Seeking Advice About Cymbalta

St. John's Wart had the exact same affect on me, it was awful. I don't know much about Cymbalta, but I was on the Prozac generic (fluoxotine) 10 mg and felt GREAT. My anxiety/depression (my anxiety makes me PASS-OUT when I get too scared or worried about something) went almost completely away and I felt no side effects at all. The only anxiety that I was left with, I had the state of mind to say to myself, "that's irrational..." something I couldn't talk myself out of before Fluoxotine. good luck to you.

This is my
experience with Cymbalta. I gained weight sooo quickly. I throw up almost every time I went in a car. I got very agressive and bothered by little things. It was hell getting off. I went off it, and have not been able to lose any weight. Be careful...very careful! I have Fibromyalgia also.
(((HUGS))), S.

I have been taking celexa, which is very mild but works great, no side effects. All you can do is try, and if you don't like it, stop right away. I started taking it when I lost so many older family members in a short timeframe. It just seems to keep me feeling, level. K.

.

I recommend getting your vitamin levels checked with a SpectraCell test. http://www.spectracell.com/ My doctor ordered mine done for me. She is Dr. Pizzino in Raleigh.

A B vitamin deficiency can cause depression. Get your thyroid and hormone levels checked out too.

Also, I want to recommend EFT http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2006/0...

There have been studies that have shown that forcing yourself to smile in front of a mirror triggers endorphin levels and helps to treat depression.

Here is a smilediet blog that is interesting - http://www.mysmilediet.com/blog/

Here is an excerpt from this page - http://ezinearticles.com/?Reverse-Depression-Instantly&am...

"When you take on the body language of someone who is happy you feel happy. This has been proven many times in studies of depression. One particular study took a group of manic-depressives and had them put a big smile on their faces for 20 minutes at a time. They did this every day for a month. After a month of doing this nearly all of the patients had their medications reduced and many were taken off of them completely. They were no longer labeled as manic-depressives."

I thought I'd throw my two cents in on something you've probably not heard of, but could possibly be the cause of some of your issues. I started seeing a Naturopath about 6 months ago for different issues I've had forever (infertility, unexplained weight gain, fatigue, hormone issues, etc) and the first thing she did was put me on an anti-inflammatory diet. Since then I've gone to trying to be gluten free (just restricts gluten - from wheat, barley and rye).

Wheat of today is not what it was 100 years ago. It has been changed very much in order to be more productive, disease resistant, much more glutinous, longer lasting, etc. This has been good in providing for the world's food supply, but it has caused many people to be sensitive to it and to all that gluten. This isn't celiac disease or an allergy, though many people who are celiac don't know it, but a gluten sensitivity. Other foods in your diet could be causing symptoms as well. My naturopath said she had a patient who was diagnosed (by MDs) with multiple sclerosis. After a month on the anti-inflammatory diet, she was 98% symptom free. Her diet allows as much meat (beef, chicken, wild meat - no pork) and eggs as a person wants, as long as it's natural and the meat is 'grass fed' (no hormones/antibiotics given to the chickens or cows or sheep or buffalo, etc). I can tell you more about it if you're interested, but I know online a lot of info about anti-inflammatory diets say no meat at all. I had a hard time with the diet because of the costs (organic can be so expensive!!!) so she said if I did just gluten free that would make a difference, so that's what I've been focusing on, although I don't drink milk (I do use it in cereal) and I've been doing a lot more 'whole' foods rather than casseroles and pastas, etc., so we are eating a lot better.

You might do an internet search of 'gluten depression' and learn more about it. A friend of mine whose son is very allergic to gluten (and peanuts/soy/eggs, etc) is also sensitive to gluten herself, and has bloating and depression when she eats it. I know it seems radical and bizarre to think that wheat could be such a problem (isn't it the staple of life?) but it wouldn't hurt anything to cut out bread/cookies/cake/pasta, etc. for a month and see if you felt better. We were wheat a holics until that fateful day that I first went to the naturopath. I made our bread and ground our own wheat! I am still adjusting to this new way of eating, and my hubby sorely misses the homemade bread, but if it helps then I can't complain.

