Guest guest Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 I took 5-HTP for about a year a few years ago. I used to sleep HORRIBLY, and I don't know if that's one of the reasons my sleep got much better, but not perfect. However, I began having other mental symptoms around the same time (I was also taking other supplements... chinese doc), so I quit taking them all. (My night sweats also virtually went away, which I'd had for 20+ years). I would personally make sure it was a natural instead of synthetic version, and from a very good source. If it were me, I'd stick to Bee's suggestions, and even take extra magnesium, even if it means going to the bathroom more often for awhile. I don't know much about 5-HTP. I still have a bottle, but don't use it. Doug I know my > adrenals need to heal and they seem to be better but will take more > time. I wouldn't mind if 5 -HTP gave me some energy either. Guess I > just want some feedback and I appreciate all of your thoughts. > Happiness, Ellen " -) > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 Do you have trouble falling asleep or do you have trouble staying asleep or both? Jecca > > What are your thoughts on taking 5-HTP to help me sleep. It has made > me groggy the next morning in the past but maybe if I took it earlier > in the night. I sleep half way decent 1 out of 3 nights. > Thanks for any input. > Happiness, Ellen " -) > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 > > Do you have trouble falling asleep or do you have trouble staying > asleep or both? > > Jecca Jecca, Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep. Sometimes I wake up at 3 or 4 am and can't go back to sleep. Sometimes I am up and down all night going to the bathroom and sweating too. I used to take Ambien but have gotten off of it since being on this program. It started to make me depressed. I cannot tolerate many things that I could before since being on this program but know that is the norm. I would like this explained to me again. Thank you for your attempt to help me. Happiness, Ellen " -) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2008 Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 > > What are your thoughts on taking 5-HTP to help me sleep. It has made > me groggy the next morning in the past but maybe if I took it earlier > in the night. I sleep half way decent 1 out of 3 nights. > Thanks for any input. > Happiness, Ellen " -) ==>Hi Ellen. 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is the breakdown product of tryptophan, an essential amino acid present in most protein foods, which promotes seritonin. Serotonin turns into melatonin. Melatonin is the primary hormone of the pineal gland and acts to regulate the body's circadian rhythm, especially the sleep/wake cycle. On the downside too much seritonin will cause insomnia, racing heart, etc. ==>First, I would ensure whether 5-HTP is derived from soy, like most amino acids on the market today. IMO the best way to get amino acids is by eating protein. Chicken and turkey have high levels of tryptophan. ==>Also a deficiency of magnesium, calcium, and vitamins B6, B12, B1, and B3 will prevent the production of serotonin. ==> The best way to increase melatonin levels is by ensuring you are exposed to bright natural light during the daytime, and that you minimize your exposure to light about 1 hour before bedtime, i.e. dim lights, shut off the TV and computer, etc. Also it is important to sleep in total darkness (no night lights) so ensure you have good blackout curtains. ==>Herbal teas also help a person sleep, such as camomile and catnip, as well as herbal supplements that contain valerian. ==>I would try taking your last dose of cal/mag 1/2 hour before bedtime before any other supplements, or take extra magnesium. Magnesium has been called " nature's lullaby " pill. Bee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Hi Helen, Bee wrote a great response to your issue, so I hope it has resolved a bit for you. I just wanted to add one thing. For me, magnesium before bed really helps me fall asleep, as well as making sure I get enough vitamin D, seems to impact my sleep as well. But also when I wake up at night to go to the restroom, I find that having the electrolyte drink helps me fall back to sleep. My adrenal fatigue is pretty bad, so my body doesnt retain sodium very well, so when I lose water, I lose sodium too. Add to that if I get night sweats and lose even more water and sodium, my body get pretty dehydrated. Since sodium is necessary for our bodies to retain water, when I don't replace the water AND sodium together, I dont feel as functional. When I realized that I have to do this at night as well as during the day, it helped my sleep. Now if I get up to use the restroom at night, or wake up after having had night sweats, I have the electrolyte, and I fall back asleep a lot faster. It was alsmost like my body wouldnt let me sleep again, until it got the water AND sodium it needed. Mercola also has some good recommendation to help with sleep http://www.mercola.com/article/sleep.htm Of course some of his recommendations are not diet friendly like what he says about fruit, but other than that, most are logical and simple, and can help. Sleep really is a complex issue impacted by many different factors. I'm sure if you follow Bee's advice and maybe try some of mercola's suggestion, you'll see an improvement. Jecca --- " ekhillgardner " <ellen2@...