5-HTP Supplement: A Life Saver.

[a gentle voice]

I was on Cymbalta for exactly 1 year before I moved to a country that doesn't sell it or any duloxetine medication. I experienced awful pain and mood symptoms during my withdrawal for around 1-2 months, until I found something else.

I tried an off-the-counter 5-HTP supplement. I've been on it for 3 months, and it works as well as any anti-depressant! My pain symptoms reduced drastically, my sleep is great, and my mood is much better. The best part? No side effects, unlike the case with Cymbalta. I first read about this potential treatment option in The Fibro Manual: A Complete Fibromyalgia Treatment Guide For You and Your Doctor by Dr. Ginevra Liptan, a doctor who herself has fibromyalgia and researched the disorder extensively.

If you're struggling to stay on anti-depressants or can't access it anymore, 5-HTP is a much cheaper option and without the hassle of a constant doctor's prescription. It can't hurt to try it. I wish you all the best

 

[sunkacola]

@a gentle voice thank you for writing about your experience, and I am so glad this has helped you!

I have a couple of questions: is this an OTC supplement? And, how much do you take and at what time of day?
Also, did this take a while to start having positive effect, and if so how long did it take?
Is there any more information that you can give us?
Thanks.

 

[SBee]

If anyone in the UK is looking into this, I did a quick check, it seems the supplement is available from the health shop Holland and Barrett. Their site does have FAQ about it, including who can or cannot take it due to an individuals own health position.

 

[JamieMarc]

@a gentle voice @sunkacola
The OP neglected to share very significant and pertinent information from Dr Liptan (and pharmaceutical warnings).

5-HTP can be purchased OTC. However, you should ask your health care provider about risks before taking the supplement, especially if you are already on an antidepressant, St John's Wort, migraine medication, tramadol or anything else that increases serotonin levels. Even the cough suppressant dextromethorphan.

The reason for this is the risk of serotonin syndrome which occurs when someone takes high doses of medications that increase serotonin levels in the brain. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome range from anxiety, shivering, diarrhea, muscle rigidity, fever, seizures and in severe cases can even be fatal.

If you're going to try this supplement on your own without consulting with your doctor, please make sure you are careful and that you look at all of the medications and supplements you take, even over the counter medications, to see if they increase serotonin levels. If you suspect you have serotonin syndrome, seek emergency medical treatment.

For example, I don't dare take it as I am on a high dose of tramadol. Even when I plug in 5-HTP to my Drugs dot com med list, I receive the Major Drug Interaction warning between tramadol and 5-HTP. Also worth considering is that 5-HTP is a drug that acts on the CNS. If you are already taking other meds or supps (including caffeine energy drinks) that act on the CNS, remember that no more than 3 CNS substances are recommended. This is called a therapeutic duplication and is strongly advised against.

All that out of the way, if you are not taking anything that increases brain serotonin levels or more than two CNS drugs/supps, I'd say 5-HTP is worth a shot.

"Research suggests that 5-HTP can improve symptoms of fibromyalgia, including pain, anxiety, morning stiffness, and fatigue. Many people with fibromyalgia have low levels of serotonin, and doctors often prescribe antidepressants. Like antidepressants, 5-HTP raises levels of serotonin in the brain. However, it does not work for all people with fibromyalgia. More studies are needed to understand its effect.

Preliminary studies indicate that 5-HTP may work as well as certain antidepressant drugs to treat people with mild-to-moderate depression. Like the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which includes fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), 5-HTP increases the levels of serotonin in the brain. One study compared the effects of 5-HTP to fluvoxamine (Luvox) in 63 people and found that those who were given 5-HTP did just as well as those who received Luvox. They also had fewer side effects than the Luvox group. However, these studies were too small to say for sure if 5-HTP works. More research is needed." - Mount Sinai

Recommended dosage IMO based on research is to start with a dose of 50 milligrams (mg) three times per day with meals. This can be increased up to 100 mg three times per day if needed up to 800 mg per day. The dosage will vary depending upon what you are using 5-HTP for.

Please, once again, bear in mind the potential dangers of 5-HTP. Check those other meds and supps; consult with you doctor or pharmacist. I cannot stress enough how important this is. Serotonin syndrome can, in some cases, cause coma and death. It is not something to be taken lightly.

Glad that it is working for you, @a gentle voice

Hugs!

 

[ckahern]

Where did you get this 5 Htp?

 

[sunkacola]

@JamieMarc Thank you very much for taking the time to write all that information! Very helpful. I think I will not pursue that supplement....it sounds a bit too risky for me.

 

[sunkacola]

Where did you get this 5 Htp?

I have found that you can get it OTC, even online. But, please read the post from @JamieMarc and be very careful if you are going to try it.

 

[JamieMarc]

@sunkacola My pleasure. I was concerned about someone trying it without doing their research or consulting with their HCP. That's not to say it doesn't have promise nor am I discouraging anyone from trying it as long as they do their research first.

Interesting note: Tryptophan produces 5-HTP in the body and, due to the many dangers of tryptophan supplementation it was banned from public sale in the US. Among those dangers was the risk of serotonin syndrome, though excessive tryptophan poses other dangers as well.