St John’s Wort, do you find this helps?

[Workingfromhome076]

I’m will discuss with my GP if I manage to get an telephone appointment, but lately I’ve been feeling low, tearful, irritable, snappy, tired, and going through the motions tbh.
I’m a single stay at home mum, two kids under 5. I am planning to return to work again next year.
I had my second child last year. Following the birth I had PND but there was a lot going on and I just buried my head and carried on. I absolutely love being a mum. But I can get snappy for the silliest thing and quite irritable easily I’ve noticed, and don’t seem as patient as I used to be. I do feel low in mood.
I don’t get much time to myself and I know this is impacting on me but I do try and do a little thing each day, even it’s for 20 mins or so.
I try and do some exercise but at the moment it’s mainly long buggy walks, I had to stop yoga which I loved as I had quite a severe ear infection and my balance is not good.

Sorry, I’m rambling a bit. I’m just wanting to find out if you’ve taken or are taking St. John’s wort, and does it lift your mood.
I’m thinking whether to try this especially with Christmas coming up and I feel a bit low and deflated (that’s how I can best describe).

5htp helped me more than St. John's Wort but nothing helped more than prescribed antidepressants. I hope that you manage to get a GP’s appointment.

@Happenchance, thank you for your reply. I completed a Econsultant form over a week ago and still awaiting response. I think I’ll keep trying the surgery each morning until I get an appointment. Apparently they are so short of staff. That’s why I thought I’d try Johns wort in the meantime.

I have used it in the past and found it helped, the valupak cheap stuff from chemist was the best. I think you have to be careful if taking any other pills possibly including contraceptives.
In fact glad you mentioned it as it may be just what I need now, also waiting for gps appointment
Hope it helps you

Do you ever get a break when the kids see their dad ?
Have you spoken to the HV ? They might be able to get you an appointment.
Keep ringing the surgery, and mention you’re a single mum with MH problems. You should be a priority.

If you take it it stops the pill work properly, just a warning. As a cbt therapist there is very limited evidence for its effectiveness but I understand some prefer to take herbal remedies more than an over the counter medication. I'd just monitor your mood and if it continues for much longer maybe it's better to visit your gp, good luck xx

I tried st johns wort and it gave me the most horrendous stomach pain. you can try but just because it's "natural " doesn't mean its benign.

Have you tried magnolia rhodiola or ashwangada?
I take both daily the rhodiola on the morning and ashwangada to help me sleep. I’m still an anxious mess but sometimes I’m not snd this might be why

If you're on any medication I'd recommend speaking with your pharmacist as well as your GP as it interacts with lots of medications.

I think St John's Wort also plays havoc with (as in causes it to be ineffective) the contraceptive pill if that is an issue.

I had the worst anxiety on SJW. It actually heightened all my symptoms and I felt suicidal for the first time ever. Just a warning to watch for side effects as they can be rough. I found 5-HTP good, better than prescribed antidepressants for me personally.

@GoodnightGrandma, the kids don’t go to their dad, he visits our house every 6 weeks or so, maybe longer at times. He can’t cope having them by himself. And to be honest I wouldn’t want them going as he gets stressed a lot of the time.

My mum helps me out but she’s getting on in age and I don’t want to put too much on her. So I manage as best I can. My eldest started school in September and my youngest is 2, so once he’s in nursery a couple mornings or so, I will have some time to myself before getting back into work. I do manage some hobbies in the evenings. But sometimes I’m so shattered I just want my bed.
I called surgery again today and explained everything. They were apologetic about the delay and have arranged telephone call with mental health nurse at the end of the week.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my mood and I’m wondering if it could possibly be hormonal. I’m 45, and after having PND last year things did improve after a few months and I feltbrighter in mood and day to day living.

But it’s the last few months, maybe 4-5 months I’ve noticed the irritability and snappiness. About 3 months ago I had very dry skin, very tired and just felt overcome with weakness in my joints some days.

I will have a read up on the other herbal remedies suggested above.

I just don’t want my kids to see mum being snappy or tearful at times.

I’d look into peri menopause and see how many symptoms you have.

I had so much trouble with hormonal issues after having PND and PNA and I found evening primrose oil helped a lot. Forgot to take it for two weeks before my cycle this month on account of holiday and I've been miserable. It's a long term helper I think.

Vitamin B complex is excellent for treating irritability. It takes about three weeks for its effect to kick in but it makes all the difference

@GoodnightGrandma, yes I did wonder if I’m starting peri menopause as I do have a few symptoms.

@Coyoacan @fifiKma I was taking evening primrose and a Vit B Complex and I’ve stopped (not sure why). So I’m restarting these today.

I’ve spoken to nurse and a GP now, I’ve been referred for talking therapies and blood tests. Hopefully I’ll now a little more early next week.
The last few days I’ve kept myself busy with various things. I’ve tried not to worry too much about things. I’ve had a couple days where I’ve felt really bright and together and that was a nice feeling. But there’s also been days I’ve been a little snappy. I just hope my eldest doesn’t remember this (mummy being snappy).
Trying to fit bit more exercise into my day apart from our long buggy walks. And stocked up up my vitamins again.