You sound like me about a year ago. First I wish I could give you a big hug. I feel your pain more then you know. I hate all of these drugs they did nothing for my anxiety. After a while the Xanax stopped working for me. Then my doctors did the unthinkable. They put me on a steady stream of Klonopin. The withdrawels were HELL!!! Here is my suggestion to you. Go to your Gynecologist make them do a blood test on your hormones. Have your regular doctor check your thyroid, have them check for an iron or vitamin B defficiency, also have them check you for Mitrae Valve Prolaspe and also make them do a 24 hour urine to check for any abnormalities with your adrenals. This all sounds extreme but it may be vital to your recovery. Start with the hormones. I had all of the other stuff done and it turns out my hormones were so out of whack. I am now on YAZ and I feel great!!!! That is a BC pill. It took me nerly a year to withdraw from all of the crazy pills they gave me. I just don't think they work for everyone. I will pray for you. I know God took over for me and walked me through my life for over a year. If it hadn't been for God I may have jumped off a bridge. That is not a joke.

I take something called 5HTP and you can buy it at Whole Foods or any nice Health Food store. I buy mine at Lucky Vitamin online. I used NOW or Solaray brands. A 100 mgs twice a day. You can buy it in 25, 50, or 100 mg. It actually replenishes Serotonin.
I was taking Prozac until my Integrative doctor suggested this as a substitute. I have never looked back. NO SIDE Effects. The last year on it I have never felt better. I have many friends on this now, and they feel the same. Try it a month before you fill the script and see how it works.
Here is some recent articles on the efficacy of antidepressants.

The makers of antidepressants like Prozac and Paxil never published the results of about a third of the drug trials that they conducted to win government approval, misleading doctors and consumers about the drugs’ true effectiveness, a new analysis has found.

In published trials, about 60 percent of people taking the drugs report significant relief from depression, compared with roughly 40 percent of those on placebo pills. But when the less positive, unpublished trials are included, the advantage shrinks: the drugs outperform placebos, but by a modest margin, concludes the new report, which appears Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine.http://nytimes.com/2008/01/17/health/17depress.html

B.,
I have been on Cymbalta for over 2 yrs and it makes a world of difference for me. I am a fibromyalgia patient and have IBS and clinical depression. Please listen to your dr on this. It has helped me is so many ways! If you would like to talk privately about it just email me privately.

Sincerely, F.

I have been on Cymbalta for several years now, and I love it. I have tried several meds in the past...Paxil, Effexor, etc., but have had much more success with Cymbalta. I actually think that weight loss can be a side effect, not weight gain...even though I haven't had that. I actually feel like my normal self on this medication, while others made me feel off in some way. I highly recommend that you try it. It has given me more energy while helping to keep the pain that I experience with fibromyalgia at bay. I don't really remember anything significant when I first began the medication, but as with anything, you should probably give it some time to work before you make up your mind about it. Good luck!

B.,
I read your story and was touched by your problems. I am not writing about the med, I am writing because I saw that your are a christian. I dealt with a back injury for over 12 years and was not able to work or do any of the "normal" things that a young mother would do. But I have to say that today I am healed and working. God healed me not only of the back injury but also of the deep depression and anxiety I faced every day. I am praying for God to do the same for you. He is our healer and deliverer and if He does it for one of His kids, He will do it for all of them. Our part is to ask and believe and take it one day at a time. Until your healing is manifested, pray about the Cymbalta and let God lead you as to weather to take it or not. I did take pain meds and other meds and I think God gave man the wisdom to know how to make meds to help us. But more than anything trust in God and ask Him to heal you from all depression and to destroy any other strongholds that depression has brought along with it. He will do it!!!!! May God richly bless and heal and deliver you.
Leshia

Hi B.,
I'm sorry you're struggling. Everyone will respond differently to any medication, and we even can ourselves respond differently to the same med taken at different periods in our lives. That's why we end up feeling like guinea pigs while we're trying to find meds that work.

You may have seen an RA to rule out the Fibro, but have you had a thorough physical recently? The symptoms could be caused by so many different things like diet, allergies (wheat, yeast, mold, environmental toxin, etc), recent illness or trauma (car accident? virus? etc), and other medical conditions. I'm assuming your doctor has already gone through all of that, but, you never know.

Are you sleeping well? There is more and more research showing that poor sleep (not just the # of hours, but the ability to achieve deep sleep levels) can cause fibro symptoms as well as depression. Many people need to begin with addressing sleep issues in order to treat the other problems.

Have you only tried Paxil and Cymbalta? Is there a reason your doctor wants to try Cymbalta other than that it's indicated for Fibromyalgia? For example, maybe you have other health concerns or are on other medications? As you know , there are many antidepressants out there to try.

Have you tried Lyrica yet for the Fibro symptoms? It helps some people, but side effects (like with Cymbalta) can be problematic. Last I knew, those were the only 2 meds FDA approved for Fibro, if that's of concern to you.

A warning: In some people, going off of Paxil (or Xanax) can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Its half life is very short, and many people have had to switch to a liquid form of it in order to go off of it very slowly. That may not happen to you, but I feel everyone should know about the possibility as many doctors are not aware (or do not believe).

Having said all of that, do you know much about other, more holistic approaches? There is a wealth of info indicating that diet and lifestyle issues can affect our physical and emotional health more than we realize. It's not as easy to make large lifestyle changes (I'm living proof!) as it is to take a medication, but sometimes, it's not only healthier for us, but also, the only thing that works.

I've struggled with depression, and more recently, Fibro and sometimes, anxiety, for much of my life. I've tried nearly every medication, including the ones for Fibro, and I do take some, but I've worked for years to get off of most of the meds and to improve my lifestyle. Like you, I'm very sensitive to medications (I couldn't tolerate Cymbalta, for instance, due to nausea that wouldn't go away) and their side effects. Personally, I take that as an indication that I need to be doing something different, but that's just me.

We don't yet understand the workings of depression, anxiety and Fibro, but we do know they can be inter-related. Thus said, there are no easy answers or quick fixes, unfortunately. And of course, the very nature of depression, etc, makes it difficult for us to make changes, weed through conflicting research, and sometimes even, to keep hope.

I'm living proof that there is hope, though. Through hard work and the grace of God, I continue to get better year by year. If I had to give just one snippet of advice, it would be to never give up fighting to be healthy and happy. It's sometimes easier to stay miserable or even "so-so", but we all deserve better.

It's great that you're reaching out for support - that can be most important! There are (online and in real life) support groups for depression, anxiety, fibro, "alternative" or holistic healthcare, diet, exercise, withdrawal from psych meds, chronic pain and fatigue, etc. Keep seeking info, as they are complex problems and we all have to find our own paths.

I'll be thinking of you, and I hope I haven't just overwhelmed you by not giving you a simple answer!

May you get to feeling better soon.......

Hi B.,

Has there been any discussion of Zoloft? I have been on it on and off for over ten years now and the side effects at first were slight abdominal discomfort/nausea, but it didn't last long. It has really helped me and I have experienced the same feelings you describe--not wanting/caring to do even the most normal daily tasks and avoiding people, as well as anxiety. I started out on a larger dose (100 mg), but have had great benefit maintaining a dose of 50 mg. If you're sensitive to meds, there is an even lower dosage of 25mg available.

Best of luck with your journey. It can be so difficult resigning yourself to meds to maintain a healthy lifestyle but they have truly been a blessing for me and I hope you find what works for you.

Blessings,
T.

PS After posting this, I saw the earlier post that mentioned 5HTP. I consulted an irodologist several years ago and he suggested the same for me. I did not follow through with the regimen he laid out for me, but he has done wonders for others I know and I would suggest that you give this option serious consideration, as there is no prescription necessary and the side effects would be nil.

Oh B.!
You could be me writing at this very minute. I, too, struggle (for 13 years) with anxiety and depression and am highly sensitive to medications. I, too, am currently off meds (well Xanax as needed, my anxiety appears in the AM) and am beginning to struggle again and HATE the idea of trying one more Rx. Getting on one is stressful, dealing with side effects (which I always have), weighing the pros and cons; and then the prospect of coming off again (which is torturous for me...weeks of withdrawal however slowly I do it...) So I send you a big hug and my empathy.

My one shining hope is stories from three friends and my own daughter. Each FOUND the right Rx for them and are currently enjoying true peace and predictability in their lives. I must hold on to the hope that I, too, can find the chemical I need to get my life back.

I was last on Cymbalta, for about a year. The good news is it helped my anxiety and depression VERY well. The down side (and this is just for me, you know we all have our own unique relationships with each medication) was a bloated stomach, low appetite, and chronic constipation. After a year of physical/medical testing to identify the source of the above and successive hope (for a solution) and despair (one more negative test), we all agreed it was the Cymbalta after all and that it had to go. Coming off was arduous for me.

