Anybody tried St. John's wort? My therapist recommended that I start on it. Anyone used it? If so, what was your experiences with it? Thanks!
St John's Wort
Started by
MsNikNik
, Feb 16 2013 10:03 PM
16 replies to this topic
#1
MsNikNik
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Posted 16 February 2013 - 10:03 PM
"Sometimes perfection is perfect hell"
“She began to be reassured by these pains, tangible symbols of her success in becoming thinner than anyone else. Her only identity was being "the skinniest." She had to feel it.”
― Steven Levenkron, Kessa
“There is no magic cure, no making it all go away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day, an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn't matter anymore.”
“She began to be reassured by these pains, tangible symbols of her success in becoming thinner than anyone else. Her only identity was being "the skinniest." She had to feel it.”
― Steven Levenkron, Kessa
“There is no magic cure, no making it all go away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day, an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn't matter anymore.”
#2
bluechick
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Posted 16 February 2013 - 10:24 PM
Are you taking anything else?
You absolutely must talk to your doctor to check for any possible interactions with your meds. St. John's Wort can cause serious problems when taken in conjunction with certain psych meds.
Dx: Bipolar Disorder I, ADD, BDD
Rx: Lamictal 300mg; Wellbutrin 300mg: Celexa 40mg
FAIL: Lithium; Geodon. Abilify
#3
MsNikNik
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Posted 16 February 2013 - 10:28 PM
I don't take anything else.
"Sometimes perfection is perfect hell"
“She began to be reassured by these pains, tangible symbols of her success in becoming thinner than anyone else. Her only identity was being "the skinniest." She had to feel it.”
― Steven Levenkron, Kessa
“There is no magic cure, no making it all go away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day, an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn't matter anymore.”
“She began to be reassured by these pains, tangible symbols of her success in becoming thinner than anyone else. Her only identity was being "the skinniest." She had to feel it.”
― Steven Levenkron, Kessa
“There is no magic cure, no making it all go away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day, an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn't matter anymore.”
#4
hagar running
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Posted 16 February 2013 - 10:29 PM
It made me manic. Use extreme caution if you have or suspect bipolar.
BP1 ~ social anxiety ~ possible BPD
Invega 12mg ~ amitriptyline 150mg ~ Ambien 10mg ~ Zyprexa 15mg (as needed)
"Psychiatry is a dirty mirror." - Anne Sexton
#5
melissaw72
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You are about to exceed the limits of my medication.
Posted 16 February 2013 - 10:38 PM
I wouldn't take it without consulting with your pdoc. Even not being on other meds it might still affect you in a bad way. Personally I have never taken it, but have been warned many times not to take it. I don't remember the exact reasons why, but do remember it had to do with depression becoming worse.
Also, I would check with your pdoc because your tdoc isn't a DR and might not know of possible interactions with your mood, etc.
Current Psychiatric Dxs ... Schizoaffective, bipolar type; Anxiety disorder, PTSD, agoraphobia
Also recovered Anorexic/Bulimic finally after 20 years.
Current meds: Provigil, Klonopin, Naltrexone, Wellbutrin, Abilify, Lamictal, Prozac, Lansoprazole (Rx strength), Linzess, Flonase, Methimazole, QVAR inhaler, Xopenex inhaler, Xanax, atenolol.
Any questions just ask 
How long a minute is depends on which side of the bathroom door you're on.
#6
MsNikNik
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Posted 16 February 2013 - 10:54 PM
I don't go to a pdoc :/
"Sometimes perfection is perfect hell"
“She began to be reassured by these pains, tangible symbols of her success in becoming thinner than anyone else. Her only identity was being "the skinniest." She had to feel it.”
― Steven Levenkron, Kessa
“There is no magic cure, no making it all go away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day, an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn't matter anymore.”
“She began to be reassured by these pains, tangible symbols of her success in becoming thinner than anyone else. Her only identity was being "the skinniest." She had to feel it.”
― Steven Levenkron, Kessa
“There is no magic cure, no making it all go away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day, an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn't matter anymore.”
#7
bluechick
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Posted 16 February 2013 - 10:56 PM
Why not? What do you think you are afflicted with?
Maybe it's time go seek help. Has your tdoc suggested you go see a pdoc? If not, why is s/he giving you medical tips? Seems a little beyond the scope of their expertise.
Dx: Bipolar Disorder I, ADD, BDD
Rx: Lamictal 300mg; Wellbutrin 300mg: Celexa 40mg
FAIL: Lithium; Geodon. Abilify
#8
MsNikNik
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Posted 16 February 2013 - 11:00 PM
I started going for an eating disorder. And have discovered all my other issues. I take over the counter anxiety meds and her and I were discussing those when she mentioned St Johns Wort and that it might be good for me. She's never suggested a pdoc.
"Sometimes perfection is perfect hell"
“She began to be reassured by these pains, tangible symbols of her success in becoming thinner than anyone else. Her only identity was being "the skinniest." She had to feel it.”
― Steven Levenkron, Kessa
“There is no magic cure, no making it all go away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day, an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn't matter anymore.”
“She began to be reassured by these pains, tangible symbols of her success in becoming thinner than anyone else. Her only identity was being "the skinniest." She had to feel it.”
― Steven Levenkron, Kessa
“There is no magic cure, no making it all go away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day, an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn't matter anymore.”
