Quick help needed - 5htp / celexa

[rocky7814]

For the past two nights; I've taken 20mg of Celexa each night. After some thought with my therapist, we decided medication was not the way to go. However, I'd like to take 5htp tonight (soon, its 10:08) is it safe? Has the celexa metabolized?

[birdie0907]

Good luck. Write back if you feel like it and monitor yourself often.

I have been off Celexa for 5 months, and constantly wonder if it is just this frightening economy that has me feeling very slightly apprehensive.

[rocky7814]

Don't plan to. It wasn't bad as physically as emotionally, but everyone is different. I'm going to try to be medication-free for the moment.

[birdie0907]

And don't cold turkey again ever, never, forever. There is no purpose in that and the result is 100% unnecessary pain.

[ILADVOCATE]

I'd feel uncomfortable answering that question. You could post that in the expert forum but also I would seek a referral to a psychiatrist who could understand and have your medications adjusted.

[rocky7814]

Thanks for the support, I think for tonight, reading the half-life of Celexa being around 37 hours, I'll hold off on anything else. Unfortunately I went off Zoloft cold turkey back in November (terrible idea, i know.). But as for taking Celexa for just two nights, is there any side effects I should anticipate coming off of a drug I used just twice?

[ILADVOCATE]

That's a good idea about holding off on trying the 5TTP. As for melatonin, Rozerem works in the exact same manner and can adjust the sleeping process in the same way and is an FDA approved sleep aide that is non addictive. I might ask about that. And I'd be concerned about going off an anti-depressent in general. Best to ask about other standard FDA approved options and a psychiatrist would know more than a doctor. CBT and talk therapy is a good idea though in addition to medication. It just takes a while for an anti-depressent to get out of your bloodstream and once the symptoms return things may get out of hand. Leave things where they are and ask about other medication options.

[rocky7814]

would melatonin be okay? i'm having troubles sleeping.

[rocky7814]

My psychologist told me it was totally up to me about the medicine, and felt that at this time, with my improvements, I did not need it. I agreed as well, because I feel the same, and would rather continue with CBT, and other methods such as exercise, diet, etc. Then moving straight towards medication. My GP prescribed the medication. I had a rough weekend with OCD, and felt I should try it, but coming to my senses about the OCD issue at hand, and a prior rough experience with Zoloft; felt I should hold off on the medicine.

[LeftCoastChick]

I would under no circumstances touch that med, you are messing with chemicals you're already trying to balance out. Just because it's "natural", doesn't mean it isn't dangerous. I would seriously speak to your doctor before taking anything else.

[ILADVOCATE]

This is from the Wikipedia entry and it has medically valid sources it quotes
from so go to them and PudMed if you want but pass on it for now. Thanks.

"A recent (2001) meta-analysis found that of 108 studies on 5-HTP published between 1966 and 2000, only two met the authors' quality standards for inclusion. The two studies that were deemed of sufficient quality did not deal with 5-HTP exclusively, instead combining results for 5-HTP and tryptophan, so the results may not be completely applicable for 5-HTP alone. While the combined analysis of the two 5-HTP and tryptophan studies showed significant effectiveness over placebo in treating depression, the authors state that overall "the evidence was of insufficient quality to be conclusive." They also state that "because alternative antidepressants exist which have been proven to be effective and safe the clinical usefulness of 5-HTP and tryptophan is limited at present."[10]"

[ILADVOCATE]

The findings on 5HTTP are mixed. I would suggest not taking it. If your therapist actually decided against medication I'd changed therapists. I could tell you what natural remedies are helpful for depression but only under the supervision of a psychiatrist and not one who would rule out all known anti-depressents. I'd be concerned about the creditibility of this person. It would be welcome if they understood natural remedies as does my psychopharmocologist but they should not discount all standard anti-depressents. If you find a psychiatrist who is willing to use both natural and standard treatment I would tell you what natural remedies have been shown to be helpful but I don't want to encouage self medication as this therapist seems to be. My psychopharmocologist will comb through studies of natural remedies to see if they are clinically valid and yes I take some but he also prescribes standard psychiatric medication within standard clinical practice. Be careful and find someone more responsible. Then you can see.

[birdie0907]

Do you live in a big city? They have 24 hour pharmacies, so you might be able to get info from them. You are supposed to list your location on your home page, by the way.

[rocky7814]

My pharmacy is closed at the moment. Yes, I only took celexa twice. I assume its okay to cold turkey it. I was curious about the supplement, 5htp is a serotonin supplement. How about taking melatonin? I don't plan on taking the celexa anymore. But the half-life is 37 hours I believe.

[birdie0907]

What is 5 htp?
You only took Celexa 2 times and you are wondering if you can cold turkey off it, correct?

Are you not able to call your pharmacist for information?