5-HTP alternative to zoloft
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5-HTP alternative to zoloft
| Thu, 04-22-2004 - 12:24am |
I never liked the idea of being on Zoloft (tried it twice) due to side effects and bizarre, nasty withdrawal symptoms. It took a whole 6 weeks of me ever-so-gradually decreasing the dosage from 50 mg. daily to 0 before I stopped feeling dizzy spells and head zaps. I never want to go back on it! So I've been taking 5-HTP, a natural herb, in hopes of helping with my depression. So far I've been taking 100 mg. before bed each night.
Does anyone have any experiences with 5-HTP?

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Hi there!
Sorry to hear about the Zoloft but glad you found something that works!
*hugs
Welcome, Jthede, I'm glad you found our board!
So I tried 5-HPT as a more natural option. So far I think it's working, but it's only been about a month. I'm not sure about dosage or building up tolerance or anything with 5-HTP, so I was seeking others who might have tried it as an alternative remedy.
I still really struggle with feeling down, but I do feel like the supplement may have corrected some of the biological factors that contributed to my depression. I hesitate to recommend it too strongly because I know that each person is different, and what works for me may not do much for someone else. But in my case, it has been very helpful...I have tried almost every prescription antidepressant out there without too much luck, but after starting the 5-HTP, I do function and feel much better than before (although I still definitely have my moments of hopelessness, I have to admit).
I hope you find this supplement helpful as well,
Rose
Edited 4/22/2004 11:07 pm ET ET by rosa444
Have you taken it under the advisement of a dr. or a naturopath? I'm thinking about going to a naturopath soon.
Thanks for the reply!
Hi jthede,
Here are some links to our information on 5-HTP:
http://www.ivillagehealth.com/library/onemed/content/0,,241012_248512,00.html
http://www.ivillagehealth.com/library/onemed/content/0,,241012_596525,00.html
Herbs/Supplements for depression:
http://www.ivillagehealth.com/library/onemed/lister/0,,248280,00.html
Interactions:
http://www.ivillagehealth.com/library/onemed/content/0,,241012_248562,00.html
IVHealth Ruth Ann
Community Leader/Ask the Health Librarian
I personally, highly recommend 5-HTP, at least for helping decrease your dosage or for helping you to quit meds. I started taking it at 50 mg 3x daily. While the midday dose, at times, makes me sleepy, I find the overall effect to be worth it. And, for me at least, that effect seems to have lessened with time. I'm now taking 100 mg 3x daily, along with a handfull of other supplements, and they really seem to help.
The one that I've found to really boost my mood and keep it there is Omega 3 fatty acids. I take 2000 mg in the morning and at noon. I was very surprised when I started taking it. The results were immediate and quite noticeable. It was a definite upswing. Now that I've been taking it a while, I don't notice any changes, but it has defintely kept me feeling much brighter.
I talked with my doc about the 5-HTP and he said that it being a naturally occuring substance, in your body, as well as in the griffonia plant (where it's derived from), that I should be safe experimenting with it.
One day I was filling up my weekly meds, and I came out to the kitchen and got the 5-HTP for bedtime, and I had 6 100 mg in my hand. The phone rang, and I got distracted. I walked in the bedroom, and took all 6! My first reaction was panic, and to try and make myself throw up. That didn't work, so I just 'rode it out'. Basically, all that happened, was I slept all day. I didn't have any side effects other than sleeping that I could feel.
I wish you the best of luck with it! I've had great results so far.
peace, love & hugs
damarisanne
That is a good point, about the SSRI's. I read a lot of different articles, before I started taking the 5-HTP, and from what I could gather, no one really seems to agree about it's effects or dosage. I have been very careful to watch for signs of too much serotonin, but have witnessed none so far.
Thanks for bringing that up!
peace, love and hugs
damarisanne
With regards to the best time of day to take the supplement, my doctor told me to take it at night as well, and everything I have heard and read supports that. It has basically the same ingredient (in a higher dose) that is in milk and turkey, the one that makes you sleepy after a Thanksgiving dinner! I've found that it has helped my sleep as well.
Hope this helps a little, good luck with everything, and feel free to post whenever you like,
Rose
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