St John's Wort query

[nsd_user663_2658]

Morning all. Hope all is well. I'm doing ok, but this certainly isn't easy for me -- even 3+ months on! I feel pretty mentally cruddy from time to time -- anxiety and a sort of mania. I've read what people have said about St John's Wort. I bought some a few years ago but never took it. It's still in date. I have a question on how much to take. The pack says 2 capsules 3 times per day. It's 300mg for the 2 capsules. I've never taken 6 capsules a day of anything, so I'm a bit apprehensive! Any advice? xxjb

[nsd_user663_5598]

Hi Julie

I would just follow the instructions for the St John's Wort. Christine may be along later, I think she knows a bit about it (she's a bit of a know all anyway!)

As far as the manic and anxiety goes, how long have you been off the Champix? A few of us found they made us manic and quite frankly, I thought I was going to murder hubby a fair few times. They seemed to take about 4 weeks to get out of my system and I have only just started to feel like my old self. Hubby is still walking round on egg shells but that suits me fine!!!

[nsd_user663_6327]

Morning all. Hope all is well. I'm doing ok, but this certainly isn't easy for me -- even 3+ months on! I feel pretty mentally cruddy from time to time -- anxiety and a sort of mania. I've read what people have said about St John's Wort. I bought some a few years ago but never took it. It's still in date. I have a question on how much to take. The pack says 2 capsules 3 times per day. It's 300mg for the 2 capsules. I've never taken 6 capsules a day of anything, so I'm a bit apprehensive! Any advice? xxjb

Hi Juliebean, as JJ69 says Christine is the expert on things like this but 6 a day sounds too many to me. I take one x 300mg St Johns Wort each day. Initially I took 2 x 300mg for the first week, as advised by Christine, but towards the end of that week it caused diarrhea and so I cut it down to 1 x 300mg just once a day and that suits me fine. You will probably find it lifts your mood quite quickly, it worked for me within 4/5 days anyway.

Good luck and hope it works wellfor you.

[nsd_user663_2658]

Thanks, both, very much for your advice. JJ69 - I've been off the Champix for a few weeks now. I tend to think my 'mentalness' (as I like to call it) is really about stopping smoking more than the drug, if you know what I mean. For the past 20 years, I have used fags to mask my feelings, control my anxiety, etc.

[nsd_user663_7741]

Hi,

Just thought I would let you know I too tried St Johns wort on a previous qiut and the gave me bad tummy as well,after speaking to friends they advised kalms which I felt worked far better!! might be worth a try if you are fearfull of the St Johns.

Keep Strong

Cath x

ps Im no expert :p

[nsd_user663_5401]

I sound like a drug dealer!! This is just my opinion however:

I take Karma St John's Wort from Boots, 425mg once a day but for the 1st two weeks I doubled the dose (morning and night). I've never been one for herbal medicine so I was dubious but to me this was a life saver. I was very depressed and extremely moody and they actually seemed to 'kick in' after a week and I would highly recommend them. I thought I would take them to March and start again next October. It all depends on the strength, do not buy the cheap stuff in the supermarket.

I also started taking a vitamin B6 to calm my old hormones down, and it seemed to work (well I've not killed anyone!!).

Good luck, let me know how you get on my love.

[nsd_user663_4990]

they helped me. I used them every so briefly to lift my moods and they 'helped' me when i was feeling a spot of depression around october/november last year. While i don't advocate any use of tablets, they did in my case help me.

I'd always recommend consulting a doctor or having a proper chat with the pharmacist before taking them just to make sure they are right for you.

[nsd_user663_2040]

After months of refusing to believe it could possibly be depression that was causing me so many problems I finally gave in, listened to Christine and started to take SJW late last week....it has kicked in and I feel so much better that I have in ages.

As well as the mood improvement, I have slept soundly and my breathing & heart have evened out (long story), I have bags of energy and have started exercising. Only problem is I have now to eat humble pie and admit to myself and OH that it is depression, stress and anxiety that were wrong!!

So far it does not seem to be counteracting with my HRT...but I can cope with a few hot flushes. It beats taking antidepressants from Doc and I dont plan to stay on them for very long...

:D