Hi everybody,
I just weaned myself off of Effexor and Seroquel. For about 4 years I was taking 75 mgs. of Effexor during the day and 25 mgs. of Seroquel at night in order to sleep. Anyway, I'm officially off of everything for one week and I'm interested in starting 5-HTP. How long should I be off of all meds prior to starting 5-HTP? I've heard conflicting stories and I'm totally confused! Thanks for your help.
Peace,
Susan

I was on Effexor years ago, and if memory serves me right, it has a long half life, meaning it stays in your system for a while after you stop taking it. I would wait a couple months before starting the 5-HTP. I can't comment on the Seroquel, though, as I've never been on it, and I don't know anything about it. I'm actually currently on 5-HTP (since March). I was previously on Prozac (also has a long half life) for eight years. I waited three months after going off it to start the 5-HTP. I basically started feeling what I call 'poopy' (depressed) after the third month off the Prozac and that's when I started the 5-HTP. It's working well for me, I'm on a high dose, though (250mgs) as I have severe depression. Good luck. :)

Thanks! That makes sense. I will NEVER take Effexor again. AWFUL drug!
Peace,
Susan

You're welcome, anytime. :) Effexor worked okay for me for the depression, just not the anxiety. So, I went on Prozac after that, which turned out to be the beginning of the end (of my sex drive, that is). I'm still waiting for it to fully return, it's been almost a year that I've been off of it! My poor hubby, once or twice a month. :rolleyes: He says he doesn't care, but c'mon he's a guy, of course he cares. LOL ;) Of all the ad's I've been on, though, the Prozac helped the most with both the depression and the anxiety. However, I wasn't willing to sacrifice my sex life, my emotions, or my hair any longer. Besides the low sex drive, I was emotionally numb while I was on it and had a lot of hair loss, too.

I have always worried about my brain and serotonin levels. I've started to have trouble sleeping and started 5-HTP. I am afraid of getting dependent on it to sleep and didn't really notice a difference in my moods. I think I was taking 100 mg at night. Could I get hooked? And if not, should I be taking them during the day or just before bed? Thanks!

5-HTP isn't a sleeping pill, so I wouldn't worry about getting addicted to it. It's supposed to help people who have low serotonin levels, like myself. People with low serotonin usually suffer from depression and anxiety, along with insomnia. Essentially, the tryptophan in 5-HTP is converted into serotonin in the body, therefore, improving the mood and sleep. I have to be honest, though, it doesn't work as well as the Prozac for my mood. But, I'm happy to be able to have emotions again, even if they are more extreme now. At least now I can say that I have them again. Regarding the time to take the 5-HTP, it really depends on you. If it makes you tired after you take it, then take it at night. Conversely, if you don't get tired after taking it, take it in the morning. I've heard that most people have to take it at night because it makes them tired. I take mine in the morning, though, because it'll keep me up if I take it at night. I'm kind of an oddball, though.

konamom, hello. My doctor put me on Celexa 20 mg and Seroquel 25 mg to help me sleep. What did the Seroquel do for you? How long did it take for you to start sleeping through the night? After about a week the doctor put me on Tradazone 50 mg but I have had no luck with it so far. Let me know if the 5 htp helps! I have had bad sleep issues and just do not know what will help.

25 mgs. of Seroquel started working almost immediately. I would say a day or two, and it knocked me out. Best sleep I've ever had!
Peace,
Susan