St John’s Wort

[Coladh]

Hi guys,

I wonder if is there any connection between onset of RLS and menopause, my first symptoms seemed to coincide. . . . through it now but symptoms continue!

Also does anyone have any experience with St John’s Wort and RLS? I’m having major mud winter blues and am considering it. Any information would be appreciated.

Le buíochas (thanks in advance)

[SueJohnson]

It may help your depression and for some people it also helps their RLS. I am not aware of menopause making RLS worse, however if you take HRT that can make your RLS worse because of the estrogen.

[ChrisColumbus]

I had to stop taking SJW because of the long list of interactions with other drugs.

Advice from MIND is if you are taking any of the following drugs to speak to your doctor before trying St John's wort:

antidepressants

antipsychotics

sleeping pills & anaesthetics

hormonal contraceptives

anticoagulants

immunosuppressants

cholesterol and heart disease medications

blood pressure meds

migraine medications

epilepsy medications

cancer treatments

HIV and AIDS treatments.

There is a long list of drug interactions of varying severity at the following link:

bnf.nice.org.uk/interaction...

It doesn't necessarily mean that you can't take SJW if you're taking any of these drugs: in some cases it may mean that your dosage has to be adjusted

[SkyCop in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Thx for the list & link! I didn't know my immunosuppressant would be a prob 💗

[ChrisColumbus in reply to SkyCop]

Is the specific one listed in the NICE list? (BTW, I could never prove - or indeed disprove - that SJW helped my mood much. I felt that it may have reduced anxiety a little...)