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Mental health

Don't want to speak too soon, but St John's Wort - wow.

20 replies

sickofmyself · 30/10/2012 14:33

I posted this thread in despair a couple of weeks ago. It was a big relief to write it all down, and although I was tooth-and-nail resistant at first, for some reason, to deny any diagnosis of depression, it was fairly obvious to me from everyone's opinions and good advice, that I was going to have to do something to sort myself out.

I haven't been to the GP (sorry, all those people who told me to!). I thought I'd try St John's Wort first. For some strange reason, I had it lumped together in my head with homoeopathy, which I think is a total multi-million-pound-industry joke. And I honestly, truly, expected it to do nothing whatsoever - let alone have a placebo effect. And if it was going to do anything, I had read the blurb in the box, which said 4-6 weeks was the likely period of time it would take.

So I was somewhat surprised when, on Day FOUR of taking 2 tablets a day, I started thinking that I was feeling better.

I'm now on day 12 and the way I feel has changed dramatically. It's not a sudden manic excited super-happy feeling or anything, I just feel calm, capable and confident. I feel like me. My whole body has breathed this massive sigh of relief.

My shouty irritableness with the kids has reduced to roughly 5% of what it was; that in itself is more than enough justification to me for taking the damn things! My lovely kids are being treated as they should be, with respect and understanding instead of screechy harrassed stressy coercion. Sad

I just went into the bathroom there and DD2 was standing with half a bottle of handsoap smeared all over her hands and dripped on the floor, along with a fairly copious smattering of toothpaste and Oil of Oilay. White splodges everywhere. Two weeks ago I would've probably started shouting "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!!". That reaction didn't even occur to me this time, I just said something like "what a mess, that's not a good idea, is it, let's clean it up" - mild and calm as anything. That's what's inspired me to write the thread, tbh - I was really intending to give it a few more weeks before making any kind of declaration of "better!". I know I might not be, but where I am at the moment is bloody good. I know it sounds melodramatic, but the mental peace that has descended on me is indescribable. I haven't been staring at screens half as much as before either, and am starting to get things done in the house without holding a grinding grudge against it and being unable to get up off my chair to do so. Early days though, I know.

I know I'm only one teeny case here, but if it inspires anyone to try SJW and it works for them too, I'd really be very Grin! Do your research first though, there are a lot of contraindications. xx

OP posts:
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mmmerangue · 30/10/2012 14:37

Defo putting this in the back of my mind to think about, thank you :)

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amistillsexy · 30/10/2012 14:38

So glad to hear it worked for you. I've tried it in the past, but it's not that good for me, although a friend of mine had the same effect you had with it.

You need to choose a new nickname now, OP!

Grin

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sickofmyself · 30/10/2012 18:22

Grin, ami. Maybe not just yet. I know it totally depends on the person as to whether it works or not, I just feel pretty lucky that it seems to be so far. Touch wood.

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Salbertina · 30/10/2012 18:37

Excellent! Know what you mean, am
V anti homeopathy bollox myself but SJW something else..and prescribed by mainstream Gps in Germany...however, for sone reason hasn't worked for me before...wondering after your post whether i should try again or whether I'm just one of the minority for whom it's not going to work

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Gentleness · 31/10/2012 07:56

It worked brilliantly for me. The only reason I use citalopram when needed now is because there's some doubt whether it's safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

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Gentleness · 31/10/2012 07:57

Whether SJW is safe I mean!

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ThatBintAgain · 21/11/2012 21:27

Hello-just found this as am struggling with anxiety but scared witless of having to take citalopram as it gives me panic attacks, makes me feel really anxious and very mental!

I've been dithering about whether to take SJW but I might just do it and see what happens...

Glad you're feeling better OP.

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DazR · 21/11/2012 23:56

I've been on SJW for about 2 months now and it has been great for me. Certainly preferable to taking prescribed anti-depressants. I think different makes vary in strength so shop around.

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topsi · 22/11/2012 09:19

It's great stuff, just remember the startign dose is 900mg which is either 2 or 3 tablets a day, not the one a day it says on the packet!!

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ThatBintAgain · 22/11/2012 11:32

Gosh, is that right? I bought a packet in Boots yesterday, 250mg tablets were about £11. If its 3 a day this could get very expensive...

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RosemaryandThyme · 22/11/2012 11:39

Does it matter which brand do you think or is it more that the dose is high enough ?

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TunipTheHollowVegemalLantern · 22/11/2012 11:42

It is good stuff.
It can cause light aversion so you might need to rethink in the spring, but hopefully you'll be over the worst by then anyway.

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jarndyceandjarndyce · 22/11/2012 11:48

Ohh, I was getting all excited about this, but then remember that St John's Wort can interfere with the pill. Grr.

I've just come off escitalopram after being on it for 3 years. Doing ok but would appreciate a little boost/leveler still, IYSWIM?

Does anyone know of anything similar to St John's Wort, that won't screw up the pill?

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topsi · 22/11/2012 15:59

5HTP won't intefere with the pill

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HeftyHeifer · 22/11/2012 17:24

I must try this. I tried 5HTP but it made my anxiety worse.
Do you all take the SJW with food or on an empty stomach?

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jarndyceandjarndyce · 22/11/2012 17:33

Thanks topsi....but now I'm worried that it'll make me anxious!

Has anyone else tried 5HTP?

My mum used to ply me with Rescue Remedy, that did naff all.

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jarndyceandjarndyce · 22/11/2012 17:34

HeftyHeifer sorry 5HTP didn't work for you, how long were you on it?

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twolittlemonkeys · 22/11/2012 17:40

I've noticed a difference with using SJW too. The cheapest place I've found it is Health Rack - it varies a lot in price. Am taking it in conjunction with a fairly high dose of B vitamins to try to give me some energy. So far, so good.

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HeftyHeifer · 22/11/2012 18:26

jarndyce I tried it the first time for 4 weeks and then had to stop before I went on SSRI's. Then I tried again recently, only managed about 10 days and my anxiety was spiralling. The frustrating thing is that it does lift the depressive mood but seems to agitate me IYSWIM ?

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HeftyHeifer · 22/11/2012 18:45

sickofmyself I have just read your other thread and all I can say is - I am almost exactly the same way as you were. I work from home and my house is a tip, I put off the work till the last possible moment, I'm on the laptop for hours on end (MN'ing rather than working), am irritable, can't seem to get anything done. How are you doing now?

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