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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by holymama on June 2, 2006, at 18:15:45
Has anyone else here had the experience of trouble sleeping with 5-HTP? I know it is supposed to HELP with sleep, but after googling the terms, I found I am not alone in getting the opposite effect.
I would like to still take it, though -- I found it is the first natural substance that really helps my mood, and very quickly. I'm not sure if that is particular to bipolar or to my particular chemistry, but I have also found that SSRIs work extremely fast for me -- within one or two days I can feel a shift. One of my pdocs told me that for most people, it takes weeks to feel an SSRI, but a quick response like mine is a fairly reliable sign of a bipolar diagnosis.
I feel like I am getting the decrease in my depression/decrease in negative and slightly suicidal thoughts with the 5-HTP, but I am shooting up out of bed at 3 or 4 am, and after quite a few nights of that, I felt racy, like I was on a quick trip to mania if I continued. I stopped the 5-HTP, but the depression is back.
I am taking only 25-50 mg before lunch. I wonder if a smaller amount would still work, but stop the insomnia? Or perhaps every other day? If anyone has any expereince, please let me know. :)
Posted by heaven help me on June 3, 2006, at 14:11:43
In reply to 5-HTP and Insomnia, posted by holymama on June 2, 2006, at 18:15:45
It has been suggested to me to try "Sleep 'n' Restore" sold at the health food store, an herb mix and supposedly works wonders for sleep with no morning grogginess. Voila
blessings
mary
Posted by dessbee on June 7, 2006, at 9:30:01
In reply to 5-HTP and Insomnia, posted by holymama on June 2, 2006, at 18:15:45
Initallially 5-htp had a very stimulating effect on me. After a few weeks the effect was quite the opposite. I became very tired during the day at any dose, so I had to quit. Not really sleepy... more like lack of energy. If you have only tried 5-htp for a less than a month your problems with insomnia might attenuate.
Please be aware that any dose above 15 mg is high, since your body will not produce more by itself.
This is the end of the thread.
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