I have read over the protocol and will talk to him about it further when I have my next appt., which won't be until fall.

I know this doesn't answer your question, but maybe there are others that have already tried it and will respond. I am curious about it, however.

Sorry, I couldn't be of help.

The amino acids tyrosine and 5-hydroxytryptophan raise levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and serotonin.

Restoring neurotransmitter levels to normal helps a great number of medical problems, especially pain and cognitive abnormalities.

That is from the protocol sheets, but I really can't explain it as I don't know enough. There is a lot for me to learn.

GiGi could probably explain why it is used and what it does to help...I'm still trying to understand it.

GiGi,

I won't see Dr. C until fall and if I learn what this is all about, I will post.

Sorry, I couldn't be of any help.

Neuroreplete: contains 5HTP, tyrosine, lysine, Vit.C Vit.B6, calcium, and folate.

Cysreplete: cysteine, selenium, folate

Replete Extra: 5HTP, tyrosine, and folate

These amino acids are supposedly balanced, so that if you follow the protocol you make neurotransmitters which help the nerves work. So, these would help with cognitive functioning, nerve transmission, GI tract problems, depression etc.

I e-mailed you, but the minimum cost for 3 weeks of treatment is $481. It will cost more if you go longer. See details of the protocol at www.neuroplete.com

God speed your healing! Hiker

Thanks for the information. Sounds like it could be promising. Enjoy your vacation.

Neurotransmitters


chemical that transmits information across the junction (synapse) that separates one nerve cell (neuron) from another nerve cell or a muscle. Neurotransmitters are stored in the nerve cell's bulbous end (axon). When an electrical impulse traveling along the nerve reaches the axon, the neurotransmitter is released and travels across the synapse, either prompting or inhibiting continued electrical impulses along the nerve.

There are more than 300 known neurotransmitters, including chemicals such as acetylcholine, norepinephrine, adenosine triphosphate, and the endorphins, and gases, such as nitric oxide. Neurotransmitters transmit information within the brain and from the brain to all the parts of the body. Acetylcholine, for example, sends messages to the skeletal muscles, sweat glands, and heart; serotonin release underlies the process of learning and consciousness.

The actions of some drugs mimic those of naturally occurring neurotransmitters. The pain-regulating endorphins, for example, are similar in structure to heroin and codeine, which fill endorphin receptors to accomplish their effects. The wakefulness that follows caffeine consumption is the result of its blocking the effects of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity.

Abnormalities in the production or functioning of certain neurotransmitters have been implicated in a number of diseases including Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and clinical depression.

Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that allow communication to occur in the brain. Different neurotransmitters allow and/or produce different functions. We can link various thinking, feeling and behavioral actions and states to various transmitters.

A partial list of neurotransmitters include:

Dopamine
Norepinephrine
Serotonin
GABA
Enkephalin
Dopamine

Dopamine Functions in:

Feelings of pleasure
Feelings of attachment/love
Sense of altruism (unselfish concern for the welfare of others)
Integration of thoughts and feelings

Dopamine Deficiencies result in:

Anhedonia (lack of pleasure)
Lack of ability to feel love, sense attachment to another
Lack of remorse about actions
Distractibility
Norepinephrine

Norepinephrine Functions in:

Arousal, energy, drive
Stimulation
Fight or Flight

Norepinephrine Deficiencies result in:

Lack of energy
Lack of motivation
First "state" called depression
Serotonin

Serotonin Functions in:

Emotional stability
Reduces aggression
Sensory input
Sleep cycle
Appetite control

Serotonin Deficiencies result in:

Irritability
Irrational emotions
Sudden unexplained tears
OCD
Sleep disturbances

GABA

GABA Functions in:

Control of anxiety
Helps control arousal
Controls convulsions
Keeps brain activity "balanced"

GABA Deficiencies result in:

"Free-floating" anxiety
Racing thoughts
Rapid heart
Inability to "fall asleep"
Constant "fight or flight"
Panic

Enkephalin

Enkephalin Functions in:

Internal calm
Sense of well being
Feelings of euphoria
Self-concept
Pain management

Enkephalin Deficiencies result in:

It is great.

