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Original poster

ANOTHER St johns Wort Thread

35 replies

kizzie · 19/03/2004 11:16

Hi everyone - I know this has been discussed before but I really appreciate any views.

To cut a (very long) story short I was on seroxat for 4 1/2 years for anxiety based PND but for 2 of those years was trying (and failing) to come off.
6 months ago i swapped to prozac and am now on 8mg prozac liquid and reducing by 1mg at a time - plus also having to take 2mg valium per day because prozac makes me feel more anxious.
So all a bit of a mess really.

Anyway - the aim is to be off the prozac (and valium) if at all possible over the next 2 months and its been suggested that I then go onto St johns Wort for a few months as a 'cushion'.

Any thoughts / advice welcome.
Kizziex

OP posts:
M2T · 19/03/2004 11:19

Hi Kizzie - Do you know if it's safe to take during pregnancy? I know I can't take my Sepia, but wandered if this might be okay as it's been around a bit longer....

Thanks.

M2T · 19/03/2004 11:20

Eh...... I wOndered.. not wandered. lol.

juniper68 · 19/03/2004 13:20

Do u mean Sepia the homeopathic remedy? I didn't realise you couldn't take that when pregnant. I know it's brill for hormonal problems though.

Kizzie, I'm in a similar situation as you. I'm coming off citalopram (now on 10mg) and have St Johns Wort tincture ready to take a week after finishing. If I find a good St Johns link I'll post it.

M2T · 19/03/2004 13:28

Juniper68 - Yes. It helped me deal with PND, but since becoming pregnant my GP told me to stop taking it. She said they just don't know enough about it to ensure it's safety.

Did you know....Apparently it's made from Cuttlefish Venom! Yuck.

Original poster
kizzie · 19/03/2004 21:51

Hi M2T - Im really sorry but I dont think they recommend it in pregnancy because not enough research done. Are you still struggling?

Its a real shame you cant use the sepia because I know you said it helped you so much before. make sure youve got a bucket load next to the bed as soon as the baby is born.

Its interesting to see that its good for hormonal things because my symtoms seem to get so much worse around period (not just before but during.)

Juniper have you tried sepia too? What the withdrawal from citalopram been like? Also Id be really interested to hear about your experience on it because if i find that I really cant cope without anything (or need something to help me get over the whole seroxat experience) then my dr has already suggested citalopram as the medication she would give me.

Kizziex

OP posts:
Original poster
kizzie · 06/06/2004 15:34

Hi Juniper - just wondered what happened with your withdrawal - and if you ever used the St Johns wort tincture?
Kizziex

OP posts:
BlossomHill · 06/06/2004 23:01

Must say the Cuttlefish Venom has seriously put me off - yuk!!!!

juniper68 · 08/06/2004 02:14

Hi all,
just started on the tincture today funnily enough. I went to Edinburgh for the weekend and forgot my ADs. As I'd been missing a day it's been a week since taking them so thought it'd be safe to take St johns.

juniper68 · 08/06/2004 02:17

I did know that about the cuttlefish. My homeopathic constitutional remedy is lachesis which is snake venom!

juniper68 · 08/06/2004 02:19

Kizzie, just noticed you mentioned citalopram. I found it really helpful but I've come off it very slowly.

Original poster
kizzie · 08/06/2004 15:16

Hi Juniper - good luck with the st johns wort. Will u let me know how you get on?

Ive also just started seeing a homeopath.

How long were you on the citalopram in the end?
(Well done getting off!)
Kizziex

OP posts:
gloworm · 08/06/2004 15:21

hi kizzie,
how u feeling today?

juniper68 · 08/06/2004 21:38

Hi kizzie,
I was on it for over a year, 20mg then finished on 10mg. Just today I said to my mum that I'm glad I'm off it now as when my sister died last year I couldn't grieve properly yet yesterday I walked to an old school friend's funeral and blubbered all the way. I felt drained but real iykwim.
I hope you find something to help soon though even if it's just for a wee while xx

Original poster
kizzie · 08/06/2004 23:12

Juniper - glad things are going so well. I know what you mean about the 'real feelings'. Im so, so sorry about your sister - I didnt realise that had happened.

Gloworm - thanks for asking. Things still very very difficult. Trying to get out and do something each day but still getting totally overwhelmed by absolutely everything.
Also seem to have almost permanent PMT.

Im still trying to hang on to the hope that over time things will improve.......

I swing between thinking that 5 yrs on AD's has had some terrible negative effect on me to thinking thats not possible and that this is just the real me now (I never had anxiety/depression before PND).