I had three good months after that on hydrocortisone alone (the theory that my adrenals were likely depleted/exhausted after all that anxiety for years) but after a stressful spring and summer (2 kids with academic crises and one with her own anxiety/emotional crisis and me off meds) my anxiety has returned and I desperately want my life back. I am dreading the call to my psychiatrist to try something one more time... I keep thinking if only I could just do _______ (therapy, journal, meditation, diet, exercise, supplements) I could handle it myself. However, I DO all those things consistently and still struggle.

I will call him...soon...and at least find out what the next step could be so I have it in my back pocket to initiate when I feel I must. I know I will try another Rx, just when...

I am SO glad you wrote. I will eagerly watch for your other responses.

Peace, H.

Hi B.!

My mom has fibromyalgia and she is on cymbalta. I will tell you she sweats a lot with it. I use all Melaleuca products and went home to visit her for a month and a half this summer. I sent her a home conversion pack 1 month before I came because I did not want my children exposed to all the toxic chemicals in her everyday cleaners. So, I forced her to use the product that cleared up my daughters eczema and allergies. I'm crazy about not letting her spend the night in a house that doesn't use safe cleaners (she's 1). Anyways, she was so tired she couldn't get out of bed all the time too. I made here try their vitamins. I actually bought them for her (but they come with a 90 day money back guarantee).

By the time I got to her house, she was no longer taking naps! I even tried to get her to take a nap with my kids during nap time and she didn't need it. She was staying up later and waking up earlier (because my kids are early risers). She had NO more problems with exhaustion! Plus a lot of her other problems were clearing up, especially the depression.

I would LOVE to give you more information. Check out my website:

www.LiveTotalWellness.com/safemommy

Fill out some info and I will personally get back to you. I promise. This is a subject that I really take to heart. My mom has been hurting so bad that she has said she's stood with sleeping pills in her hands wanting to end the pain. This has made all the difference. She is a much healthier and happier person. I can even get you in touch with her personally and she would be glad to help you. I am so happy I found melaleuca! It has helped my family and friends tremendously! I would love for it to help you. You can also contact me at ###-###-#### and I will get you all the information on this wonderful company. They are 100

Here's to getting energy and living healthy!

J.
www.livetotalwellness.com
###-###-####

B., have you discussed this with your family pharmacist?
Since I am a pharmacist, we are specially trained to help people weigh the risks and benefits of drugs in their everyday lives and to help others make good choices.
That is who I would consult and ask for their opinion.

I totally understand how you feel. I took Zoloft but it had some bad side effects and needed to stop. (The withdrawal effects were even worse!)

Before you try medication, have you tried counseling or therapy? Therapy can be very helpful, and maybe you can work through whatever is making you depressed.

So often I notice doctors rush to prescribe medication when research shows that therapy, by itself, is often more effective than medication, by itself. (The combo of therapy and medication is most effective.) So why not try therapy first?

It might work well enough at treating and managing your issues that you won't need medication.

So it sounds like you are depressed and have aches that may be fibromyalgia? Your only option would be to get another opinion from another doctor or do google search for your syptoms to get more ideas. If you want to try the natural route, you can search for a naturalist doctor and he can tell you herbs and supplements that might help. For example, there are certain "mood" foods that are supposed to help and there are supplements that can help with aches and pains. I am taking Glucosamine, Condroiten, and MSM...all in one pill that help with arthritis and aches and joint pain. It really works well! Also, I am taking fish oil and flaxseed oil for joints and overall function. Try researching online but don't believe everything, just get some research done and then think about a natural doctor. What about a therapist for your depression? Maybe someone to talk to would help unless it is chemically related. Good luck

Everyone reacts to these types of medications so differently, and unfortunately the doctors do not know who they are "right" for before they give it.

A friend of mine is on it. It causes muscle tension and restless legs syndrome as a side-effect in him, but he stays on it because it helps him so much, and those side-effects are actually less for him than other meds he tried.

On the other hand, the doctor had me try Cymbalta and it was one of the most horrible experiences I went through. Apparently I was extremely sensitive to withdrawal effects. Coming off... I had to actually go down grain by grain below the 10mg mark, and take benzodiazapines to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms with vomiting... which of course would make things a tousand times worse. But that was an extreme reaction. I wish the doctors could tell us who should NOT take it. I was one who should NOT.