Trout

I've been on them since last Nov or Dec and they are very expensive, and recently went off, them. I hope they helped, but can't really tell the difference.

How long do you stay on this protocol? If you only do 3 weeks, does this mean symptoms return?

I started the Diflucan 2 months ago...
just started the iodine.

Hope that helps.

My herxes feel...hmmmmmmmm.

Well I have been trying to figure out my situation here and the best I can tell you is this. My body is FINALLY killing the Bb it's self...I think.

I believe the herx for anything is also as unique as Lyme itself.

Trout

PS........it feels good to feel kinda normal.

There is a lot of B6 in their formulation of 5 HTP...more than in other OTC brands.

They also make a spray (oral) called EndoPlus and capsules called Serene Plus (GiGi...this product is fantastic) for neurotransmitter support.

Please note: these are neurotransmitter SUPPORT NUTRIENTS because that's what you are missing...one or more of the NUTRIENTS to MAKE your own serotonin and dopamine (GABA helps with that).

Read the labels on the bottles. See what they contain...

For those who don't know me, my sister has lyme, but my son had severe food poisoning (I believe)followed by an appendectomy which started a downward spiral. He ended up with virtually NO BENEFICIAL bacteria in his gut. He was absorbing and making NO NUTRIENTS = severe with significant weight loss, cholesterol plummeted, severe depression, etc.

It is very difficult, tricky (understatement!), to restore the balance and it takes time! MONTHS.

He is on the way back to health. We started with loading doses of probiotics.

Re: iodine.

"Needed in only trace amounts, iodine helps to metabolize excess fat and is important in physical and mental development. Iodine is also needed for a healthy thyroid gland and in the prevention of goiter. Mental retardation may result from an iodine deficiency in children. In addition, an iodine deficiency has recently been linked to breast cancer.

Foods that are high in iodine include iodized salts, seafood, salt-water fish, and kelp. It may also be found in asparagus, dulse (what's that?), white deep-water fish, garlic, lima beans, mushrooms, sea salt, sesame seeds, soybeans, spinach (see warnings below), summer squash, Swiss chard, and turnip greens.

Warnings
Some foods block the uptake of iodine into the thyroid gland when eaten in large amounts. These include Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, peaches, pears, spinach and turnips. If a hypothyroid disorder is present, limit these foods in the diet. Excess iodine (over 30 times the RDA) produces a metallic taste and sores in the mouth, swollen salivary glands, diarrhea and vomiting,"

The above is from the book, Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Balch.

About a year or so ago, an alternative med. practitioner said I could try to put a silver dollar sized amt. of iodine on my skin. (Careful, if you spill it...stains everything!) It dries pretty fast. If it is absorbed in a few hours (the stain disappears), the thought is: I was deficient. If the stain lingers, I didn't need the "extra".

Iodine is a metal, mineral, alkaline...

Lithium will help with manic depression, but what is actually missing is another mineral...

Pyridium will help with bladder urgency issues, but do we really need pyridium? It works for awhile...What is actually missing is another mineral..

The minerals do sort of "help one another out" to a DEGREE. But they also have their own specific functions.

Toxins are ACIDIC and this bug IS (outer cell wall), and CAUSES toxicity.

The pathogens, all of them, are "parasites". They take from us our nutrients...many nutrients. Some of these nutrients are needed in order to make healthy antibodies (our own highly targeted "antibiotics") to destroy these pathogens.

Rife saw, thru his microscope, bacteria transforming into viruses that triggered cancer. Interesting, but he also saw those viruses transform BACK to their original bacterial form.

Question: when the nutrients drop, does this trigger the bacteria to "shape change" temporarily (until the needed nutrients are once again available)?

