== www.sjwforum.org == Welcome to the St Johns Wort and Depression Forum

Just started

jeremyll33 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:11:27 GMT

Hello there, I have been taking SJW for about a week now and I can report its success.

I am stay at home Dad and I get a bit down often with things so I used to medicate myself on Friday nights with a beer then a beer, then another.

Its Monday and this is the first weekend I haven't had any beer - if you count a single shandy which is beer and lemonade mixed. I just didnt get that Friday "Lets have a pint" feeling I normally get. I just dived into a novel.

It doesn't make you feel amazing just stops bad thoughts from spiralling into more bad thoughts. The funny thing is that my situation hasnt changed at all - its still stresful bringing up 2 small kids as a man - but the way I deal with things has subtly changed. I might now argue that I didnt have depresion at all ahich sound severe, rather what the old people might have called a spot of "melancholy". I think that there are degrees of sadness. I certainly wasn't suicidal really. My next steps will be to exercise more.

So I can only say how it is helping me from diving into the "pit", or also a glass with slippery sides!

Forum: General Discussion

St. Johns Wort for General Anxiety Mild Depression

lilkatie24 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:30:22 GMT

Ok so I had a panic attack in 2004, thats the only attack I've had but since then I've had a general anxiety sometimes I wont even be thinking about nervous or anxious things my body just feels anxious. But strangely I've been anxiety free for about 6 months until last night. I got very sick (I ate something with a lot of msg in it) and the anxiety came back full force followed by depressive thoughts. Of course now my anxiety has stayed with me for most of the following day all I can think about is "will it stay with me again? Is it going to be back forever this time?" I feel like even before my anxiety attack I was an anxious person with some depression sprinkled in, I just didn't realize it at the time now that I look at the symptoms I see that I might have a mild depression problem. I have a habit of staying busy or focusing on a goal by doing this I can stay depression free but when that goal is done it comes back like I have to much time to think. I was doing good for a long time but lately I have slacked off I eat more foods with MSG, have started drinking decaf, and not exercised enough I am taking a regular vitamin should I take a B Complex? I was worried about taking one since I am 4"11 and small in size I didn't know how it would affect me. I was wondering if St. Johns Wort would be good for me? I don't know which to treat first the depression or anxiety? I have good days and bad days one day i'll be up the next down and I just want something that might help. Any help or answers would be greatly appreciated. Isnt it strange that one panic attack almost 6 years ago can spawn something like this?

Forum: General Discussion

Hello and introduction (product advice please)

aquabright — Sun, 31 May 2009 18:41:50 GMT

Hi,

Just wanted to introduce myself and my problems.

After turning 40 this year I've found myself in a low mood again and feeling lost/aimless a little (despite living by the sea in a bit of a microclimate, with a loving partner). Worst times are during the day before 5pm. After this time I tend to settle more and feel less agitated (must be something to do with the idea of 'the working day').

I've been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and put on Codeine Phosphate (for restless leg syndrome at night) and 2 Amitriptline tables at bedtime (to aid sleep).

I hate these Amitriptyline as although they help relax my body lovely sometimes at night, they leave me very tired the next day and with a dry mouth. I've been waking up in the afternoon and have almost lost appetite (snacking at mo as best as I can - again easier to nibble something in the evenings). Plenty of weight to lose though :-) This half a day gone has not helped my mind as I suppose deep down I've felt like I'm wasting a large part of my life.

After spending many years growing up and suffering with Seasonal Affective Disorder (not diagnosed until in my twenties) along with not really knowing what I wanted to do / who I wanted to be. Decent parents (mum and grandma) but not good at dealing with someone like me who feels very creative but without someway of channelling it. Then each winter the creativity would disappear on the fog of the SAD to try to be rebuilt in the summer. I then became the parent to look after them.

I've just started on some new sessions with a therapist (who offers psychotherapy, counselling and hypnotherapy) - thought I may have some more older issues that I need to fully face and deal with to prevent this problem recurring again in a few years time along with needing direction and ways to channel my creativity, and a therapist with several abilities may help me more with this. Also to see doctor to come off Amitriptyline and back onto SJW.

For some strange reason this time around I was led to the chiller section of my local shop and bought strawberry flavoured milk (never drank it before). Have just found out milk has something to do with serotonin/5-HTP?? Amazing how somewhere in the back of my mind there is always something to try to direct me out of my troubles - don't know where the info comes from (although I do love a bit of research now and then). Years ago it was a library book on winter blues that had an address at the back for a university study (they sent me a questionnaire and then told me I had SAD)!

This time around I've been reading about SJW, 5-HTP, and other things (SAMe, etc.) but I'm not sure which to start taking?

