![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Pacha on October 13, 2000, at 4:58:57
I've been taking Tianeptine for about a month now. At first it worked great, but lately seems to be not working.
I stupidly ordered a lot of the stuff, so I want to keep taking it.
I know 5HTP can't be taken with an SSRI for risk of Seratonin syndrome. But Tianeptine is an SSRE and works differently. So would it be ok to take the two together ?
Thanks in advance
Pasha
Posted by rogdog on October 13, 2000, at 11:11:07
In reply to Tianeptine with 5-HTP ?, posted by Pacha on October 13, 2000, at 4:58:57
Hi pasha, as far as combinding those two drugs I have no idea of the safety; sorry. I am wondering about how the tianeptine was working at first, did you experience less anxiety or depression etc.?what symptoms do you suffer from most? I have been thinking about trying tianeptine myself. goodluck, rogdog
Posted by JohnL on October 14, 2000, at 6:15:45
In reply to Tianeptine with 5-HTP ?, posted by Pacha on October 13, 2000, at 4:58:57
> I've been taking Tianeptine for about a month now. At first it worked great, but lately seems to be not working.
>
> I stupidly ordered a lot of the stuff, so I want to keep taking it.
>
> I know 5HTP can't be taken with an SSRI for risk of Seratonin syndrome. But Tianeptine is an SSRE and works differently. So would it be ok to take the two together ?
>
>
> Thanks in advance
>
>
> PashaPasha,
Darn good question. Very interesting question. I'm not sure a qualified answer exists, but what you suggest makes sense to me.Since Tianeptine increases serotonin reuptake, it would seem crucial that the serotonin-producing mechanisms are functioning at full throttle. Yeah? If the production is in any way deficient, then 5HTP would seem like a good way to overcome that.
I think Tianeptine also increases dopamine function. SSRIs tend to do just the opposite, they tend to squash dopamine function. So the possibility exists that supplements of Tyrosine or DL-Phenylalynine might prove helpful to you.
I don't know, if I were in your shoes, I would probably try 5HTP first for a couple weeks. I might then try Tyrosine, DLPA, or both. With Tyrosine or DLPA, the body will discard whatever it doesn't need. But if things are deficient in anyway, these will make up for it.
As with anything, I would also experiment with very low doses to start with. I think it's always prudent with anything--doctor directed or not--to dip ones toes in the water first before diving in.
John
Posted by Pacha on October 14, 2000, at 6:36:03
In reply to Re: Tianeptine with 5-HTP ?, posted by JohnL on October 14, 2000, at 6:15:45
At first the Tianeptine was amazing, took anixety & moodyness totally away.
My anixety is still gone, but I just feel its not working quite as much. Maybe I should increase the dose ?
For the last two days I've added 100mgs of 5-HTP to 25mgs of Tianeptine. Absolutly no side effects, but not sure if its made a difference yet.
cheers
pasha
Posted by Flutterbee on October 14, 2000, at 12:31:39
In reply to Tianeptine with 5-HTP ?, posted by Pacha on October 13, 2000, at 4:58:57
Pasha, Hi, unfortunately I dont' know much about Tianeptine, but I do know quite a bit about 5-HTP, I have been studying it on and off for about 3 years. I have taken it, with much sucess and started taking it again after another failed attempt at a SSRI. I don't know your situation or how severe, but you may be able to take 5-HTP without any other medication. I have anxiety with mild depression and it works for me. It does cost more than a Rx(insurance covers it all for me) and sometimes it takes a little longer to work in some people, but I feel it is much safer and with a LOT less side effects. You are right to be concerned with Serotonin Syndrome, but it is rare. There is many articles by Charles Davidson from "Listening to 5-HTP" that you can look up for good information. If there is a professional on the web who is VERY knowledgeable with 5-HTP I would try to e-mail them and ask about your question. But all I could find for you in a short time was this from a article:
From "Listening to 5-HTP" by Charles Davidson
Concurrent drug use: 5-HTP should not be used if taking: Anti-depressant drugs; Monoamine oxidase inhibitors; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's e.g., Prozac); Tricyclic medications; Weight Loss medications (i.e., dextenfluramine); Anti-parkinson medications (e.g., L-dopa); Barbiturates and other tranquilizing drugs; Antihistamines and cold medications; Alcoholic beverages; Intravenous (illegal I.V.) drugs; Cancer chemotherapy or antibiotic medications.Flutter again- Now there are a few exceptions to some of these Rx's, like if you drink alcohol, make sure it is 6 hours before or after you take the 5-HTP. I think the cold medicine one also has a exception, but I am not sure what it is so I won't give you any of that info. Another thing you can do, but it may sound crazy, if you are concerned about taking a large dose of the 5-HTP, you can always eat a lot of banana's (which would get old fast). But it is about 10-12 banana's that equal about 100 mg.(ahhh, that might be 50mg's, I don't have my papers in front of me)of 5-HTP. So even if you were to eat 2-3 banana's a day that could give you a little Serotonin boost. I think I'm the only crazy person who would actually try that though. Well, I think I've written your eyes off (instead of talked your ear off, get it, hahah, no...) Good Luck! -Flutter
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.