What's everyones opinion on 5HTP

[riprock]

i've posted on here a couple times before describing my GAD as brought on by amphetamine abuse... most of my symptoms manifest themselves within my head. I feel dizzy and kind of as if my heart beat is in my head and like i'm just losing control and just really tired all the time

Anyways, i was prescribed celexa but dont want to take an anti depressant so i decided to start using 5HTP. so far i've been taking one 100mg pill before i go to sleep at night.. ( have only been doing this for 2 days and i last night i took half a pill before bed)

I cant really decided if this is making me better or not... seems like it has taken away the feeling of "losing control" , but i feel really foggy headed / spaced out... Also my butterflies in the stomach feeling is perhaps a little worse.  in addition i feel like already it's made the feelings of having an orgasm different lol.... i dunno, just not as good or something.

i know there's not a huge amount of research on this stuff so i feel a little sketchy self medicating myself with it....

any ideas ? thanks alot

[dolphin845]

Yeah,  I didn't like those vivid dreams.  That didn't start for me until I was on it for something like 6 months.  Then I just went off and gave my body a break from it.
If you don't have the glooms,  it probably won't do much for you.  Go off it for now and see how you start to feel.  Keep a log of ALL your symptoms and how you feel each day.   That's what I do and I do experiment with different things and dosages.  I NEVER go over my prescribed doses.  I"m always way under but even the docs don't know how the meds will effect us.  Some people are way more sensitive than others - like ME.
I was prescribed 1mg. pills of ativan to be taken 3 times a day.  If I did that,  I'd be comatose.  I can only take .25mg.  and that I adjust to as needed.   i just listen to my body and keep a journal.

[riprock]

hmmm, yeah im not sure if the 5htp is helping me or making me worse.... i never have felt depressed in my life ,  so i dont really need it for that... and if it doesnt help with anxiety that much then i guess i should stop taking it. I have experience some seriously awesome dreams because of it though hehe....

[dolphin845]

I suggest you give that 5-HTP a try.  Tell your doc about it.  Might not be a good idea to take Celexa and HTP together.  
I'm a believer in HTP because it has worked for me.  Might not for everyone tho.   I can cause vivid dreams in some people.
For me... this go around I've been on it now for two weeks and I don't feel as gloomy, doomy.  My mood has changed for the better.  I have GAD with a bit of depression.  It doesn't do anything for my anxiety but it does for the gloomy moods.
I take a low dose of ativan for my anxiety issues.

[Jikan]

Namaste,

5-Hydroxytryptophan or 5-HTP is a naturally-occurring amino acid, a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin and an intermediate in tryptophan metabolism. It is marketed in the United States and other countries as a dietary supplement for use as an antidepressant, appetite suppressant, and sleep aid.

Research has shown that 5-HTP has been shown to be as effective as Imipramine for the treatment of depression.

Personally, I'm skeptical about using over the counter supplements in place of medications prescribed by a physician, unless you are under the care of a homeopathic practicioner.

If the doctor prescribed Celexa for you, he/she did so for a reason and if you didn't agree with him/her you should have told them at that time and not wait till later and just decide not to take it.

Taking 5-HTP without your doctors' knowledge or consent can jeopardize any progress you may have made or are making in coping with your disorder(s).

I suggest you discontinue the use of 5-HTP, take the Celexa as directed and discuss the whole issue with your doctor.

Michael(Jikan)