Hellllloooooooo Guys! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif
I have been tapering off my Paxil for a while, I have been on 5mg for a week and I just really want to go off completely, due to the 30 lb weight increase (YUCK!), and I read in another post last week that someone mentioned something called 5-htp that is suppose to boost seritonin levels and actually help curb those nasty carb cravings (that I get all day). I have done some online searching and found that it has some pros and cons, but I am just wondering if anyone has taken it. I have also read you can not take with Vitamin B complex. Is that true, and my other question, is WHAT DO YOU THINK IS BETTER St. John's Wort or HTP? And does St. Johns cause weight gain at all? Thanks so Much!


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Smiles,
Holi

Hi Holi!

I've also read -in one online source only- that B-6 and 5-HTP should not be taken together. However, the reverse is actually true. Vitamin B-6 is required in the process of converting the 5-HTP to serotonin, so it is beneficial to take a Vitamin B-6 or B-complex supplement with the 5-HTP. (Other legitimate sources can be found online which support that statement).

As for me, over a 2 wks period, I had slowly tapered down my Effexor dosage to half of what I was originally taking. However, I was getting SICK of sleeping 9-10 hrs and feeling like I needed to go another 2... so one morning last wk, I got mad and flushed the rest of my Effexor pills. I began taking the 5-HTP immediately and I've not had any symptoms, except for some hot flashes that went away by the time I realized what they were. If you decide to try it, it's important to completely stop taking the Paxil before you do.

I've taken St John's Wort and didn't notice any effect at all unfortunately. But we are all unique, so don't let that discourage you if you're interested in it. It's unlikely that it would cause weight gain. I've read that St John's wort and 5-HTP often function very well together. It must be in the system for about 2 wks to work.

There are certain drugs and herbs that St John's wort does interact with. So just in case, and as you may already know, there are several websites that have drug interaction checkers on them.

Hope this helps - let us know how it goes!
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Windy

It is true that 5-htp works best if taken with a b-complex that has b-6 and b-12 in it (most all do). This enhances your bodies ability to digest the 5-htp. I used it for a couple of weeks and it seemed to help allay my anxiety a bit. In terms of the St. John's wort it has been shown to be best in treating depression that is caused by gried or an acute tragedy in one's life (death of loved one, loss of job, break up). But less success has been seen with it and people who are depressed due to excess anxiety, fears etc... In other words if your depression doesn't contain a feeling of extreme sadness, crying etc... but rather is characterized by disinterest in life and things you used to love then St. John's may not be the right remedy. However, 5-htp can be quite helpful if taken in a therapeutic dose, although it can be somewhat sedating- nothing like AD's though.

Thank you soooo much for the info, I am just wondering if the sedating side effect is really all that it can do? I am just concerned if it will help or make it (the way I feel) worse. Have you noticed any weight loss at all? I really want to loose weight and feel energetic but I don't want to become dependent on HTP....Thanks Again
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Holi

[This message has been edited by holidaygirl (edited 04-29-2003).]

I wouldn't fear becoming dependent on 5-htp. In double blind studies against AD's it has shown to be as effective without any side effects except some transitional nausea, and that was only in 4% of patients and mostly because they started taking too much too quick. I have read that you can take anywher from 100mg. to 300 mg. a day in order to see therapeutic benefits. Although you should spread out how you take them. If you are worried about gaining wait 5-htp doesn't do this, in fact it has been shown to aid people in losing weight, if you intend to lose weight you should take the 5-htp on an empty stomach 20 minutes before you eat. After a week or so you should notice your appetite will significantly diminish and you will feel full more easily. Give it a shot it is far better than an AD.

I have had no real weight issues but I am one of those weirdos who has been skinny all my life because of a fast metabolism.

Just wanted to put in a word of caution. I had a friend who took 5htp for about 6 months last year. She was at a normal weight when she started and fell severely under weight even after she stopped taking it. She is now at a normal weight again, but it was very difficult for her to get healthy again.

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