5-HTP & Bipolar Disorder

[shmoo84]

I was wondering if anyone has had a bad reaction to the suppliment 5-HTP? I've heard that it can trigger mania and mixed states in people who are succeptible. Thanks :)

[rogelio63]

SSRI's are known to trigger mania in us if they aren't countered by a mood stabilizer. That's what triggered my first manic episode and sealed my diagnosis. 5-htp is a tryptophan precursor, which is a serotonin precursor so it could help your body produce more serotonin and trigger mania, just like taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

[Kaarejen]

If you feel you have had an adverse reaction to the 5-HTP you could try the transdermal patch as this will release a more even dose of 5-HTP to your body throughout the day.

[Kaarejen]

Gabapentin is also pretty good for people who don't get on with pregabalin.

[grannymusiclover]

One post did mention the action of 5-HTP already, but I'd like to add a few things if I may. If I remember correctly from coursework in college, 5-HTP is the end product of serotonin itself. Too little of it (serotonin) in the brain causes depression and suicidality. Too much causes mania in some bipolars. As you probably already know, many bipolars are sent into manic episodes by antidepressants. I am, most definitely. Cymbalta, for example, initiates manic behavior in me, within 24 hours of the first dose. One dose of Wellbutrin has me climbing walls for days. There is also that item referred to as the Serotonin Syndrome. It can be fatal in some cases. I wouldn't fool around with supplements unless your doc is aware. Bipolar disorder can be really tricky to treat and even worse to be the patient who must keep trying new meds over and over again to find one which is effective. It has taken me more than 25 years to finally find the "one". And it has proven to be the only one. But, I don't mess around with little time bombs or pandora's boxes. Please be careful, grannymusiclover.

[Ashmorgan]

I have heard some stories similiarits with people who have taken that. If your looking for natireal treatment I take A nutritional supplement called Empowerplus by a company called Truehope. It's a little pricey, about $100/month for me but I have been healthy with no severe depression or mania for nearly three years. When I started it I was looking at being in and out of the hospital for  the rest of my life. So, the money is a small price to pay. Works well for people with any mood disorder or even minor depression or for general health. I've even used it as a prenatal vitamin! I was skeptical at first but now that I have seen how much better I am I will never go back to psychotropics. Did I mention there are no side effects? I couldn't stand the sideeffects off all the drugs they put me on. It's like I finally have my life back. If your interested check out their website for more details. Www.truehope.com  

[shmoo84]

Thank you again for your help. Also good luck with the Hawaii Ironman

[BP2PROFESSIONAL]

Check out my post on doing the Hawaii Ironman 70.3 that has more info on PreGaba in there.

[shmoo84]

Heheh, I actually looked up Serotonin Syndrome at the time of taking it because I put in the symptoms I was experiencing into Google and it was the first thing that came up. That information kinda freaked me out more and made me panic. It seems so funny now but god, at the time it was scary. Just couldn't stop my mind.

And thank you so much for your comment :)

[shmoo84]

Thank you for your comment :) I will definately look into the PreGaba you mentioned and possibly try 5-HTP again as long as I take it at night it seems like it will work fine

[lindahand]

5 HTP works on the seritonin system in much the same way an antidepressant does therefore you need to be careful. I'd check out seritonin syndrome just to know what you are looking for should you have an adverse reaction. I looked into it but didn't try it because it is quite expensive.

[BP2PROFESSIONAL]

I use to suffer from Anxiety a lot was having Xanax to try and combat it. Ended up being prescribed PreGaba a supplement of all things.  Got rid of the Anxiety and the need for Xanax in a couple of days.

Highly recommend checking it out, I think I wrote a little bit more about it in some of my posts.

I also take 5HTP now, luckily not having side effects, good luck hope it all works out.

[shmoo84]

Thanks for your reply :)

Do you think it could've been the 5-HTP that caused the change in anger at that point then? I've not been diagnosed with a mood disorder but I suffer from anxiety and depression and when I tried the drug to get rid of the depression I was suffering at the time it did just that. It knocked all depressive thoughts out of my head and made me VERY hyper and energetic. But by the first night I was more anxious than ever and had one of my worst panic attacks to date. I remained nervous and hyped for three or four days after that, I guess until it was out of my system.

Thanks again for your view on this. I'm interested to know as someone commented I might have cyclothymia

[Bobby3000]

Hi, I've been diagnosed bipolar 2 disorder. the first time I took 5-HTP I became angry at
an employees comment made to me in front of others and chewed him out on the spot.
I am usually not like that. I am taking lamicy
tal now for a couple of years.