St John's wort

[Emseykins]

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice. I've been really struggling with anxiety, feeling like I can't cope and feeling low, all due to my pain levels. I have been on antidepressants before and have a prescription to start them again but I'm hesitant.

I have tried supplements before with no help but have never tried St John's wort, has anyone tried this?

Also I only take Hydroxychloroquine, can you mix these medications?

Thanks everyone and hope you're all well

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Emseykins. I'm so pleased you asked because HCQ & St John's Wort is a no no. As you're asking you're probably aware that we have to be very careful in mixing meds & 'natural' products & this is a good example why. Taking them together can cause greater photosensitivity than HCQ can alone, so whilst you'd be more careful in the sun knowing HCQ can cause this it's even more of an issue if you took the two. Also, taking the two can cause issues in the GI tract & increase your BP.

Please talk to your GP, best when taking the meds we take. I hope he she can help, anxiety is a terrible thing & you'd be right to seek help especially in the days we're living in just now.

[Marionfromhappydays]

To help with my anxiety I started listening to Caroline Foran's podcast and it helped . I know it's not answering your question but it might help 😁

I read a quote today that said "I can't control the waves but I can learn how to surf"

Anxiety sucks big time x

Take care

[Boxerlady]

Yes, it's horrible, whatever the root cause 😢💐

I found a couple of books helpful - Making Friends With Anxiety (Sarah Rayner) and Mindfulness - a practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world (Mark Williams and Danny Penman)

Lemon Balm tea can help (but do check with your GP.) I have used diazepam occasionally and also a low dose AD.

There's also a very good NLP exercise taught to me when I had hypnotherapy (for IBS) called the 321 exercise - here's a link to a post about it on a menopause website if you want to have a look.

menopausematters.co.uk/foru...

[Kerensa21 in reply to Boxerlady]

Thanks for recommends 👍got Mark Williams Mindfulness, great, but hadn’t heard of others x

[Boxerlady in reply to Kerensa21]

I found that it helps to have lots of different coping strategies - just knowing that they're there helps to stave off the tummy-churning panic somehow.

[Kerensa21 in reply to Boxerlady]

Same here, when I remember lol, you just reminded me how important it is, not sleeping well at mo along with rest of population I expect so thank you 😊

[lornaisobel]

Why don't you just sort out some meds/physio anything for your pain ?

[Kerensa21]

Hi Ems, occupational hazard with this I think and current situation doesn’t help. I liked Matt Lewis Overcome anxiety too, some good little exercises plus at my GPS can self refer for CBT course for long term conditions, some of it good. Not saying cures btw but every little bit helps 👍x

[AgedCrone]

Speak to your doctors before you take any supplements ....many innocuous herbs etc are a big NoNo with prescription meds.

St John’s Wort is a very controversial supplement.....especially not good if you like sitting in the sun,

[Emseykins]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I'm glad I didn't order any supplements then. I do yoga every day and that does help but not 'in the moment' if that makes sense? I find i can become angry and frustrated so easily. Antidepressants might be the right option for me, they worked at giving me some headspace last time, im just taking some time to decide what's best

[Boxerlady in reply to Emseykins]

I found the 321 exercise brilliant for stemming the "in the moment" panic. You need to practise it when you're calm and then it becomes so automatic that you can do it easily even when the anxiety has hit. I've had lots of good feedback from students I've taught it to. 😊

[Brushwork]

I took it following a particularly harrowing bereavement and I was also on Hydroxy., it really helped me. I had also refused the normal GP offerings.

I agree with other comments though. There are a lot of coping strategies to help with anxiety. My issue is that when you have heightened anxiety the mind is irrational, and so it is almost impossible at that stage, to do anything. First you need to recognise the signs of rising anxiety and use your chosen technique before it gets out of hand.

For me meditation and mindfulness helps, along with a clean diet and exercise. I tend to go with the least amount of medical intervention I can cope with.

I hope you find ways to better whole health.

[Thingybob]

I found counselling a really big help. It helped my anxiety and gave me coping strategies for when the sessions ended. You can refer through your gp or self refer via the internet or phone. Look for your local IAPT service online. Or your rheumy team might be able to refer you.

I went the self refer route and it was totally confidential.

Best wishes, I know how life stifling anxiety can be x😐

[Sparrowtracks]

Ditto the checking with your doc about supplements. I use L-theanine daily for anxiety and to help with brain fog. It’s an amino acid, comes from green tea. One of the best supplements i’ve Found. St. John’s Wort has helped me with depression, but i know it can’t be combined with some meds. Good luck!

[Hidden]

Have you tried 5HTP, found it really helpful, but you'd have to check about your meds and interaction.