Topic Title: Even More 5-HTP Side Effects Questions
| |  "Even More 5-HTP Side Effects Questions"
, Tue 29 Jan 13:59
I was going to try and wait till Thurs when I would be exactly two weeks into my 5-HTP treatment. However, it is bugging me bad enough to post now.
In the morning, when I take a 50mg tab, I feel pretty good. No anxiety really. But not as good as I felt after 3 weeks on SJW. Then at lunch, I take my second one. That is when I start feeling some pretty bad anxiety symptoms come on. My questions (maybe Dupont could field being the resident expert).
1.) Is it possible this is still just me adjusting after almost two weeks?
2.) Is it possible I should decrease my dose from 150mg a day to 100mg? I don't want to go below the recommended dose if this is going to subside.
3.) What is the general amount of time 5-HTP takes to start working (for anxiety)?
4.) Has anyone taken it for social anxiety (or any anxiety) and had success? IF so, how long did it take and have you had this same type experience within the first two weeks?
5.) Does 5-HTP have any negative effect on the liver?
I think I have answered some of these questions with regards to SJW for other users. But, I have never used the 5-HTP before so need to be there there'd a bit or something. Just a little tense because, well, I am a little tense these days. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posts: 27 | | Registered: Thu 10 Jan 2002 11:38 |
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| | "Re(1):Even More 5-HTP Side Effects Questions" , Sat 11 Oct 01:12
Hi Mike:
Haven't seen you for *ages* on here:
Just came up with the brilliant idea that perhaps if I reply to an old message of yours you will get an email and come to say hi!!
Hope you are well!
David
Posts: 343 | | Registered: Sat 13 Oct 2001 17:39 |
| | "Re(1):Even More 5-HTP Side Effects Questions" , Sun 3 Mar 19:17
HI,
I am glad to hear that I"m not the only one feeling this way. I have been feeling very very tired and extremely edgy at times and I"m not sure if it's becuz I'm starting out on 5-htp or if it's becuz I stopped taking buspar suddenely (which i started back on at 20mg dose becuase the headaches were killing me). I still feel awful though and my stomach is bothering me - I don't knwo if anyone else is being bothered by 5-htp in that way (gastrointestinal upset). I have cut down to 100mg at nite but even that makes me so tired during the day. I wakeup pretty awake and feeling well but later feel like going back to bed and my body aches all over. I hope this is worth staying on. I am going to a naturopath tommorow and I hope to get off the buspar again but I don't know righ tnow.
Posts: 7 | | Registered: Mon 25 Feb 2002 16:17 |
| |  "Re(1):Even More 5-HTP Side Effects Questions"
, Wed 30 Jan 14:32
Are you sure it is the 5htp causing the symptoms of anxiety, and not something else?
I went through a period of very bad anxiety attacks while taking 5htp and I agree with Heidi about taking Kava Kava to relieve the symptoms. But from recent reports about Kava Kava and Liver disease, I would be careful especially if you already have Liver problems.
However, if 5htp is causing the symptoms you could try couple of things.
I suggest you try taking 150 mg in the morning and then another 150 mg in the late afternoon before your last meal of the day. You could be still adjusting. If your symptoms of anxiety don't subside, then I suggest you cut back your dose.
From what I have read at this website
http://www.smart-publications.com/books/5htp/chap-04.htm
the general amount of time 5-HTP takes to start working for anxiety is 4 weeks, at a dosage of 300 mg/day, and during the first couple of weeks it has sometimes been reported to result in an aggravation of anxiety.
I started taking 5htp for depression, but my social anxiety has also diminished greatly. Good luck, and keep us posted.
MJ DuPont
http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/peshka
Posts: 210 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | | "Re(2):Even More 5-HTP Side Effects Questions" , Wed 30 Jan 17:15:
Hey Dupont. Thanks allot for your response. The only other thing I can think of that would be causing this level and anxiety (like worse than when not on anything) is the fact that two weeks ago I stopped SJW. That is also when I started 5-htp. The first couple of days were tremendous. Went down hill after that though. I am wondering how long the effects of stopping SJW might last. Could have something to do with it.
I am more inclined to think it is me adjusting but I just don't know. It seems that my anxiety gets worse when I take the second pill at lunch. It's weird cause some symptoms are better (like being able to hold a glass of water while in front of someone without looking like I have the DT's) and some are worse (being extremely startled when bumping into someone or loud noise, etc). Hard to explain.
