5htp

[girlsmum1510]

Good morning

History is I have used citalopram and fluoxetine in the past for depression and anxiety.

Anxiety all but fine now, apart from now, I have a stressful situation to deal with that will likely be completely over by end of July lastest.

I am struggling with insomnia, anxiety and all the usual symptoms.
This situation may happen again in the future is ridiculous but it's major to me and my mind set.
As opposed to taking long term tablets which may take the month to settle I've been toying about alternatives, calms etc have no effect but this 5htp has great reviews, does anyone know anything about it?

I took a 2mg diazepam at 4am, I don't really feel any better and have a thumping headache 😖 .

Thank you 😊 x

[SoHereItIs2016]

I personally use St Johns Wort ( the highest dose I can get in the UK) for short periods (few weeks to few months). I find this works really well for me and acts fairly fast as well.

However St Johns Wort does have many potentially serious medication interactions so I would say you should discuss with a pharmacist if you are on any other medications at all.

I don't know much about about 5HtP but have heard that there have been concerns around it causing 'serotonin syndrome' which is potentially really serious.

Just a thought but have you thought about trying CBT or mindfulness, I appreciate its not for everyone but can be really useful in managing short term stressors like you describe. You can self refer via IAPT in most Reas now I think.

[girlsmum1510]

Thank you for replying so quickly! Yes I've looked at st johns wort but can't be taken with my contraceptive pill.

I will look up serotonin syndrome now.


Thank you

[HPFA]

I'm quite a fan of magnesium oil - helped me through a bad patch with sleep.
www.amazon.co.uk/Better-You-Magnesium-Goodnight-Spray/dp/B002VPDX56/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1464897785&sr=8-5&keywords=magnesium%20oil&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Some people find it makes their skin tingle (this is a normal reaction) and probably advisable to do a patch test before using at maximum dose. Other than that I've never heard of any side effects.

[IveBeenToMars]

5htp gave me terrible stomach cramps and made me more anxious.

I've been on loads of meds from SSRIs to Lithium. I've tried lots of drugs, nothing cures my racing mind. I'm Bipolar and am medicated but still an insomniac (only Benzos could knock me out).

I tried mindfulness meditation for six months, it worked but took practice and I had to think about it.

I now use a podcast called 'Sleep with me' which works without me having to concentrate, I don't know how, but it just shuts my brain off. Try it, it's free, so nothing to lose. I was sceptical but it's worked for me.

[Kummerspeck]

I've tried 5htp for anxiety and menopause. I think it helped but the effect was quite subtle, not miraculous
I also had one brand which gave me palpitations although am fine on the one I usually get

[girlsmum1510]

I've bought some and tried it and not sure feel better although I slept a little better.
Does it takes few days to take effect?

I have a prescription for ad from gp yesterday but because my anxiety is due to a situation that will send, although may now be autumn (and it really is pathetic and irrational) I'm not so keen on taking when know I'll feel better once its over.
Was hoping 5htp would make it all better just in the short term 😕

Need to not think about it but it's consuming every minute at the moment

[girlsmum1510]

Dear sohereitis2016

I have taken your advice and teete referred myself for cbt, expecting a call Monday morning.

I thinki need to manage my anxiety doing this situation, it will happen again and I want to be supportive and not a silly crying angry mess.

Taking 5htp and seeing how it goes. But i can't run to meds every time this happens.

[SoHereItIs2016]

Hi Girlsmum,
That's great re referring yourself for CBT. I have never had a. Course myself but I work in mental health ( as well as having had MH problems myself since teenage years) and so I have learnt to use a lot of the techniques which I find helpful. Mainly it helps me avoid catastrophing and allowing the panic to run away with me which it did for many years to the point I was on a lot of bentos.
Please be careful not to take prevented antidepressants along with the 5htp thought as that really does seem to be quite risky in terms of the serotonin syndrome. And don't beat yourself up if you do 'need' to take AD's long term or intermittently, just think if it was a recurring infection or pain
That you had you probably wouldn't think twice about taking medication to help you so why should your mental health be different. Life is bloody thought and we all need to do whatever we can to get through in the best way possible! 😀

[SoHereItIs2016]

Bento's= benzo's
Prevented= prescribed!!!

[girlsmum1510]

Thank you - today the anxiety is high. Tmrw I will start my citalopram.

The thing that's flared it up is so stupid and i know it and I feel ridiculous because have made it into a catastrophe and in reality its nothing and will be all over, although we are saying September.

I can't even tell anyone in RL what it is because they will laugh is so pathetic 😕

[girlsmum1510]

CBT assessment today, there was a cancellation!

[SoHereItIs2016]

Hi Girlsmum, hope your CBT assessment went well yesterday. 😀

[girlsmum1510]

It went well thank you. I am going to have one to one sessions starting in the next month.
There was tears but it's the first time I've told anyone what is causing my anxiety do to be expected.
Started citalopram and hopefully now I'm the way to getting better.

Hopefully I deal with this situation.
Thank you for asking