Fibromyalgia Support Group

You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.

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rinehart 04/20/2013

I started taking 5-HTP about A month ago and I'm bending easier.I work as A cashier and I can now bend and get stuff from under the counter.I was not able to do that.

deleted_user 04/20/2013

I take it too and it has really helped my depression especially since I can't tolerate antidepressants anymore.

Cocoa1 04/20/2013

I'm glad it's helping you. I have been taking 5htp for 5 weeks now. My doctor prescribed it along with several other products to help rebuild my serotonin. I was taking 100 mg of pharmaceutical grade controlled-release tablets. I had to lower my dose to 50 Mg's though.

5htp helps to convert the amino acid tryptophan into serotonin. Many people with fibromyalgia have found it helpful in reducing some of their pain and them to sleep better.

It should not be taken by people who are on SSRI's (Wellbutrin, Zoloft, etc.), or taking any other medications to raise serotonin. Taking 5htp with these medications can produce too much serotonin, which could cause serotonin syndrome.

naturegirl65 04/20/2013

I take it too. I don't really notice it helping me physically but it helps with the depression. I actually notice a difference. I ran out of it for a while then took it again.

deleted_user 04/21/2013

Cocoa is correct about taking SSRI antidepressants with this. You definitely don't want to chance Serotonin Syndrome. I do take a very low dose of Savella which is a SNRI. So between the two I have the serotonin and the norepinephrine covered, two of the culprits in our pain issues. I still have pain but it's better as is the depression. Hugs all around this Sunday morning.

deleted_user 04/21/2013

5-HTP is an amino acid. For some reason all amino acids cause me terrible pain throughout my body. I don't understand since some of these occur naturally in food. Maybe that's part of my problem? I most definitely don't take any pills with amino acids because of the pain they cause. But i wonder about the ones in food? I don't have a clue.

marsharebel 04/21/2013

I took it for about 6 months. Never noticed any improvement, but wanted to give it a real chance to work. I stopped taking it and never noticed anything there either, no side effects, etc. Tick off one more medication that didn't help me.

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