Has 5-HTP worked for you then STOPPED working altogether?

[vanessab23]

It's like it's starting to wear off.

I am on 300mg/day (taken at 3 different times in the day to space it out) and after only 3 weeks had passed, I felt AMAZING. 150% back to "normal". I was singing in the streets and kissing my neighbors. Well, you know what I mean. Now it just seems that it has ceased to work for me. Is this normal? I am also taking a Super B complex (with about 250mg of B-6), a multi and a Cal-Mag at night. I have cut my decaf coffee out of my morning routine and have added more frequent smaller protein-packed meals.

My bad days have started to increase in frequency again and to be worse than before. I am at my limit and have decided to go on Meds. DS is 6 months next week and I can't go on like this anymore. When I am really DOWN, I feel lost, suicidal, depressed, and recently had my first anxiety attack. I go to what I call "a very dark place".

I didn't want to drugs (like most of us) but know that my baby deserves better than this-- even if it means he gets trace amounts through my milk. I think the trade off is worth it.

ie; I just let DS fall out of my lap (he was leaning away and instead of catching him I let him fall face first onto the pile of books on the bed). I didn't think it would really hurt (he hit the back of his head on the hardwood floor today and didn't say a word) but this time he fell into hysterics. So, what did I do? I got mad at him for being dramatic, so DP took him out on a walk (mom was clearly about to lose it, so I think that was helpful) but after they left my GUILT set in and I have been sobbing about it even since. I FEEL HORRIBLE. So I know even better now that I need/want the meds.

Thanks for letting me ramble. I need to wait until the insurance comes thru before I contact the doctor about meds (zoloft, I guess).

[Greensleeves]

I haven't taken 5 HTP. That must be frustrating to have felt like you found a remedy, and then to have it stop working for you.

I don't want to either encourage or discourage taking meds, but for some people I think it can be the right choice and really helpful to get over the hump so to speak. Like maybe if you took it for 6 months or so to even out and then you can work on any nutritional/supplemental issues before you wean off.

But of course, only you can know if any potential risks balance potential benefits.

I'm sure you've read the natural remedy thread? According to that, 5HTP is not the only thing to try--there's also inositol, amino acids. On one of the later pages some posters talk about getting tested for amino acid deficiencies. I'm considering that myself. But I haven't ruled out trying a med too.

[purplepansy12002]

I've read in the mood cure that some people take their aminos for a while and feel great and then they get down again but its because it could be more than you need now. Like it works the opposite if you don't really need it anymore, does that make sense? So i second that you should get a test done to see what aminos u need exactly and how much. goodluck

[vanessab23]

ok, I had to read that three times to understand but I do now

I don't knwo what to do. I feel lost. I don't even have a doc to see yet. tahnks for all the advice. but I need help NOW.

[Gale Force]

Vanessa -- this is really the problem with doing a trial and error approach to amino acids. There are other aminos that matter but it's pretty hard to know which ones are going to be best for you without a test.

Do what you feel you need to do, but don't stop the other supplements. In fact, you might want to add omega3s to your list. All that you are taking (besides the 5HTP) are used with anti-depressants in clinical trials, so don't give them up. They will help you feel better even with the meds and may make it possible to go off the meds earlier.

Amanda

[purplepansy12002]

I'm sorry if i didn't make too much sense but i was in a hurry! I just meant that too much 5htp can have a bad effect on someone that doesn't need it - or need as much. But I also think you should add fish oil (like gf said) --take some at every meal and find some with a high epa/dha. My naturopath told me about some called neurogen dha that's from europe but she said you can't get it in stores. Maybe it's online, well ttyl!! Oh by the way where did you find a b-vit that had so many mg of b6?