You need enough of the right NUTRIENTS in balance to make the neurotransmitters. The nutrients work together. They are all important.

I have too high levels of some of the excitory nerotransmitters, which fits with my symptoms of migraines, inflamation, etc, so the protocol is to increase the inhibitory neurotransmitters first, then add the excitory when the body can handle them better.

Too soon to really say how well it is working, but it did cause me to have a real aversion to food. I lost weight, which I can still afford, but I'm actually down to the edge of losing too much. Never thought I'd get there. These are used in some people specifically to lose weight. The aversion has faded, so I am able to eat more normally now.

For the rest, it may be helping, but can't tell for sure yet, as the symptoms tend to go in cycles. The protocol is supposed to last for a number of months, to make a real change, so I'll give it some time.

I want to emphasize what Marnie says about taking the correct things for the individual. My doc thought I would need the iodine, so did the testing for me. As it turned out, I was not deficient, and had a reaction to the Iodoral tablets used to load for the test.

Many people with Hashimoto's thyroid do have trouble with iodine and need selenium instead, so it is always good to check what you add to your protocol.

"The element most critical in the Lyme patient however is iodine. A 2 inch square of Lugol's iodine is painted on the patient's skin and should remain visible for 24 hours. The sooner it is absorbed, the more deficient the patient. An oral form of Lugol's is available under the name of Iodoral (Optimox, Torrance, Ca.)

Filling up the body's mineral reserves has always been the most essential part of our heavy metal detox program. It is also the most essential part of our Lyme treatment."

Be careful with excessive substitution of zinc. Zinc has a synergistic effect with mercury in the brain and also promotes the growth of the herpes viruses. Be sure you get muscle tested before you add zinc or any separate mineral. Becoming incompatible with any supplement is very common and this can block your autonomics. Interpreting these events as herxes is a mistake - a big one!

If in doubt, Take that supplement vacation. It avoids pitfalls. Even the best and most expensive supplementation can backfire by blocking your system. 2-3 weeks on, 1 week off. Muscle testing is best even then.

The most costly neurotransmitters won't work too well if you are still heavy metal toxic - one of the reasons they are missing in the first place.

"The element most critical in the Lyme patient however is iodine. A 2 inch square of Lugol's iodine is painted on the patient's skin and should remain visible for 24 hours. The sooner it is absorbed, the more deficient the patient. An oral form of Lugol's is available under the name of Iodoral (Optimox, Torrance, Ca.)

Filling up the body's mineral reserves has always been the most essential part of our heavy metal detox program. It is also the most essential part of our Lyme treatment."

Be careful with excessive substitution of zinc. Zinc has a synergistic effect with mercury in the brain and also promotes the growth of the herpes viruses. Be sure you get muscle tested before you add zinc or any separate mineral. Becoming incompatible with any supplement is very common and this can block your autonomics. Interpreting these events as herxes is a mistake - a big one!

If in doubt, Take that supplement vacation. It avoids pitfalls. Even the best and most expensive supplementation can backfire by blocking your system. 2-3 weeks on, 1 week off. Muscle testing is best even then.

The most costly neurotransmitters won't work too well if you are still heavy metal toxic - one of the reasons they are missing in the first place.

Good suggestions...I muscle test everything...thanks.

River...right the money...I have always taken selenium...I am a man and it just needs to be there.

Marnie....thanks SO much for your continuing help.

By the way people.....I am almost normal.

Trout

(Except from thrush that was caused by reflex...caused by a mechanical problem I have in my spine...that was irritated when I was in Massage Therapy School. Had to quit darn it.

I respectfully disagree about the Lugol's iodine skin test where you put a drop of iodine on the skin and see how fast it is absorbed. Studies show that most of the iodine evaporates into the air quickly before it even has a chance to be absorbed. I will try to find the studies.

Sorry I missed you in Springfield...would have been fun.

By the way..I think this neurotransmitter protocol is one of the best I have studied.