-J.

I take Cymbalta 60 mg for mild depression and anxiety. i haven't had any bad side effects with it. I took paxil a few years ago and felt "zoned out" and didn't care about anything. The cymbalta just makes me feel calmer without the "zoned out" feeling. My mom has recently started it for her anxiety attacks and she's very happy with it too. Hope this helps.

Dear B.,

Firstly, I am not familiar with Cymbalta but I do have experience with anti-depressants. I've been on Paxil and Prozac (generic) while my husband has been on Wellbutrin. I too had side effects from Paxil - mostly from weaning myself off of it. I would stay away from Cymbalta but try to read the newsgroups about what they have to say as I did not have all your symtoms. I tolerated the low dose (10mg) of Prozac generic well. Please note that all these drugs do "mess with your mind" somehow so you want to see what effect it has on you personally as you take it. Also, tell your spouse/partner to let you know if he notices any behavior changes.
Hope this helps.

I was on Cymbalta for about 3 yrs and gained 30 lbs in that time. Getting the weight off has been a nightmare for me. While I've experienced depression in a big way and anxiety to a degree, I tend to agree for the most part that diet and exercise are the best ways to deal with both. Some of the meds can be useful for periods of depression, but using them for long stretches - I tend to think it's not a good idea.

Most anti-depressants are going to lead to weight gain or resistance to weight loss which, for most women, is going to work against the medication itself.

Cymbalta was way better for me than Zoloft which would interrupt my train of thought. For a short time, it was perfect. We're all different and react differently. With these meds it's trial and error.

Best of luck.

Good Morning,

My name is E. and I have a panic disorder ( currently under control) I am have a very Low tolerance to Meds also. I had been quite a few Meds to help me with this disorder but like you the side effects were not worth the Meds. I felt very lost and again like you just wanted to get to normal. Then I meet a women through my husband work that had the same problem and gave me a suggestion. It really work for me and you might want to give it a try. The book is called the The anxiety and Phobia workbook the auther is Edmund J Bourne. It is a book to overcome anexity and depression and negitive talk without meds it really opened my eyes and helped me. I keep the book and after sometimes if I feel certian feelings creep back in I just go and read that chapter again. You might want to think about go to a book store just browse though it it helped me.

God Bless
E.

I don't know anything about your condition, but i did want to let you know that i said a prayer for you. I hope you can find something that works to help you. May you be filled with the Fruits of the Spirit and be healed of your sadness. Continued prayers. L.

Hello B..
I do not have any experience with Cymbalta, but if you are having doubts about it, don't take it.
I am sorry about your problems. You hang in there. about 7 years ago, I was depressed from a hormonal disorder. It was hard to get up off the couch to take a shower every day so I know what you mean.
Every drug has side effects and possible adverse reactions. Ask for the package insert. You can read everything and decide for yourself if you think it is worth it.
I hope you feel better soon and I will be praying for you.
-D.

hi!! it has really helped me i did the other paxil lexapro and cymbalta is wonderful i am not hungry all the time and i feel much better. i am losing weight and feel like i like me again and like other too. from a bit about you we should be twins if that is so cymbalta will do wonders and i did the same dosage good luck cindi

Run quickly to your doctor or ob/gyn or and Endocrine and have your Thyroid checked. Depression can come from a low thyroid. Getting on thyroid medicine can help and get you off of depression medicine that doesn't seem to be working. Check out (women to women) I believe the website is www.womentowomen.com.

Hi B..

I am also currently taking Xanax for severe panic attacks (the attacks would literally throw me into a seizure!) I am not sure of the dosage you are on, but I take 1mg three times a day ... Dr. decided to put me on Cymbalta for pain and moderate depression. The two did not mix. I would fall asleep standing up. I could not function..I also had terrible nightmares ... not good when you have a little one to take care of... The only thing that works for me is Prozac. The combination really does well. I really do not like to have to be medicated, but the anxiety and all just kept manifesting and turning me into a complete stranger to those around me, including myself. I exercise regularly and have tried everything to change it without meds, to no avail. So don't be embarrassed because you have to take something, everyone is wired differently. It may take you a while to find a combination that works for you, as it did me.

I really wish you luck with all of this, I know that it can be quite frustrating. I would also like to add - the others who posted about the withdrawls ... take that into consideration. The withdrawls can be pretty serious. Never just quit taking your medication. You need to be weaned off of it in the event that you do not need it anymore.

