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starting 5htp.

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 4/5/2017 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
if anyone has any tips or dos and donts from experience-I would like to hear them. I started 5htp yesterday in a last ditch effort to save my self and avoid going to a shrink and restart an ssri or something sim. simply put-I have come to the end of my rope with anxiety. I was on st johns wort and it was working just well enough but then I developed a severe sensitivity to sunlight from it and had to stop. about 2 weeks after stopping the anxiety came barreling tru like a freight train. I simply cannot go on like this. lets hope the 5htp will work or it off to find a new shrink dr
Posted 4/5/2017 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
I don't have experience...just encouragement!

I know you have done your research, purchased from a reputable source and will take your supplement carefully...so no need to remind of that...

...so here's hoping that you are responsive to the active ingredients!

Let us know how you are doing soon.

S.C.
Posted 4/5/2017 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hoping it works for you super20dan.
Posted 4/8/2017 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
well I am giving up on the 5htp and going back on st johns wort. I know that works on me . I called my last Pdoc and got an appointment for 4-18. I am now showing sighs of full blown mania which I havnt had in 15 years and thought ihad beaten. its been a hellish past few days . buspar barely effects me now -even at max dose. thank god I saved my benzos and have a good supply to get me tru till I get seen by dr. I have lithium and started taking that 2 days ago . seems to be helping. I am calmer today than the past few which I do not care to repeat. I wake up in a full blown panic morning . given up coffie etc. on top of it all-I have to drive my self 40 miles each way to my radiation treatments each day. I cant get doped up on benzos till after I get home.
Posted 4/8/2017 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
Oh SD, I am so sorry.

I wish so much this wasn't happening. I know how disappointing this must feel after having such a good recovery...lousy timing!

I know you'll get back to a good place again once you are past this challenging time. Do your best to hang on, and know that better and easier times are around the corner.

I have full confidence in your ability to get through this. I hope you have the same faith in yourself.

Wishing you the best in getting back to some relief with the SJW.

Thoughts and prayers friend,

S.C.
Posted 4/8/2017 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
I took 5htp for 2 months (for anxiety and stress) and it didn't work for me. I felt terribly bad, I became really depressed and I just lost my appetite, I've lost 4 kg in that period( I've read that 5htp is also useful for losing weight). I didn't know what was going on, I never thought it was the 5htp to blame but my mom noticed something I guess cause she told me to stop taking it and see how I feel.
After I stopped taking it I couldn't believe it, my depression went away and my appetite was back.
A lot of people felt very good and saw great results while taking it but it was not my case, unfortunately.
Did you try magnesium? I've heard is good for anxiety, as well.Also, try meditation, yoga, it helps. And if nothing helps, you could try CBT if you want to avoid medication. Something's gotta work ;)
Posted 4/8/2017 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
I cant risk a trial of 5htp now anyway. I need to go with a known winner right now till I can be seen in 10 days by a professional . I hate to admit defeat but I know the score this time. I must be able to go to my rad treatments . I have 18 left. some how I will get tru this difficult period . the lithium is helping, yes the timming could not be worse for me .
Posted 4/8/2017 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
I cant risk a trial of 5htp now anyway. I need to go with a known winner right now till I can be seen in 10 days by a professional . I hate to admit defeat but I know the score this time. I must be able to go to my rad treatments . I have 18 left. some how I will get tru this difficult period . the lithium is helping, yes the timming could not be worse for me .
Posted 4/8/2017 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
I'm bipolar, and take Lithium (700 mg. a day) and Mirtazapine anti-depressant (7.5 mg).

I don't consider it doped up, I consider it a miracle that I'm able to function. Before the pills, I've had 3 nervous breakdown, panic attacks for several years and depression for some months.

So, even though I'm on pills, I consider it a small price for peace of mind. Yeah, I'd like perfection, also, but since that's not available to me, I'll settle for this second best any day of the week.

Sounds like you gave it a gallant effort, though, Dan.
Posted 4/8/2017 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Real sorry to hear this super20dan. I know you got every reason to be down right now, but we're all behind ya. I hope you can find some semblance of relief. You deserve some.
Posted 4/10/2017 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
thanks guys. tim tam - I am not doped up by the lithium and can function fine on it. I was on it for years some time ago. its the benzos that knock me for a loop and I am reluctant to drive while taking them for anxiety right now. iam taking 600 mg a day right now and prob should try 900 which was my old dose. getting the lithium dose just right has always been a challenge for me. I am ready to take pills again -just to end this misery. lithium is hard on the kidneys and I just had kidney stone surgery, I I want to be cautious with the lithium dose. acting as my own dr-but don't have a choice
Posted 4/10/2017 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
I was on lithium for a couple years. I had terrible memory problems while on it.

My Dr suggested Seroquel. I worked my way to 300 mg and it has saved my life. In larger doses, Seroquel helps anxiety. I have never in all these years, had a medicine that helped my anxiety like this does. I am so so thankful every single day.

I hope you feel better soon, Dan.
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