St Johns wort? Opinions pls..

[parker1313]

I cant see how to search previous messages so Iv started a new thread.Im sure there loads on this so sorry if so.
I started taking yesterday as feeling low and not sure why.I am thinking its the weather as been feeling like it for 3-4 months now and dont normally feel low continuously like this.
Any opinions on this pls.

[TotalChaos]

opinion - if you feel bad enough to be self-medicating then I think it's time to talk to a doctor about it all, as to whether SJW is appropriate. I had worse side effects from SJW than I have had from things like Prozac.

[TotalChaos]

btw you do know that SJW can make hormonal contraception (and other medication you may be on) less effective?

[mooseloose]

I see the doctor for anxiety and asked her about sjw, and she said no, it wouldn't work for me - maybe because that is for depression?

[catMandu]

A couple of years ago I was feeling very low and went to the GP who gave me a prescription for ad's. Once I collected them from the chemist and read all the side effects I decided that I really didn't want to take them. I did a bit of research and came up with SJW, so I called the GP and asked her about it. She said that it was be perfect for me as it was good for mild/medium depression and it had been subjected to clinical trials. She also said that if we were in some countries like Germany this was what she would prescribe. I tried it and for me it worked well, took about 2/3 weeks before I noticed any difference. It helped me to break a low cycle and after about 5 months I kept forgetting to take it and gradually stopped.

I wouldn't just take it, I'd talk to your GP and it is true that it does conflict with some medicines.

[parker1313]

Im not on any other medication.Really cant be doing with seeing the doctor.Dont like it and dont want it on my medical records that Im depressed.
I think I will see how it goes by myself over the next few weeks.

Total chaos.What side effects?

[poopscoop]

i am a st johns wort disciple!! It is fab. If you are not taking any other medication, tbhen i can see absolutely no harm in giving it a go. Make sure you take it regularly for a few weeks before you see the benefits.

Just watch out in the sunshine, you can burn easier, or tan easier depending on your skin tone, but that helps make you look and feel healthier too!

good luck

[parker1313]

Great.Feel fine with it now.
ps How do you know all this?
There's nothing on the bottle.

[moyasmum]

i know you said you werent on meds , but are you on the pill? i think it can cause it to be less effective.
i took it years ago, for the same reasons, then read it was more effective combined with ginko, which i did, felt better (a bit)dropped the sjw and still felt ok (so maybe i wasnt aas low as i thought, just reacting to something else.

i know docs are crap(mine is) but maybe a general check up might be in order, followed by the usual things

1/2 walk a day on the sunshine (what sunshine?)
one sensible and productive conversation with an adult per day (this might be the hardest- mums seem to suffer from isolated- banging- threir- head -against- a- brick -wall syndrome.
one very cheap treat per day
sing loudly and passionately ,all day.
sjw
mn
goodluck

[parker1313]

Aaawww thanku.I do need some more fresh air but just feel I cant be bothered.Need to make more of an effort with all those things!

[orangina]

I've been taking sjw for about a week now (low dose) and I think it's made me feel worse. I also have become very achey and my eyes are achey too. Am seriously thinking about dropping it and going to see my GP (also trying to self medicate after scaring myself by reading about possible side effects of many ADs.....)

Totalchaos, what were your side effects if you don't mind me asking?

[TotalChaos]

a really weird tic, where I had a compulsion to keep stroking my chin! It was so embarassing that I stopped taking SJW completely, so I don't know if it would have settled down after a week or two.

[orangina]

Blimey! Not what I was expecting! I so wish I could talk about this with my GP, but I think they are of the AD or nothing school of thought.

I have been doing a bit of research online (doesn't every gp HATE to hear that?!) and I am now totally overloaded with information I don't know what to do.....

(retires into brain fog once more)

[shortcircuit]

for a more instant hit, I recommend 5-htp. You can buy it from Holland & Barrett & in a couple of hours I feel a boost. I read someone on here was taking 300mg a day. So I take 3 x 100g. You need to take it on an empty stomach with fruit juice & then wait 1/2 an hour before you eat.

SJW didn't do anything, but it does take about 3-6weeks before it kicks it.

5-HTP is an amino acid & basically a boost of serotonin.

You could try a 1 50mg tablet 3x day.

[NotPlayingAnyMore]

I've been taking SJW since the beginning of this year. It's best not to expect miracles, but on bad days it does help me see the light at the end of the tunnel

[parker1313]

Im feeling shattered alot and am convinced its the weather!!
Im defo going to try that 5-htp and think Im going to drop the sjw and re-start it if it doesnt give by the nicer weather then I can trully see if its because of the long winter.

[parker1313]

ps Thankyou everyone so much for all the advice and not judging me.

[Turniphead1]

Parker I used it before getting pg this last time - and found it really quite effective and no bad side effects. My sis did use it and didn't like it. Take care - hope you feel better soon.