St John's Wort

[Pgqio]

Hi sorry for posting in AIBU but the mental health board is very quiet.

I got citalopram but just couldn't cope with side effects, anxiety went through the roof and gp had to give me diazepam to bring me down.

Clearly that's a very short term solution. I've been using kalms which have actually slightly helped with no side effects.

A friend brought me SJW today but I've no idea if it's any use.

Anyone who can post their experience would help.

Thanks in advance.

I've used SJW for mild to moderate depression in the past and it helped, took it alongside counselling though. No side effects. I think it can take a few weeks to get into your system.

I know people who have found it useful, but just keep in mind it affects the efficacy of hormonal contraception.

I'm 53 and had tubes tied a long time ago but I appreciate your input x

It's an anti depressant but do not take it if your on certain birth control like the pill as it stops it being effective.

I usually take St Johns Wort to help me through the darker winter months as I have found myself being quite gloomy by spring in the years that I've forgotten, I've never felt bad enough to get antidepressants from the GP although I've had CBT a couple of times over the years.
Anyway, I ran out at the end of February and figured it was close enough not to bother buying more. Bad decision! Slid downhill over the next few weeks and finally cried on my dsis who prodded me into buying some more. Took about a month to get back to normal and won't be taking that chance again. I'm your age, tubes tied and post menopausal so no worries about affecting BC

It helped me a little but unfortunately I had the same side effect as I did on SSRIs (shaking).

how long did you try the citalopram? It does make things worse initially.

I couldn't get on with St Johns Wort or 5HTP, they just did nothing for me. I hope they work for you.

my mother used Kalms for years for anxiety and she finds them helpful. She didn't take any prescription meds. I've since switched to fluoxetine from citalopram and occasionally use Kalms as well.

I only took one citalopram and it was devastating, I was beside myself. I used it successfully before about 13 years ago with no side effects at all so wasn't expecting it. I just wasn't prepared to go through a day like that again.

OP your post made me realise - it's not quite true 5HTP did nothing for me - after few days of using it, I couldn't stop crying!!

sorry, this was a long time ago. St Johns Wort, no side effects but just didn't work.

Was that a 20mg citalopram? I'm just wondering if the reaction could have been related to something else.

Yes it was 20mg and I wasn't taking anything else. Diazepam was the only antidote.

I tried SJW some years ago when fluoxetine and citalopram both made me shake badly. I found the SJW worked just as well for me, and with no side effects.

However, you shouldn't take it if you take meds for high blood pressure, and if you have a local anaesthetic at the dentist you need to ask for one without adrenaline in it - I hadn't realised that, and ended up shaking violently.

I swear by the stuff.

Take it in the winter

It works for me - but watch out for photosensitivity to sunlight, cover up and wear sunglasses when its bright.

Thanks all x

Just wanted to say that I had a funny reaction when I had to start taking it again. My GP suggested fluoxetine which I go on ok with.

Should have said a funny reaction to citalopram.