Day 4 of HTP, 100 mg

[AmyLee]

today is the 4th day I've taken it. I can't really tell at this point if it's working or not, which I know is totally normal as it could take up to 4 to 6 weeks, but I do know that I am completely exhausted today. I've also noticed that I've gotten a headache every day since I started, which may or may not be a coincidence. For those that have this side effects, will it go away over some time or is this the price to pay for taking it?

[nomoremeds]

Hi Amy! For me, when I first started 5-htp I took 100mg at once b4 bed. I noticed strange dreams, headache and my eyes watery. So for now I only take 50mg at a time. Recently started to take 50mg around 3pm and then again b4 bed. You might try lower dose and spread out during the day and not go over 100mg for awhile. My sleep is still not perfect, but, as long as I don't drink alcohol I can manage for a few hours falling asleep, wake and take magnesium and usually go back to sleep for a few more hours. Sometimes I take a tylonel pm or another 5-htp. I can completly relate to the sleep issues, 20 yrs of torture and sleeping pills. Weaned off meds and now the body has to learn how to sleep w/o the knock out punch of a pill. Best wishes, cj;)

[analea21]

It's best to start out at 50mg. I tried 100mg at the beginning and had all types of side-effects. They did go away for me. I am now at 200mg, going on 4 months.

[AmyLee]

Today is a week on 100 mg and the headaches are gone. I am taking them at lunch time now so I don't know if that helped or if the headaches were just a coincidence. Does anyone know the maximum amount you can take?

[analea21]

People vary in opinions, but usually people say the safe range is from 25mg- 300mg. I haven't gone up to 300mg, just to 200mg, but I would like to try to up my dose eventually. If it makes some stay awake at night, then they should take it in the morning. I take 100mg in morning and 100mg in the afternoon. I usually have some morning anxiety, so it calms me during the day. For some, it makes them too sleepy.

[AmyLee]

Update: I am very encouraged about 5-htp because I am now 2 weeks in and I realized that I have passed the window of time when my pmdd symptoms normally would happen. I am happy because this means that apparently the 5-htp has been helping because I didn't have any "insanity episodes" in the past couple of weeks! Woohoo! Now I did have a couple of anger issues and depressive thoughts, but they passed fairly quickly. I just hope it continues to help me and that I can continue to eat better as well. :spin: