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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Leonora on June 21, 1999, at 17:38:42
Has anyone had any success with 5HTP for depression? I just bought some to try.
Posted by dina on June 21, 1999, at 21:23:44
In reply to 5HTP, posted by Leonora on June 21, 1999, at 17:38:42
i have had some success with 5-htp. after going off celexa about a month ago, i tried 5-htp to take the edge off the withdrawal. it seemed to work. the forgetfulness, while on celexa, has gone away. i have focus and am rational. i am somewhat moodier at times, but i try to work through it. i don't feel bloated or have constipation. i have lost some of the weight that i gained on celexa. about 2 months ago, i started therapy, and i think that is helping to give a different perspective on things too.
in case you'd like to know, i am taking 100mg 3x a day. i also am trying to increase my protein intake (think peanut butter!), especially in the morning and early afternoon. i also take tyrosine in the morning.good luck, i hope this is helpful.
dina
Posted by JohnL on June 22, 1999, at 2:49:17
In reply to 5HTP, posted by Leonora on June 21, 1999, at 17:38:42
> Has anyone had any success with 5HTP for depression? I just bought some to try.
Yes! After 2 weeks at about 150mg to 250mg a day, I suddenly realized one day I was in a good mood and wanted to plan a picnic! I was actually looking forward to it and could tell I was going to ENJOY it...what a strange concept for me.I couldn't remember ever feeling that way.
Side effects caused me to quit. Sleep was "fuzzy" and very dreamy, woke up hungover - this didn't bother me though. Sometimes a lack of appetite - that didn't bother me. What did bother me was a bad burning sensation when urinating. ??? Genitals even became sore to the touch during sexual foreplay, orgasms even got painful. Strangest thing. And two doctors had no clue. Go figure. But it was scary and I had to quit. If a doctor could ever explain this to me and how to deal with it, I would have my life back again. Cured.
Give it a try. If you are taking any antidepressant meds, you have to be real cautious in adding 5HTP. They have been combined, but must be kept at much lower doses for each, to prevent adverse effects like serotonin syndrome and other nasty emergency room kind of stuff. Best hopes for you, JohnL.
Posted by john on June 22, 1999, at 4:50:03
In reply to 5HTP, posted by Leonora on June 21, 1999, at 17:38:42
> Has anyone had any success with 5HTP for depression? I just bought some to try.
In my previous post I forgot to mention I had also been taking 300mg 3 times a day of St. Johnswort for two weeks. So the success may have been due to the combination, not just 5HTP. However, I had great results after just 2 weeks, and St. Johnswort is supposed to take longer than that to work. So I still believe most of the success was due to 5HTP. I have tried St. Johnswort alone and it was not helpful. But there may be some kind of beneficial synergy between 5HTP and St. Johnswort. You might consider adding St. Johnswort if it seems the 5HTP might need a boost. Who knows. We're all different. Sadly there's no litmus test...gotta try things to find out. Stay in touch. JohnL.
Posted by Leonora on June 22, 1999, at 22:01:57
In reply to Re: 5HTP, posted by dina on June 21, 1999, at 21:23:44
Thanks all! I'm only taking 100 mgs a day. Today and yesterday were good days in that I didn't feel like staying in bed all day. We'll see what develops from here! Keep your fingers crossed because I've been unsuccessful with Celexa, Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac.
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