5-HTP / Sam-e

RockSinger · 05-05-2005, 05:30 PM

My wife would like to try some herbal mood remedies......now that she's 5 months off Paxil......

What's everybody suggest.........

colomom · 05-05-2005, 06:39 PM

Hey buddy....

Are you asking ME what someone should TAKE (ingest) to improve their mood?????

YYYYEEEEAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!! I can't go there.......

(kidding) I really am at loss there. I can suggest yoga and lots o' sex...wadda ya think?? Always gets me in a good mood....

Peace!

angels · 05-05-2005, 06:56 PM

Hey Rock,
I went this route for awhile with an open mind. First off, most who have withdrawn from Paxil here have big problems with any serotonin precursors such as 5HTP and tryptophan. So I'd avoid those for the time being. I myself found 5 HTP in a small amount to give a very restful sleep. St. John's Wort I only found out recently actually does what an SSRI does, but I suspect that it does a much, much better job of working only with serotonin. Seems folks here recommend fish oil and magnesium.

I have had the best results from exercise and yoga. You will never catch me running in place like a goober though or joining a gym. Garden organically uses lots of muscles, gives food, is fun to do with kids, makes roses (that do not need pesticides), and the soil gets better year after year. The trick is to start small.

You live in a great, great outdoors state (Maine), so how about hiking?

In Europe, the most prescribed do-dah for depression is SAMe.

You can try www.sjwinfo.org for info on natural remedies. Also, do a search on depression and cayenne pepper. Everything I read on that makes sense. It increases blood flow in the brain; take a look at these two web sites. I made a tincture for high blood pressure for a friend of mine and I will report back results in a week and a half. And, man o' man, you have to wear a mask with the habanero peppers. Whew!

http://www.curezone.com/art/read.asp?ID=51&db=5&C0=74

http://www.herbsfirst.com/NewsLetters/0299cayenne.html

MizzT · 05-05-2005, 07:05 PM

magnesium and fish oil, Exercise, sleep, sex.....and if that doesnt do it.....then very gently and slowly start tampering with 5htp, SamE, SJW etc.
but the mag and fish oil may be enough.

RockSinger · 05-05-2005, 07:13 PM

She's been taking the Omega 3's and Mag Glycinate ever since.

Now she wants to try one of the others...

elisa · 05-05-2005, 07:43 PM

Hi Rock,

Whatever product your wife will decide on, please let her know that one needs to start slowly on it and increase the dose gradually.

hope · 05-05-2005, 08:24 PM

For a while I was able to take B-complex vitamins which helped a lot. Too much though can be over stimulating.

zappelina · 05-06-2005, 04:56 AM

Hi Rock Singer! Ask your wife to take it easy with serotonergic stuff, herbal or non-herbal. I think that when you withdraw from an AD, all the stored up serotonin is released into the blood stream and adding even more, like 5HTP, is quite risky. One woman on this board had a very bad reaction when she did it. Yes, by the way, where are you Sheacarney??? Worried about you!

silence4now · 05-10-2005, 06:10 AM

I tried 5 HTP and SJW and SAMe and comparitively they didn't do that much for me. But I had more of an anxiety issue than depression. Phosphatidylserine complex worked best for me. I took 100 mg for about 3 months and it did the trick. I don't feel like I need it right now. Brands do make a difference. If she's interested in trying it, she can PM me for brand recommendations. I'm just doing the usual mag, amino acid complex and Ashwangandha (for concentration and muscle tension) right now.

neogbf · 05-10-2005, 06:37 PM

If you want a cheap alternative to SAMe, try methionine. It's basically ''half'' of of the S-adenosyl-l-methionine. With some magnesium and B6, your body can convert it to SAMe and then make your brain happier! It does take longer to see the effect, I believe. I've been taking it for approximately 5-6 weeks and am now starting to see the benefits.

zappelina · 05-11-2005, 04:11 AM

Silence, what is phosphatidylserine and what did it do for you? What symptoms did it relieve? Never heard of this stuff.

angels · 05-11-2005, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neogbf

If you want a cheap alternative to SAMe, try methionine. It's basically ''half'' of of the S-adenosyl-l-methionine. With some magnesium and B6, your body can convert it to SAMe and then make your brain happier! It does take longer to see the effect, I believe. I've been taking it for approximately 5-6 weeks and am now starting to see the benefits.

