5 HTP or Sam E??? Methadone withdrawals

[jewlz2626]

Hello all! As some of you know, I am stocking up and doing my research for my anticipated "jump" from Methadone. I am following the Amino Acid Protocol/Thomas Recipe, and I am aware that you arent supposed to take these 2 together. (Sam E and 5 Htp) Any opinions/advice on which works better???? Thanks abunch! Jewlz

[pillfree21]

My little simple mantra was...."prepare for the worst and hope for the best"....good luck.

[jewlz2626]

Your 1st paragraph is almost exactly how I feel, I am doing what research I can to try to make this as bearable as I can, and tell myself no matter how much worse or easier it is than I thought, there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel!! My recovery comes 1st, and I know its going to be a long road! All I can do is try to stay positive!

[pillfree21]

Two things I would like to share, one is don't think that you can fully anticipate how bad things are going to get...it could be making it worse in your mind, or it could be worse in your body than your mind prepared....so what I did was read and prepare, but also remind myself that everyone is different and it may be better or worse for me.

Second thing, I am about 3 months away from finishing a masters degree after going back to school some 18 years since I left college...I have finished coursework and need to write one huge paper and had to put that on hold until I finish this...it hurt me financially and in terms of a promotion, but I had to ask myself which one was more important. If I did not clean up right now, the school and job would not have really paid off anyhow....just wanted to share that....sure it bothers me and makes me depressed at times, but I think that is the cost for wanting this freedom.

You will get there, you already have what it takes...which is a sincere desire from within.

[jewlz2626]

You couldnt be more right :) I am just trying to plan ahead & prepare so that I dont get overwhelmed! My studies can definetly wait! :)

[laurel453]

good then, follow your plan and gnarly advices here :)

you were asking or talking before about maybe having to take a semester off....well, if i were you i would put my health and recovery in the very first place. Do not take any risk, your studies wont suffer for a matter of six months but your recovery could be put at risk if you are stuggling to keep up with everything. You'll know how you are feeling by the end of August and i'm sure you will make the right decision then :)

[jewlz2626]

Yea, Thats what I was thinking, but I guess I just have so many things running through my mind, I am just trying to gain every bit of knowledge possible!

My taper plan is to follow Gnarly's suggestion to taper 10% of my dose every 1-2weeks. Or at least get as close as possible, since I am dealing with the pills...so Im being as accurate as I can! I will listen to my body, and allow it to adjust to each dose before I shock it. I go back to school Aug 14th, and am fully aware I will need at least the 1st 2 weeks off  after I jump. So I am still working that out, and thinking about taking off the following semester....cause I So dont want to wait till next MAY!! But I am confident in myself, and I have my wonderful boyfriend behind me 110% so I WILL work this out!! Thank you for all your help!

[laurel453]

in my opinion, they will help you.... i mean, we lack of many nutrients, vitamins, aminos after time abusing substances. This fact made us feeling worse during wds cause we are weaker so i would think that the stronger your body and the more nourished the better for you. But this does not mean that you wont have wds, this is for sure.

for how long are you planning to taper ?

[jewlz2626]

Thank you all! I really appreciate the knowledge/advice. Does anyone know if taking or beginning my supplements while I taper will help or hurt me during wd's???? I guess I am thinking my body may be used to the supplements working with the methadone I am still on, and be less effective once I jump??? Thanks!

[laurel453]

From my experience wiith both, i prefer 5htp.... when i took the sam-e, i was having quite of  an anxiety and  maybe it is because it has more ingredients as it is being said, but i didn't feel well with sam-e, i don't blame it for the anxiety cause i already have it before taking it but.... all in all, i returned to 5htp and i feel better with it.

good luck, jewlz.....you will see with time what your body needs, don't worry :)

[Back2Me]

I think the 5 htp was a life saver (litterally) for me. It helped pull me out of those hopeless feelings of depression. When taking it after the first week or so of WD. for me it was the best and I will be using it again shortly (sadly).  

[pillfree21]

From my research and understanding, Sam-E is a more comprehensive product that contains 5Htp and other ingredients as well (explains the higher cost), but just regular 5HTP is what the body uses (and naturally produces also) in order to create seratonin...so I guess it would not make sense to take both, the choice depends on if you are going to just use Sam-E or other stuff along with it....like most say, different strokes for different folks...I started taking the 5HTP twice a day and a melantonin(3mg) at night and it seems to be helping with the sleep at least.

[gnarly_1]

Hey jewlz ....good to see you posting....how is your taper going?? and what mg are you at now??...your right slow and steady wins this race your doing great so far...as for the supplements ether one will work and its different for everyone one will work better for some and others will work better for someone else ...you have a good plan going and it wont be to much longer and you'll be ready to jump ship...the supplements will help during your taper detox and post withdrawals witch can last a wile on methadone...keep up the great attitude
take it one day at a time and b/4 you know it you will be free of the stuff and on the road to recovery.....keep posting for support and to let us know where vyour at....we all want to help ...good luck and God bless......Gnarly  

[badshadow]

I'm on Trazodone for sleep, and I'm concerned about taking any "5HTP" because I don't want to go into Seratonin Syndrome.  My Dr. has me on 250mg right now of the  Trazodone.

Also, Opiates like Tramadol, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, etc., also increase your Serotonin Levels.

However, I'm tapering off the Opiates, and am using a low dose of Valium for the Anxiety, which I will taper off also as soon as I'm done getting off the Opiates.

I've never tried Sam-E because of the warning about taking it if you are on an anti-depressant.

[jewlz2626]

Lol, yea i want it so bad, but im just taking it one day at a time! Im thinking i'll have to take a semester off school, or wait till next summer, and i dont wanna wait that long!!! So i still have a few things to figure out, but Im a smart girl....ill get there :) WELL....I cant be too smart, since I put myself in this predicament in the 1st place :/  

[jewlz2626]

Thanks ya'll! I figured Sam E was better, more effective....since its price is a good bit higher than 5Htp. I am stocking up, little by little for my "jump" I'm getting antsy though...I just want it to be over. But I know a slow & steady taper will make it a bit more bearable....so I know I just have to be patient! Thank you for your help!

[ladyrhea4]

I say do each of the things you said you were going to do they helped me a ton and so does the baths and showers did for me also...and a Heating pad can help also..I did Tylenol P.M. for sleep and I don't know if anyone will say that is bad or not..but it did help. I got off Methadone as you know at 10 mg and if I can do that you sure can...I'm such a weakling and I just kept saying I got threw another day...Check Mark.....and spaced out...lol.......
You take care and You doing great.........

[GoingToMakeIt]

SamE works better on reducing pain than 5htp. Be careful with either if you take an antidepressant. Both of these can raise your serotonin levels, which the antidepressants do too. Too much serotonin is not good for us happy campers.

[kc156]

Hi.  All I did was the amino acids and a good B vitamin complex.I bought a bottle of potassium ,but read that you get way more by eating a banana,and it tastes better.Some swear by the zinc ,magnesium route but,I did not try that.
Will be following you and wish you well.                                       karl