Confusing Advice from GP re AntiD's vs St John's

[XaiKnight]

Hi all, newbie here hoping for a bit of Mum's advice! Sorry for the epic post. I was diagnosed with moderate depression 4 weeks ago and prescribed Citalopram (sp?). After doing some reading up on it I decided I really didn't want to take it, and tried St John's Wort instead. I found it has really made a difference and has lifted my mood dramatically. Went back to Dr today for a follow up and she was clearly unimpressed that I had gone it alone. She told me that St John's is the same as Citalopram anyway so if I've had no side effects with it then I wouldn't with "her" drugs either. That doesn't sound right to me?! She also told me that there is no risk of pregnancy (I am on the pill, standard dose). I have already had a mid-cycle bleed and have some spots on my chin so it's clearly messing with something. I was wondering if anyone had any first(ish!) hand experience of pregnancy with St John's? It wouldn't be a disaster if I did fall, as we have discussed having another one anyway, it would just be nice to know and I don't really trust what she's said now as it doesn't seem to ring true!
Thanks all in advance.
x

[Seona1973]

st johns wort can stop the contraceptive pill from working

www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/depression/stjohnswort_000316.htm

[madmouse]

I'm a great fan of St J as it has really helped me, but it's not to be seen as som innocent herb that can just be taken. As the previous poster rightly pointed out St J can affect the working of the pill and also of other medication (like omeprazole which I need so I no longer can take St J).

Also, for a herbal remedy St J has been very well researched as it is prescribed in a few European countries and research does not support that it is safe to use in pregnancy. But citaopram is not ideal for pregnancy either.

I do and I do not agree with your GP. You are likely to tolerate citalopram well because most people do, in any event after the first few weeks. The main reason why you have fewer side effects with St J is because it is very mild, also in its effect.

If you are really happy on St J and not in a rush to get pregnant maybe stop the pill for a while and use alternative birth control??

[Julialyne]

Just to let you know that St johns Wort also sensitises the skin in the sun as well as stopping the pill being effective.

[XaiKnight]

Thanks all. I did do a lot of reading on St J's before making the decision, and was aware of the potential side effects. I was just very confused at a GP telling me it is the same as Citalopram and won't affect my pill! Pretty much goes against everything I've read about it.

[strawberry17]

If you have any choice in the matter, and if you can use another form of contraception from the pill, I would go with the SJW, my husband got on well with it as well, but then I am slightly biased because I've had bad experiences with AD's.
Madmouse I didn't know you were back here? I thought you left MN?

[madmouse]

I'm lurking and sometimes cannot help myself. Ignore me x

[topsi]

How can it be the same as citalopram? One is synthetic and one comes from a naturally occuring plant. If it works well for you without side effects then she should be pleased for you. It probably messes with her statistics or something!
Yes just be ultra careful as it interacts with the contraceptive pill!

[lu9months]

its a bit of a myth that just because something comes from a plant it is 'safe' and somehow better than a prescribed medicine. st johns wort is a proven anti-depressant, and works by acting on certain cells receptor/neurotransmitters, same as any other drug. it doesnt work in exactly the same way as citalopram though. it interacts with many other drugs, and it is definitely not advisable to get pregnant on it. having said all that, if it is working for you, it makes sense to stick with it rather than change to another drug that might not work so well.

[saffycat]

I found St John's wort to be very helpful when I was depressed after my first husband left. I had been crying all the time for months and finding it very difficult to cope and be a happy mum for my son. I went to my doctor to ask for anti depressants, she recommended that I try St John's Wort first. It worked incredibly well for me. It lifted my mood and I found that my anxiety and grief were no longer dominant in my mind so that I could get on with life.

My second husband who suffers from episodes of severe depression was prescribed citalopram. The general side effects were not too bad, withdrawing from it was terrible though and took a long time (you might find it interesting to google that). Also, after a suicide attempt he was found to have bipolar disorder. We discovered that a person with bipolar disorder should never be given citalopram as it can induce episoldes of mania and suicidal thoughts in people with BPD. If I were you I would stick with St John's Wort as it is working for you rather than mess up your body chemistry with more heavy duty chemicals.