Experienced 5-HTP users Please Help

[polkadot]

I have been taking 5-htp for about 10 days I take 50mg 3 times a day. At first I felt okay, maybe I had a little anxiety but thats why I started taking it in the first place.
For the last 3 days after i take my morning dose, a few hours later I feel so tired. I feel calm which is great but feel this under current of tiredness. Should I push thru this and keep taking the same dosage? Or should I take it only it in the evenings and at night? Would I get the same calming benefits in the day if I only take it at night?
I must say that the calming benefits are great, I have a touch of social anxiety not too bad but it does put limits on parts of my life. I went out with my teenage daughter yesterday to do a little shopping and I felt great. I felt at ease and talked to many people. i hope this isn't a placebo effect!!!
Any help would be appreciated.

[DreamGirl]

Well, I'm no expert on 5htp, but from what I've read and experienced feeling tired is to be expected during the first few weeks.

Many people recommend starting at a much lower dose and gradually, over weeks, increasing the dose to 200 or 300 mgs.

It's great that you're feeling positive effects, albeit fatigue. :smile:

[analea21]

5htp helped me tremendously with anxiety related depression. I am surprised you were able to start with such a high dosage at first. I started at 100mg and it made my anxiety much worse. So, I went down to 50mg and gradually worked my way up every week. I am at 200mg and I feel great.

If you want the calming effect during the day, it is good to take it in the morning/afternoon. Some need it to sleep. I take it in the morning/afternoon and my sleep is great even though I don't take it before going to bed.

If the effects of tiredness doesn't wear off after a couple of weeks, you can add something like Rhodiola Rosea which gives you energy. You also can lower your dosage.

[polkadot]

Thank you both for taking the time to reply. I think I will lower my dosage for a while, because I am usually pretty entergetic and I am tired/sleepy now. Not overwhelmingly but enough that I feel like I'm dragging. I am also going to bed earlier and waking up later.
I don't want to stop because I do like the calming effect and I don't want to give up to soon. I tried 5-htp years ago and gave up after a week and a half because of the side effects. So I will stick it out and try 100 mgs a day.
I have already ordered the RR after reading the post on this website.
I tried SJW and it didn't do anything for me, even the best brands for secveral months did nothing!!!
I will keep you posted.

[echelon]

If I need to take my 5htp in the morning then I add a RR and I'm fine.

I always take 50mg 5htp last thing at night and it helps me to get off to sleep.

[DreamGirl]

I'm wondering if you always take it on an empty stomach?

I've been taking it for two weeks now and am not feeling the good feelings others report. Nor am I noticing any appetite suppression.

Maybe I need to increase my dose? I've been taking 100mg first thing in the morning and 100 mg in the afternoon.

What do you think?