> wrote: Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep. Sometimes I wake up at 3 or 4 am and can't go back to sleep. Sometimes I am up and down all night going to the bathroom and sweating too. I used to take Ambien but have gotten off of it since being on this program. It started to make me depressed. I cannot tolerate many things that I could before since being on this program but know that is the norm. I would like this explained to me again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 Jecca, Thank you and Bee for your advice. I will try the salt and water if I wake up in the middle of the night. I am taking cod liver oil so hope I am getting enought vitamin D from that. Happiness, Ellen " -) > > Bee wrote a great response to your issue, so I hope it has resolved a > bit for you. I just wanted to add one thing. For me, magnesium > before bed really helps me fall asleep, as well as making sure I get > enough vitamin D, seems to impact my sleep as well. But also when I > wake up at night to go to the restroom, I find that having the > electrolyte drink helps me fall back to sleep. My adrenal fatigue is > pretty bad, so my body doesnt retain sodium very well, so when I lose > water, I lose sodium too. Add to that if I get night sweats and lose > even more water and sodium, my body get pretty dehydrated. > > Since sodium is necessary for our bodies to retain water, when I don't > replace the water AND sodium together, I dont feel as functional. > When I realized that I have to do this at night as well as during the > day, it helped my sleep. Now if I get up to use the restroom at > night, or wake up after having had night sweats, I have the > electrolyte, and I fall back asleep a lot faster. It was alsmost like > my body wouldnt let me sleep again, until it got the water AND sodium > it needed. > > Mercola also has some good recommendation to help with sleep > > http://www.mercola.com/article/sleep.htm > > Of course some of his recommendations are not diet friendly like what > he says about fruit, but other than that, most are logical and simple, > and can help. Sleep really is a complex issue impacted by many > different factors. I'm sure if you follow Bee's advice and maybe try > some of mercola's suggestion, you'll see an improvement. > > Jecca > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Dear Have you seen a difference in your sleep pattern when you started Epzicom? Ziagen completely kept me awake. And , as you well know, Sustiva can also affect REM sleep in some people. Does Ambien not work for you? In a message dated 3/12/2008 9:58:17 P.M. Central Daylight Time, LvrOfNatur@... writes: Hi Everyone, I've been having trouble getting to sleep. So I thought I'd try something natural and I asked the pharmacist about L-Tryptophan. He said there have been no studies of L-Tryptophan and its use with people who are on Sustiva and Epzicom and there have been no complaints. I should have asked him about 5-HTP because I read online that it works alittle bit differently then the regular L-Tryptophan. Anyhow, I took one 100 mg. capsule of 5-HTP last night and I slept some of the night which is better then before and I really love the relaxed way that I feel. Has anyone had any experience with 5-HTP and do you know if it is contraindicated with any HIV meds that the pharmacist did not find? Thanks, It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms and advice on AOL Money Finance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Dear Have you seen a difference in your sleep pattern when you started Epzicom? Ziagen completely kept me awake. And , as you well know, Sustiva can also affect REM sleep in some people. Does Ambien not work for you? In a message dated 3/12/2008 9:58:17 P.M. Central Daylight Time, LvrOfNatur@... writes: Hi Everyone, I've been having trouble getting to sleep. So I thought I'd try something natural and I asked the pharmacist about L-Tryptophan. He said there have been no studies of L-Tryptophan and its use with people who are on Sustiva and Epzicom and there have been no complaints. I should have asked him about 5-HTP because I read online that it works alittle bit differently then the regular L-Tryptophan. Anyhow, I took one 100 mg. capsule of 5-HTP last night and I slept some of the night which is better then before and I really love the relaxed way that I feel. Has anyone had any experience with 5-HTP and do you know if it is contraindicated with any HIV meds that the pharmacist did not find? Thanks, It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms and advice on AOL Money Finance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2008 Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 > Be careful with 5-HTP if you have nay heart problems etc... I am of my elavil now for sleep Yeah and use chamomile tea to relax and go to