- Low self-esteem and self-confidence
- Loss of personality
- Feeling emotionally sensitive and taking things personally
- Irritability
Serotonin is a regulator, and when it's out of whack, our bodies just aren't regular! Doctors don't generally test you for abnormal serotonin activity (most labs don't offer it, and most insurance companies don't cover it), so it has to be diagnosed based on symptoms.
Probably the most common way to change your serotonin levels is through medication: selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Some supplements and your diet can influence serotonin as well. Morning sunlight can help, too. As always, you should work with your doctor to decide which method is best for you!
- More Information: Serotonin Dysregulation in FMS & ME/CFS
How do you try to influence your serotonin level? Leave your comments below!
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Zoloft. This is the best medication for me…and I can certainly tell the times I didn’t take it. I’ve been on some type of antidepressant most of my life, but this one has worked the best in treating the symptoms you’ve mentioned here.
I wonder if meditation or t’ai chi has an effect on serotonin. T’ai chi is especially helpful if I am disciplined enough to actually DO it! I just feel great… “renewed” after a session. I end up feeling very relaxed and sometimes I like to just go to bed after doing it, because I’m at ease and I sleep better.
I do take 10mg of flexeril and 25mg of trazodone at night but truthfully, anything that helps me get a good night’s sleep tends to help my mood & pain level!
I take Sertraline and could not believe how one tablet improved my depression greatly after over thirty years of terrible depression.
This article is misleading in suggesting SSRI or SNRI boost serotonin. They do NOT. They allow existing serotonin to be used more optimally but do nothing to improve existing levels of the neurotransmitter. Diet and exercise changes are the best way to begin producing more serotonin. As levels begin to improve people will feel more optimistic, relaxed (meditation is good here!) and postive… this in turn will produce more serotonin.
Dietary sources of tryptophan such as avacado, turkey or salmon are good places to start. Supplements like L-tryptophan or 5 HTP are also helpful. This gives the body the building blocks to produce serotonin. Being up and physically active during the first 2 hours of daylight is good as this is the body’s key time for production of serotonin. There is a great book called The Diet and Exercise Solution that is a great resource for learning more about your brain chemistry and how you can change it.
I had a psychologist suggest I use that. After being on and off SSRI’s my entire life and all doctors using a similar route I thought he was crazy. I figured nothing he said was going to work. He laid out a very specific path for me to take with the 5-htp and some other supplements like D3; monitored the progress, adjusted the dose, taught me what he knew and how to do it; and I kid you not I can cure my depression in about a month or two. Saw him 6 times; never had to see him again. Yet, anyway, things can always change.
As for everything else they promise with 5-htp … No luck with; but with depression; if used right; great luck. Your reasons are spot on. If anyone lives in Indy; look up psychologists in the area on Google and he will be one of the highest rated.
I am not connected to any supplier. If you are not depressed don’t take it. I highly recommend seeking professional advise anytime; I am not a doctor; This is NOT professional advice; take what I saw as the words of a commoner writing about one experience. If I do have any interests whats so ever with the manufactures it would be buried deep in some mutual fund in my retirement account and I am unaware of it.
It’s important to note that although 5-HTP turns almost completely into serotonin, it doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier, so its not nearly as useful as L-Tryptophan (which does cross the barrier). I am basing this off of my Dr. word, but I can feel the difference too.
I’ve had great luck with 5-htp; Where can you get L-Tryptophan? I would be willing to try it next time my depression acts up. Preferably a brick and mortar store.
I should probably note I only have to use 5-htp for about a month before I not longer need it. Too much 5-HT has the same effects as too little. Its a tricky little substance. (5-HT is serotonin)
Im 17 and have just been diagnosed with low serotonin levels. Lately I have kinda withdrawn myself from life because i haven’t felt like myself. I have been more depressed, fatigued, quick to anger and less hungry. Sometimes i can go a whole day not eat and still feel like normal (or as normal as i can be). The worst effect from all of this is the intense head pain I have been having, nothing like a headache it stays constant about all day. Some days its less and other the pain is more. i find that the only thing that helps me is reduction in electronic use, such as: computers, tv, and video games.
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Blake, I just wanted to drop a line about your headache.
Sometime when you spend too much time on TV, computer, or anything looking at screen for too long, you feel like you have a headache.
BUT IMO I think it’s just your eye being tired or fatigues from too much computing.
I’m unable to take SSRIs or SNRIs without intolerable side effects. I’ve been taking a “mood support” herbal supplement containing St. John’s Wort for two years with excellent results. Unfortunately, not everyone tolerates St. John’s Wort; SAM-e is also worth trying to boost serotonin levels.
You may or may not like him, but here is what Dr. Andrew Weil has to say on the subject: “Trying to increase your serotonin levels with 5-HTP or food is probably not the best approach.” From this article: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA76842/supplement-to-boost-serotonin.html .
As always, probably the best approach for us fibromites is to try different things until we find one that works for us.
Increasing my serotonin levels has done nothing for my fibro. Instead of a depressed person with fibro; I am just able to cope with it and see the silver lining more. (I will take the stair because I still can Might have helped with my sleep some ( I use 5-HTP as needed ) which has a minor impact. No sleep = Terrible Fibro without a doubt. Else its just a probably.
Gotta love the disease that doesn’t exist.
Two packages of morning sunlight pleaseee !
NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS PEOPLE, OR DIETARY. DO NOT USE DRUGS-THEY WILL SCREW YOU UP IN THE END!!! Loook at the book Mood Cure. GOOD LUCK!!!
5-HTP DOES cross the blood-brain barrier so long as it is taken with carbohydrates. If taken with protein and fat only, it doesn’t work.
Take it with juice in the AM and PM. Start with 50mg twice daily and work your way up. I’m a big guy and require 300mg/day.
If I stop taking it, my world shrinks around me, my muscles get tight and start twitching, my thoughts begin to feel like someone else’s. I become withdrawn and irritable, can’t sleep at night, and have sleep disturbances.
Unlike SSRI’s 5-HTP has ZERO side effects on me. Everyone is different, so just be careful. Also, DO NOT TAKE IT if you’re on SSRI’s as this may cause you to have too much serotonin. SSRI’s trap serotonin so adding too much can make you very sick.
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