5htp and Buspar

[Salford66]

I started taking a very low dose of Buspar, although I have improved immensely with my panic, anxiety ....I just needed a little help to get me 'right' back on track. I am taking B50, Sam E, amino acids  and some other vitamins which have really helped me but I heard that the 5htp may help also. I took this in the height of my disorder but I think it may have made me hyper......that may have been the panic too though. I would really rather not take any medication but I feel if I don't I may just get into the habit of a life of anxiety. I have only been on the Buspar for a few days...tried lexapro last yeat and it was just awful for me, too strong (even the low low dose), made me very ill.

[Paxiled]

If you ever stop the Buspar, you might try passionflower as well.  A good all around nervous system relaxant.  Holy basil can help with cortisol levels, and adaptogens can help with the adrenals.  Lots of stuff to try out there.  Good luck.

[Salford66]

Yes, thanks for that info, really helpful, I may try the 5htp as I am not really depressed more anxious and panicky.  I think the limited amount of things I think I can do and not having my freedom causes some sadness but overall can make myself happy with good friends, nice meal and a workout.

[Paxiled]

You really need to check for contraindications.  Buspar doesn't really show much effectiveness in studies, it's mostly used these days to intensify the effectiveness of ssris.  Given that, it would be unlikely 5-HTP would conflict with the Buspar, but since you're taking a lot of stuff, you should look up these things and see if there any contraindications.  As for 5-HTP, as with anything, it might help, it might not.  Usually takes a bit of time to work.  What it does is manufacture serotonin; whether the body uses it or not depends on whether the body finds it necessary to use it or not.  But as with antidepressants, sometimes these things can make a person worse.  SAMe can do this, too, but for you it's working.  It's trial and error, unfortunately.  For anxiety, 5-HTP is actually the better supplement; SAMe is generally only for depression, not anxiety.