why 5htp???

[OxyDout]

first off, thank you steubing, don't remember the real name, but thank you for the email, I appreciate it.  I really don't know much about 5htp, although I work at a supplement store part time and I asked why it was put on the back shelf, they told me it was because people on "X" or "E" whatever you want to call it... they would use it to come down off of it...they would try and steal it..... what are the benefits of taking this.  I have been taking 1 to 2 a day, plus 1 to 2 tyro's plus zinc, I believe that should be enough.  So far so good.  My other question is, what to do to take your mind off of drugs, what does everyone do??? I watched that 9/11 movie last night and broke down in tears just in though of what my best friend and old roommate went through, it put me into shock, so I have decided I'm gonna stay clean because he would want me to.  but i'm curious as to what everyone else does.

GWH

[1fortheroad]

hi - thanks so much for your comments.  i know what i need to get me started, but NO ONE will prescribe it to me.  i have asked more than a few doctors, and they look at me like i'm nuts. i am looking for buprenex - it really works.  i have gotten it thru "private" online sources, but they are expensive.  it would be nice to have it covered by insurance, and be able to have enough of it to do a gradual detox - over a month or so.  any information on doctors in the boston area that may be open to prescribing this would be greatly appreciated.

i just don't get it - oxy is easy to get, but not this.  if anyone can help me i would really appreciate it.

[hjp]

groovy, you make a really good point even if it was by accident.  Each of us is nothing more than a big bag of chemicals, and unfortunately alot of us are BORN in imbalance.  Most addicts are considered "borderline personalities" { people who want lots of advice, but still insist on doing things their way}.  Thats why detoxing is so complicated....you get off the addicting stuff and you're right back where you started...searching for "your drug" to feel normal.  Lots of testing has been done with PET scans, showing which drugs "light up" your hypothalmus(your pleasure center).  Some peoples' hypos light up with cocaine, some with narcs, some with barbituate, some with alcohol, etc.  Each of those tested had one drug that really lit them up.  Yours happens to be narcotic, unfortunately they have lousy side effects: fat, white, constipated, full of fluid, antisocial( this seems to be the biggest problem cause when you interface with people they pick up hostility,anger, desire for control from you, and like you see on the program Survivor, you get voted off the island).  That's why you need a doctor who can not only get you off the narc with reasonable discomfort, but one who can also make you "land in a different spot" when you're sober.  You have the responsibility to change your life so you don't migrate back to that spot, feel the stress and lonliness of that spot, and start searching for the drugs again.  It's kinda like sky diving and landing in the same damn spot over and over again.......you've got to pull the cords and land somewhere else....somewhere where you feel good about you.   Start with a young psychiatrist who does research on the side( one of his criteria would be that he likes Effexor cause its the one antidepressant that works for most borderline personalities without the side effects: sexual disfunction or weight gain: he should keep increasing your dose until you stop craving carbohydrates! somewhere around 300mg to 600mg daily). So find your doctor, interview him(her) and change your life!!!!
good luck groovy.......hjp

[san]

I felt so sad when I heard your story.  I have never been addicted to drugs, but I have a brother who has had his life destroyed because of them.  He has taken oxy. crystal meth. and other things. He used to think that any one who took drugs was stupid.  He developed some physical and personal problems and just could not deal with them. I believe that he used to ease the pain. I confronted him several times about his problem and offered to help him.  He still will not admit his addiction.  He has lost everything and is living with my parents.  I can tell that he tries to kick the habbit by himself. He will stay in bed for days and become depressed and then just go get a fix.  I am not sure what he is on now.  My poor parents just do not understand.  I dont think that they think he is addicted to anything.  My mom just says that he is depressed.  He did tell me that he is not taking anything now, and that the doctor prescribed him Xannex.  He said that as long as he takes this he doesnt need anything else.  I dont know if I believe that or not.  I know that he can not quit that easy. I feel so sorry for him because I know that he wants to be clean.  I am just praying and having faith in God. God works in his own time and I know he will save my brother. He will help you too. About
Celexa, I have a friend that takes it for a seizure disorder and it does increase the seratonin  and will help depression.  I will pray for you.  Be stong and stay close to thos who love and care for you.

[Schlub]

Yes, Groovy, in time your brain will return to normal.

In just two weeks or so after quitting, you'll feel probably 60%-75% normal. In two months, probably 90% normal. In six months, you'd have to be insane to give up the great way you're feeling in exchange for another bout of addiction.