So Kava is linked to liver damage eh? Yeah, I gave my live a terrible beating when self medicating with Bass Ale. Which sucks cause now that I know why I was self medicating, it is hard to find medicine's that don't have a negative effect on the liver.
[this message was edited by mike1g on Thu 31 Jan 06:52]
Posts: 29 | | Registered: Thu 10 Jan 2002 11:38 |
| | "Re(1):Even More 5-HTP Side Effects Questions" , Tue 29 Jan 18:12
DuPont can field these questions better but I did want to chime in. I take one capsule kavakava (150mg?) in the morning with the 5-HTP and one capsule at night. It seemed to give me maximum benefits; 5-HTP for the depression and Kava for the anxiety.
Posts: 32 | | Registered: Thu 28 Jun 2001 15:58 |
| | |  "how much have you cut back?"
, Wed 30 Jan 14:38
I read one of your other posts that you are weaning yourself off of 5htp. How much are you taking now and with what results? I'm still having a tough time reducing. I can go a day with out it but then I need to go back to the full dose of 500 mg for a couple of days. How are you doing it?
MJ DuPont
http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/peshka
Posts: 211 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | | "Re(1):how much have you cut back?" , Fri 1 Feb 17:05
Dupont,
I originally had been taking 100mg in the am and 100mg in the pm. I went to taking 100mg in the am and 50mg in the pm. As of today I'm only taking the 100mg in the am. I feel fine. I'm also doing other things - exercising, trying to eat right, prayer, etc. So far so good. I have noticed an increase in appetite but I don't think that's due to the 5-HTP - I think it's just me.
Remember, I have never had any other problems with depression. I'm hoping that I"m far enough along in the grieving process that my body (appetite, activity level, chemistry) is finally getting back to where it was before.
Posts: 33 | | Registered: Thu 28 Jun 2001 15:58 |
| | |  "Re(2):how much have you cut back?"
, Sat 2 Feb 05:51:
Thanks for your reply. I'm glad that you are taking control of your grief and working through it, it is soooo important to do it NOW. I know from first hand experience. When my daughter died, I figured I had no control over anything that happened in my life, and I gave up and went through life like that for 5 years. Just in the past couple years have I recently taken back my control of my life, I had to the depression was so bad I had thoughts of ultimately giving up all together and just ending my pain. Be strong!
I'm cutting down to 300 mg /day. 150 in the morning and 150 in the afternoon. I agree that exercise and diet is important as well as prayer. I have 2 children 6 & 7 years old and the stress can be overwhelming at times. I don't think I am depressed anymore as much as stressed out.
MJ DuPont
http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/peshka
[this message was edited by Dupont on Sat 2 Feb 05:53]
Posts: 215 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | | "Re(3):how much have you cut back?" , Mon 4 Feb 06:13
Hey Dupont, just a quick update. When I got home the other day, I took some SJW (one tablet). Sure enough, I felt much better. My level of anxiety went way down. Maybe it is not adjusting to 5-HTP causing the anxiety feelings. Rather stopping the SJW so suddenly. I have started taking SJW in the morn, at lunch, then 5-HTP at night. Seems to be working quite well. Have any ideas of problems that may arise from this? I know the serotonin syndrome. But, I am not sure that the small doses I am taking would cause such a thing (600mg or SJW and 50mg of 5-HTP). Anything is possible though. I think I recally you saying you made the switch real quick from SJW to 5-HTP as well. Is that when you had the "anxiety attacks" on 5-HTP. Anyway, just thought I would share with you some insight I had over the weekend. Take care. Cheers.
Posts: 32 | | Registered: Thu 10 Jan 2002 11:38 |
| | |  "Re(4):how much have you cut back?"
, Mon 4 Feb 06:34
I don't think you will have a problem. What about the facial blushing & sjw?
I never experienced 5htp relieving anxiety myself. My anxiety problems are situational and have nothing to do with the medication I take. You know, too much on my plate and wanting everything to be perfect. So, I have cut back on the 5htp I'm taking and added Kava Kava for anxiety & stress. I feel much better also.
I'm going to do some research on the recent connection between Kava Kava and liver disease.
