5-HTP, ginger, and peppermint oil?

[Mandif]

I have not yet taken 5-HTP but I am excited to try it. I have tried SSRI's in the past and always seem to have extreme reactions to them. I get more anxious and jittery and can't sleep, not to mention I gain a lot of weight in a very short amount of time. I want to start the 5-HTP although I admit I am very scared. So far nothing has helped my anxiety and while I am scared to take it because I am so sensitive to every little reaction possible, (probably in my head more than anything), I am hopeful that it will help my anxiety. I was actually doing okay for years without anything, I was still a hypochondriac but it was manageable. During the pregnancy of my third child in three years I was constantly in a state of panic. I actually thought I was dying because my heart would not stop racing, my stomach was always upset, I felt dizzy and spaced out, things would seem distorted like a fun house, and I was scared of everything including my children and husband. I felt like I was going crazy but after going to a doctor she explained that it sounded like panic disorder. It has calmed down a little since having the baby five months ago but I still get nervous going out or meeting people, I can't look people in the eye, and there are times that I still get that sense of dread. Almost like a nightmare or a horror movie when you know something horrible is about to happen. A lot of times it is just a feeling like I am going to die soon, which I know sounds crazy but it keeps me up all night. I get a pain in my heart or head and I immediately say to myself "this is it". Now that I know what it is I am better able to cope but I am looking for a safe alternative to meds that might allow me to actually meet new people or go to a supermarket without being scared that I am going to be sick or pass out. Now that I have stopped babbling, My question is can I take the 5-HTP with peppermint oil pills for my IBS and Ginger so that it does not upset my stomach? Also what do I take after they stop working? I heard you should do three months on followed by one month off, but what do I take during that month? Also how bad are the side effects? I hate dealing with things that effect my brain because after taking them I always feel like if they do something horrible I won't be able to stop it, which again I realize sounds insane. Believe me I am much more normal in person than it would seem. Any help would be appreciated since I am new to all of this. Thanks guys!

[Quest]

Ah, I know that desperate feeling.
I see no reason for you not to be able to take the peppermint and/or ginger.
However, do not assume that the HTP will upset your stomach. It might not. Most days my 5HTP does not upset my stomach unless its around that time of the month for me. And if so, I never need peppermint as ginger does the trick at 500mg. One capsule lasts about 4-5 hours as does the HTP, so it works out really well.
I, like you, was afraid of that first pill..but in the end I figured that anything had to be better than what I felt like. After my first 50mg casule I was pacing because I was certain that some extreme horrible effect would take me over. But, the only thing that took me over was happiness and a wonderful calm. So, in my case, HTP was another great pill for my arsenal. I do not take the HTP everyday, just every other one. Everyone has to find a balance. As far as breaks, some people dont even take them..but if you need to, there is always St Johns Wort or possibly Kava. I DO NOT recommend SAM e for you because as it will be a Godsend for most peoples depression, (it was super for that) its anxiety effects are pretty overwelming. Plus there is always fish oil, Inositol, gaba, L theanine..not everything works for everyone though. A bit trial and error. One person may have excellent results with one and not another. Not so much because a pill does not work but because different pills target different brain chemicals. But you never know until you try, and it would surely be worth it if you find something that makes you feel "real" again.
:smile:

[Mandif]

I want to take the peppermint anyways because since my anxiety has increased my belly is always upset. I can hardly eat without hearing it rumble anymore and after turning down pills from the doctor, I found that peppermint helps some people. I figured I would try it since I am now living on Pepto and Mylanta. I just wanted to make sure that the two could be taken together. I am still very new to all of this. I have never been one to go to health food stores or try herbal remedies. I am very much a pizza and beer kinda girl so it scares me a bit to think outside the box but if it helps than it will be well worth it. I think that I am so nervous because there has not been a lot of research done on it and because I read about that tryptophan accident. Hopefully, I will feel results as fast as you did and that will calm me down a bit. Thank you for the help!