Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Insomnia! Perhaps A Solution Found With 5-Htp - Long!



Recommended Posts

I've answered a few posts about insomnia and rather then revisit them I decided to post a new message relating my (hopefully) solution.

I've been an insomniac since I reached puberty, something (besides coming of age as it were) happened to me at that age and I've had trouble sleeping after that - for the last 35+ years to be exact. I have trouble going to sleep and keeping to sleep.< /p>

For about 10 years I was taking the antidepressant Paxil daily and .5mg of Xanax. This left me feeling dopey and out-of-it, although I usually slept OK while on it. I gave it up as I felt that I was losing my edge and falling behind, physically, emotionally and sexually. I also tried Melatonin, this seemed to have no effect on me other than to give me wild dreams.

Prescription sleep aids never worked for me. I tried Lunesta and Ambien. Both seemed to work somewhat but after a while stopped being effective. They carry risk of addiction and as I experienced loss of effectiveness.

So I suffered. Some most nights I lay there until 2 to 4 am, just laying and resting, too tired to read and knowing that I had to stay in bed to get the rest and what little sleep I got. I honestly think that I slept a lot more than I realized and that I actually DREAMED of laying awake wanting to sleep. Regardless it did NOT make for a restful night and after getting 2-4 hours of sleep in the wee hours I'd wake up tired sluggish and needing more.

I read about 5-htp hereon the forum. I had never heard of the stuff before. Not knowing what it is I read up on it. I actually bought a book on it from Amazon (search for 5-htp - there are a few). They read like the typical "Vitamin store employee" rhetoric and I saw little to actually support the claims. But I was desperate. What the heck I tried nearly everything else. This is supposed to help with sleep, depression and even weight loss.

The stuff is fairly inexpensive, about $9 / 30 capsules at my local Walmart. I started out taking 2 a day, one at lunch the other just before bed. After 15 days (one bottle) I didn't feel any difference. I continued on to my second bottle and after maybe 30 days I think it is finally kicking in. I now get really sleeping after getting in bed. I try to read and even have to close one eye while reading and have found myself staring at the page or closing my eyes and waking up a few minutes later after snoozing a little. This is progress.

Nearly every night I fall asleep pretty fast. I feel pretty good in the morning and am more refreshed. i also feel better emotionally. I continue to take it twice daily and even find myself smiling now and then and actually ENJOYING the thought of going to bed - I used to hate it as I didn't want to lay there for hours fighting sleep.

I still have an issue with waking almost every morning abut 2AM having to urinate. I have an ongoing issue with kidney stones and found the only way to keep them in check is to slug a LOT of Water down every day, I probably drink close to a gallon a day, hence I wake up at 2-3 am having to pee. I then have some issues getting back to sleep but have found the time flies by so I must be getting SOME sleep.

Has anyone else tried this stuff? What are your experiences with it? Is it for real or have I just psyched myself into a better sleep pattern?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

5-HTP was recommended to me for my son who has some learning issues. I put him on a supplement regimen and this was included. It was particularly included for rages, temper issues, night terrors, nightmares, and difficulty sleeping, anxiety and sensory input issues. I have to say, when he takes it, he's a different kid. And he seems to be better rested. So, NO, it's not all in your head. It is an immediate precursor to Seratonin in the brain. Seratonin is very important for sleep and other regular functioning. Do not take it if you are on any anti depressants or Ritalin.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

There's a doctor in the Dallas area that has his patients use it to help weightloss. I guess the theory is that if it helps with moods it will help control emotional eating.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for taking the time to post this . I am sure it will help many people!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes I did take it and as you say, in helps you fall asleep but my problem is staying asleep. Like you, I get up frequently to go to the bathroom (always have done, not sure why!) and once awake, I can't go back to sleep. On good days, I wake up at 4-5 am, on bad days as early as 1-2 am. Unfortunately 5-HTP doesn't seem to help with that.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×