Anyone take St Johns Wort?
Marjayhan
Posts: 59 Member
Hi all, I bought some St Johns Wort as I have lost my mojo for most things in life and looking for a kind of pick me up,
where diet etc is not really making any impact. I can't take meds for depression as I'm sensitive to medication and suffer all the extreme side effects with them. So I ordered this St Johns Wort 300 mg quick release. I'm not on any medications at all atm. Just wondering if anyone has taken them before and found them effective? Cheers
where diet etc is not really making any impact. I can't take meds for depression as I'm sensitive to medication and suffer all the extreme side effects with them. So I ordered this St Johns Wort 300 mg quick release. I'm not on any medications at all atm. Just wondering if anyone has taken them before and found them effective? Cheers
1
Replies
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It sounds like it's inconsistent as far as effectiveness, so you'll probably get anecdotes going both ways in this thread if anyone has taken it: https://nccih.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/sjw-and-depression.htm
I would let your doctor know if you do decide to take it even if you aren't taking medication right now, just in case you do get put on medicine in the future and forget to mention it, as it can interfere with the effectiveness of some medications.7 -
After reading 20 years or so ago that St Johns Wort was prescribed in Germany for depression, I tried it, but didn't find it particularly effective. I may have read this exact article: https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/09/science/in-germany-humble-herb-is-a-rival-to-prozac.html
My mood is really affected by sunshine and exercise, or the lack thereof. It was so miserably hot this summer I hid inside for a lot of it, and this depressed my mood. We've had more moderate days recently, and getting back outside has perked me back up.
Of all the pharmaceutical ADs I've tried (probably a half dozen), Wellbutrin is the only one that didn't give me negative side effects.4 -
I took it years ago and ended up in the ER. I took it while on an antidepressant, and didn't know that they couldn't be taken together. It might just be my meds, but make sure before you combine them.8
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kshama2001 wrote: »After reading 20 years or so ago that St Johns Wort was prescribed in Germany for depression, I tried it, but didn't find it particularly effective. I may have read this exact article: https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/09/science/in-germany-humble-herb-is-a-rival-to-prozac.html
My mood is really affected by sunshine and exercise, or the lack thereof. It was so miserably hot this summer I hid inside for a lot of it, and this depressed my mood. We've had more moderate days recently, and getting back outside has perked me back up.
Of all the pharmaceutical ADs I've tried (probably a half dozen), Wellbutrin is the only one that didn't give me negative side effects.
I had a similar experience. One thing about St. John's wort is that you should stay out of the sun while taking it because it causes a higher sensitivity to UV rays. I get my mood lifted more by sunshine than I ever did with the herb.
ETA: Viibryd is the AD I ended up with. Effective for me and minimal side effects.2 -
kshama2001 wrote: »After reading 20 years or so ago that St Johns Wort was prescribed in Germany for depression, I tried it, but didn't find it particularly effective. I may have read this exact article: https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/09/science/in-germany-humble-herb-is-a-rival-to-prozac.html
My mood is really affected by sunshine and exercise, or the lack thereof. It was so miserably hot this summer I hid inside for a lot of it, and this depressed my mood. We've had more moderate days recently, and getting back outside has perked me back up.
Of all the pharmaceutical ADs I've tried (probably a half dozen), Wellbutrin is the only one that didn't give me negative side effects.
I had a similar experience. One thing about St. John's wort is that you should stay out of the sun while taking it because it causes a higher sensitivity to UV rays. I get my mood lifted more by sunshine than I ever did with the herb.
ETA: Viibryd is the AD I ended up with. Effective for me and minimal side effects.
Ah yes, good point about sun sensitivity - I'd forgotten about that!1 -
kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »After reading 20 years or so ago that St Johns Wort was prescribed in Germany for depression, I tried it, but didn't find it particularly effective. I may have read this exact article: https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/09/science/in-germany-humble-herb-is-a-rival-to-prozac.html
My mood is really affected by sunshine and exercise, or the lack thereof. It was so miserably hot this summer I hid inside for a lot of it, and this depressed my mood. We've had more moderate days recently, and getting back outside has perked me back up.
Of all the pharmaceutical ADs I've tried (probably a half dozen), Wellbutrin is the only one that didn't give me negative side effects.
I had a similar experience. One thing about St. John's wort is that you should stay out of the sun while taking it because it causes a higher sensitivity to UV rays. I get my mood lifted more by sunshine than I ever did with the herb.
ETA: Viibryd is the AD I ended up with. Effective for me and minimal side effects.
Ah yes, good point about sun sensitivity - I'd forgotten about that!
I also wanted to mention that St. John's Wort might work better for people who have a mild depression. For those of us with Major Depressive Disorder a regular regimen of medication and therapy seems to be the most effective
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Thanks for the replies, i'm not taking any medications for anything at all atm so im not worried on that aspect but theres also no threat from the sun either , as I live in Ireland and you know what they say about this place lol rain is second nature. i really need a boost of something . I fluctuate between feeling over whelmed for no reason to feeling tired and meh throughout the day. Trying to mask things by being smiley and enthusiastic on the outside to others but thats not how i feel on the inside, sadly.6
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Thanks for the replies, i'm not taking any medications for anything at all atm so im not worried on that aspect but theres also no threat from the sun either , as I live in Ireland and you know what they say about this place lol rain is second nature. i really need a boost of something . I fluctuate between feeling over whelmed for no reason to feeling tired and meh throughout the day. Trying to mask things by being smiley and enthusiastic on the outside to others but thats not how i feel on the inside, sadly.
Are you getting regular exercise? I often have to force myself to start, but am always glad I did.
I have a tough time in the afternoon if I didn't get any exercise at lunch, so doing that has become a routine.
Also, what I eat at lunch effects me in the afternoon as well - I need a reasonable amount of protein and I have to avoid bread made from flour. (I'm fine with bread made from sprouted grains.)3 -
Thanks for the replies, i'm not taking any medications for anything at all atm so im not worried on that aspect but theres also no threat from the sun either , as I live in Ireland and you know what they say about this place lol rain is second nature. i really need a boost of something . I fluctuate between feeling over whelmed for no reason to feeling tired and meh throughout the day. Trying to mask things by being smiley and enthusiastic on the outside to others but thats not how i feel on the inside, sadly.
I guess that, unless you see a reason why St. John's Wort may not be safe for you, it wouldn't hurt to try. Just go with a brand that has a good reputation. You might also want to consider talking to a therapist who can give you some strategies to deal with the overwhelmed feeling when it happens.
BTW: I spent 2 weeks in Ireland and was ready for a lot of rain. In the entire 2 weeks it rained for a half day once and a full day once. Otherwise, the weather was beautiful. Loved visiting your country.4 -
I've used it in the past and it seemed to work ok for me,it can be a little stimulating tho so if you're prone to anxiety it's not a good supp to take,however that was just my experience everyone is different,try it but start with a small dose,keep us posted
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Yes i will start small, i'm gonna try. It can't hurt. I am prone to anxiety sometimes yea so thanks for the advice on that. I try to exercise but i suffer with back problems and swollen legs and ankles. But i do try to walk an hour at least a day any exertion , i will be in dire pain. I know it's not the same but better than nothing. But i do force myself to walk at least an hour outside. During the summer it was too humid i couldn't breathe. But now the country seems back to normal so i can start back up again.1
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Thanks for the replies, i'm not taking any medications for anything at all atm so im not worried on that aspect but theres also no threat from the sun either , as I live in Ireland and you know what they say about this place lol rain is second nature. i really need a boost of something . I fluctuate between feeling over whelmed for no reason to feeling tired and meh throughout the day. Trying to mask things by being smiley and enthusiastic on the outside to others but thats not how i feel on the inside, sadly.
Are you seeing a therapist? While I'm very biased, I would try psychotherapy before St. John's Wort.2 -
I actually had a doctor recommend that I take it for PMS but I didn't really notice that it did anything for me.
1 -
I take SJW related to travel anxiety. I suffer from heightened anxiety in the weeks prior to a trip and did not want to go on a regular anti-anxiety med as the anxiety is not bad the rest of the time. I find it helps to take the edge off - it helps me not to ruminate on negative things, it helps me to sleep and it helps
Me maintain more calmly. My understanding is that I should not be taken long term though I can’t remember the reason why.
Just a note that I recently started the couch to 5 k program. I have never been a runner before but I noticed a definite improvement in both my mood and my anxiety and I think I will continue running just for that purpose.3 -
kshama2001 wrote: »After reading 20 years or so ago that St Johns Wort was prescribed in Germany for depression, I tried it, but didn't find it particularly effective. I may have read this exact article: https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/09/science/in-germany-humble-herb-is-a-rival-to-prozac.html
My mood is really affected by sunshine and exercise, or the lack thereof. It was so miserably hot this summer I hid inside for a lot of it, and this depressed my mood. We've had more moderate days recently, and getting back outside has perked me back up.
Of all the pharmaceutical ADs I've tried (probably a half dozen), Wellbutrin is the only one that didn't give me negative side effects.
I had a similar experience. One thing about St. John's wort is that you should stay out of the sun while taking it because it causes a higher sensitivity to UV rays. I get my mood lifted more by sunshine than I ever did with the herb.
ETA: Viibryd is the AD I ended up with. Effective for me and minimal side effects.
I'm another with a similar experience. Zoloft was what I landed on with no side effects. Since I started lifting and running several years ago, I've been able to cut it down to 50mg/day. The sun definitely helps too. Spending time in my pool this summer has been energizing.1 -
Yes i will start small, i'm gonna try. It can't hurt. I am prone to anxiety sometimes yea so thanks for the advice on that. I try to exercise but i suffer with back problems and swollen legs and ankles. But i do try to walk an hour at least a day any exertion , i will be in dire pain. I know it's not the same but better than nothing. But i do force myself to walk at least an hour outside. During the summer it was too humid i couldn't breathe. But now the country seems back to normal so i can start back up again.
Don't knock walking! And an hour a day is great!3 -
RelCanonical wrote: »It sounds like it's inconsistent as far as effectiveness, so you'll probably get anecdotes going both ways in this thread if anyone has taken it: https://nccih.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/sjw-and-depression.htm
I would let your doctor know if you do decide to take it even if you aren't taking medication right now, just in case you do get put on medicine in the future and forget to mention it, as it can interfere with the effectiveness of some medications.
It can affect the effectiveness of oral contraceptives (render them less effective). Please be aware.4 -
Hi all, I bought some St Johns Wort as I have lost my mojo for most things in life and looking for a kind of pick me up,
where diet etc is not really making any impact. I can't take meds for depression as I'm sensitive to medication and suffer all the extreme side effects with them. So I ordered this St Johns Wort 300 mg quick release. I'm not on any medications at all atm. Just wondering if anyone has taken them before and found them effective? Cheers
Just because it's "natural" doesn't mean it doesn't have side effects. If it's actually effective, that makes it a drug, and there's no reason why you would be less susceptible to side effects from an over-the-counter, "natural" product than you are to the side effects of "medication."
Other side effects of St. John’s wort are usually minor and uncommon. They may include upset stomach, dry mouth, headache, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, sexual dysfunction, or sensitivity to sunlight. Also, St. John’s wort is a stimulant and may worsen feelings of anxiety in some people.
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/sjw-and-depression.htm
6 -
Thanks for all the replies. I'm on day 2 but only taking one capsule when it recommends 1 capsule 3 times a day but i'm a bit wary. Maybe i will increase to 2 a day in a week or so. We don't really "do" therapy in this country, I can imagine it being expensive. I suppose I could go back to the docs and talk to him he's good. I don't want to be put on any SSRI's though cos i had them before (Paxil) and they made me go nuts lol4
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You may find a D3 supplement to be better mood support than St. John's Wort...particularly since you live where there is not a lot of sunshine, and you are probably low if you don't already supplement.7
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Examine.com has a write up on it. The headline...Hypericum Perforatum (St. John's Wort) is an anti-depressant herb that is commonly used for its neurological effects. While it appears effective, it is well known to adversely interact with a variety of pharmaceuticals.
Lots more here: https://examine.com/supplements/hypericum-perforatum/1 -
Other than hypomania (which is common if you have bipopar 2 and take an AD without a mood stabilizer) I have never really had any negative side effects with most ADs (I have tried quite a few)2
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I wonder if I can raise the flag for the use of vit D. I don't have links at my finger tips to support the increasing understanding of its role in our health, now being thought to function more as a mineral than a vitamin. Here in the UK it is suggested we should take year round vit D because our position on the globe and we don't all spend enough time outside.
All the very best.4 -
My husband had extreme effects to SSRIs and cycled through several before being diagnosed as bipolar 2. Once he got on meds for that, no issues. Sometimes reactions to medications means the diagnosis is wrong.
*not saying this is the case here...just some food for thought.2 -
Thanks for all the replies. I'm on day 2 but only taking one capsule when it recommends 1 capsule 3 times a day but i'm a bit wary. Maybe i will increase to 2 a day in a week or so. We don't really "do" therapy in this country, I can imagine it being expensive. I suppose I could go back to the docs and talk to him he's good. I don't want to be put on any SSRI's though cos i had them before (Paxil) and they made me go nuts lol
That's a common warning sign of bipolar disorder. It doesn't mean you have it. But if "nuts" is mania or hypomania (which is what I get; I am type 2 bipolar), it isn't unusual for SSRIs to trigger it. When I get hypomanic "just because", it is usually happy puppy hypomania, which bothers other people more than me (because I am suddenly much smarter than them, or at least I think so). When I get it from an SSRI trigger, it is irritable/paranoid hypomania which is no fun for me or anyone else.5 -
singingflutelady wrote: »Other than hypomania (which is common if you have bipopar 2 and take an AD without a mood stabilizer) I have never really had any negative side effects with most ADs (I have tried quite a few)
Mood stabilizer (lamictal in my case) doesn't stop the ADs from triggering me. I was able to titrate wellbutrin to a level where it didn't do that but then it wasn't effective. Increasing the lamictal helped though. The depression sied of BP2 really sucks but for some reason they are a lot better at treating the euphoria.2 -
My husband had extreme effects to SSRIs and cycled through several before being diagnosed as bipolar 2. Once he got on meds for that, no issues. Sometimes reactions to medications means the diagnosis is wrong.
*not saying this is the case here...just some food for thought.
That's how I got my bipolar 2 diagnosis. I would become hypomanic. It took many years to figure it out. I was told I was too "happy" to be depressed. Crazy as hypomania in response to antidepressants is a major sign of Bipolar 2.4 -
CarvedTones wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »Other than hypomania (which is common if you have bipopar 2 and take an AD without a mood stabilizer) I have never really had any negative side effects with most ADs (I have tried quite a few)
Mood stabilizer (lamictal in my case) doesn't stop the ADs from triggering me. I was able to titrate wellbutrin to a level where it didn't do that but then it wasn't effective. Increasing the lamictal helped though. The depression sied of BP2 really sucks but for some reason they are a lot better at treating the euphoria.
My current Dr (not a psych) refuses to give me a mood stabilizer at all unfortunately. I've tried so many ADs but the only time they don't cause hm is when the dose is so low it doesn't help. I was on an AD specifically for weight gain, appetite and nausea control (Mirtazipine) and it worked well for that but I couldn't handle the hm. I really wanted to stay on it so I started taling heavy duty sleeping pills to counteract the 1 hour of sleep a night I was getting but eventually has to go off of it. There's only 1 thing that helps my mood without hm but I'm not allowed to mention that here lol2 -
tcunbeliever wrote: »You may find a D3 supplement to be better mood support than St. John's Wort...particularly since you live where there is not a lot of sunshine, and you are probably low if you don't already supplement.
yeah I was going to tell op to have her vitamin D checked as that can make you feel like she is
4 -
singingflutelady wrote: »Other than hypomania (which is common if you have bipopar 2 and take an AD without a mood stabilizer) I have never really had any negative side effects with most ADs (I have tried quite a few)
I wish i could take them, i bet it would help but the last time i tried i couldn't get past day 2, i had 50 panic attacks, vomited 13 times and was threatening to jump off a bridge. I had tried 2 different ones before i was scared shitless to ever try again.4
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