5 htp for fibro...anyone taking it - Fibromyalgia Message Board

beth67 · 11-22-2008, 06:22 PM

I've read that the vitamin supplement called 5 htp can help with fibromyalgia. It increases the amount of serotonin in the brain and is supposed to help with sleep and pain. I think that Prozac and Cymbalta do something with serotonin to help with the fibro so taking a natural supplement that doesn't seem to have bad side effects would be a good place to start. Is anyone taking 5htp and are you having good results?

Beth

Mstic1 · 11-24-2008, 02:15 PM

Hi Beth,

I am taking 5HTP and seem to be having good luck with it.

I take 50mg with lunch and 50 mg with dinner. I can't say that it has helped with my pain at all, but do think that I am sleeping better.

Mstic1

beth67 · 11-24-2008, 11:27 PM

Thanks for your reply. I bought a bottle a few days ago but I'm afraid to take it. It says on the bottle to take with your doctors consent but my doctor dismissed it and said it doesn't work but I think I will try it anyways because what I've read it does help with at least the sleep. It would be great to get a decent nights sleep. Haven't slept well in years. I think I will start out with 50mg in the evening and then work my way up. I see your from San Rafael. I haven't been there since the 80's. My sister lived there near the neat blue building built by that famous architect who's name I can't remember. I believe it's the city hall. She lives up in Clear Lake now. Anyways, I just love Northern California. When I eventually am able to travel I'm planing a trip to Mendocino. My family camps there every summer.

Beth

SD83 · 11-25-2008, 12:57 AM

I have been considering taking 5-HTP again here recently. I have taken it in the past, but in my own personal experience, it did not seem to have any effect, positive or negative. I took 50mg at a time, usually 3 times a day, or as needed.

When taking other medications, be doubly sure to check to see if there would be any drug interactions between 5-HTP and another substance you might be taking. When given Lexapro (which did not help at all!), I quit taking 5-HTP, not on any doctor's advice, but under my own concern that I could be tinkering too much with the natural serotonin production within my brain. Always be aware of what combinations you are taking.

I am thinking of picking some up at the store within the next few days. I am not currently taking anything that would interfere with 5-HTP, so I am excited to see if it has any effect this time, and I'll check back to keep the status updated for better or for worse. Best of luck with your own experiences with 5-HTP, and take care!