I always wondered what SAMe was. This is from Source Naturals and also shows how it relates to phosphatidyl choline and creatine:

Quote:

L-Methionine is a sulfur-containing, essential amino acid that is converted in the body to S-adenosylmethionine, a precursor to phosphatidyl choline and creatine. Phosphatidyl choline, an important component of cell membranes, supports healthy brain function. Creatine forms creatine phosphate, a high-energy compound found in high concentration in the muscles. Creatine phosphate helps regenerate ATP during exercise, providing energy for short bursts of maximal muscle power.L-Methionine is an essential sulfur amino acid. The body cannot produce L-Methionine, which must be obtained from food or supplement sources. It is the principle supplier of sulfur which prevents disorders of the hair, skin and nails and Helps lower cholesterol levels by increasing the liver's production of lecithin.
Ingredients/Supplement Fact of L-Methionine

silence4now · 05-11-2005, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zappelina

what is phosphatidylserine and what did it do for you?

It's a fatty acid that is found in the brain. It helped me with depression and lack of concentration.

zappelina · 05-12-2005, 01:30 AM

OK, thanks! Had never heard of it and wanted to know. Won´t take it though. Have experimented with the usual remedies, fish oil and magnesium so far but it seems I have to wait much longer before I can take anything at all. One capsule of fish oil sent me into a scary experience with extra breathing problems for a couple of days so I supposte I´m still much too oversensitive to everything.

silence4now · 05-14-2005, 07:48 AM

Good idea zappelina.

Back on the topic of supplements for depression/anxiety. I've been seeing a lot about Rhodiola rosea for treatment of depression. I notice that Dr. Braverman lists it as a an alternative treatment for depression (50-750 mg/day) in the Edge Effect.

05-05-2005, 05:30 PM	#1
RockSinger Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 663	5-HTP / Sam-e My wife would like to try some herbal mood remedies......now that she's 5 months off Paxil...... What's everybody suggest......... __________________ The Paxil Withdrawal Song http://www.geocities.com/barb_kno/rocksinger.html

05-05-2005, 06:39 PM	#2
colomom Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 677	Re: 5-HTP / Sam-e Hey buddy.... Are you asking ME what someone should TAKE (ingest) to improve their mood????? YYYYEEEEAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!! I can't go there....... (kidding) I really am at loss there. I can suggest yoga and lots o' sex...wadda ya think?? Always gets me in a good mood.... Peace!

05-05-2005, 06:56 PM	#3
angels Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 3,052	Re: 5-HTP / Sam-e Hey Rock, I went this route for awhile with an open mind. First off, most who have withdrawn from Paxil here have big problems with any serotonin precursors such as 5HTP and tryptophan. So I'd avoid those for the time being. I myself found 5 HTP in a small amount to give a very restful sleep. St. John's Wort I only found out recently actually does what an SSRI does, but I suspect that it does a much, much better job of working only with serotonin. Seems folks here recommend fish oil and magnesium. I have had the best results from exercise and yoga. You will never catch me running in place like a goober though or joining a gym. Garden organically uses lots of muscles, gives food, is fun to do with kids, makes roses (that do not need pesticides), and the soil gets better year after year. The trick is to start small. You live in a great, great outdoors state (Maine), so how about hiking? In Europe, the most prescribed do-dah for depression is SAMe. You can try www.sjwinfo.org for info on natural remedies. Also, do a search on depression and cayenne pepper. Everything I read on that makes sense. It increases blood flow in the brain; take a look at these two web sites. I made a tincture for high blood pressure for a friend of mine and I will report back results in a week and a half. And, man o' man, you have to wear a mask with the habanero peppers. Whew! http://www.curezone.com/art/read.asp?ID=51&db=5&C0=74 http://www.herbsfirst.com/NewsLetters/0299cayenne.html __________________ Are we anti-med? I thought we were pro-heal? There's no SSRI on the market that cures anything. Therefore, SSRIs are anti-heal.. Darcy Baston There is more than lies within those shiny brochures in the a pharma reps' trunk.Sometimes you have to look beyond the marketing machine to get the facts. Laurie Yorke

05-05-2005, 07:05 PM	#4
MizzT Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NM Posts: 6,866	Re: 5-HTP / Sam-e magnesium and fish oil, Exercise, sleep, sex.....and if that doesnt do it.....then very gently and slowly start tampering with 5htp, SamE, SJW etc. but the mag and fish oil may be enough.

