5 HTP

Whilst on the subject of 5HTP. Does anyone have any experience of side effects. I was disappointed to read in my research that 'decreased sexual feeling' can be a side effect. This is one of the reasons I hate SSRi's. Don't get me wrong ! I'm not a maniac or anything ! but I just find there is something fundamentally wrong in being switched off like that. I did however see one report of increased desire !
What about other side effects ? and do they decrease appetite ? I need to lose 10 pounds (caused by other a/d's) to get back down to my correct weight. SSRI's decrease my appetite in the short term, but, like the libido, I don't want to suddenly start to dislike food !

Last summer I took a product called Anxietol 7 that contains 5 HTP. I didn't experience any negative side effects. I lost 30 pounds over the summer -- weight I had gained while on Celexa. I don't know if the 5 HTP helped with that, but it certainly didn't seem to be hindering my ability to lose weight. The pounds just fell off.

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mrstumnus said:
Does anyone have any experience of side effects. I was disappointed to read in my research that 'decreased sexual feeling' can be a side effect. This is one of the reasons I hate SSRi's.

What about other side effects ? and do they decrease appetite ? I need to lose 10 pounds (caused by other a/d's) to get back down to my correct weight.

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YES... it is sad, but true - Sexual Side Effects is common in most (if not all) SSRI medicines.

I personally did not suffer any decrease in my sexual drive or ability and I took 5-HTP for a entire year - plus a few months.

AND - I have a W.W. 30 day plan that will help you loose those ten pounds and all you have to do is eat - then stop when you reach your points for the day..... if you are interested in it PM me your personal e-mail address and current weight and I will send the file over to you.
... I personal created and ate this plan based on information from W.W. and it worked - I lost 8.5 pounds in just one month

i have taken 5htp ,i experimented with different dosages i like the idea that it increases serotonin i used to take it at night 50 mg used to help me sleep i combined it with sjw the sjw made me very groggy so i dropped that,the 5htp didn't remove my depression fully but it helped me sleep and reduced anxiety,i had no side effects at all,unlike prescription ones.i am going to try taking one in the am instead of at night.

I'm already taking SJW, I don't get any side effects from it. I am hoping the 5HTP will help me to sleep. It's not long since I stopped prescription meds , Now that they are out of my system the insomnia is back ! I just want a natural way to help me sleep.
Sounds like it was helpful in helping you sleep !?

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mrstumnus said:
I'm already taking SJW, I don't get any side effects from it. I am hoping the 5HTP will help me to sleep. It's not long since I stopped prescription meds , Now that they are out of my system the insomnia is back ! I just want a natural way to help me sleep.

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I would suggest VALERIAN ROOT (sold at Wal-Mart) for help with sleeping difficulties and 5-HTP for an over all better health and mind that will easy you into a better sleep.

Do not take SJW with 5-ht, bad interactions can happen.

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psisci said:
Do not take SJW with 5-ht, bad interactions can happen.

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Is that at all to do with too much serotonin being produced or is that SJW with SSRIs?

have to agree with psisci the combination made me feel awful ,tired, brain fog just generally yuk,had a sense something bad was going ,i don't get along with prescription meds i thought natural was ok -not always so

i found valerian really good for sleep ?anxiety but can be addictive no idea about drug interactions though

I did a search for 5-HTP, Valerian, and St. Johns Wort on my medicl insurance site
... and this is what they came up with:

(Note: Herbal products are not subject to review or approval from the FDA. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products have been studied. Not all drug interactions are known or reported in the literature, and new drug interactions are continually being reported. This information is provided only for your education and for you to discuss with your personal healthcare provider. )

ST. JOHN'S WORT may interact with ALCOHOL

Both alcohol and St. John's wort relax the central nervous system. When they are used together, the risk of excessive sedation and other side effects is increased. Signs of apparent drunkenness such as confusion, disorientation, and uncoordinated movement can occur more quickly than usual. More dangerous results may include vomiting, unconsciousness, pale or bluish skin, slowed breathing, and coma. Do not drink alcohol while you are taking St. John's wort or any other herbal supplement. Discuss this potential interaction with your healthcare provider at your next appointment, or sooner if you think you are having problems.

