Posted by JohnL on January 4, 2000, at 3:35:31
In reply to 5-HTP with St. John's Wort, posted by Jennifer on January 3, 2000, at 17:07:23
> I remember a posting a while back about combining 5Htp with St. John's wort. Someone had some success with it. Does anyone have experience with this combo? I've gone through about 10 different ADs with no result and am thinking of trying this combo. Any feedback would be appreciated.
>
> JenJen, sometimes when we go through a lot of antidepressants without success it is because of two reasons, 1)Inadequate dose, 2)Inadequate time. With me side effects usually cause the dose or time to be too little, and thus failure. Then I move on to another drug.
But if dosage and time were adequate, then perhaps trying a different class of drugs would make sense? For example, if you've tried antidepressants without success, then a mood stabilizer or two might work wonders, without any antidepressants at all. Even in the absence of any bipolar symptoms. Or an antipsychotic. Or a psychostimulant. It just seems to me that if the ADS aren't working, we're barking up the wrong tree.
I tried St Johns + 5HTP a couple years ago and it worked very well. 5HTP boosts endorphines as well as serotonin. I think that is an under-stated benefit of 5HTP. I did have sexual difficulties though. I think that is quite rare.
I would keep your doc in the loop with this. He/she may want to follow your progress for possible use in other patients. My optimum dose was 1200mg St Johns and 150mg - 200mg 5HTP. As with all drugs, start low and work your way up. Even though you've had more than your fair share of failures, there are still plenty of options to try. Wish you well. JohnL
poster:JohnL
thread:17921
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000101/msgs/17958.html