Topic Title: paranoid about trying 5 HTP
| |  "paranoid about trying 5 HTP"
, Fri 11 Jul 17:15
Hi everyone, this is my first post. I have been a regular user of SJW (about four years). It has always seemed to be somewaht helpful in helping me manage my occasional mild depression/more frequent bouts of anxiety. Unfortunately, I'm currently experiencing a real bad anxiety phase where that worrying feeling is becoming more intrusive and unsettling. I don't know what's triggered it, but I have been taking Excedrin that contains caffeine almost on a daily basis lately--could the caffeine be contributing to the intensity of my anxiety? I've purchased a bottle of 5 HTP, Lifetime brand, 100mg in caplet form, which means I can't break the pill in two to reduce the dosage. Anyway, I stare at this unopened bottle every day but I've become paranoid about using the stuff because the information about it is so contradictory. Plus, I've read some real horror stories from others who have tried it. (insomnia, worse anxiety, stomach problems, suicidal thoughts(!)) Trouble is I tried sam e and it gave me anxiety and did a number on my stomach. (I have gastro-intestinal problems). Has anyone tried sam e and 5 HTP and had worse anxiety and stomach problems with both?
Thanks for letting me vent!
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Fri 11 Jul 2003 16:40 |
| |
| | "Re(1):paranoid about trying 5 HTP" , Fri 18 Jul 13:10
Thank-you all for responding to my post.
I decided to give it a try, and took 50mg of 5HTP mid-afternoon yesterday, and another 50 mg this am. I'm going to stick to this dosage until I'm sure that it will be effective and not cause any disturbing side effects. I really don't know if it's a case of placebo effect, but today I feel slightly less anxious, and little stomach upset. I felt kinda anxious in the middle of the night which is unusual for me, but it wasn't debilitating.
So we'll see. So far, so good!
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Fri 11 Jul 2003 16:40 |
| |  "Re(1):paranoid about trying 5 HTP"
, Thu 17 Jul 03:52
Yes, caffeine could be contributing to your anxiety. If you decide to try 5htp I recommend Nature's way brand which is enteric coated so that it will not upset your stomach. 5htp has been known to incease anxiety during the first week or so, until your body adjusts to the doseage. Personally, I think the benefits of 5htp out weigh any risk that MAYBE associated with it, I have had great success eliminating my depressiion/anxiety while using just 5htp.
MJ DuPont
Posts: 567 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | "Re(1):paranoid about trying 5 HTP" , Thu 17 Jul 02:03
I too suffer from anxiety, so it is sometimes hard to tell when I am being too paranoid about experimenting with different supplements. However, with 5-HTP and individual amino acids, I think caution is warranted. It's not clear how individual amino acids or 5-HTP affect each individual ingestor over the long-term.
There are reports of people getting EMS (that's the blood disease that thousands of people got from taking a contaminated batch of l-tryptophan in 1989)-like symptoms from several of the individual aminos, as well as 5-HTP. Yes, 5-HTP, I don't care if Michael Murry and Ray Sahelihan say it's safe. I did not know this and took l-tryptophan this year, and, if I am imagining it, then so be it, but I got several EMS-like symptoms (horrible muscle spasms in my legs and arms). The people who sold me the supplement said this was probably not possible, but they were not sure. Fortunately, the muscle spasms went away; however, for me, it's not worth risking greater distress to my health just to experiment with a supplement. The problem is that the whole supplement industry is not regulated (in the US, that's where I am, perhaps you are in Europe or Canada), so here, in the US, one has no idea of knowing what one is truly getting. That's a darn shame. And, for something as powerful as the aminos, there needs to be more research on them. That's my feeling at least. I am not a big risk taker. Why not consult with a naturopathic doctor or a psychiatrist open to non-pharmaceutical supplements? I saw a psychiatrist for a while who was up-to-date on all the natural stuff. That's probably your best bet. Be careful and best of luck in your quest.
The -ARCHY hurts everyone. Empathy is healing.
Posts: 8 | | Registered: Sat 5 Jul 2003 16:21 |
| | "Re(1):paranoid about trying 5 HTP" , Tue 15 Jul 20:05
I think everything is risk to benefit. I was afraid to try 5htp too. I have been taking sjw for about a month and needed a boost. I added the 5htp to my program. I take one 50mg in morning and also one at night. It sure helps me. I have had nothing but positive things to say about it. NO SIDE EFFECTS FOR ME. I think you may be reading old info on this product. Good luck to you.
george girl
Posts: 2 | | Registered: Mon 30 Jun 2003 18:0 |
| | | "Re(2):paranoid about trying 5 HTP" , Sat 19 Jul 11:23
Hi Georgie Girl-
I too am on th esame dosage as you. I take 3 SJW 300mg each a day plus one 50mg 5-HTP twice a day (morning/night). Seems like the same as you. I have been doing this for almost a month now. The first few days I did SJW only.
What I am treating is anxiety/panic attacks. Since I have started taking it (knock on wood) I have not had an attack, I still feel nervous about having one and sometimes I still get the butterflies in my stomach that usually trigger an attack. But the feeling almost goes away as quickly as it comes. It almost feels like my body is gone to give in to the panic then all of sudden something kicks in and stops it.
I was curious to know what you are taking the combination for and if it seems to be working? Or anyone else.
thanks.
Pete
Posts: 6 | | Registered: Thu 26 Jun 2003 8:41 |
| | | "Re(3):paranoid about trying 5 HTP" , Sun 20 Jul 16:40
Hi Pete,
I am taking 400mg of sjw 2 times a day. I am also taking the 5htp once or twice a day. I am taking them to treat my depression. I also have had panic attacks that have been horriable. I have not really had any panic attacks lately. My doctor had put me on xanax for about two years and it seemed to control them. Mine were so bad that I ended up in the er. I also lost a job because of them. I have been off xanax for about 5 years now. It was a life saver for me. I still am a high stress person and I think the sjw and 5htp help me in that area. Good luck to you,
Georgie Girl
Posts: 4 | | Registered: Mon 30 Jun 2003 18:0 |
|
|
Home
email/admin 
SJW home 
forum index
