St John's Wort instead of ADs?

[lovemydogs]

hi I have had depression on and off for years - often mild and manageable - previously had about 2 years on ADs 2007-09 - tried citalopram and venlafaxine and gained about 2 stone - just had terrible carb cravings all the time and also constipation too. So here I am feeling terrible again, GP wants me to try prozac - said it would not affect my weight (I lost the weight I put on after stopping ADs) but am concerned not just about the weight but also other side effects such as loss of libido. So GP suggested I try St John's Wort for a month - apparently it is prescribed instead of ADs in Germany - just wondered if anyone has found SJW works for them? Hope so!!!!
thanks xx

yes I have decided to stay on st johns wort long term as it really helps with my depression and insomnia. I started off using it in conjunction with an amino acid regimen which pulled me out of my depression. The only side effect that I find is that it possibly makes me feel a little tired but I do take a potent one (perika). I am going to try swapping to Kira to see if that is any different. I would say that with SJW you seem to get what you pay for and I would reccommend that you try perika or kira at the reccomended dose which is not always what is written on the packet! Look at Kelly's St JW web page for lots of good info. I get my SJW from USA (i-herb) as it works out alot less expensive. Also give it 6 weeks before you decide if it is for you or not. People take it at different times of the day spread out of I take all of mine just before bed. Thats about all I know, good luck I hope it works for you!

oh thanks Topsi - I bought Kira yesterday £15 for 30 tablets - one a day - got it at Sainsburys and their supplements are 3 for 2 so if it works for me, I will buy 3 months' for £30. I took mine this morning - so you find night time better then - I suffer from insomnia so maybe this will be best for me too. I know if I try and cut out the junk too I will feel better - I do alot of exercise but am prone to sugar binges at times. not good.
thanks again all the best xx

Just check out the dose as I think you need to take 2 a day of those. The minimum effective dose is 900mg of active ingredient a day. It has been tested up to 1800mg a day so the one a day dose will not be enough! Please check out the web site that I mentioned!

Don't forget it can interact with certain drugs such as contraceptive pill and warfrin.

Hi Sorry to hijack. Topsi would you mind explaining about the amino acids you used please. Ive read a bit about them for depression and would be interested to hear more. Thanks

I found it helpful for anxiety, it seemed to soften the edges, but I had to stop as I got a rash (probably an allergy). Do be careful of the sun though, as it makes you more sensitive- not that that's an issue at the moment.
The only way. To find out is to try it for yourself.

hi Topsi yes I did look at Kelly's website and saw about the dose and yes the Kira is half that - I think that is due to those EU regulations that came in last year so yes perhaps 2 is best thanks. x

Hi Kizzie, I followed a program from a book called 'the way up from down'. The idea is that you give your body the correct building blocks to make and process neurotransmitters. From memory it included plenty of vit C, tyrosine twice a day, tryptophan, and vitamin B's. I will look out the book and give you the authors name and full regimen. I included the SJW as well at night and it really did help.

Thanks Topsi

Is it safe to take st johns wort if you are still taking citalopram?

No I don't think so janji as they are both AD's

Just to let you know that sjw sensitises the skin in sunlight too.

I've been off ADs for a month now after taking them for about two and a half years. I'm feeling ok at the moment but am aware that I may need to go back on them over the winter. I'm quite interested in SJW as a possible alternative as I can get quite anxious and have heard it's good for anxiety.

I also get bouts of insmonia from time to time so it's good you find them helpful for this topsi. I may consider them first rather than going back on ADs which although they have been brilliant do tend to make me put on weight.

I personally have found SJW good for mild anxiety. I have suffered chronic insomnia in the past and find a mixture of SJW and tryptophan at night really helped. Saying that not every one reacts in the same way. Some find it inteferes with sleep. I think the kira brand is more stimulating and the perika brand more sedating.
Either way you need to take 900mg of the stuff for it to work properly, that is 2 of the kira good mood and 3 perika.

Thanks that's really helpful.