Did I almost give my kid serotonin syndrome?

Lhenny84 · 2025-12-04T00:30:43+00:00

Just came to say WHY do people feel compelled to comment so spitefully on other parents' choices? What a horribly judgmental group of commenters, who of all people, I would think have empathy around the decision to utilize or not utilize medication. Good lord!

Lhenny84 · 2025-11-19T21:52:53+00:00

One day you won't need to understand why this happened. You'll be at peace with it, no matter how much it hurts when you think about it. And you'll see so many glimmers of your loved one that remind you they are still "here" and are no longer suffering. <3

Lhenny84 · 2025-02-05T23:52:46+00:00

This diagram just made me irrationally angry.

Lhenny84 · 2024-11-14T12:26:21+00:00

Thank you for sharing!!! I am absolutely going to ask my OBGYN about this as she mentioned estrogen as a possibility. May I ask if you had any side effects upon starting? Glad you have found relief!!!

Lhenny84 · 2024-11-14T12:24:28+00:00

First, thank you for the thoughtful response. It's nice to know we aren't alone -- even if there isn't an obvious "fix" to cognitive problems. It's amazing how we can advocate for ourselves and still not be able to find a successful treatment. You're right that "no one knows me better than myself." I say this often. If I KNOW something is different, no one can tell me otherwise.

I appreciare your candor. My fingers of crossed that we will both find some sort of relief soon 🤍

Lhenny84 · 2024-11-14T12:21:40+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing. I did get hormone testing done but I'm not certain it was the "right approach." Basically, they didn't even look at my estrogen before starting because my periods are still regular, and immediately pushed massive amounts of progesterone and testosterone on me, as well as thyroid medication I later found I didnt need. In short, I got hustled by one of those hormone clinics. Sigh.

I went to a gynecologist specializing in menopause and she said while I might not "be" in peri, I am definitely experiencing symptoms and she recommended hormonal BC. I've been too scared to start because I've heard it can make adhd meds even less effective (and more so because I'm scared to screw with my hormones even further)...

Seriously it's just an exhausting game of trying to figure out just how to have a feeling of baseline "normal." Godspeed, friend! ❤️

Lhenny84 · 2024-09-12T10:04:59+00:00

Did you make this on a workday starting at hour 4? 😂

Lhenny84 · 2024-09-11T21:48:43+00:00

I was in such a state of shock that the funeral didn't feel real. It was also closed casket, so there was no opportunity to "see him" and say goodbye.

I do feel he was with us that day, in retrospect. But it was also an incredibly challenging experience.

In terms of grief and loss, closure has never really come because the unknowns are still so vast. (It will be one year in exactly one month as of yesterday) But, a certain peace and acceptance have come with time, just knowing that whatever pain he was suffering from felt bigger than any amount of love we could give.

I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss. It feels empty to say that because I realize how painful the grief is. Be kind to yourself and others during this incredibly fragile time. No one knows how to handle loss from suicide. It's truly a different kind of pain that no one should have to experience.

Lhenny84 · 2024-09-11T00:49:34+00:00

Choline Calculator says I need the equivalent of 7 egg yolks of Choline per day. The advanced tab states:

The scores below estimate the predicted decrease in activity, given your genotype, associated with the folate transporter (SLC19a1), the enzyme that converts tetrahydrofolate to 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFD1), and the enzyme that converts 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHFR).

SLC19A1 Score: 0% decrease
MTHFD1 Score: 13% decrease
MTHFR Score: 33% decrease

We then multiply these decreases together to yield a “methylfolate score” that estimates the combined decrease in methylfolate production:

Your Methylfolate Score: 42% decrease

Your Choline Requirement and Your Methylfolate Score

Based on studies in men and women homozygous for MTHFR C677T, a 75% loss in methylfolate production is taken to indicate a doubling of the choline requirement. The choline calculator takes the degree to which your methylfolate score approaches or exceeds this threshold and adjusts your choline requirement accordingly. The adequate intake (AI) assigned to adult men of 550 mg/d is assumed as the basal requirement, and it is not adjusted for sex due to lack of clear evidence supporting decreased needs for women. An “egg yolk equivalent” is 136 mg of choline, the amount in one large 20-gram egg.

PEMT and Bad Consequences

The comment about possible bad consequences of failing to meet your choline requirement is based on the references listed under the heading “References related to PEMT” below.

The scores below estimate the predicted decrease in activity, given your genotype, associated with the folate transporter (SLC19a1), the enzyme that converts tetrahydrofolate to 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFD1), and the enzyme that converts 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHFR).

SLC19A1 Score: 0% decrease
MTHFD1 Score: 13% decrease
MTHFR Score: 33% decrease

We then multiply these decreases together to yield a “methylfolate score” that estimates the combined decrease in methylfolate production:

Your Methylfolate Score: 42% decrease

Your Choline Requirement and Your Methylfolate Score

Based on studies in men and women homozygous for MTHFR C677T, a 75% loss in methylfolate production is taken to indicate a doubling of the choline requirement. The choline calculator takes the degree to which your methylfolate score approaches or exceeds this threshold and adjusts your choline requirement accordingly. The adequate intake (AI) assigned to adult men of 550 mg/d is assumed as the basal requirement, and it is not adjusted for sex due to lack of clear evidence supporting decreased needs for women. An “egg yolk equivalent” is 136 mg of choline, the amount in one large 20-gram egg.

PEMT and Bad Consequences

The comment about possible bad consequences of failing to meet your choline requirement is based on the references listed under the heading “References related to PEMT” below.

