I'm tired and I just want to be home. It's pretty out here, and I enjoy spending time with my brother (even though JESUS CHRIST he talks NONSTOP), but I've never been apart from Tim for longer than 2 days and I want to sleep in my own bed and eat my own foods and see my pets and snuggle with my husband. But: 5 more days.

World, stop picking on Steph! She's had enough!

Oh Steph, how heartbreaking for Tim and for her whole family. And I'm sorry that you can't be right there with him, because right now you need to be right here for your brother. You are doing good work, even if it is hard work. Sending you lots of love and support.

I have a question for pharma people here, if any of you knows anything about this off the top of your heads. Don't feel obliged to go research it for me as I should do that for myself. But I have been wondering if there's any legit value to taking Tryptophan supplements to stabilize mood, since I know that there are folks who find St John's Wort helpful.

I have been wondering if there's any legit value to taking Tryptophan supplements to stabilize mood

Off the top of my head, I know that tryptophan supplements are supposed to help with sleep, but I don't know about mood. I'll ask my brother, because he knows a lot about alternative medicine (he's a big hippie).

Teppy, I'm so very sorry for Tim's loss. You both have really had to deal with too much this year. I'm glad to hear your brother is doing a little better today.

Oh man, much ma for you and Tim, Steph.

Thanks Steph. When I was a teen my parents let me take Tryptophan for sleep, but then there was a big scare with the supplements causing something horrible, so no more Tryptophan and hello to about 20 years of insomnia for me. But yes, good sleep would be a plus, although also wondering if the problem with the scary side effects has been addressed.

Steph, that's unbelievably awful. I'm so sorry, for Tim and his ex's family, and for you not being able to be with him right now.

Burrell, I recall the scare was over Tryptophan supplements, but I don't remember exactly what happened. I'm sure it's been addressed, since you can easily buy them now. I've known several people who've taken Tryptophan and St. John's Wort, including myself. It seems to work for some people and not for others, and the only way to know is to try it. The main negative side effect I've heard about from either is excessive sleepiness. (For me, things that increase serotonin tend to make me *more* depressed. I think I'm unusual in that reaction, but if it should happen to you too, at least you know it's real.) In short, I say try it, see what happens. STW should work pretty quickly, Tryptophan may take a week or two. IANAD

Jeeeeesus, Steph. But I'm glad things are going well with your brother.

Are you familiar with Highland Heights, KY? It looks like it's literally part of the Cincinnati metro area. A new job has arisen, and though I am side-eying how northerly the job search is trending, the position looks like it could be husband's dream job.

Steph, I'm so sorry for Tim and that family. You are both holding up the world right now.

Did people see Pres. Obama guest blogged at SCOTUSblog? [link]