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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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...

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.

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!

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.

wow,we're so protected here in Vancouver. I didn't realize ottawa was hit with so much snow.

Do keep up with your tai chi exercises.

Oh Eagle, that would depress me as well, coming from sunny beaches to shoulder deep snow. Try squinting your eyes a little towards the sun, and imagine the snow as white sand dunes. And just behind them are those long beautiful waves rolling onto the beach. Hear them?

I do that sometimes when looking over the wheat fields waving in the wind. They look like waves, and I think, so this is what it’s like to live in a waterfront home. This may sound ridiculous, but it makes me feel happy. I guess it’s all about where the head is at.

Yes. We came home a similar scene. What a shock. It's 18 degrees here this morning. Burrrrrr...

Well, the snow's almost all melted, crocuses and daffodil greens are shooting up through the earth, the sun is shining warmer and it just smells like spring, finally.

I'm feeling so much better these days, much brighter and even more energy. I've been taking 25mg of 5-HTP every morning for almost two weeks now; it seems like such a small amount to make any difference, but all I can say is that I no longer feel that brutal edge of grief that's been cutting into me and crippling me for over a year now. I feel more motivated to putter CREATIVELY around the house, not just doing what has to be done (i.e., cleaning), but rearranging our photo wall, baking for hubby, etc.

I don't know if it's the 5-HTP...the other thing that happened in the last two weeks was the first anniversary of my brother's death...in a way, that was a huge weight off of my heart to see that day come and go. We gave Gary a three-shrimp salute, and after that I resolved to focus on getting my life back. But I had been on 5-HTP for almost a week by that point...so was it the 5-HTP, the passing of the anniversary, the arrival of spring, or a mixture of all three?

I'll stay on 5-HTP for awhile longer, and if this feeling of well-being continues, I'll try discontinuing it in 2-3 months to see what happens. For now, it does seem to be helping to boost me enough to make a good difference. And no side effects whatsoever.

BTW, the decision to take only 25mg came from researching 5-HTP on the web. I read many accounts of people who had taken the maximum dosage (300mg, if I recall correctly) and all experienced uncomfortable side effects. Some of those people had tried different dosages, and found the best results at 25mg first thing in the morning, before breakfast. It might not be enough for everyone, but it seems to be working for me for now.

(But just as a disclaimer, I was NOT clinically depressed...and do not recommend this product as an alternative to prescribed anti-depressants without consulting a qualified doctor and/or therapist.)

Eagle, I'm laughing at the end of your post. It sounds like one of those commercials. What a riot.

I think the melting of the snow, the peeping flowers and the increase in temperature may have lots to do with it too. Whatever it is, it's a great combination if it's working.

I'm glad you have the year behind you, though it's hard to believe it's been a year. That's amazing.

I recall all the little firsts in that year following Mom's death. They were harder to contemplate, than the actual. Christmas was Mom's favorite holiday. That first Christmas was something I fretted for months. Preparing for it was hard, but the day itself was busy with family and I obviously missed Mom and thought of her often, but the anticipation was worse. I can't get her out of my head while doing certain things for the holidays becasue so many of the traditions we do as a family, were ones I did with Mom when I was growing up.

Today was tough...I was cleaning out my filing cabinet for the first time since Gary died last March. Just never had the energy to do it. Everything was piled up around the cabinet, so I just started sorting and filing and tossing and shredding...felt good...until I came across a beautiful letter that Gary had written to me midway through his illness, thanking me for all that I was doing to help him. He was so full of hope, so sure he was going to recover and expressed such a strong desire to survive...it really hit hard...

ouch eagle that type of stuff always will hit hard, I gess it qwas tough or a mixture of emotions when you were reading it?

Hi Celtic, it was just tough to read his determination and confidence in surviving...knowing how the story ends.

But I keep hearing him tell me "it's over, I'm okay now", so I had my little cry, stored the letter away in the little memory box I made for him (over the years I've made up a memory box for my Dad, Mom, aunt and now Gary) and am moving on. I've decided to clean up my old computer (not that old really, but Gary gave us a beautiful new one last Christmas) and give it to a local woman's shelter. So that will keep me busy and out of trouble for a few days!

This morning I upped my dosage of 5-HTP to 50mg...I had planned to do it earlier, but wanted to be close to home when I did, in case I get high-wired like some other people have experience. I'll let y'all know how it goes.