5 HTP, Fibromyalgia and Depression

Lesa_Sass

Okay, about after a year of being in horrible pain, 3 doctors, 2 MRI's, an ultrasound, 8 viles of blood and 6 x rays later, it is looking like I have fibromyalgia.

There are not many things you can do for it besides take and antidepressant, pain meds and anti anxiety medication. After looking into some natural ways to help with it, I ran across some information on 5 htp. It is funny because I was just talking to a friend about it a few weeks ago and how she started taking it for depression and it was working for her and much cheaper than the prescription medication she had previously been using (I DO NOT RECOMMEND GOING OFF A PRESCRIPTION TO USE THIS) .

I decided to give it a try as so many of the articles I read said that it helped to decrease pain by boosting serotonin levels as well as helped with insomnia. One of the things my research did say to look out for was the cheaper ones with additives that were harmful so I ran my behind over to EarthFare (natural grocery) and picked up a bottle.

OMG, it has ONLY been a week and I can tell a difference in my pain levels, sleep patters and mood. If any of you are out there suffering from fibro, I highly suggest doing your research into possibly using it as a supplement.

Here is a link to one of the many articles I found on it: http://www.livestrong.com/article/458022-dosage-of-5-htp-for-fibromyalgia/

If there are any of you out there that are living with this horrid disease, I also will take any and all helpful hints and what to do for it. This is agonizing.

519harley

Thank you for this information! I will take a look at it. I just woke from a horrible nights sleep once again. This fibromyalgia is a pain in the *kitten*, and everywhere else! Its definately worth a try. I've been taking 12.5mg of Savella for a little over 2 weeks and its not helping me at all, maybe even making me feel worse. I think my doctor needs to increase my dosage. Again Thank you! Karen

miadvh

I will be mentioning this to my mom, thanks. She's recovering from her 2nd hip replacement and now that both hips are feeling better, her other pains are front and center. She had been prescribed an antidepressant for it before and it made her like a zombie. Hopefully this is something that could be beneficial to her.

wanabeahealthy

I have fibro also. I'm on a anti-dep and Xanax for sleep and they do help me. Exercise also helps me but it's the hardest
for me to keep up. Carrying less weight would also help me. Thanks for the tip on 5-htp. I'm going to check it out.

Lesa_Sass

I have fibro also. I'm on a anti-dep and Xanax for sleep and they do help me. Exercise also helps me but it's the hardest
for me to keep up. Carrying less weight would also help me. Thanks for the tip on 5-htp. I'm going to check it out.

Please do the research in taking the 5 htp and the anti-dep. I do not think you are supposed to take them together, but maybe you can. I am actually taking this to keep from having to take the prescription. I am scared to take xanax as it is incredibly addicting and I am a recovering alcoholic, so the possibility is there for me to get addicted and take it when I do not need it.

I have found that my anxiety is way less as well. I noticed on my trip this morning to Costco, as I was leaving there was a bird in a tree in the parking lot singing. I looked up at it and told it that it had a pretty song. I got in my car and thought, wow, a few weeks ago I would have thought about throwing a rock at that bird.

If any of you take it and get some relief, please let me know.

icimani

I'm glad you're getting some relief.

Please be careful though, especially if you're taking an anti-depressant or any other med that effects seretonin. Just about everything I've read about 5-HTP says only take under medical supervision -probably because of its interaction with the seretonin.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Be VERY careful with anything that bumps up serotonin if you're taking other meds that do the same. I had a friend end up in the hospital because she had too many medications that caused her serotonin levels to rise. Be sure and talk to your doctor about anything you're taking even if it's OTC.

And good luck-- I know a thing or two about chronic pain (lupus here).

Okay, about after a year of being in horrible pain, 3 doctors, 2 MRI's, an ultrasound, 8 viles of blood and 6 x rays later, it is looking like I have fibromyalgia.

There are not many things you can do for it besides take and antidepressant, pain meds and anti anxiety medication. After looking into some natural ways to help with it, I ran across some information on 5 htp. It is funny because I was just talking to a friend about it a few weeks ago and how she started taking it for depression and it was working for her and much cheaper than the prescription medication she had previously been using (I DO NOT RECOMMEND GOING OFF A PRESCRIPTION TO USE THIS) .

I decided to give it a try as so many of the articles I read said that it helped to decrease pain by boosting serotonin levels as well as helped with insomnia. One of the things my research did say to look out for was the cheaper ones with additives that were harmful so I ran my behind over to EarthFare (natural grocery) and picked up a bottle.

OMG, it has ONLY been a week and I can tell a difference in my pain levels, sleep patters and mood. If any of you are out there suffering from fibro, I highly suggest doing your research into possibly using it as a supplement.

Here is a link to one of the many articles I found on it: http://www.livestrong.com/article/458022-dosage-of-5-htp-for-fibromyalgia/

If there are any of you out there that are living with this horrid disease, I also will take any and all helpful hints and what to do for it. This is agonizing.

Lesa_Sass

I'm glad you're getting some relief.

Please be careful though, especially if you're taking an anti-depressant or any other med that effects seretonin. Just about everything I've read about 5-HTP says only take under medical supervision -probably because of its interaction with the seretonin.

No worries, I am not taking an antidepressant or anything else(besides the 5 HTP) that bumps serotonin. I actually do not like taking meds at all and that is why I did my research on all natural things to do for it.

I am responsible enough to do my research before I take anything as I know that we can do more harm than good if we are not thorough.

JesterMFP

Thanks for this. I have tried 5-HTP in the past for depression; I didn't feel it had much effect for me. I have a friend with fibro though, so I'll recommend she ask her doctor about it.

wanabeahealthy

Thanks for the tip. I haven't done any research yet but I will discuss it with my Dr. Thanks.