MJ DuPont
http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/peshka
Posts: 216 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | | "Re(5):how much have you cut back?" , Mon 4 Feb 11:52
Sounds good. I would love to hear more on the Kava debate. I have a bottle which I use now and again. Speaking of which, the date went good Sat night. After I took some SJW. So, did not have to take the Kava after all. We shared a bottle of wine with her which helped of course. But, before I took the SJW earlier in the day, I was incredibly tense and anxious. Unfortuately, my anxities are not all situational, but they certainly can be aggravated by specific situations. If that were the case, I think I would just go with the benzo approach (unless the situation invloved driving heavy machinery). But, that is not real practical for a long term solution. Especially if you are active as I am (somewhat) and you seem to be. Am curious, do you ever watch the Soprano's? Aside from it being a great/addictive show, Tony Soprano's (lead character) has depression/anxiety. It is very interesting to me to see him (this top gangster) with allot of the classic symptoms of anxiety. Welp, I will look forward to seeing what you come up with on the Kava. Take care.
Posts: 33 | | Registered: Thu 10 Jan 2002 11:38 |
| | | "L-Theanine for anxiety, it's safe!" , Tue 19 Feb 22:59
Greetings. In extensive research I've come across this site that contains info. on GABA and L-theanine, both amino acids that work as natural tranquilizers. Here are the sites to click on:
http://www.naturalhealthconsult.com/Monographs/200mgZen.html
http://www.biosynergy.com/theanine.htm
I am currantly on Zoloft for depression and anxiety related to my hysterectomy and exhausted adrenal glands. I am weaning off this, because of weight gain attributed to this and am planning on trying the above plus 5-HPT. The above amino acids can be taken safey with 5-HPT, as 5-HTP works directly on the seratonin and GABA and L-theanine works on the nervous system. I had my health food store owner check this out on his website at the store of drug interaction, to confirm this.
Anyway, if you're uncertain of taking Kava, give this a try and let me know how it is working for you.
Happy trails,
Pauline [email protected]
Pauline
Posts: 52 | | Registered: Wednesday 14 Mar 2001 10:59 |
| | |  "Re(6):how much have you cut back?"
, Mon 4 Feb 13:31
The verdict is still out on Kava Kava, more research needs to be done. All things in moderation is my approach.
I don't have hbo, so no saprano's.
You know more than one glass of wine and I just feel terrible.
So what neurotransmitters are affected by stress and anxiety? I wouldn't want to take anything that would make me drowsy, I've got too much going on for that. Maybe I'll try sjw again.
MJ DuPont
http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/peshka
Posts: 218 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | | "Re(7):how much have you cut back?" , Mon 4 Feb 14:33
Yeah, I don't have HBO either. I wound up getting them on DVD. I rented the first DVD of the first season and was hooked. So I bought the first season DVD set. Then the second season. I will put it this way, I watched the whole second season on one Sat. I am telling you, they are addictive. Anyway, his psychiatrist has him on Prozac and Lithium. It gets talked about allot. And when they show him having and anxiety attack, it looks pretty close to how feels. I find it somewhat therapeutic for me to watch. Just enforces that depression and anxiety are much more common that people think.
I am not sure on the neurotransmitters. It is odd though that depression and anxiety seem to both be helped by SSRI's and other serotonin enhancement herbs/drugs. The prescribed stuff is just too much for me. Well, I have only tried Paxil (as a long term strategy) and quit the second day. It was the worst two days. I had no feelings at all. I can handle my symptoms being a little worse for a week. But having no discernable feelings was horrible. This coming from someone who is normally very emotional (both good and bad) was not something I could accept.
Let me know if you take a crack at the SJW again. I would like to hear how it works for you. Do you plan on taking some kind of combination of it and 5-HTP? I am hoping this will not cause any problem for me but the doses of both are below the recommended amount on a daily basis. 600mg SJW and 50mg 5-HTP.
Posts: 34 | | Registered: Thu 10 Jan 2002 11:38 |
| | |  "Re(8):how much have you cut back?"
, Mon 4 Feb 15:28
Sounds like my mother-in-law, she takes lithium and Prozac for manic depression. She has had depression for many, many years, and because I knew someone who had it I wasn't afraid of the stigmatism associated with depression that so many people are afraid of. From her I learned that it really is a chemical imbalance in the brain and NOT a character flaw. Never have I seen her have an anxiety attack though, she actually likes being the center of attention. I had the same reaction with paxil, I felt nothing...
Well you know I already take quite a combination of things but I'll let you know if I add sjw.
MJ DuPont
http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/peshka
Posts: 219 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
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