Mental Health 5 HTP recovery

[Manny15]

Hello Everyone,

I tried 50mg of 5-HTP for mild anxiety/insomnia and have not had the best experience. Here's what happened to me:

Monday morning, I took 50mg 5-HTP with a fruit/vegetable smoothie. Later that day (noon) I took my normal vitamins that I've been taking for a little over a year. The vitamins contain herbs including a potential MAO inhibitor (Rhodiola Rosea). I didn't know the vitamins contained such a herb until recently. I'm not sure if this combination is an issue. (A quick google search finds that people are indeed mixing these two with no issue; others say it can potentially cause problems)

Monday was the last day I took the 5-HTP pills (only took one) due to feeling dizzy, spacey, brain fog and no appetite. Tuesday I continued taking my vitamins (with the herbs) and felt a little better and got through the day. Wednesday morning I felt worst, dizzy, brain fog, spacey, tunnel vision and like some sort of panic attack was coming ... so I went to my doctor. The doctor said I could have a mild case of serotonin syndrome. He didn't seem too sure...but said that it should go away in a couple of days. He instructed me to drink lots of fluids and stop taking all supplements. (I'm not on any meds neither)

On Saturday my appetite was back, but still feeling a little spacey and have emotional mood swings (going back and forth between calm and high anxiety). The dizziness has gotten less severe.. but still slightly there.

It makes me nervous to think that I will stay like this long for a long time. If these side effects don't go away soon, it will be difficult for me to function (especially at work) . It's been 6 days now since i stopped and still feel a little out of it.

Does anyone know how long it will take for me to get back to normal?

Thank you very much!

Manny Lopez

 

[spork]

It sounds like you are recovering but it will probably take a little bit more time to get back to normal. Are you seeing a doctor about the anxiety? It's something to consider if you aren't. Definitely talk to a doctor before taking supplements (and especially mixing them) again. Even though they're not prescribed medications, supplements can still be dangerous. Please take care of yourself.

 

[FnX]

If possible, try not to think about your symptoms especially if they're mild and receding. Constantly thinking/obsessing about such symptoms can make them stay for a slightly longer time in my experience, but if they're severe enough to interfere with your work it's perfectly understandable that you can't just concentrate elsewhere necessarily. I don't think anyone can say how long they're going to last for sure, serotonin syndrome is an idiosyncratic reaction meaning it's very unpredictable. Time should heal you up though rest assured and have strength.

 

[Manny15]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for responding!

Spork,

I've had slight social anxiety (shyness) all my life (I'm 33 now). I've been able to function well for the most part. Just certain situations can be overwhelming. I should probably talk to my doctor about it. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt.

Fnx,

You are so right. I've noticed that the more I think about it, the worst I seem to get. I'm at work right now and have been "OK". Still dazed, but by focusing on my tasks and not on myself, I think that's helping. It gives me relief that I'm able to work.

Thanks!