sleep it helps too. Good luck with the 5 HTP but with some sleep medications it can counter affect the sleep medications too. Please talk to your Doctor ASAP about it too. hugsheidi > I took my 1st 5htp capsule and it made a big difference in me. The anti-anziety meds did nothing at all. I will talk to the dr about the 5htp. It sure worked for me today. I will keep you guys in mind after I have taken them for a while. >  Shirley Godbout > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2011 Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 good day - just started on 5-htp and are there any side effects ?ldn - may have asked this before so forgive me, no sleep depreviation as 1st month 1ml, 2nd month 2ml, 3rd month uped to 4ml. getting hot and cold flushes and wondered has anyone else felt like this ?appreciate any replythanks peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2011 Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 , I have been on 1.5 mg of ldn for three weeks now, and I have been getting hot and cold flushes also! During the night. Because I was already having sleep issues, I go to sleep, and then take my ldn in the middle of the night when I get up to go to the bathroom. The rest of the night is broken with the flushes, and hot and cold sweats. Now, I should mention that I am a woman of menopausal age, I was chalking all this up to my hormones going wacky, but you have made me think that perhaps it may be the ldn. I was getting ready to increase my dosage of ldn to 3 mg in another week or so, but I think I will wait and watch this for awhile first. I read not to increase ldn while still having side effects. Hopefully, more people come forward to shed some light on this. Blue "ldn - may have asked this before so forgive me, no sleep depreviation as 1st month 1ml, 2nd month 2ml, 3rd month uped to 4ml. getting hot and cold flushes and wondered has anyone else felt like this ?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 >, my symptoms are very likeyours except I've been on 4.5 mg for three years now. The sleep issues are really gettingout of hand ~ I sleep very little because of frequently waking up with hot flushes and hot, tingly hands (but I do, too, have slight Reynauds). I wake up, then about 1 min later the flash hits. I am post menapausal so this shouldn't be happening to me at this point (63), I don't think. I never even thought about this problem being involved with the LDN until reading your post! I'm wondering if I, too, should lower my dosage. I take it for Crohn's and have been in complete remission for nine years ~ my colonoscopies are great! I most certainly don't want to stop taking it but his sleep thing is awful and seems to be getting worse instead of better. I've been fiddling with my bioidenticals to try and straighten things out by working with my compound pharmicist ~ she's been so helpful. Where should I go from here? Did I pick up that Zahavi indicated this might be liver related. Where do I get info? What do I do from here? I thank everyone so very much for everything I've read here these three years as I've been helped so much and have learned so much. Thanks in advance, Carole > > >---- Original Message ---- >From: debruyckerm@... >peter.nicholls@..., low dose naltrexone >Subject: Re: [low dose naltrexone] 5-HTP >Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2011 14:48:13 -0800 (PST) > >>, >> >>I get the hot flashes with LDN. I e-mailed Dr. Zagon and he told me >to try the >>ldn every other day. I was taking 3mg at night. I did skip a few >doses and >>went every other day but noticed in the last couple of days that my >eyes are >>getting worst again. I am going back to taking it every night and >may skip a >>night once a week. Dr. Zagon said that some people do not >metabolize it as well >>so it builds up in their system. >> >>This is what he wrote very interesting. >> >>Dear : >> Please read what I wrote on how LDN does its job. 3 mg with >your >>pharmacology is lasting too long in your body. Hence, you are >creating havoc >>because blocking opioids and opioid receptors does not allow the >wonderful >>things that opioids do - for example, diminish pain. There are >others just like >>you, so don't think you are alone. And many of these folks have been >on LDN >>(generally 3 mg) for years. But the body is adapting its metabolism >and the >>liver (where this happens) is slowing down the pharmacokinetics of >the LDN - so >>the LDN at 3 mg you are taking is like taking 10 mg or higher. What >to do - go >>down to 1 mg - and start every day - but if you have pain and >problems see how >>every other day - or every third day does. We just did a study to >be published >>that shows LDN (and the opioid growth factor - OGF - which is how >LDN really >>works) wiith one exposure can last one week. >> >> Dr. Zagon >> >> >> >> >> >> >>________________________________ >>From: Nicholls <peter.nicholls@...