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| Topic Title: Weaning off Paxil, starting 5-htp...nervous
| |  "Weaning off Paxil, starting 5-htp...nervous"
, Fri 6 Dec 17:49
Hello, everyone!
I am so relieved to have found a discussion group that deals with 5-HTP and Paxil (and other SSRIs). I have been on and off Paxil since I was about 11, and I am now 26 and can't stand the side effects anymore (especially the sexual side effect). I recently found out about 5-HTP and am anxious about starting it (I hope it works!).
I have gone to several doctors and psychologist, hoping for some support with this, but the responses I usually get are, "I don't know what 5-HTP is," or "Why? Paxil is working great for you," or numerous other negative comments. So, I am going this alone, and I'm trying to read all that I can about this.
Sorry to make this first post so long - I'm basically just hoping for some support, feedback, friendship, success stories - whatever you may want to give me. I will appreciate it all! 
Lynn
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Fri 6 Dec 2002 17:32 |
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| |  "Re(1):Weaning off Paxil, starting 5-htp...ner"
, Sat 7 Dec 08:18
I think you will find the support you need at this forum. I have seen many posts from people weaning off of ssri's and switching to either 5htp or sjw. The last prescription anti-depressant I used was Paxil. I (and my husband) also hated the side effects. I also had the same experience with my Doctor and Therapist, they had no idea what 5htp was, I gave them copies of all the information I could find.
Take it slow weaning off of the Paxil, you will have withdrawals. Did your dr tell you that? Mine didn't.
Depending on how severe your depression is, will depend on the dose of 5htp you take. Here is some good dosing information from the book 5htp the natural alternative to Prozac:
5-HTP Dosing Guidelines
The dose of 5-HTP that has most often been reported in the scientific literature and prescribed by physicians is 300 mg per day. When taking 5-HTP for depression, anxiety, or fibromyalgia, the general practice in scientific studies has been to take 100 mg three times a day. This dosing regimen may leave some people too sleepy during the day, however.
Some physicians have found it best to start their patients out by taking 150 to 200 mg at bedtime. If this is insufficient to provide antidepressant/anti-anxiety relief, they can take additional doses of 33 to 50 mg during the day. The number of these doses should be adjusted to a level that provides adequate relief without causing daytime sedation.
If you are taking 5-HTP to enhance sleep, it is probably best to take the entire 300-mg dose at bedtime. The dose used in the best migraine study was 400 mg (100 mg four times per day).34 The dose found to effectively suppress appetite was 900 mg per daily (300 mg three times per day).51 Incidentally, the fact that this very high dose of 5-HTP was used without significant side effects can be taken as an indication of the general safety of this substance.
Different individuals may require higher or lower doses than these, but these are good starting points. As with any drug, it is usually better to start with a low dose and increase it gradually. If you find that a lower dose delivers the therapeutic effect you are looking for, then you can stop there. If the 300-mg dose seems inadequate, you can slowly increase it (preferably under your physician's supervision). In any case, always be alert for adverse side effects. If a given dose makes you feel uncomfortable, either physically or mentally, back off the dose and do not go any higher until you consult with a knowledgeable physician. In most cases, lowering the dose will quickly cause the adverse effects to disappear.
MJ DuPont
Posts: 414 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | |  "Re(2):Weaning off Paxil, starting 5-htp...ner"
, Sat 7 Dec 11:43
Hi, DuPont:
I really appreciate your response. I have gotten the book and I am starting to read it. I really hope it works for me - from what I can read in this forum, you have gotten some really great results.
I will start posting my progress on this site, as well, to also help others who may want to start 5-HTP. Thanks for your help!
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Fri 6 Dec 2002 17:32 |
| | | "Re(3):Weaning off Paxil, starting 5-htp...ner" , Tue 10 Dec 22:47
I would be very interested to learn of your progress with 5-htp and weaning off Paxil. Like Dupont I was unaware of the withdrawal effects, stopped Paxil cold turkey and hit the wall. 5-htp did help with the tremendous anxiety, depression and insomnia I suffered during withdrawal. Hope it does for you too. Sone of the Paxil hate forums do not post positive stuff about taking 5-htp (often it appears because of the lack of information generally available on 5-htp)- but it worked for me so that's all i can attest to. Keep us posted. And good luck!
Matt
Posts: 19 | | Registered: Tue 11 Jun 2002 7:43 |
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