I am seriously wanting some DRUGS! I'm tired of taking mountains of supplements that may or may not be working. I'm tired of never knowing whether I'll sleep or not. I'm tired of making my child cry because I'm such a bundle of nerves. I want DRUGS and I want them NOW!!!

:hug:

:hug: I so very well relate to what you are going through.

The one supplement that I found to work no matter what is the 5 HTP, which has marvelously balanced out my serotonin levels. It is a bit pricey, but worth every bit of what I pay for it!

I used to have fitful sleep, tossing and turning AT LEAST a dozen or more times every night. This took place for close to 20 years. Now, since I started taking 50mgs of the 5 HTP about 4 times every day, I no longer have the mood swings and am getting the best sleep I can remember having.

HTH's.

i LOVE 5htp! it seriously helps my moods but i also have to take unisom (not the diphenhydramine gel ones but the doxylamine succinate tablets). i have been taking 2 tablets every night for 9 months now, maybe not the best thing in the world (can't be all that horrible they had me on it for 8 months when i was PG with sarah) but i can finally get some sleep.

and to me the worst part of this was when i wasn't getting any sleep. i can deal with the hot flashes, the mood swings, the lubrication issues, the dry skin, etc but i cannot and will not deal with not being able to sleep. pure torture.

I'm not dealing with changes...

but I love 5-HTP as well!! I take it daily, and if I wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep, I take another. And I'm out within 15 minutes. It even works for my DH that way, who does sometimes struggle with insomnia.

Well, just got back from my regular GP and he says it's critical for me to sleep at least 8 hours per night. Easy for him to say! Anyway, he had the results of my last thyroid test, and it looks like they might've had my Synthroid a little too high. It's only a *little* off, but I'll be alternating my regular dose with a lower dose every other day. And I got drugs! Klonopin as needed, up to 3 x daily. I may never take them, but I feel like it's a blankie just to know they're there.

I've seen 5htp at the health store. Just ANY 5htp or is there a specific brand or what?

Thanks, mamas. Occasionally, I just gotta RAVE ON!!!

I learned about 5-HTP from the book The Mood Cure (http://www.amazon.com/Mood-Cure-Program-Charge-Emotions-Today/dp/0142003646) which I highly recommend. She talks some about thyroid function in it, but I didn't pay much attention since I am not dealing with thyroid issues.

I just use whatever at Whole Foods.

I've been using the Natrol brand of 5 HTP. I began taking it in the 50mg dosage twice a day, but it didn't seem to do anything significant for me. I then upped it to 3 times per day and had improvement.

When I ran out of the 50mg, I purchased the 100mg online through vitacost.com This offered me a bit more of an improvement, but I didn't like the higher highs and the lower lows. I then went back to the 50mg, but began taking it more frequently throughout the day.

Typically, I take it about 4 times per day, but have sometimes taken it 5 times per day, or have even doubled up the dosage just before bed. This is the right dosage for me. If I take it more, there isn't anything more improved, so it is basically a waste of money when I do.

I would suggest that you go ahead and get the 50mg capsules and begin taking it 3 times per day. After you see how your body works with this dosage, you can then make adjustments accordingly. It *might* be beneficial to take a double dose right before bed.

Have you considered taking Melatonin? I would take this just before bedtime in place of the last before bed dose of 5 HTP. If this is of any interest to you that is.

I wish you every success in finding a solution for a good night of sleep. A nice long Epsom Salt and Lavender Oil bath sometimes helps.

Keep us posted dear Mary.....that is so hard to live exhausted.

Well, my very good friend finally had her baby, so I've been keeping her twin girls since Tuesday. I'm TIRED, but doing better than I was. I totally forgot (wonder how I managed to do that?!) to go check on the 5-HTP. I just dropped the girls off at home with their mama and new baby brother; DD is in the tub, and this house has never seemed quieter than it does right now. Aaaaaaahhhhhhh.......

I think, since I got the Klonopin, I've only taken it twice. And that's usually when I'm dealing with my grandmother. I really wish I could just take about a 2-3 day vacation from taking care of other people. :rolleyes:

:hug: Mary, why do you continually say YES?? It seems like you are constantly busy with other people. It is ok to turn off your phone and pc for a couple days and chill. It is ok.. YOU NEED IT.

:hug: Mary, why do you continually say YES?? It seems like you are constantly busy with other people. It is ok to turn off your phone and pc for a couple days and chill. It is ok.. YOU NEED IT.

:drop: I read that and I thought, "What other people is she talking about?" So I went back and read what I said and I could hardly believe it. I hope it didn't sound like I was complaining. I think I just really realized how I try to keep on plugging away if it's something I'm doing for someone else, when maybe it's just a little break that would do me good. And I'm no good to these other people if I don't take a little care of myself. What a concept! Thanks for helping me see it.

I am taking 350mg of St John's Wort 3x a day and I just started the 50mg 5HTP once a day about a week ago. I have not noticed anything with regards to my mood or sleep on the 5HTP. I have noticed that if I miss my morning dose of St John's I feel crappy but I don't really notice a diff on the 5HTP at all. I am 24 weeks pregnant and nursing a 2yr old once a day. My midwife said the 5HTP and St John's was good for me, but I am not seeing a whole lot of change for me. I am thinking I am going to up my Omegas and B vitamins, I really don't wanna go the prescription route but I am beginning to think I am gonna have to :(

:hug: Each thing is definately worth a shot because not everything works for everyone. 5htp does work for me but not for my son.