Syllabication: L-tryp-to-phan

PRONUNCIATION:

ltrpt-fn

Noun: The biologically active form of the amino acid tryptophan, which is capable
of being incorporated into proteins, such as the neurotransmitter serotonin.
It has not been available as a dietary supplement in the United States since
1989 but is sold commercially outside of the United States.
American Heritage^® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition.  2000.  

There is little research continuing in the effort to find a cure for EMS. This is due
to the fact that the epidemic stopped soon after L-Tryptophan was recalled by the
FDA and that the numbers of those infected were relatively small in comparison to
victims of other diseases.  Additionally, since the genetically engineered bacterium
is no longer available, definitive experiments cannot be done to resolve the problem.
There is some information available, however, which may be helpful to you when
explaining what you have to physicians and family.

"Under the 1994, DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act),  I can
sell hemlock as a supplement.  It's pure.  It's natural.  And as Socrates found out,
it just as naturally kills you."

-Victor Herbert, professor of medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and
 the Bronx VA Medical Center in New York.
 

 Is there a test for EMS?

Unfortunately, there is no conclusive medical test to prove if you have EMS.
That is one of the most frustrating aspects of coping with this disease.  For the most part,
 doctors don't know about EMS. They often do not believe you when you tell them you have EMS.
 And when you ask them for pain medication, they will often refuse.

For now, we can only print articles from our medical page to help educate the physicians.

These three are recommended:

eMedicine - Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome : Article by Nicole Quartarolo, MD

eMedicine - Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome : Article by Shrilekha Sairam, MD,

Gold Standard - Criteria Used To Determine Cases of EMS - PDF file

Summary of Tryptophan Toxicity Incident -  John Fagan

EMS Description for Physicians
 

Each person should seek the medical advice of their own medical professional
for their own situation.

The information contained in these articles is of a general nature.

NEMSN Position Statement on Bio-Engineering of L-Tryptophan related to
Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome:

Even though the bacteria used to produce L-Tryptophan was genetically modified, there is
insufficient evidence to prove that these modifications were solely responsible for the
contaminants linked to the Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome."