Inositol..5HTP advice please

[NoPoet]

5-HTP should NOT EVER be combined with drugs that affect serotonin (such as SSRIs) due to a supposed (but not scientifically established) risk of suffering from serotonin syndrome - which in severe cases can be fatal.

The Americans have been prescribing 5-HTP for many years but nobody really has a full list of drug interactions for 5-HTP, so nobody knows for sure what you can and can't take it with.

However 5-HTP does seem to be effective when used alongside inositol. If you are using 5-HTP and a high dose of inositol, you may not need to use antidepressants.

[Cat80]

Would it be better taking just the Inositol from Holland and Barretts or the B Complex as this has 250mg of Inositol in each capsule but it also has Ch oline which you are supposed to take to help the Inositiol absorb (getting this from research I've done looking around on the internet). Going to buy some this weekend but not sure which one I should be buying

[NoPoet]

If you want to take inositol, take pure inositol, as the higher doses are better.

Most inositol supplements are there to combat an ordinary, everyday deficiency of inositol, which apparently is quite rare for people who are not depressed or suffering from a related disorder.

Therefore the inositol contained in your ordinary, daily diet plus any that might be found in multi-supplements will probably not be enough to combat depression or panic attacks.

You can still buy the other stuff you want to take but when it comes to inositol you will need relatively high doses.

[Cat80]

Thanks psychopoet for the advice.

Will the Holland and Barrett 650mg tablets work enough, it's 2 a day you take? Not sure if that strength would be strong enough, want to get it right before buying it. Thanks again

[Panic33]

Ive bought the Holland and Barrett 650mg Inositol and 50mg 5HTP, I'm planning on 3 inositol a day (spread with meals) but really unsure about dosages for 5htp. I have seen some sites say max is 600mg per day, some 100mg per day. I was thinking of 100mg morn and 100mg evening. Any advice?

[Cat80]

I today bought the Holland and Barrett 650mg Inositol. It says to take one to three a day. When if at all should I start noticing a difference? Not holding out much hope but worth giving a try if SSRI's aren't helping the anxiety

[NoPoet]

As far as I am aware, the instructions on the label are for a supplementary dose in the rare case that you are suffering from a natural inositol deficiency e.g. through a poor diet. (This is just my opinion and is not a medical fact.)

I don't see the harm in starting with three a day. I took four on my first day, then moved up to 6 a day. I am back on 6 a day after a large spell without taking inositol at all.

I notice benefits pretty much on day 1 and they become more obvious after a few days. I notice that I sleep for hours longer due to feeling more relaxed. I don't suffer from morning anxiety quite so much and I become more motivated and feel empowered as my anxiety and stress levels begin to fall. I've spent the last 5 days running around getting stuff done and taking great enjoyment in my hobbies, and I have taken positive steps to cut an unhappy disruption out of my life.

It can take up to 3 weeks for inositol to show its full benefits.

The medically thereapeutic dose for anxiety, depression and panic attacks is 12g per day.

The medically therapeutic dose for OCD is 18g per day.

Lower doses should help with any of these conditions. I wouldn't take doses that high without medical advice, but inositol is thought to be safe in high doses.

[Cat80]

Thanks for the advice. I will take the 3 a day as says on the tub and see if I notice any difference. Fingers crossed I will as I don't want to have to go back on the dreaded SSRI's, tried about 5 of them and all made me worse rather than better

[maeanna]

Hiya Ive been taking 3 650mg Inositol a day in the morning for the past 2 days and have noticed a difference in my anxiety subsiding already! I tried 5 HTP but found i had a headache and felt like i was drunk! So im sticking with Inositol! I just hope Holland and Barrett out them in their sales!

[Cat80]

Must say that I have noticed they are making me feel very sick, is this normal?