Hugs and God Bless ~~
Amy

Hi Brenda,I am sorry to say i dont know much about Cymbalta,but i did want to ask you about the Paxil you used to take.I have been on it for about 5 years and i dont feel its working and yes ive gained about 40lbs so i am taking one every other day now to try and stop.I would really like to just stop taking but every thing ive read says its hard because of side effects to just stop ,what did you do to stop taking.Thanks for your help,B.

try taking half of what he prescribes @ bed time and see how that works.

B.:
I took Cymbalta for a couple years. I took 30mg as the 60 was way too much for me and did make me groggy and fuzzy brained. I took zoloft, made me so tired, Effexor, worked for a while. Cymbalta was the one that worked for me and didn't cause the drowsy feeling or weight gain. I have poor circulation and it also helped with that. I have been off it now for 4 years and am doing well.

Good luck. Please do not be afraid to let your MD know if it does not work. I found it very helpful to make a list of all questions, refills, etc and take w/ me to my MD appointment. That way I was able to get answers to everything and not forget and I still do that.

A.

B.,
I forgot to mentionin my post that I too have been on Paxil. And prozac, and lexapro, and a couple of others. I had to keep switching because they gave me headaches. I have now been off of depression meds since May and am only taking the Melaleuca vitamins. They have increased my energy tremendously! Plus they come with a 90 day money back guarantee. They call it the vitality challenge!

I'm sure I speak for most of the moms here when I say we are here for you if you need to talk.

God Bless

J.

Hi B.,
I was reading your post and you sound a lot like me, I am a christian also I have been raised in church all my life my Dad pastored 2 churches one for 54 yrs. I am like you I have to take depression pills also but I take zoloft 100 mg. I am sorry I haven't heard much about cymbalta but I do know that sometimes we need something to help us and zoloft really does the trick for me I would be a mess if I didn't take it. I also have 3 grandchildren and they are the love of my life and I have 3 daughters whom I cherish very much. I have been married for 34 yrs this coming january 1, we got married right after the watch service if you know what I am talking about and we have never gone anywhere on our anniversary because we are always at church praying the old yr out and the new one in, but this last january we went on a 3 day trip and we had a wonderful time but our lives are not worth living without the lord in it. I sure hope things work out for you and pray God helps you to find the right medicine for you. Sorry I couldn't be much help but just to get to talk to someone who has the same problem helps........

I have not tried Cymbalta but was on Lexapro last year for depression/anxiety. I think they are similar meds. I was only on it for 4 months and I gained at least 10 pounds. I felt happier but I was constantly hungry and grpggy. I even took the med at night and I still ended up having to take a nap everyday while my kids were at school. It gave me the brain zaps for the first few days but then they went away. I finally told my dr I had to change. The side effects out weighed the benefits. She put me on Wellbutrin (actually I get it filled as the generic b/c it's cheap!) I love it!!!! Best med ever! My appetite is a little less, ,I have lost all the weight I gained, I am happy, and I have energy and am not groggy at all. There are no brain zaps so I don't feel out of it at all. Honestly, I feel like I used to years ago. Good luck!

I am sorry that you have to deal with depression. I have it and know how difficult it is. I did well with cymbalta, intil I tried to get off it to get pregnant. It was difficult with lots of physical and mental side effects, but if your not going to have more kids and I ends up working for you I guess you willn't have to deal with withdraw side effects. While taking the med ( I did 30mg for about 6-9 months then 60 for 6 months) I don't remember an major side effects maybe some dry mouth and sleepiness (the sleepiness went away when I increased the dose) Didn't exeperience any weight gain
Good Luck

B.,

let me start by saying that I have never been on Cymbalta, but I have seen what it can do to help people, especially with the pain of fibromyalgia. I know that you are worried about being sensitive to medications, but I wanted you to know that the starting dosage the doctor is recommending is actually lowest effective dose and that some people actually require twice as much. I want to caution you about taking Serotonin supplements, 5HTP, and say that supplements are not regulated by the FDA and do not take them with other anti-depressants because too much serotonin in your system can actually cause serotonin sickness and/ or psychotic episodes. I truly hope that you are able to feel like yourself again as I have seen the ravages of depression and anxiety. My prayers are with you

K. C