Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 265634

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5HTP with Elavil still in my system?

Posted by John1022 on October 4, 2003, at 22:55:58

I have had very bad effects from all of the anti-depressants I have tried. 5HTP seems to be a wonder drug for me. It really seems to balance my seretonin and lets me fall asleep without a benzo (Lorazapam)

I have quit taking Elavil, but it is still in my system and probably will be for the next couple of weeks. Is it safe to start 5HTP yet, or should I wait until the Elavil clears out of my system?

Is it safe to take 5HTP with Lorazapam in my system also?

Thanks

 

Re: 5HTP with Elavil still in my system? » John1022

Posted by DSCH on October 5, 2003, at 0:24:57

In reply to 5HTP with Elavil still in my system?, posted by John1022 on October 4, 2003, at 22:55:58

> I have had very bad effects from all of the anti-depressants I have tried. 5HTP seems to be a wonder drug for me. It really seems to balance my seretonin and lets me fall asleep without a benzo (Lorazapam)
>
> I have quit taking Elavil, but it is still in my system and probably will be for the next couple of weeks. Is it safe to start 5HTP yet, or should I wait until the Elavil clears out of my system?
>
> Is it safe to take 5HTP with Lorazapam in my system also?
>
> Thanks

According to p. 211, Appendix A of "The Natural Pharmacist: Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions Bible", 5-HTP has the following interactions:

Levodopa
Levodopa/Carbidopa
MAOIs
SSRIs
Tramadol
Tricyclics
Zolpidem

All of these are "negative" and "possibly significant interactions" (two on a scale of one to four, one being the strongest).

So it's probably best to wait until the Elavil (the tricyclic, amitriptyline) clears out.

It's probably safe to take with the lorazepam (a BZD agonist) if you feel a need for that.

 

Re: 5HTP with Elavil still in my system?

Posted by John1022 on October 5, 2003, at 20:08:24

In reply to Re: 5HTP with Elavil still in my system? » John1022, posted by DSCH on October 5, 2003, at 0:24:57

Thanks DSCH. I am wondering how long I should wait until I start taking it. I have been off Elavil for a week, but can steal feel that it is in my system because of the very strong personal side effects I still have from it

 

Re: 5HTP with Elavil still in my system? » John1022

Posted by DSCH on October 5, 2003, at 20:31:00

In reply to Re: 5HTP with Elavil still in my system?, posted by John1022 on October 5, 2003, at 20:08:24

> Thanks DSCH. I am wondering how long I should wait until I start taking it. I have been off Elavil for a week, but can steal feel that it is in my system because of the very strong personal side effects I still have from it

SLS lists a half life for amitrityline of 10-50 hours with 20 hours as the mean. The variance is due to individual differences in metabolic rate for that compound.

If you wait a period four times the half life, the serum concentration will be about 1/16 that of the peak after your last dose. Wait another half life period and it will be 1/32. One more and it will be 1/64.

OK, rule of thumb time... 1/128 seems quite dilute and you might be a slow metabolizer, so 7 periods x 50 hours/period = 350 hours (14 days and 14 hours).

How about giving it another full week just to be safe?


 

Re: 5HTP with Elavil still in my system?

Posted by John1022 on October 5, 2003, at 21:21:28

In reply to Re: 5HTP with Elavil still in my system? » John1022, posted by DSCH on October 5, 2003, at 20:31:00

Thanks for the response

I think I will wait a week like you suggested. Each day the Elavil side effects seem to be getting less and less.

I am beginning to think 5HTP might be my wonder drug (all the others GIVE me incredibly disabling non-functional depression, weird huh?) when to begin with I only feel a little off and my sleep isn't triggering, nothing real serious

I took 5HTP for 2 weeks while stopping everything and immediately felt like new person. It worked the second day I took it and then for 14 days straight I felt fine. Kept a scheduled appointment to see about my tinnitus and the doc convinced me to try something else (Elavil, possible tinnitus relief) and stop the 5HTP because he did not no what was in it. 2 weeks latter he hit me like a sledgehammer.

Effexor, Wellbutrin, St. John's and Elavil have all gave me what seems to be an opposite affect of feeling like my seretonin is completely depleted. They all cause the exact same side effects which are not there when I am not on an anti-depressant (severe feeling of depression, severe anxiety, much worse ringing in my ears, hypersensitivity to hearing, hearing ringing in tv's/computers, popping ears, running nose, ears feeling infected)

When I stop them, I get back to feeling 90% normal but I am always trying to reach 100%. I was almost there when on 5HTP and nothing else and I could sleep without any problem without having to take a Lorazapam.

I really believe it is my savior as I honestly think any anti-depressant is going to cause the exact same uncommon side effect I am feeling. But I will be patient and what until the end of the week. Thanks again


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