Is 5htp good for depression

[von123678]

I've heard lots about it and I am off conventional antidepressants at the moment and I want to try alternatives. I take Diazepam and antihistamines and vitamins etc. Are these okay together?

[zzzmykids]

Sam-E is NOT for people with BP. I like to use naturals. This time I have been on a combination of naturals. There is a drawback. One, when you take 5htp...triptophan you are constantly sleepy. I was put on a small amount and it did NOT cut the depression. So I got up to 5,000 mg of 5htp and other combination of naturals. Now when taking prescription meds for your condition, you MUST tell your psych about everything you take. Your pharmacist knows what interacts and should have a list of everything you take, prescription and nonprescription. Just because they are natural does not mean they can be safe with other interactions with other drugs, no matter how harmless.
Second, when you have a stress induced or as with me, stresses induced a manic depression, the naturals, no matter how great during the regular times is completely ineffective but for the sleeping, on controling the disorders problem. I am at three months now, husband had accident, bad and no surgery yet, mother died in my arms, one daughter is not speaking to me. Between all I have seen psych every two weeks instead of once every twelve weeks. He can't take me off the naturals and put me on the  psychotrops because I have been without chemical control for over a year. So I either really work on leveling out and start the process of four weeks before meds take effect....NO you cannot take naturals and  chemical drugs together...except lithium, vallium or xanax but not psychotrops, they counter . So other option is go in hospital and get intravenious to get it started quickly. Nope will begin to try to journal positive stuff, make bed in morning, no tv and outside do a little walking...if I can.
So basically, what I am saying, before you think of trying naturals, listen to one who has done it twice. First time ok, only three months. Second time, horrible consequences for doing it and beyond anything I have ever felt before on psychotrops side effects. Be careful. I had a psychiatrist, talk doc and chiropractor/kinesiologist all monitoring me and an internest checking my blood!!! Look where I am yvonnealderdice.
Sincerely,
zzzmykids

[hobeka]

5HTP or SAMe are naturopath alternatives to the prescribed anti-depressants.  If you are looking at taking these you should still be monitored by a Naturopath Dr.  There are differences between the two and someone in that field would be the best person to assess which one would be right for your symptoms.  I'm not sure if there would be any contradictions with 5HTP and diazepam as you shouldn't take 5HTP if you are already on an anti-depressant.  The 5HTP is okay to take with other vitamins though.