5 HTP

[Esther75]

I have recently come off prescribed antidepressants due to their side affects, but not coping very well. I been recommended to 5 HTP and looked on Amazon but not sure which to choose, not sure if the reviews are real. TIA

[1803sioban]

Hi Ester75,

I know what you mean about reviews on Amazon and I am always very sceptical of them!!!

I have cut and pasted two snippets of information from Wikipedia, see below, and if you google 5HTP you can click on the link to get a lot more info. One thing to note that it can have a lot of side effects and because, according to the article, the interactions are not well researched so it is probably wise to at least speak to your GP or at least pharmacist that dispenses any medication that you take. I would personally find the last sentence rather worrying.

A 2002 review by the Cochrane Collaboration concluded that although the data evaluated suggests that 5-HTP is more effective than placebo in the treatment of depression, the evidence was insufficient to be conclusive due to a severe lack of high quality research.[2] More and larger studies are needed to determine if 5-HTP is truly effective in treating depression.[3]

Potential side effects of 5-HTP include heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, sexual problems, vivid dreams or nightmares, and muscle problems.[7] Because 5-HTP has not been thoroughly studied in a clinical setting, possible side effects and interactions with other drugs are not well known.

I did become quite interested when I saw that 5HTP is used for weight loss but then I read the side effects and I could understand why.

Best wishes whatever you decide to do.

Sioban

[Jan810]

Hi, have you thought about holland and Barrett's? At least you know the pills your buying are safe then. St.johns wart is another herbal remedy for depression, if you would like to have a read. But like Sioban says, ask a doctor or pharmacist first in case they interact with any current medications you may be taking.

Couldn't the doctor try you with a different kind if you need them and are struggling? There's nothing worse than being depressed on top of your illness. I have taken many different kinds of antidepressants some with bad side effects, but they are all different. Maybe speak to your g.p again and see if they could help. I wish you well Xx

[TheAuthor]

Hi Esther75

I have never tried anything like this myself. I think that Jan810 has a valid point about buying from a source that you know is safe and legit. I would also talk to your doctor prior to taking anything like this as well. I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[1803sioban]

Hi again,

I agree with Jan 810 that it could be a good idea to speak with your GP about trying a different antidepressant as there are many different types available and hopefully you could find on the is suitable for you.

If you buy herbal remedies/supplements from a reputable supplier it will mean that you get a standardised dose but it does not necessarily mean that it will be good for you or safe to use. I have, in the past, used St John's Wort as an antidepressant and I did find it effective but it can have side effects. I have cut and pasted some snippets of information from the MIND website. If you want more information you can ask Mr Google about St John's Wort and click on the link for MIND.

"Some people say that they find St John's wort useful in helping to manage their depression but others can experience side effects or feel no benefit from taking it.

Research suggests that, in some cases, St John's wort might be just as effective as some antidepressant drugs to treat mild or moderate depression. It may also cause fewer or less intense side effects than commonly prescribed antidepressants. However, for severe depression the evidence to show that it could help is limited.

"St John’s wort is available on prescription in many European countries. However, the use of St John’s wort is not currently recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) so doctors in England and Wales do not normally write prescriptions for it.

This is because of uncertainty about appropriate doses, variations in preparations and the potentially dangerous interactions that it has with other commonly used medications. See our information on interactions with medication.

Although doctors are advised not to prescribe St John's wort, you can buy it over the counter. It is readily available in pharmacies and in many health food shops."

"St John’s wort products are licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This organisation is responsible for licensing herbal medicines in the UK under the Traditional Herbal Medicines Registration scheme. Under this scheme, registration is based on the long-standing use of a plant as a traditional herbal medicine, and is not based on clinical trials.

Licensed St John’s wort products should be marked with the registration mark shown here.

THR_logo _mini _st Johns Wort"

Me again. It is reassuring that St John's Wort is regulated if you buy from a reputable supplier but even if you do so, it does not mean it is safe for you to take as it can also interact with other medications. I also found that when I took it my GP had not heard of it and was completely unaware that it had the potential to cause problems. I found that pharmacists were better qualified to advise me about possible problems

I am not trying to put anyone off buying herbal remedies but I feel it is important to respect them and to realise that they are likely to have possible serious side-effects.

Sorry, I will get off my soap box now and I hope everyone had a great and peaceful Sunday and hopefully pain free day.

Sioban xx

[Al10]

It's brave coming off your meds. Spring is coming which is cheery. Do you get lots of vitamin D esp during the winter? And now weather is getting better and brighter can you get out and enjoy it? Exercising outside or just sitting in the sun? These natural mood enhancers can make a difference without nasty side effects. Also Do you take probiotics for your tum? I've been reading how restoring the Gut flora can help the mood too.

My Tummy got very bad until I was barely digesting any good foods properly. Now I've worked to restore the gut flora I'm surprised how my mood is better too. There have been several articles lately about how our gut is important for mental health. We are all different but I'm just saying what has helped me. I was a kid that had many rounds of anti biotics for tonsilitis etc. and have had tummy probs and aches and pains that turned out to be FMS since I was a kid, so I often wonder if there was a link.

It's taken time to find a pro biotic that suited me and then for it to build up in my tum (I still need to take it each day) but I'm glad I persisted because I had hit rock bottom both physically and mentally. I also read about the foecal transplant (yuck!) and how this has cured very sick people so even medical folks are catching on about the importance of a healthy gut.

I should confess I'm not a fan of medication because I tend to react badly and hence worry about the long term side effects. Also mostly drugs need to be taken long term and are hard to give up, yet many drugs are actually only fully effective for a few months before the body adapts. Hence how people are put on more and more drugs.

I haven't yet tried bone broth but people keep telling me how it's helped them. Good for your tum and healing generally. I just need a Nana to cook it for me!

[Esther75]

Hi thanks for all your replies. I have tried many prescribed antidepressants but either they dont work or give me horrendous side affects. I have a deficiency in Vitamin D and B12 so have prescribed meds for that along with thyroiditis, PCOS and fibro. Hormones playing havoc. As i have very little energy from being a busy wife mum and worker i looked at Amazon for ease but there is a Holland and Barrett in my local town that I could visit but will phone a couple of pharmacies first. Thanks all

[1803sioban in reply to Esther75]

AL10's idea of sunshine, which is supposed to increase the "feel-good" neurotransmitter, serotonin, is an excellent idea, as is any activity or pastime that you may find time to enjoy. It must be hard though with your health problem and the fact that you are a busy wife, mum. I have also read about the benefits of fecal transplant (agreed YUK) but I am not sure how much of it is research based.

Good luck and I hope you are able to find relief for your depression.

xx