Hi, I have been using 5-HTP along with St. Johns and I have noticed an improvement. I tried SSRI but had hair loss and grinding teeth. I just didn't feel that SSRI's were the answer. I am seeing an endrocrinologist in two weeks so I am hoping for some answers to deal with PMDD. My famly doctor does not seem to know what to do to treat PMDD aside from antidepressants. Get the book (local library should have this) Triple Whammy Cure by Dr. David Edelberg...very helpful.
Good luck,

Thanks for your experience with 5-HTP. I also have had bad side effects to SSRIs and I'm hoping for a positive outcome with 5-HTP. Good luck with the new doctor, please let me know how that goes.

Hi. After reading your post yesterday I spent a lot of time on the internet reading about 5-HTP. I have also tried almost every SSRI and either they worked for a couple of months or the side effects were bad enough to make me stop using it. I've started a vitamin regimen of B6, calcium, and magnesium but haven't noticed a difference (about 1 month now). I also started having acupuncture about 2 months ago. Nothing seems to help and it's getting worse each month. Anyway, it looks like 5-HTP is promising but my only concern is the dosing. Every site or article I read says something different. Too much is bad for you and can even cause additional "mood" problems. I like that it is supposed to help with sleep, since I have insomnia also (mostly due to the racing thoughts). Pls let me know if you try 5-HTP, what dose, and how it works. Good luck!!!

Hello Hkray!

I am going to try 100mg of 5HTP per day. I will take at night and go from there. I, too, have insomnia, mostly due to ADHD (I have racing thoughts too, and I'm restless on top of that).I'm trying a low dose for awhile, as I am sensitive to medicine of any kind. One thing I have read about 5HTP is that if someone has bipolar it can cause a manic episode. I also take 500mg magnesium, 3mg melatonin and 300mg of neurontin (for mild restless leg syndrome). One side effect of neurontin is drowsiness. All this and still have trouble getting to sleep!
I also take the magnesium and vitB6 for the PMDD. My doctor also suggested 800mg of vit e when symptoms show up. I have not noticed much improvement either.. I had a blood test that showed my progesterone to estrogen ratio is low. So, I'm also using a natural progesterone cream in addition to Estroven PMS formula two weeks before period. That seems to be helping somewhat. I've tried 4 or 5 bcp over the years and can't tolerate side effects.
I will keep you up to date on how it goes!

I used one full bottle of it and at first I thought it was a miracle. For about a week, almost two, I was blissfully peaceful and calm. Then the PMDD kicked in and was actually worse than it had been before. However, using this along with a healthy diet and exercise-and maybe other supplements-could work. I don't think I was doing everything I should have done at the time, but on it's own, it didn't work for me.