Suppose Ive just got to try and hang in there.
Kizziex

OP posts:
BlossomHill · 11/06/2004 22:51

Hi Kizzie

Just thought I'd let you know I went into my local health food shop and had a really long chat with the lady that worked there. She ended up knowing my life story. Anyway I ended up buying some Valerian for the anxiety/depression and some fish oil concentrate for my concentration/lack of enthusiasm. She also spoke a great length about meditation and how it works wonders so that's soemthing to consider.
I have got a months supply so will keep you posted.
I hope you are feeling a bit better. I was nearly on the verge of going to my gp's tomorrow but am dead against going down the ad route. They make me feel worse, as you know.
Take care
Blossomhillxx

glitterfairy · 11/06/2004 23:25

Blossomhill have you seen this thread It might be helpful if you are thinking of starting meditating.

BlossomHill · 11/06/2004 23:33

Thanks Glitterfairy, I will have a look at that.
BHx

Original poster
kizzie · 12/06/2004 15:59

Hi Blossom hill - thanks for the note.

Thinks have really gone downhill over the last few days and I know Ive got to do something about it now.

I dont know anymore whether its withdrawal but I realy really want to try and stay off AD's if I can - (my symptoms now are much worse than I had originally).

I tried sepia but actually did it through a hompeopath and seemed to have a negative reax to it. In some ways this was probably a good thing because it meant that it was doing something but I just couldnt handle it on top of the withdrawal.

Anyway - last night was really desperate and Ive decided that Im going to give St Johns Wort a try.

Was v upset this morning because I spoke to my GP. She has basically said that theres no more she can do for me if I wont take AD's but did say that she thought it was worth giving the ST Johns Wort a try.

Hope the fish oils / valerian start to kick in soon. Let me know how you're getting on!!
Kizziex

OP posts:
BlossomHill · 14/06/2004 19:40

Hi Kizzie

Sorry I have only just read this. Well it has only been 3 days and of course I still feel the same. I'm on at the moment and am in the "wish I could lay in a box and be on my own for a few days" kind of mood. So I know exactly how you are feeling. It's something I have got to sort out and I think the meditation is worth trying but when you feel like this everything seems like such an effort doesn't it?
Apparently these thing should kick in, in about 1-2 weeks. Funnily enough I can't sleep very well since beginning taking them but am not sure if that's the herbs or hot weather
Please keep me updated on how you are and I'll let you know in about a week how I am feeling!!!
BHX

juniper68 · 16/06/2004 20:36

Hi Kizzie and everyone,
how are you feeling? Just thought I'd update you as I've been on St Johns for 9 days now and its working well I use the liquid as apparently that gets into your system faster?

Plus, I should have really bad PMT at the mo and it's mild.

Original poster
kizzie · 17/06/2004 17:08

Hi juniper - thanks for the update. really good to hear.

I started the SJW too 5 days ago but not such positive news im afraid. i started the 3 a day Kira brand but have had really horrible dizziness etc. (Exactly the same as when i started SSRIs.) Apparently this is because it works in a smiliar way to SSRI's and Id been on them a long time 4 1/2 yrs. the SSRI charity have advised me to stick with it for a while.

What liquid are you using - and did u have any side effects when you started using it? ALso did u notice any significant improvement after a few days or have u just felt better from the start?

Sorry loads of questions.

Also meant to ask you - how long did you take to reduce the cimpramil??

Anyway Im so glad you're feeling better!!!
kizziex

OP posts:
gloworm · 17/06/2004 23:41

i've heard of other people reacting to the kira brand, or simply not finding it any good.

liquid is made by Bioforce, these drops get into your system much quicker than tablet. get from health shop.

if it isn't working after a month i'd try the rhodiola.

juniper68 · 18/06/2004 00:10

Hi Kizzie,
Yes, I'm on the bioforce one. Sorry to hear the Kira SJW isn't helping

I came off citalopram/cipramil very very slowly. I went from 20mg to 10mg then alternate days then every two days...and so on for a few months. I think they were more of a crutch in the end though. My DH and I went for a weekend in Edinburgh and I forgot to take them so had been off them for a week and that's when I decided to start the SJW.

Funnily enough I have been feeling a bit woozy and one thing I've noticed is noises are louder? weird but apart from that I'm a lot better. Plus this could be a mild side effect from coming off ADs.

Original poster
kizzie · 18/06/2004 16:34

Thankyou both for replying. DO you think i could just stop the kira ones and try the bioforce - been taking it for 7 days now?
Gloworm - sorry to make use of your expertise again but would you say that Id be better trying the liquid?
Thanks
Kizziex

OP posts:
gloworm · 18/06/2004 18:07

definatly recommend the Bioforce one...its a really good quality brand, and the liquid will get into you system more efficiently.
you simply add some drops to a little bit of water or juice and take 3 times a day(i think).

I would change straight away...unless you can't afford to waste the money spent on the kira ones.

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