42 replies to this topic

[snuffie]

Been not taking it for a week now - outside being even less motivated to do anythign than before (and more tired) I do not feel too much difference, the rest of the stack seems to do something on its own. Still, the fatigue cannot stay like it is so I will see a shrink next week (GP offered to switch me to an SSRI which I want to avoid and then said if I want something more exotic I should go see a specialist)...

i wonder how long it takes to get back to "normal" after stopping this stuff...maybe the fatigue and lack of motivation will get better as you adjust over a few weeks. i found that stopping SSRIs there was a really bad crash that made me think "oh shit maybe this stuff was doing something" but after about 3 weeks of feeling awful it started to lift, making me think it was actually just an adjustment period. not sure what wellbutrin is like in that regard (guess i'll find out eventually).

it will be interesting to see what "exotic" remedy your pdoc will suggest for this...(is "exotic" your GP's code for "i'm not comfortable prescribing restricted stimulants?")

any more experimenting with the SAMe?

[PhaQ]

As far as my personal experiences with 5-htp, it has only helped me a little with anxiety and depression.
What it has done is make me feel full after eating a normal amount of food. I want to punch out all the doctors that called me weak willed and undisciplined. I also have been sleeping a normal eight hours a night instead of my usual twelve. I'd like to throw some SAMe in the mix if I could justify the expense.

[nupi]

it will be interesting to see what "exotic" remedy your pdoc will suggest for this...(is "exotic" your GP's code for "i'm not comfortable prescribing restricted stimulants?")

any more experimenting with the SAMe?

Might be code for that (although I didnt ask for any stimulants, I am not too sure I really want to take MPH or Amphetamine daily). Or just the insight that he is not really qualified in that area - he also sent me to go see a dermatologist about some mulls explaining he does not feel comfortable deciding whether they should be excised.

Have not experimented anymore with SAMe but now I am trying the much raved about DHA-Uridine-AGPC combo

[VesperLynd]

I credit SAM-e with saving my life.

A few years back, I underwent some personal trauma which threw me headlong into depression - first time ever.

I started taking SAM-e and over time, the depression went away. Part of this I also credit to the simple passing of time
and other things in my life - but I mention SAM-e because it cut away the depression in just a matter of a couple weeks.

I researched it and was careful to take the kind that comes in blister packs - apparently, the substance is not too stable.

I used the Nature Made brand - and in my area - am lucky to find it on a buy one, get one free basis.

The only part that confused me was the need for additional B vitamins, but I could not get clear guidance on this matter, no matter how many questions I asked.

[calengineering]

It's interesting to see time and time again how different people react to medication and supplements. 5-HTP doesn't make me sleepy but does make me more relaxed. Since I have adhd, I have started to take it with l-tyrosine, a precursor to dopamine.

SAM-e was amazing for mood the first few days I tried it. Then I noticed that its effects completely wore off for me. Even when SAM-e worked, it would only last a few hours.

[calengineering]

I credit SAM-e with saving my life.

A few years back, I underwent some personal trauma which threw me headlong into depression - first time ever.

I started taking SAM-e and over time, the depression went away. Part of this I also credit to the simple passing of time
and other things in my life - but I mention SAM-e because it cut away the depression in just a matter of a couple weeks.

I researched it and was careful to take the kind that comes in blister packs - apparently, the substance is not too stable.

I used the Nature Made brand - and in my area - am lucky to find it on a buy one, get one free basis.

The only part that confused me was the need for additional B vitamins, but I could not get clear guidance on this matter, no matter how many questions I asked.

How long have you taken SAM-e? What was your dosing and how much do you weigh? Did your dosing change over time?

I took trader joe's SAM-e 200mg in the morning and once in the afternoon. It was great at first but its effects wore off after about the 4th day. I finished the bottle after 15 days and decided it wasn't worth the money. I never changed my dosage, and wonder if I should have cycled the days I took it or increased the dosage.

[Connor MacLeod]

By the way, you should probably avoid folic acid (a synthetic folate which is widely used in multivitamins) as there are a couple studies which indicate an association with increased rates of some forms of cancer, e.g. lung cancer. Folinic acid (calcium folinate) the preferred form; it is available from www.iherb.com.