[1fortheroad]

hello everyone - i have tried the "recipe" and have found that it just doesn't work for me. i had such high hopes for it because of all that i've heard, but i honestly did not feel one bit better. someone posted that the l-tyrosine would make you feel so happy you wouldn't care about feeling bad...i only wish that were true for me.  what about amphetamines?  my shrink prescribed them because of the complete lethargy that i'm feeling...that's a new one to me - any thoughts on that?

i'd like to know if this site is monitored by doctors, and if so, do they ever post advice or comments?  i've been coming here quite awhile now, and i've never seen a post from a real doctor.

anyway, i'm still struggling with the quitting effort.  it is the hardest thing i've ever dealt with...even more painful than childbirth.  i wonder if your brain chemistry ever truly returns to "normal" or if us opiate addicts have screwed up chemistry to begin with which leads us to addiction.

well, it's 5 a.m. where i live, and i'm not happy to be up and typing - insomnia is another problem i'm having thru all this, and i haven't even taken any amphetamines yet!   i'm praying for all of you...peace

[vikequeen]

OMG You are very brave!!! Have you tried benadryl? Valerian? Go to an MD and get trazodone. I know you are going through hell. Oxy's are the devil. I have done them. I will say a prayer for you. Baddgirl

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

I have never used Oxy Contin but have some experience with similar drugs (like morphine and heroine).  It may be too late but perhaps you should have tapered down and gone to something like hydrocodone.  Cold turkey is a huge shock for the mind and body unless you are fully prepared for the consequences.

If possible, I would detox with the help of a physician.  It seems that you have already tried some prescription drugs for relief and have had no success with them. I(we) could give you all kinds of advice as to what to do for insomnia and depression, but we don't know you at all.  Seek medical help!

J.B.

[bronzeback75]

Hello this is the first time writing the forum by reading this forum it has giving me the strength to quit taking 160 mg of oxycontin daily I am a 26 year old male that has received an unsuccessfull 2 level fussion i live in pain daily but have watched my life deteriorate since my injury.The oxycontin has helped with pain but know i have lost very much interest in daily life and have a very very low sex drive from the opiates.
The reason i am writing to the forum is because i choose to withdraw from the help of my parents and dear soon to be wife,today is day 12 of a cold turkey withdraw i am now passing throu the gates of hell and can now start to see a faint light ahead,but my problem now is sleep i have not slept in 12 consecetive days and the problem now is from the sleep deprevation does any one know how to deal with the sleep part of the problem is pain  but other half is mental.I have tried tylenol pm and ambien with no help will this pass soon i need my life back i am way to young to throw the towel in please someone help me you have given my the strenght once please continue with your  help    thank  bronzeback 75    Ps i have samples of celexa would this help with seretonin recovery

[Zeldagirl]

I don't know how qualified I am to give advice, I have been an addict for about 4 years, my habbit was Vicodin about 100 per day.  I couldn't do it on my own, I tried many programs, so I turned to Methadone.  I have been Vicodin free for 3 months.  It is still difficult.  It is hard to break the need to get high 5 or 6 times a day.  The methadone makes it so I don't have to go through the physical withdrawl and deal with the mental thing all at once.  I will work on my mind for a while then I will taper off the Methadone.  I have found walking to be the best thing for me and also, pulling out some of my old interests, whether I feel like it or not, try.  The cravings are the worse thing anyone could go through and the depression.  Have you thought of trying methadone as an alternative?  Please Email me if you would like:  ***@****;  I would love to hear from anyone, I could use some support and I would love to give some back.

Zelda

[Jack Frost]

GWH,

Congratulations on being clean today - that is a good thing and you fought hard to get here. The first few days and months are the hardest,  but you get stronger every day. Not very many people can do this alone, stay clean. Do you have a doctor who can recommend an out patient group? You many need a short term of antidepressants. Get on the net or pull out the phone book looking for support groups. Have you considered AA or NA - take your time you many not find the right group the first time or it may not be for you. In particular if you can find a sponsor you have some one there 24 hours a day and this may be worth perusing. No one way works for every one, but there are so many ways and you are so fragile now, reach out like you are doing. Even books can help.

Do you have friends who are willing to be with you and let you vent, does your spouse, family know? You can also post here or start an email relationship - the email relationship has really helped me in my battle with the dragon of abuse. You have slayed him and won the first battle, now you have an arsenal at you disposal for the second part. Good luck, write and post and stay clean and strong.

JF

[Witchywoman]

5 htp is the direct precusor to the neurotransmitter seratonin, it makes your body able to produce more. Seratonin regulates mood..low levels cause depression, normal levels cause normal mood.  Opiate abuse drains seratonin, so 5 htp can be very helpful in preventing the depression that often follows detox.

As far as how to avoid the mental part of post detoxing...that truly is the hardest part. I had bad cravings for months, but now have been free of cravings for a while.  It just takes continuing to stay honest, to have people you can talk to or write to to stay 100% honest about how you are feeling. It takes reminding ourselves why we wanted to get clean, and remembering that for most of us addicts, there is no such thing as just taking some once in a while.  

Good luck...I hope you continue to stay on the path toward freedom!

love,
WW