St johns Wort

[Googleboxfan]

Has anyone taken these before and are they safe to be taken long term?

Also do you cause side effects when stopping taking these?

You need to be aware that they interact with a lot of (if not most) prescription medications. If you are taking any medicines you will need to check if they can be taken together. Good luck with it. X

@Spudina

You need to be aware that they interact with a lot of (if not most) prescription medications. If you are taking any medicines you will need to check if they can be taken together. Good luck with it. X

They don't interact with 'most' prescription meds at all. What a bizarre comment. There are SOME interactions, which are listed in the information leaflet, and of course a GP should always be consulted before any supplements are started. But they're safe for most people. You make it sound otherwise.

Does anybody know whether you have to be weaned off them or can you jist stop taking them without side effects?

I believe you can just stop taking them. I take them for three months then stop for a couple before restarting them. Think it advises to take them for that time frame. Also I believe they may make you more susceptible to sunburn from memory? Just check the packet. They work for me anyway with no issues.

Be careful with sun sensitivity as a possible side effect. For a few months afterwards being in the sun made me feel ill. If you are not into gardening or being outdoors then it won't be an issue.

OK. When you stop taking them does depression/anxiety return?

I tried them and they made me anxious and depressed. They’re not a magic pill. I stopped with ne side effects, other than the doom and gloom subsiding. For me they were really awful.

@Googleboxfan I took them for anxiety and depression and noticed no changes but unbearable tingly skin like I’d been stung by stinging nettles all over my hands every time I went outside! Weaned off in like two days and it went away gradually.

@Shinyrainbows

I tried them and they made me anxious and depressed. They’re not a magic pill. I stopped with ne side effects, other than the doom and gloom subsiding. For me they were really awful.

Where did you buy your tablets from?

Hi @Gooleboxfan I got them from Holland and Barrett, they were called Moodease once a day. They had good reviews & I bought 2 packs as I really thought they’d help, I stopped taking them after about 12 days as they were making me feel suicidal. They definitely didn’t agree with me. Hope they work for you!

OP, if you are using oral contraception you will need to use another method while you are on St John’s wort, or you may end up pregnant.
St John’s wort induces the liver enzymes that metabolise the hormones in contraceptive pills and excretes them faster, so your blood level doesn’t remain high enough to prevent ovulation.
StJW is only a weak antidepressant, and if you are having mental health difficulties you would be better advised to consult your GP for more effective medication.

I've been taking them since January as a result of my reaction to lockdown and wfh. I've found that they helped a lot - less upset by whats going on and mood more stable.
I'm on the pill but I'm not worried about getting pregnant for a large number of reasons but if getting pregnant is a big concern then they wouldn't be ideal.
I had planned to tail them off at Easter, but with DS going into an exam year in Scotland and still wfh - not likely to go back this year now - I'll stick with them for now.

I have been taking them for well over 2 years and they have been my life line, they defo take the edge off my moods and anxiety, they don't make it stop completely but they do make them more manageable. I also take the pill too but I have PCOS so i feel like I have added protection. Sometimes I run out and miss taking them for a couple of days and I do feel like my anxiety comes back quick and fast but this may be mind over matter, I'm not brave enough to stock them yet.

@Shinyrainbows

Hi *@Gooleboxfan* I got them from Holland and Barrett, they were called Moodease once a day. They had good reviews & I bought 2 packs as I really thought they’d help, I stopped taking them after about 12 days as they were making me feel suicidal. They definitely didn’t agree with me. Hope they work for you!

OMG! So sorry you had such a bad experience. Hope you're OK now. I bought the Good Mood SJW tablets from H and B. Need to see if they help with my anxieties xx