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#145283 - 03/24/08 01:26 PM 5-HTP?
Eagle Heart Offline
Member

Registered: 03/22/05
Posts: 4876
Loc: Canada
My doctor friend in Cuba treated me for depression while we were there. I have to admit that it felt good to feel good again. So I've been looking for a mild anti-depressant to ask my doctor here to prescribe for me (she admits that she doesn't know enough about depression, so I'm doing my own research). I really don't want to go back on them, but need a little help pulling myself out of this profound sadness that I just can't shake on my own.

I found a lot of positive information on a natural plant extract called 5-HTP (just Google "5-htp" to get more info; I started here: http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/treatment/alternative/brain_chemistry_2.asp )

Has anyone here tried it, or heard of it, or know anyone who uses it? Sounds like a good alternative for someone like me, since I'm not clinically depressed, and just need an extra boost out of this prolonged slump I've been in. I know the doctor in Cuba used a natural product (not St John's Wort), and it worked quickly with no side effects...it's entirely possible it was this 5-HTP, but I didn't get the name so don't know for sure.
_________________________
When you don't like a thing, change it.
If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

(Maya Angelou)

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#145284 - 03/24/08 04:44 PM Re: 5-HTP? [Re: Eagle Heart]
gims Offline
Member

Registered: 01/16/07
Posts: 3404
Loc: USA
I've tried 5-HTP. In fact, I still have the bottle... only took around a week's worth. My younger brother recommended them to me. They have a horrible effect on me... I shake, feel weird in my head and can't stomach it. The weird feeling in my head is what I couldn't deal with... it was like little jolts of electicity (best I can describe the sensation).
Brand: Nature's Bounty
50mg
1 capsule per day.
Ingredients:
niacin
vit. B6
magnesium
5-HTP
valerian root

It could be, I just didn't let them get into my system.

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#145285 - 03/24/08 05:16 PM Re: 5-HTP? [Re: gims]
Cookie Offline
Member

Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 753
Loc: USA
I take SAM-e to help lift my mood in the winter months when there is less sun light. It is for mild depression. St. John's Wort did not work for me at all. Plus, I understand SJW can take 6-8 weeks to work. SAM-e worked in less than a week for me. It was suttle but did the job.

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#145286 - 03/24/08 05:24 PM Re: 5-HTP? [Re: gims]
Eagle Heart Offline
Member

Registered: 03/22/05
Posts: 4876
Loc: Canada
Thanks for answering, Gims. I've read several reports of people experiencing vivid dreams and manic sensations (i.e., jolts of energy at 3am) when they took 5-HTP before bed. There are varying recommendations, but the one I think I'll try first is to take 50mg first thing in the morning, before breakfast...so far, that seems to be the dosage and timing that works best for the people who have had positive results. Many people seem to have found relief with 5-HTP, but others have had problems with it, usually either too much energy or too much fatigue. I guess I'll try it and see how it works for me...I'll keep you posted, though it takes a week or so before it begins to take effect.
_________________________
When you don't like a thing, change it.
If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

(Maya Angelou)

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#145287 - 03/24/08 05:29 PM Re: 5-HTP? [Re: Eagle Heart]
Eagle Heart Offline
Member

Registered: 03/22/05
Posts: 4876
Loc: Canada
Cookie, I saw SAM-e in the store beside the 5-HTP...I decided to try the 5-HTP since that's the one I did the research on. Do you have any side effects with SAM-e?
_________________________
When you don't like a thing, change it.
If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

(Maya Angelou)

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#145288 - 03/24/08 05:35 PM Re: 5-HTP? [Re: Eagle Heart]
Cookie Offline
Member

Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 753
Loc: USA
None at all, Eagle. That is why I tried it....no known side effects that I have read about. I took one pill a day; 400mg SAM-e.

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#145289 - 03/24/08 06:00 PM Re: 5-HTP? [Re: Cookie]
jabber Offline
Member

Registered: 02/17/05
Posts: 10032
Loc: New York State
Eagle,
I haven't watch it but today ABC News has a video about [Food that elevates a person's mood]. It might be worth watching? If you can get your hands on some "Power of Positive Thinking" booklets, they might help. I fought depression for a solid 2 and 1/2 years back in the early 70s. I know what you're going through. And you have to fight that low-down, basement feeling. Drugs did me absolutely no good. But that might just be me. You could try replacing sad, bad thinking with funny shows such as,
I Love Lucy or whatever sitcom you enjoy. Old shows, comedy, uplifting reading...whatever works for you. I'm sorry you're experiencing that sadness, blueness stuff.
Older folks sang, "keep on the sunnyside, always on the sunnyside." And it's simple but profound. Whatever you enjoy doing, do that! Get a little bit of enjoyment out
each day, if you can. I don't know. I just know life can get you down, if you don't work at staying above what weighs on a person. Hugs, prayers and blessings...

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#145290 - 03/24/08 10:01 PM Re: 5-HTP? [Re: jabber]
Dotsie Offline
Founder

Registered: 07/09/08
Posts: 23647
Loc: Maryland
Eagle, just to throw in my two cents and I know this depends on the level of depression, but are you exercising? I know it gets the endorphins snapping, but I also believe it's good for our mood because we are doing something productive and positive for ourselves. Exercising always makes me feel better.
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Founder Emeritus of Boomer Women Speak and the National Association of Baby Boomer Women.
www.nabbw.com
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#145291 - 03/24/08 11:12 PM Re: 5-HTP?
Eagle Heart Offline
Member

Registered: 03/22/05
Posts: 4876
Loc: Canada
Thanks, Jabber. I've struggled with chronic depression (dysthemia) all my life, including two major bouts of clinical depression. This current "basement feeling" stems from the grief from my brother's death a year ago this week. I know that I have to be patient where the grief is concerned, but I also know myself well enough to know that although this isn't full-blown depression, it's intense enough to look at finding a mild boost.

I'm REALLY working on the positive thinking stuff, good diet, and managing to keep my head well above the waters most of the time...doing all the right stuff...

EXCEPT...

Exercising...no Dotsie, I'm not exercising enough. I was doing more (and felt better) in Cuba...but am slow to get back into the groove since our return. I think the seven-foot snowbanks and sheer icy sidewalks are a deterrent. Hubby and I are trying to get to the mall everyday to do some brisk mall-walking. But I have to get back into my Tai Chi and stretching exercises.

I do miss those long walks along the beach in the hot sun...it definitely made me feel better!
_________________________
When you don't like a thing, change it.
If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

(Maya Angelou)

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#145292 - 03/24/08 11:26 PM Re: 5-HTP? [Re: Eagle Heart]
Eagle Heart Offline
Member

Registered: 03/22/05
Posts: 4876
Loc: Canada
This is what we came home to...
I was standing on the road taking this photo - the spot where the footprints are in the snow was about shoulder-height.



Edited by Eagle Heart (03/24/08 11:30 PM)

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