Question: I have been struggling with depression and anxiety for 9 years. On 10-1-13, I had a panic attack. Depression has been much worse this year. Anxiety has been better have being prescribed Xanax. Upto .5mg a day. Chronic insomnia the past year. Any wyas. The past week or so, I have been slowing experimenting with L- tryptophan. Yesterday I took my meds 200 mg zooloft and . 5mf of Xanax. Stressed out the whole day, but got thru. Broke down in tears several times. Eventually I took a 500mg pill of the tryptophan. It seemed to calm me and put me in a better mood. What should I do? My last Psychiatrist closed his practice, so I don't see a mental health doctor until 12-15-14. I star counseling next week. I just want some sleep. I have been awake for over 48 hours, and I am not tired. Need some advice!!I forgot. I am also on lisinopril.

Thanks for your reply. Ysterday, before I received your reply. Despite no sleep for over 48 hours a was able to run 1.5 miles. I also lifted weights with my friend for an hour or so. I did take the 500mg of Trypthophan at 3pm or so. I also received some essential oils in the mail. I soaked in a hot bath with some "relaxation" of the oil. I did like the smell and it seemed to make me drowsy. I also have a diffuser in my room Been using lavender oil for a little over a month. These seemed to help as well. I sleep so so. * hours or so, but it was not continuous. Times of being up for 30 min or so. I did have a lot of dreams though.

I have also been using the Fischer Wallace Brain stimulator on a regular basis the past month or so. It seems to relax me also. I got it about 7 months ago. But stopped using it after about 2 months. I did not tell my doctor about this. Embarrassed, I guess.

My last doctor said I was not Bipolar. The first 8 years of this I had no sex drive and was very frugal with money. I did not experience many times of happiness, but I could sleep. I was basically afraid of my own shadow. I had trouble driving on certain roads that I had driven for years.

About a year ago, the doctor had me on I believe 200 mg of Trazodone as well as the Zoloft. In December of last year. I would not be thinking about sex, and then the slightest movement would trigger a sensation in my testicles. Probably masterbated about 5 times a day for a month or so. I told my doc what was going on. We stopped the Traz and added the Xanax. Those sensations in my testicles stopped within two days. I still have a high sex drive at times. Masterbate 4 times a week.

The addition of the Xanax has made me able to drive. It has also enabled me to work and do my job like I use to. I am a corrections officer, the first eight years of this episode I had trouble enforcing basic rules and limits for the inmates. I called in sick frequently. I have also been able to interact with my friends better. The Xanax scares me because it is addictive. But that is the only thing that has helped so far. I don't think the Zoloft is doing much.

I also both a blue light therapy device. I have not used it much, seemed like I got a little more nervous when I tried it. So I stopped. I both this because this past summer I went golfing on a bright XXXXXXX day. I was tired. Anyways the next 3 days or so I slept really well.

Not sure if my doc was right on the bipolar diagnoses. I like him as a doc a lot. But when my panic attack occurred, my hands and feet went numb several days later. He thought this could be signs of diabetes. Diabetes levels are very good. 5.4 or so. Numbness stopped when Xanax was added.

I will stop the Tryptophan. Vitamin D level was at 40 as of last month. Should I get any blood work done before I go to see my mental health prescriber in December?

I will also print this out to give to my new health care practioners. I just want things to change for the better. Thank you.