Topic Title: SJW and 5-HTP
| |  "SJW and 5-HTP"
, Thu 5 Jul 13:40
SJW made me break out, so I decided to try 5HTP. I don't know how long it takes to work, but so far I am having as much or more anxiety but maybe less depression than before. I was wondering if I could mix the two. Just one SJW does not seem to break me out. I though I might try one capsule of SJW and two of 5-HTP. I really like the St. Johns and wish I could take only it. Does any one have any recommendations? By the way, Kelly this is a fantastic web site.
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Thu 28 Jun 2001 11:59 |
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| | "Re(1):SJW and 5-HTP" , Sat 7 Jul 07:34
Yes you can definitely mix the two. I have done so for about 6 months in the past and stopped and then started up again about 3 months ago. I find it to be a very good combination. The SJW improved the depression but the 5HTP gave me motivation - the energy to get moving and get out of bed (which I had been really stuck with "getting things done".) No side effects.
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Sat 7 Jul 2001 7:34 |
| | | "Re(2):SJW and 5-HTP" , Mon 9 Jul 15:00
Have you tried taking 5-htp alone? I suffer from a bipolar disorder first diagnosed over 20 years ago when I was in highschool. My manic episodes have always been light, but my depression can become severe. I have been on more antidep. than I can remember; imipramine, lithium, SSRI's, Depakote to name a few. The current Depakote I have been on has led to a 50+ lb weight gain. I can no longer live this way. While the Depakote certainly helps, I now get depressed because I'm way overweight. I am slowly working my way off of Depakote and working my way onto 5 HTP. After my first week, results have been very good. My mind seems very "sharp" and have had no real side effects. (sex drive was funky for a couple of days) I'm currently at 250 mg daily. My appetite has also greatly decreased. I'm crossing my fingers that things stay this way. Why did you decide to combine SJW and 5HTP?? Do you feel there are benefits from SJW that can't be achieved with 5 HTP. I am doing as much research as I can on all alternatives and would encourage others to do the same. I figured out a long time ago I can't cure my depression; I can only control it by taking medicine every day.
Thanks to the Webmaster for the great web site.
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Tue 3 Jul 2001 7:59 |
| | | "Re(3):SJW and 5-HTP" , Tue 30 Oct 20:31
How are you doing on the 5htp now? still off prescription anti depressants?
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Tue 30 Oct 2001 20:21 |
| | | "Re(3):SJW and 5-HTP" , Mon 16 Jul 07:58
I tryed the 5htp for about a week and did not see any improvement, although it may take longer to feel the effects. I just loved SJW so much and was upset that it broke me out. I am now trying a different brand and have been taking them for about a week. I have not felt the difference as I did the last time I tryed the SJW, but I haven't broken out. As of last night, I am taking SJW and 5HTP together. I'll let you know how it is working.
Posts: 2 | | Registered: Thu 28 Jun 2001 11:59 |
| | | "Re(3):SJW and 5-HTP" , Mon 9 Jul 19:42
I started using SJW several years ago. I too had been on every possible anti-depressant and couldn't tolerate any of them. It seemed to help quite a bit but I was never as happy or motivated as I was on prozac for example. I too have been on a low dose of depakote and do not take it anymore. So I started to feel like I didn't have enough motivation - though I wasn't emotionally depressed, I just wasn't motivated to move. So I added the 5HTP. I take 1200 mg. SJW and 300 mg 5htp per day. The 5htp has helped - it keeps me a bit calmer and I can focus more and it seems to help with anxiety too. Mostly it has helped with getting motivated- like on a weekend- it was very easy for me to just do nothing. Now I am doing things and getting into gear. So that's why I take both. I would suggest you read the book "hypericum and depression" (hypericum is the technical term for SJW) and also the Michael Murray (spelling?) book on 5HTP. This dr. suggests combining them. I saw the book in the book store and knew I had to read it and started taking 5HTP after that. There is also research that suggest taking fish oils has proven to improve depression. There was an article this past year on it in Newsweek. I don't recall details. Good luck!
Posts: 4 | | Registered: Sat 7 Jul 2001 7:34 |
| | | "Re(4):SJW and 5-HTP" , Tue 10 Jul 14:30
Isn't 1200 mg of SJW a high dosage. You mentioned you have been on depakote. Did you quit because it didn't work, or because of side effects? Depakote did work for me, but I can't stand the weight gain. I'm starting to feel duller today. I don't know if it is the Depakote wearing off or the 5htp kicking in. I have been taking between 200-300 mg of 5htp per day. I hate this damn disease. It's nice to know I'm not alone and there are people who will share info and stories. I don't want to get to a suicidal point ever again. If you are interested in emailing back and forth directly let me know. Thanks for the info.
Posts: 2 | | Registered: Tue 3 Jul 2001 7:59 |
| | | "Re(5):SJW and 5-HTP" , Sun 22 Jul 16:48
Just want to let you know there have been credible studies done on high doses of SJW with great results. Just a more severe sensitivity to sunlight for people with fair skin.
I take 1800 St. John's wort. Been taking it for 2 months with no side effects. There are some on this forum that have been taking it for 2 years with no sides.
Do some research and you'll find that it's safe even at high doses.
All I have to say is God bless St. John's Wort!
Donna
Posts: 4 | | Registered: Wed 25 Apr 2001 7:11 |
| | | "Re(5):SJW and 5-HTP" , Tue 10 Jul 17:05
900 mg a day is the standard therapeutic dose for SJW. My psychiatrist thought since it was working to try a slightly higher dose so I did. 1200 mg is not too high. I was on a very very low dose of depakote- i think it was 50 mg per day. or maybe 100. low dose though. I started taking it for massive insomnia issues. My dr. had diagnosed me as border line bi-polar. Another dr. said I did not have that but was depressed and obsessive. Whatever. After a while I just don't think it was doing much anyway at that low level. You need to get the two books I mentioned and read them so you understand what they do and your dosage options. Be careful though because it sounds like you really needed to be on the depakote and I would hate for you to start to have a problem. The disease is worse than weight gain. Definitely you should take at least 300 mg 5HTP a day- maybe more. Please check out the books. If you can't find them on line you can probably find them used thru Amazon.com if they are out of print or something. If you can't find the exact names or authors let me know and I will look it up for you. How long have you been on the 5htp? It takes a while to kick in. If you want me to email u directly put yr email address on here and I will.
Posts: 5 | | Registered: Sat 7 Jul 2001 7:34 |
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