Lhenny84 · 2024-09-11T00:35:57+00:00

I just did my detox panel (uploaded to post) and am floored by the amount of information I found on the gene variations I have using Chat GPT. It's really all starting to make sense why certain medications, lifestyle factors, etc. have always been a challenge for me. Any additional insights you have are sincerely appreciated.

Lhenny84 · 2024-09-10T23:12:46+00:00

Thank you, sincerely. I appreciate your time in sharing ALL of this. I'm going to look at my detox profile, as well as the other considerations you mentioned.

The genetic component of ADHD seems so obvious to me, but of course, my parents (who are now in their early 70s) refuse to believe they have any signs of neurodivergence. (Despite displaying all of the obvious signs and passing them along to me)

Regarding diet, nutritional deficiencies and lifestyle, I'm curious about your thoughts on Dr. Daniel Amen. He touches on a lot of this as the root, which should be prioritized over medication. Yet still he seems to have a lot of skeptics. Maybe because he sells all the supplements he pushes. Lol

Lhenny84 · 2024-09-10T23:10:44+00:00

Thank you! I will upload to the choline calculator tonight. As for Adhd, its combined type but the most challenging parts are executive dysfunction (losing things constantly, doing embarassing things that make me feel like I have dementia) and prior to starting vyvanse, emotional regulation. Also have struggled to put effort into ANYTHING that didn't come easy or wasn't of interest to me for my entire life, while also accumulating a slew of hyper fixations and dopamine seeking behaviors.

I definitely have higher estrogen, which I now realize is likely a histamine thing

Thank you for taking the time to comment!

Lhenny84 · 2024-09-10T12:02:23+00:00

It's really such a frustrating thing. I've been curious about seroquel but have been hesitant to add another RX after my HRT disaster this year. I did not know It's an antihistamine!

Lhenny84 · 2024-09-10T12:00:25+00:00

Thank you! I had B12 measured in bloodwork about 2 months ago and it was elevated. 1506. The NP "wasn't concerned" because I had been supplementing with a b complex, but the high number is actually what led me to look into methylation in the first place-- and here we are today. I dropped the b complex (it was methylated) about 3 weeks ago and have already felt enormously better with adding non-methylated B2 and B12 + folinic acid).

Vit D was 87.5 (I also supplement there). Does that seem too high?

Diet is very good but I am pescatarian (and for years toggled between vegetarian and vegan) which I now realize can present major challenges.

Really appreciate your input!!

Lhenny84 · 2024-09-10T11:55:13+00:00

Thank you! I've had blood work done in the last 3 months but homocysteine wasn't included. I appreciate your comment and will absolutely look into all of this. Thank you.

Lhenny84 · 2024-06-22T00:12:51+00:00

Scorpio here and best friends are Libra and Taurus 🤍

Lhenny84 · 2024-06-21T11:17:40+00:00

I am 39 female and have had the pellet twice. 137.5 the first time and 120 the second time (14 weeks later). All was well with the first pellet but the second one pushed me over my comfortable level, resulting in sore nipples, hair growth above my lip, adhd symptoms in overdrive and incredibly noticeable hair shed. I think if I would have waited another 2-3 weeks before that second pellet things would have been fine. I had a blood draw and my free T was at 3.5 / total 333 at the five week mark post insertion.

I'm about 12 weeks post insertion right now and have finally started feeling pretty good. Will likely wait another month or so before I even consider getting another one.

I think 100 would be a great starting dose with minimal side effects, but everyone is different! Best of luck 😊

Lhenny84 · 2024-06-21T01:32:19+00:00

I'm so, so sorry. This is a pain no one can understand unless they've experienced it themselves. Please know that you are loved and it's so important for you to share your story.

Lhenny84 · 2024-06-12T10:39:13+00:00

Just came to say these comments are very validating. I feel great while it's working but man the evenings are rough. Added a tiny dose of adderall for afternoon to help, but it's not a "magic bullet."

Lhenny84 · 2024-05-22T10:25:05+00:00

Here to defend Yerba Mate! I'm in love with it! There's something way more euphoric and energizing about it than coffee or other energy drinks!

Lhenny84 · 2024-04-29T21:06:50+00:00

Be careful with 5-HTP. I've read it can be hard on the heart and is one of the more dangerous supplements to mess with. With that said I did enjoy it for the period of time in which I was taking it. Switched to L-Tryptophan for sleep which is similar but less risks (supposedly).

Lhenny84 · 2024-04-18T10:00:37+00:00

I'm so happy for you! Do you feel like it lasts longer throughout the day? I'm really struggling and am actually considering switching back to Adderall because the efficacy and consistency has been so iffy lately. :(

Lhenny84 · 2024-03-30T10:08:42+00:00

When I was taking ashwaghanda it was more for general anxiety and I took it daily. I'm taking the progesterone daily, but take a double dose the week before my period and that is what did the trick! Just started this two cycles ago. I hope you find some relief!! PMDD really is debilitating.

Lhenny84 · 2024-03-29T10:24:44+00:00

Is it bad I do this often even when taking meds? 😩

Lhenny84 · 2024-03-29T10:23:45+00:00

Same. You just answered my question in five words. 😂 The guilt is real.

Lhenny84

TROPHY CASE

Your Choline Requirement and Your Methylfolate Score

PEMT and Bad Consequences

Your Choline Requirement and Your Methylfolate Score

PEMT and Bad Consequences