L-tryptophan or 5-HTP: If I wean myself off... - Tinnitus UK

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L-tryptophan or 5-HTP

DR650SE profile image
12 Replies

If I wean myself off 7.5mg of Mirtazapine ,I am wondering if l-tryptophan or 5 -HTP would be an effective substitute ?

If so ,which one is preferable please and what would a characteristic dosage ?

How long until one would see an improvement in sleep patterns?

Thanks

Peter

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DR650SE
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12 Replies
Happyrosie profile image
Happyrosie

I’d say your first port of call would be to a pharmacist who can best advise. We are all so different. 5htp did absolutely nothing for me, but it might for you - try it and see?

DR650SE profile image
DR650SE in reply toHappyrosie

Good call .The pharmacist said 5 -HTP but from what I read L- tryptophan is safer and better for sleep

Nothing is straightforward is it?

You would need multiple lifetimes of being a guinea pig to work all of this out .

It is a shame that someone hasnt devised a " one size fits all " tinnitus treatment as it would make it so much easier for everyone

Thanks

Peter

doglover1973 profile image
doglover1973

Hi Peter. I don't know if you saw my reply on the silver bullet thread . I started 5 HTP six months into troublesome T . Six months later I was sleeping much better. This may be because it's helpful for anxiety as well as sleep . I still take it now. As Rosie says - there's no one size fits all so maybe you could try it & see.

Happyrosie profile image
Happyrosie in reply todoglover1973

Doglover, you saying about 5htp has made me reopen the pack - I took it on the odd night when I couldn’t get back to sleep after waking at 2 a.m. and nothing happened, but maybe I’ll have another go!

DR650SE profile image
DR650SE in reply toHappyrosie

perhaps it takes a couple of weeks to work?

DR650SE profile image
DR650SE

Hello dl 1973Yes i did read your original post thanks, but i am not sure how to relocate itFrom memory you said phenergan for 3 months and then 5 -HTP

If you don't mind can I ask some specific questions please ?

1.What was the reason for being on 3 phenergan/per week for 3 months and then switching to 5-HTP?

2 .Or were you on them both simultaneously from the start ?

3.What was your dosage of 5-HTP please?

4.How long did it take to feel the benefits of 5-HTP?

5.There is link between Parkinsons and phenergan . Did the doctor discuss?

I am not sure what the risk profile is between dosage and duration for taking them to put a person at risk

Hope you don't mind being interrogated but I am keen to know the details . :-))

I am going to put a post up about phenergan with temazepam (normison)

with 3 each per week on alternative nights to try and break the insomnia cycle

Just wondering what your thoughts are please?

Peter

doglover1973 profile image
doglover1973 in reply toDR650SE

Hi Peter. I took phenergan every 3 nights so I could sleep 1 night in 3. I was afraid to take them more often . After 3 months I was starting to sleep better so I moved onto 5 HTP . At first I took 2 capsules but they made my stomach ache so I reduced to 1. Hard to say how soon they took effect. It was a gradual process. My GP didn't mention parkinsons. Hope that helps .

DR650SE profile image
DR650SE in reply todoglover1973

Thanks doglover Sounds like a plan .

I read in bed last night until the book fell back into my face ,

Switched off light immediately and went to sleep straightway and slept well :-))

Hope this continues to work

doglover1973 profile image
doglover1973 in reply toDR650SE

Nice work Peter. This made me chuckle. You better stick to paperbacks 😉

DR650SE profile image
DR650SE in reply todoglover1973

Hello DLThe book is Spearhead by Adam Makos

Peter

Happyrosie profile image
Happyrosie

A further thought Peter - again, a pharmacist might be able to answer the queries you made to doglover more broadly. And if you don’t mind wandering around a website for a while, you could go to NICE website and see what’s on there. You could disappear into to the realm of the unknown and unknowable (for us amateurs) but I have found a few good things there - not tinnitus stuff, another subject - which I found very very useful

DR650SE profile image
DR650SE in reply toHappyrosie

i agree with what you are saying about the pharmacist,but the proof of the pudding is often in the eating .This is why it is really helpful to get feedback from folk who have actually given it ago such as doglover .I dont know what the NICE website is but will have a look Thanks again Happyrosie

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