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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cherylann on April 7, 2004, at 10:44:49
I am being stubborn about going back on remeron until all my natural options run out.
The sam-e I took made me more depressed, if that's possible.
The fish oil is actually taking the edge off my depression, but doing NOTHING for extreme anxiety, so I rely on klonopin at night.
I had read that 5htp was sedating and had a calming effect. If this is true I'd like to try it. There's gotta be something out there!
Help! I need to sleep!
Posted by mistermindmasta on April 7, 2004, at 22:33:40
In reply to Does 5htp have stimulating effects?, posted by cherylann on April 7, 2004, at 10:44:49
> I am being stubborn about going back on remeron until all my natural options run out.
> The sam-e I took made me more depressed, if that's possible.
> The fish oil is actually taking the edge off my depression, but doing NOTHING for extreme anxiety, so I rely on klonopin at night.
> I had read that 5htp was sedating and had a calming effect. If this is true I'd like to try it. There's gotta be something out there!
> Help! I need to sleep!Serotonin is stimulating at some receptors, while being sedating at others. PPl with Fibromyalgia get very good sleep with 5-HTP, so maybe you might? I've used it, and am experienced in the 5-HTP 'realm', ill call it... It is indeed sedating, but more in a way that calms my mind, rather than being directly sedating. Like, alcohol sedates me... but 5-htp calms me. Its different.
On my experienced, 5-htp is VERY VERY good for relaxation + sleep! However, everyone is so different. I suggest you snag some for yourself. Buy the cheapest brand you find at a health food store... you might spend like $12. But it should be worth it, huh? Try 5-htp, and get back to us to let us know how it helps you. It should work acutely, not long term. You dont have to wait a while for it to work. So youll know by the 1st day if it improves your sleep. See how it works.
Posted by cherylann on April 8, 2004, at 21:15:29
In reply to Re: Does 5htp have stimulating effects?, posted by mistermindmasta on April 7, 2004, at 22:33:40
Thanks for the info! I definitely don't have fibromyalgia, but I'm going to try the 5htp.
Being the whiner that I am, if it doesn't work (or does, as the case may be) I'll post about it.
Could I ask how much you take? And I assume you take it in the evening?
Posted by mistermindmasta on April 8, 2004, at 23:04:25
In reply to Re: Does 5htp have stimulating effects?, posted by cherylann on April 8, 2004, at 21:15:29
> Thanks for the info! I definitely don't have fibromyalgia, but I'm going to try the 5htp.
> Being the whiner that I am, if it doesn't work (or does, as the case may be) I'll post about it.
> Could I ask how much you take? And I assume you take it in the evening?
I find it works best in 100 mg doses, 3 times per day. It makes me sleep very nicely at night though, even without increasing a nighttime dose. Well actually, I don't really have trouble sleeping, hah, but I do notice that it makes me fall asleep quicker and I feel my overall sleep quality is a little better.I find it REALLY does a good job at making me less irritable if I've had not enough sleep and too much caffeine. That's why I use it. If I'm upset at something I shouldnt be, it mellows me out. But the extra good sleep is a nice effect too.
Posted by cherylann on April 12, 2004, at 9:27:44
In reply to Re: Does 5htp have stimulating effects?, posted by mistermindmasta on April 8, 2004, at 23:04:25
I did sleep good, but I also took 1/2 mg of klonopin (down from my usual 1mg). I did notice, however, that when I woke up once during the night I saw spots and shapes and felt a little edgy. That was weird. I'll try it another night and hopefully those side effect will go away.
If not, I think maybe it's not the seratonin that I need. Ah, the search goes on...
Posted by april8 on May 1, 2004, at 9:28:24
In reply to Re: Does 5htp have stimulating effects?, posted by mistermindmasta on April 7, 2004, at 22:33:40
I am currently switching from effexor to 5 htp and it does help with my sleep. it makes you a little sleepy but not too bad really. nothing like remeron did to me when I tried it! let us know if 5 htp works for you because I am switching myself and hope to goodness it does. i am like you and stubborn, i will go back to effexor after this experiment but gosh would I prefer natural as oppossed to synthetic. effexor has been okay, but I want to lose the weight i had gained from paxil previously, and reclaim my sex drive for goodness sake!
Posted by LOOPS on June 3, 2004, at 17:53:37
In reply to Re: Does 5htp have stimulating effects?, posted by april8 on May 1, 2004, at 9:28:24
Hiya everybody -
a couple of things from my experience with 5-htp:
I found it worked much better if you take B vitamins with it and C. Especially B-3 and a bit of B-6. When I used to take it without B-3 I got hallucinations at night. Added in B-3 and I was fine. I took niacinamide 250mg 4x daily, plus 25mg B-complex 4 x daily.
Also I found two brands I took varied tremendously. I tried MRM 100mg capsules - these were great - they relaxed me without making me 'wired'.
Biosynergy 50mg AND 100mg. This stuff felt VERY strong, and made me alternatingly wired and tired, even on one 50mg. Could be they are more pure, but I never got the uncomfortable anxiety on the MRM ones. Out of interest, someone on another board said they felt the MRM capsules did nothing, but they definitely had a big effect on me.Anyway, just my experience. But the B-vitamins are REALLY important in order for things to go right with 5-htp. I noticed a huge difference with and without.
Loops
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