> >> " low dose naltrexone " ><low dose naltrexone > >>Sent: Mon, February 7, 2011 11:46:21 AM >>Subject: [low dose naltrexone] 5-HTP >> >> >>good day - just started on 5-htp and are there any side effects ? >> >>ldn - may have asked this before so forgive me, no sleep >depreviation as 1st >>month 1ml, 2nd month 2ml, 3rd month uped to 4ml. getting hot and >cold flushes >>and wondered has anyone else felt like this ? >> >>appreciate any reply >> >>thanks peter >> >> >> >> >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 Carole,I am on some bioidentical hormones but what is weird is that my estradiol levels are dropping since being on LDN so I am not sure if it does effect your hormone levels. I just had blood work at the rheumy and all antibody tests were negative and my liver enzymes were fine. The only thing that worried me was my C3 + C4 complement tests were lower than my last test. The C3 was at 90 the lowest number in the range. And from what I understand this could indicate lupus. Maybe someone out there could educate me on this test. So is the ldn effecting those test results - kidneys?I have not gotten up to 4.5 mg, been staying at 3 mg. I am 55 and used to feel pretty good. Now the ldn does not seem to be working because my eyes are bothering me again and my mood is low, but maybe that is because of my low back pain. I got the results of my MRI seems I have desiccated bulging discs from L2-L3 and L5-S1 plus some degenerative facet joints with left L5-S1 foraminal stenosis and possible imingement of the nerve root. I don't know if some of the stenosis is from the Sjorgren or just normal wear and tear.Too much......I just want to feel well again.Thanks for sharing! It is so great that your Crohn's has been in remission for so long.From: Pardner <pardner@...>debruyckerm@...; peter.nicholls@...; low dose naltrexone Sent: Thu, February 10, 2011 1:32:02 PMSubject: Re: [low dose naltrexone] 5-HTP>, my symptoms are very likeyours except I've been on 4.5 mg forthree years now. The sleep issues are really gettingout of hand ~ Isleep very little because of frequently waking up with hot flushesand hot, tingly hands (but I do, too, have slight Reynauds). I wakeup, then about 1 min later the flash hits. I am post menapausal sothis shouldn't be happening to me at this point (63), I don't think. I never even thought about this problem being involved with the LDNuntil reading your post!I'm wondering if I, too, should lower my dosage. I take it forCrohn's and have been in complete remission for nine years ~ mycolonoscopies are great! I most certainly don't want to stop takingit but his sleep thing is awful and seems to be getting worse insteadof better. I've been fiddling with my bioidenticals to try andstraighten things out by working with my compound pharmicist ~ she'sbeen so helpful.Where should I go from here? Did I pick up that Zahavi indicatedthis might be liver related. Where do I get info? What do I do fromhere? I thank everyone so very much for everything I've read herethese three years as I've been helped so much and have learned somuch.Thanks in advance,Carole>>>---- Original Message ---->From: debruyckerm@...>peter.nicholls@..., low dose naltrexone >Subject: Re: [low dose naltrexone] 5-HTP>Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2011 14:48:13 -0800 (PST)>>>,>>>>I get the hot flashes with LDN. I e-mailed Dr. Zagon and he told me>to try the >>ldn every other day. I was taking 3mg at night. I did skip a few>doses and >>went every other day but noticed in the last couple of days that my>eyes are >>getting worst again. I am going back to taking it every night and>may skip a >>night once a week. Dr. Zagon said that some people do not>metabolize it as well >>so it builds up in their system.>>>>This is what he wrote very interesting.>>>>Dear :>> Please read what I wrote on how LDN does its job. 3 mg with>your >>pharmacology is lasting too long in your body. Hence, you are>creating havoc >>because blocking opioids and opioid receptors does not allow the>wonderful >>things that opioids do - for example, diminish pain. There are>others just like >>you, so don't think you are alone. And many of these folks have been>on LDN >>(generally 3 mg) for years. But the body is adapting its metabolism>and the >>liver (where this happens) is slowing down the pharmacokinetics of>the LDN - so >>the LDN at 3 mg you are taking is like taking 10 mg or higher. What>to do - go >>down to 1 mg - and start every day - but if you have pain and>problems see how >>every other day - or every third day does. We just did a study to>be published >>that shows LDN (and the opioid growth factor - OGF - which is how>LDN really >>works) wiith one exposure can last one week. >>>> Dr. Zagon>>>>>>>>>>>>>>________________________________>>From: Nicholls <peter.nicholls@...>>>"low dose naltrexone "><low dose naltrexone >>>Sent: Mon, February 7, 2011 11:46:21 AM>>Subject: [low dose naltrexone] 5-HTP>>>> >>good day - just started on 5-htp and are there any side effects ?>>>>ldn - may have asked this before so forgive me, no sleep>depreviation as 1st >>month 1ml, 2nd month 2ml, 3rd month uped to 4ml. getting hot and>cold flushes >>and wondered has anyone else felt like this ?>>>>appreciate any reply>>>>thanks peter>>>>>> >>>>>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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