#9
mcjimjam
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Posted 16 February 2013 - 11:24 PM
I took it for a few days when I was in high school. I felt somewhat worse. That isn't a fair trial, obviously. In terms of side effects, I had some mild nausea.
Dx: BP2, ADD
Rx: Lithium 1000mg, Cymbalta 60mg, Concerta 36mg, Remeron 15mg
#10
bluechick
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Posted 16 February 2013 - 11:28 PM
You should go see a pdoc. And definitely don't take St. Johns Wort without a medical ok.
Dx: Bipolar Disorder I, ADD, BDD
Rx: Lamictal 300mg; Wellbutrin 300mg: Celexa 40mg
FAIL: Lithium; Geodon. Abilify
#11
melissaw72
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You are about to exceed the limits of my medication.
Posted 17 February 2013 - 02:18 AM
You should go see a pdoc. And definitely don't take St. Johns Wort without a medical ok.
I second this.
Current Psychiatric Dxs ... Schizoaffective, bipolar type; Anxiety disorder, PTSD, agoraphobia
Also recovered Anorexic/Bulimic finally after 20 years.
Current meds: Provigil, Klonopin, Naltrexone, Wellbutrin, Abilify, Lamictal, Prozac, Lansoprazole (Rx strength), Linzess, Flonase, Methimazole, QVAR inhaler, Xopenex inhaler, Xanax, atenolol.
Any questions just ask
How long a minute is depends on which side of the bathroom door you're on.
#12
Velvet Elvis
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Posted 17 February 2013 - 05:13 AM
In general, SJW is less effective and has much worse side effects than a pharmaceutical anti-depressant.
Really, the only reason to take it is if you're dirt poor with no insurance and have no other options. Nearly any rx med would be more effective with less side effects.
De-gnosis: ADD, recurrent depression (or maybe bpII in the guise of such), Asperger's, OCD, social anxiety
Today's Pill Menu: Dexedrine, Wellbutrin (Budeprion), Strattera, Celexa, Risperdal, and clonazepam
Like other moderators and staff of crazyboards.org, I am not a health care professional. You have no way of knowing that I am not talking out my ass. Please do your own homework before making any health related decisions.
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#13
rein
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Posted 17 February 2013 - 06:44 AM
Over the counter anxiety meds? I know I don't live in the states anymore but are there otc crazymeds?
I was on St John's Wart for a little while before completely going over the edge..didn't do a thing for me.
I was on St John's Wart for a little while before completely going over the edge..didn't do a thing for me.
Edited by rein, 17 February 2013 - 06:49 AM.
Diagnosis: BP II, ADD
Meds: Remeron 30mg,Wellbutrin XL 300
Meds: Remeron 30mg,Wellbutrin XL 300
#14
bluechick
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Posted 17 February 2013 - 11:55 AM
Over the counter anxiety meds? I know I don't live in the states anymore but are there otc crazymeds?
I was on St John's Wart for a little while before completely going over the edge..didn't do a thing for me.
No, nothing has changed on that front. But there are some people who believe in "natural" and "holistic" forms of anxiolytics. In my oh so humble opinion they are crap.
Dx: Bipolar Disorder I, ADD, BDD
Rx: Lamictal 300mg; Wellbutrin 300mg: Celexa 40mg
FAIL: Lithium; Geodon. Abilify
#15
koakua
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Posted 17 February 2013 - 01:29 PM
I took St. John's Wort for a while. I felt like it actually worked pretty well for me, with no noticeable side effects, other than increased photosensitivity. My skin burned more easily, and my eyes were very sensitive to light.
I stopped taking SJW because I was having to take 6 tea bags of it throughout the day to get a therapeutic dose, so I figured it would be much easier just to take a pharmaceutical antidepressant.
As others have said, if you are prone to being hyper or suspect you might have ever been manic, don't take st. john's wort.
Diagnosis: Schizoaffective Disorder, Depressive Type (or possibly depression with psychotic features)
RX: Risperdal 2 mg, Lexapro 10 mg, Wellbutrin 300 mg,
Previous RX: Zyprexa, Abilify, Prozac, Ativan
#16
MsNikNik
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Posted 17 February 2013 - 01:56 PM
Being a teenager, my parents don't want me started on any real medications. They don't think I need it. That's the only reason I take OTC things because my parents don't want me on prescription things. Hence the natural products.
"Sometimes perfection is perfect hell"
“She began to be reassured by these pains, tangible symbols of her success in becoming thinner than anyone else. Her only identity was being "the skinniest." She had to feel it.”
― Steven Levenkron, Kessa
“There is no magic cure, no making it all go away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day, an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn't matter anymore.”
“She began to be reassured by these pains, tangible symbols of her success in becoming thinner than anyone else. Her only identity was being "the skinniest." She had to feel it.”
― Steven Levenkron, Kessa
“There is no magic cure, no making it all go away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day, an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn't matter anymore.”
#17
bluechick
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Posted 17 February 2013 - 03:13 PM
Being a teenager, my parents don't want me started on any real medications. They don't think I need it. That's the only reason I take OTC things because my parents don't want me on prescription things. Hence the natural products.
Ah. That does indeed make a difference. In that case, I applaud you for doing what you can to protect your health and sanity.
Dx: Bipolar Disorder I, ADD, BDD
Rx: Lamictal 300mg; Wellbutrin 300mg: Celexa 40mg
FAIL: Lithium; Geodon. Abilify
