St. John's Wort

[tygra]

Hi!

Has anyone ever taken the above? Considering giving this to someone I believe has depression, but want to hear people's opinions first.

TIA

 

[Repo]

Be careful St.Johns Wart will conteract your birth control pills

 

[tygra]

Thanks - I won't be taking it.
It's for a male.

 

[spyrosmom]

I took it for a few weeks when I was going thru some post-surgery funk earlier this year. It did help. I wasn't dancing in the daffodils or anything while I was taking it, but I did feel normal instead of in a funk. I did 1 pill 3x a day, I can't recall which brand. I got it at Walgreens, brown bottle w/ a yellow label. I don't recall any side effects or any problems when I stopped. I'd say its worth a shot. I didn't know about the BC prob, but I'm not on the pill so it doesn't matter. I went to the Dr while I was taking it for something else (I can't recall what) and she prescribed painkillers or antibiotics and I wasn't supposed to take the St John's wort with that, as it messed up the other medication. I really do think its safe, but watch whatever else is being taken as well and make sure there are no interactions. If your friend is really, deeply depressed, I don't know how much it will help, but like I said mine wasn't too bad, and it def helped, and quickly, too.

Nan

Edit - Now that I read Jaffas post about the dentist - it may be narcotic painkillers it doesn't mix with. I know the Dr said it can affect your breathing w/ mixed with whatever it was. And since Jaffas references surgery, I believe it was painkillers

 

[Jaffas]

I took it when I was dealing with getting my dad into a nursing home. Like Nan said, it didn't make me feel like celebrating but it did take the edge off enough to be able to deal with a difficult situation. I wasn't really depressed it was more anxiety. When I had dental surgery last year the doctor specifically asked if I was taking St. John's wort. I had stopped by then so I'm not sure what he would have said (or done differently) had I said yes.

 

[dragonf1y]

SJW can take the edge off, but it interacts badly with MANY medications, especially anti-anxiety/depression perscriptions. Use with caution.

 

[Beavs]

Actually, I would recommend this person speak with their doctor and/or pharmacist. Supplements are not regulated and often interact with other medications so one should never take a chance.

 

[Jaffas]

I agree with those who say he should seek medical advice. I do not use any medications. I assumed this was so for the person in question too. I tried sjw first and since that worked I didn't go to my doctor. Had it not I would have consulted a physician and explored other options. I was just trying to give my experience since that's what I felt Tia was asking about. It is true that sjw should not be used with many meds and it say so on the bottle (at least on the brand I used).
Hope your friend gets some kind of help. It's hard to see people go through depression.

 

[tygra]

Thanks all!
It's very, very hard when they try and get help for everything else that depression can cause, ignoring the problem - even though I keep saying it. Very hard for him to admit I think. He's getting medical help, but not the right kind - not being upfront. Sleeping pill for insomnia, meds for headache and nausea. Says doc says that insomnia can cause people to have depression symptoms but he's been sleeping now and no change. I don't think he's being honest.

His mom will talk with him as well and really, he has NOTHING to lose by just trying something and EVERYTHING to lose if he doesn't.

He's a stranger. I went through major depression in the past, so I can see it. My heart aches for him.