5 HTP ?

[penny41]

Has anyone tried 5 HTP ?

[westgate]

Go on penny - give us a clue?! xx

[Hidden]

Hi

I've just started taking it (last week) so too soon to say what difference it's making. I certainly haven't has any problem getting off to sleep since then, but that isn't often a problem for me it's usually waking up that's more difficult- lol!

Would love to know how you get on if you decide to give it a go!

[Mdaisy]

I tried it didnt find it helped even tho the brain chemical is supposed to be lacking in FMS.... hope you find some benefit

[Hidden]

Do tell what is 5 HTP?

Jax x x

[electricjaws]

i was tempted a while ago to try it ,but as i think amitryptiline is sposed to do a similar thing ,wasn't sure if they were compatible,so at the mo have decided to try vitaminn d3 at 1,000 a day and see if that has any efefct as i have read some good stuff between fibromyalgia and vitamin d3,it has to be d3 as opposed to plain ol' vitamin d x

[electricjaws]

jaxxl, if you want some info on 5 htp go to a web page called" webMD" and a page should come up ( it has like a boots the chemist logo and webmd, if you then put 5 htp in the search bar on this page it will bring up a page and under the heading "herbs and supplements for fibro" gives you all the info you need ,hope this helps!!

[penny41]

Thank you have got it and think I am you g to start it when I start my radical diet

[Hidden]

Definition of 5-HTP for anyone who isn't aware -

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid that is the intermediate step between tryptophan and the important brain chemical serotonin. There is a massive amount of evidence that suggests that low serotonin levels are a common consequence of modern living. The lifestyle and dietary practices of many people living in this stress-filled era results in lowered levels of serotonin within the brain. As a result, many people are overweight, crave sugar and other carbohydrates, experience bouts of depression, get frequent headaches, and have vague muscle aches and pain. All of these maladies are correctable by raising brain serotonin levels.

Conditions associated with low serotonin levels helped by 5-HTP -

FIBROMYALGIA

Depression

Obesity

Carbohydrate craving

Bulimia

Insomnia

Narcolepsy

Sleep apnea

Migraine headaches

Tension headaches

Chronic daily headaches

Premenstrual syndrome

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

wow im going to ask my doc about this as i suffer from 7 on this list.

If one thing can help all im definately up for trying if she agrees.

[hamble99b]

WOW! thatis very interesting!

i'll definitely ask my consultant about it. what are the side-effects?

regards, sandra99b

[Hidden]

H[ Penny, be careful if you take this product, I used to run a health shop , and we were trained that you should not take this product if you are on antidepressants, and to check with you Doctor or Pharmacist if on any other medication. It is very popular in England mainly used as a mood leveller and sleep aid, particularly for flight crew on long haul flights, (jet lag)

as serotonin is a precursor to melatonin, I think that's right, (been a while) and you can't get melatonin otc here. It is also sometimes used as a slimming aid, not too sure why or how successful. best wishes Cazx

[Hidden]

sounds very interesting, although I take Citalophram so it's a no no for me, Thanks for the info tho

Jax xx

[penny41]

wow this site is fab I had read up on it but wanted to see if people had used it, will be careful but as I am drawing short straw with all docs and specialists thought I may try it ...

And it is on offer at Holland and Barret...

[Hidden]

Hello

Just make sure if you take this, be careful if you are on anti depressant that

Release serotonian! You can get a overload of serotonin and that makes

You very I'll

If you are not sure ask your GP

[ellie10]

I took it once made me really sick and felt dizzy, have not taken again.

[Dixiesdaughter]

Hi penny i have fibro( obviously lol) also have anxiety disorder possibly part genetic possibly part fibro related. I was on sertaline for a number of yrs to treat the anxiety. I am not a big fan if antidepressants and would prefer, if im honest, to manage it with more natural treatments i.e. relaxation techniques, diet, exercise etc unfortunetly the realities of fibro can make h a healthy lifestyle near impossible so accepting my limitations I gave sertaline a try . Worked for a while, (with usual nasty side effects dry mouth, nausea, sluggishness etc)

After a few yrs of use my gp recommended that I try weaning myself off them (think this was due to the govt drive to remove as many people as possible off these types of meds as they have been so over perscribed and are costing NHS millions) the results were horrendous - massive increase in anxiety levels, return of panic attacks, dizziness blackouts etc.

As I Didnt want to go bk on them and have to repeat this senario eveytime a new govt initiative is implemented i decided to try a natural remedy after some research I decided on 5 Htp! so far so good they seem to agree wiv me; there not a miracle cure but hey wat is lol but some good side effects include a slight reduction in anxiety levels ive had a few uninterrupted nite sleeps and kidz say my moods are starting to level out. Of course im still a biatch when im in pain and during a fibro flare up sleep is severly distrupted and anxiety nd panic abound lol but in non flare up times i can deff feel the benefits if 5 HTP :-)))

Just to reiterate the advice already given DO NOT take 5htp before checking with GP as it cant be taken with cetain drugs which also affect serotonion levels. Too much serotonion can affect the brain and have very harmful results. Like all medications it will be a case if teial nd error to get the rite dose etc and this must always be done with the advice and support of ur gp. Also always check with pharmacist before buying otc medications as he can advise what is safe to mix with 5Htp

Good luck and hope it works for ya x

[penny41]

Once again thanx so many answers and I know which direction I am going in

[Jeannie]

Tried this but didnt notice any improvement