This interaction is poorly documented and is considered moderate in severity.

Last Updated: December 2003


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VALERIAN may interact with ALCOHOL

Valerian contains substances that promote mild sedation. When valerian is used at the same time as alcoholic drinks are consumed, the chance of drowsiness may increase. Excessive sleepiness, slowed breathing, loss of muscle control, and even coma may result. In general, valerian should be avoided if alcohol is consumed. Discuss this potential interaction with your healthcare provider at your next appointment, or sooner if you think you are having problems.

This interaction is well-documented and is considered moderate in severity.

Last Updated: August 2005


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VALERIAN may interact with ST. JOHN'S WORT

Both valerian and St. John's wort contain substances that may promote sedation. If they are used together, excessive drowsiness, slowed breathing, loss of muscle control, and even coma may result. In general, valerian and St. John's wort should not be taken at the same time. If they are used together and sedation increases to an unsafe level, either valerian or St. John's wort or both may need to be stopped. You may want to ask your healthcare provider about this potential interaction if you think you are having problems.

This interaction is well-documented and is considered minor in severity

* * * * * *

I took Valerian Root for 2 years for sleep and panic attacks / anxiety and I NEVER became addicted to it.

" Don't take 5HTP with SJW !" ?
I have just bought tablets which combine both SJW and 5HTP in the same pill !

I quote from the packaging :

Magnolia 100mg
SJW 100mg
Griffonia seed 200mg (98% 5HTP)

Bought from a large and presumably reputable firm.
www.simplysupplements.co.uk

I've just taken one pill !

Yes, but those are dinky doses and probably will no beneficial effect. To get any beneficial effect you have to take about 1000 mg of SJW that is a high-concentrate. Your pill is probably safe.

Can you say more about why taking the two together are bad?

Also why if you take an AD should you not take SJW or 5HTP (which is how I read it due to the serotonin thing).

But I do not know the science behind it.

Thx, Rhapsody for your info; I certainly appreciate it.

Brand is diff fr my friend's, but gd to keep in mind; thx.

Sorry for late response; recently moved; very, very busy.

Des

P.S.: PM me; I think we should compare notes vs. Meniere's Disease........I honestly think it could be a result of a side effect of your meds.

I concur.

Research "Serotonin-Syndrome",PC members -- quite interesting &amp; informative.

You've got to be your own health advocate (or @ least ask some close family &amp;/or friend member to be one for you); as I see it.

Not enough medical professionals in North America. Unfortunately, it all comes down to $. Really unfortunate, though.

Des

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desperado said:
P.S.: PM me; I think we should compare notes vs. Meniere's Disease........I honestly think it could be a result of a side effect of your meds.

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My ears are open - I am interested in hearing what you got to say / share..... please keep in mind that my Meniere's was Dx after my RA... and arthritis meds was all I was taking at the time.

I"ve been taking 5-htp for about two weeks and I do see a difference in mood. I took it in combination with l-tyrosine.

Hi Rhaps

Hm; ok -- interesting.

So you weren't on Celexa @ the time of the MD diagnoses, then. Very interesting.

Gd friend of mine was dx'd w/ MD while on Celexa. She has since gone off the C &amp; MD symptoms are completely gone. (She also had MD symptoms while she was on Prozac but had gone off that as well only to lose the symptoms again).

Read your profile &amp; just thought you'd want to know....

Des

I'm no dr., withit, but just a heads' up..........my gd friend was on l-tyrosine (only that) -- 1000 mgs/day, I think -- mind you, this was in the mid/late '80's*......& she had to call 911 one evening. She had a very bad reaction to it (obviously) & dr's think she had a mild heart attack.

TC,

Des

* apparently a bunch of l-tyrosine @ this time was tainted or smthg & banned by FDA for a while.

I take 100 mg. twice a day.