05-05-2005, 07:13 PM	#5
RockSinger Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 663	Re: 5-HTP / Sam-e She's been taking the Omega 3's and Mag Glycinate ever since. Now she wants to try one of the others... __________________ The Paxil Withdrawal Song http://www.geocities.com/barb_kno/rocksinger.html

05-05-2005, 07:43 PM	#6
elisa Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 11,473	Re: 5-HTP / Sam-e Hi Rock, Whatever product your wife will decide on, please let her know that one needs to start slowly on it and increase the dose gradually. __________________ On A/D's since 1995, switching due to side-effects on 30 different brands of TCA's, SSRI's, SNRI's, Antipsychotics, Benzo's & Imovane. 6 ECT's. Tapering from 225 mg Effexor XR May 17, 2004. (Equiv. to 60 mg Paxil) Last taper Effexor XR Jan 17, 2006 down to ZERO. Currently protracted withdrawal. Sept 2006: 25 mg Doxepin. March 13/09: 10 mg Desipramine

05-05-2005, 08:24 PM	#7
hope Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,188	Re: 5-HTP / Sam-e For a while I was able to take B-complex vitamins which helped a lot. Too much though can be over stimulating. __________________ Hope. "I never cared much for flim flam doctors." (Doctor Baker, Little House on the Prairie). Put on Paxil in 1996 for Post-partum depression. After 5th withdrawal attempt, went into severe debilitating withdrawal, restarted Paxil in the ER which didn't work anymore. Taken off again quickly by a shrink, started on Lexapro. Body rejected all drugs except benzos. Currently off all drugs. I'd say I'm recovered. Yeah, I'd say so.

05-06-2005, 04:56 AM	#8
zappelina Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,387	Re: 5-HTP / Sam-e Hi Rock Singer! Ask your wife to take it easy with serotonergic stuff, herbal or non-herbal. I think that when you withdraw from an AD, all the stored up serotonin is released into the blood stream and adding even more, like 5HTP, is quite risky. One woman on this board had a very bad reaction when she did it. Yes, by the way, where are you Sheacarney??? Worried about you!

05-10-2005, 06:10 AM	#9
silence4now Join Date: May 2004 Location: SE U.S. Posts: 3,455	Re: 5-HTP / Sam-e I tried 5 HTP and SJW and SAMe and comparitively they didn't do that much for me. But I had more of an anxiety issue than depression. Phosphatidylserine complex worked best for me. I took 100 mg for about 3 months and it did the trick. I don't feel like I need it right now. Brands do make a difference. If she's interested in trying it, she can PM me for brand recommendations. I'm just doing the usual mag, amino acid complex and Ashwangandha (for concentration and muscle tension) right now. __________________ Lisa - Paxil free since May 2004 _________________________________ God's economy is always positive.

05-10-2005, 06:37 PM	#10
neogbf Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 67	Re: 5-HTP / Sam-e If you want a cheap alternative to SAMe, try methionine. It's basically ''half'' of of the S-adenosyl-l-methionine. With some magnesium and B6, your body can convert it to SAMe and then make your brain happier! It does take longer to see the effect, I believe. I've been taking it for approximately 5-6 weeks and am now starting to see the benefits.

05-11-2005, 04:11 AM	#11
zappelina Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,387	Re: 5-HTP / Sam-e Silence, what is phosphatidylserine and what did it do for you? What symptoms did it relieve? Never heard of this stuff.

05-12-2005, 01:30 AM	#14
zappelina Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,387	Re: 5-HTP / Sam-e OK, thanks! Had never heard of it and wanted to know. Won´t take it though. Have experimented with the usual remedies, fish oil and magnesium so far but it seems I have to wait much longer before I can take anything at all. One capsule of fish oil sent me into a scary experience with extra breathing problems for a couple of days so I supposte I´m still much too oversensitive to everything.

05-14-2005, 07:48 AM	#15
silence4now Join Date: May 2004 Location: SE U.S. Posts: 3,455	Re: 5-HTP / Sam-e Good idea zappelina. Back on the topic of supplements for depression/anxiety. I've been seeing a lot about Rhodiola rosea for treatment of depression. I notice that Dr. Braverman lists it as a an alternative treatment for depression (50-750 mg/day) in the Edge Effect. __________________ Lisa - Paxil free since May 2004 _________________________________ God's economy is always positive.

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