Not to change the subject, but do you have any references for this? I did a quick search and only came up with studies where folic acid reduced the incidence of cancers.

It's been a while since I researched this topic but you should be able to find some relevant articles by searching for "unmetabolized folic acid cancer" on www.scholar.google.com. If I recall correctly increased mortality of people with high serum folic acid levels was primarily due to lung cancer.

[choqueiro]

So I´ll continue trying to determine which supplement will suit with me and the most important which supplement is safer.

Right now, I´m doubting between two products: 5-htp and L-trytophan. I think that I might have low levels of serotonin so maybe increase them is a good option. The problem is that it seems that 5-htp and L-trytophan could cause heart problems (one study made years ago suggest it).

Is there any difference in terms of risks and side effects between 5-htp and L-trytophan?? An alternative to this products if I want to increase serotonin levels safely and treat depression, anxiety, memory issues, etc.??

Thanks

[VesperLynd]

I took the Natures's Made brand which is the only one I trusted for various reasons - you can search around for info on packaging on how it impacts this supplement.

Within a few weeks time, I went from 400 mg to 800 mg/day. I took it for several months, then tapered off - since my problems had resolved.

VL

[brainslugged]

My mother takes 5-HTP and St. John's Wart daily for anxiety and mild depression. It works wonders.

EDIT: I would like to add, however, that I have moderate social anxiety and took the two once. I did not like the feel. I fealt "out of it", less creative and less alert. I still had fears, but I fealt like I couldn't feel them fully, and I was afraid that I would do something stupid since that part of my mind was not helping to protect me.

Edited by brainslug, 04 February 2012 - 03:59 PM.

[hanzsolo]

It's my understanding that it would take time for both SJW and 5-HTP to build up to therapeutic levels. 1 week for 5-HTP and 4-8 weeks for SJW..I am currently taking 5-HTP and find it helps me sleep and reduces anxiety somewhat..

Edited by hanzsolo, 04 February 2012 - 10:28 PM.

[xeon]

My mother takes 5-HTP and St. John's Wart daily for anxiety and mild depression. It works wonders.

EDIT: I would like to add, however, that I have moderate social anxiety and took the two once. I did not like the feel. I fealt "out of it", less creative and less alert. I still had fears, but I fealt like I couldn't feel them fully, and I was afraid that I would do something stupid since that part of my mind was not helping to protect me.

Any time I take any serotonin-enhancing medication/precursor I get really out of it, sometimes for days. I'm much less alert and without full presence of mind.

[blood]

My main bulwark against relapse of depression is Effexor XR 150 mg/ day which I take before bed.

I've tired many different antidepressants. Effexor, and also Aurorix/ moclobemide, work well for me with minimal or tolerable side effects.

Plenty of brisk walking, and adequate sleep, help.

I do find SAMe to be helpful for maintaining an even keel. I take 200 mg in the evening prior to bed on an empty stomach. I take it with a B Complex product containing active/ safe forms of folic acid & B6 to eliminate any concerns regarding homocysteine: http://www.swansonvi...ity-60-veg-caps
(Although, one human study found that 800 mg/ day of SAMe over many weeks didn't cause a rise in homocysteine levels).

I found that I was unable to tolerate the large doses of SAMe recommended for depression (800-1200 mg/ day) for reasons of digestive upset.


For people who say SAMe stopped working after 3 or 4 days - I think it's best to approach SAMe like you would an antidepressant, i.e., take it with the assumption that benefits will gradually accrue with long term use. Also, don't expect the wired state or other weird effects associated with the first few days of use to last.

I find curcumin to also be helpful for mood. I take LEF's Bio Curcumin, and also one cap/day of Meriva curcumin. I notice a decline in mood after a few days to a week if I stop either of these.

I've tried 5HTP, but can't seem to get a handle on what it's doing to me. The effects don't seem positive enough or long lasting enough for me to continue taking it. I've only tried very low doses, though. (Some say it isn't a good idea to mix 5-HTP and SSRIs/ SNRIs. I haven't noticed any problems with low doses of 5HTP and Effexor.) I have just purchased a time-release version of 5HTP to try (iherb customer reviews for Natrol 5HTP extended release are surprisingly glowing).

Other stuff for anxiety & depression: Vitamin D, magnesium, various polyphenols