In the past I've bought from the health shop Holland & Barrett (here in UK). HERBAL AUTHORITY brand of liquid SJW extract (3 droppers per day in a little water each time). I have a bit of a problem in swallowing tablets (especially large ones and even capsules). Prefer liquid forms generally.

Any advice on products (that I can get here in the UK)?

Thank you :-)

Forum: General Discussion

SJW

pamles74 — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 03:45:53 GMT

I was wondering if any one has actually been advised by an MD to try SJW.

I went to see an MD internist who does not seem to connect with SJW at all.

would luv 2 read ur experience!!!

Forum: General Discussion

Another newbie...

sunshinexo — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 03:26:22 GMT

I just heard of ST.Johns Wort tonight and am so excited to start it! However I'm nervous of the side effects. I am on birth control, I don't want to end up pregnant! I also live right by the beach in Florida. Needless to say Im at the beach literally every weekend soakin up the sun, it's my life. Is it really that bad with the sun? No, I don't want to wear sunscreen, stubborn I know. What exactly will happen if I go out in the sun while taking this? And whats this about birth control?? I'm not fully understanding. Thanks for the help! =]

Forum: General Discussion

Growing my own ...

thenymph — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 22:06:52 GMT

Hi there

I'm new here and glad to meet you all !

Thinking of growing my own St John's Wort and my supplier has several varieties of Hypericom perforatum.

Does anyone know enough about this to recommend which one I should buy from the following, or they all about the same ? Here's the list :-

                                                                     
 Hypericum  perforatum  

 Hypericum  perforatum Elixier
                                           
 Hypericum  perforatum Helos
                                           
 Hypericum  perforatum New Stem
                                           
 Hypericum  perforatum Taubertal
                                            
 Hypericum  perforatum Taubertal organic                    

 Hypericum  perforatum 'Topas' 

 Hypericum  perforatum Topas organic

My instinct tells me to buy the "Elixier" but one of you may know better !

Thanks.

Forum: General Questions

Switching brands

Arniegrape — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:34:16 GMT

Does anyone know if it's risky to switch brands? I was taking Perika for a pretty decent amount of time, but then I ran out (and was tired of purchasing the rather small bottles, which only contain sixty tablets), and started taking the remnants of an HBC bottle of SJW for a few weeks. Then I switched back to Perika and am only feeling so-so.

Forum: General Discussion

Omega-3 fish oil and SJW

sflaugher — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:50:06 GMT

Anybody know if there's any evidence that combining Omega-3 with SJW is useful?

Forum: General Questions

SJW and Cocaine Withdrawal

sflaugher — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 02:26:08 GMT

Is SJW or hyperforin useful or effective in reducing symptoms of withdrawal from cocaine addiction?

Forum: General Questions

Nature made SJW

ika — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:43:51 GMT

Hi everyone

I am new here. First thank you so much for wealth information. I stumbled on this web site while searching for any information on Trader Joes SJW about 10 days ago.

I have been using Nature Brand of SJW for more than 2-3 years now on and off and now realize it did not do anything for me. Based on recommendations I went to Rite-aid and saw that they carry Kira brand and purchased it (they had a 2 for price of one deal). Have not seen Perika in any pharmacies in Southern CA.

I took one pill and then 3 next day and could not believe it. It was as if someone lifted a dark veil off me and I started seeing again. My friends immediately noticed that I changed and they thought I was on drugs. I could not be happier. I know it takes about a week or so (or for some people couple of weeks) but for me it was instant. I have been taking it for about a week now. I feel GREAT. on a plus side it seems to be an appetite supressant as well so I am not eating as much. I want to lose weight so I hope I do. The only negative so far I noticed ( and it may not be from Kira) is that I tend to have heartburn.

Just wanted to share my experience with Nature brand ( I will contine to buy their vitamins but not SJW) and thank you all for contributing to this great site.

UPDATE: OK I have to admit it is not anymore blistfull feeling like at the beginning. that felt great. now it is more of flat feeling but still better than not being on it. Also I can confirm that coffee does not agree that great with Kira. When I drink alchohol I am very depressed next day so I am trying to avoid it.

Forum: General Discussion

Higher Dosage Unhealthy?

snaebsemajlooc — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:27:54 GMT

I have been taking 900mg (300mg x 3) of 0.3% Hypericin for a month or two straight. I noticed some progress but I wanted to know if i can take more of it? Maybe doubling the dosage to 1800mg? Is it safe?

Forum: General Discussion

new to SJW and need advice

PR1 — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:59:57 GMT

Hi to all,

I started on SJW about 4 weeks ago (using the Kira brand and taking a 300mg tablet 3 x per day). For the 1st 2 weeks I noticed a massive improvement - my energy was up, I slept really well, my concentration was better, I felt much more alert + positive and my libido increased.

During weeks 2-4, I've seen a ll off tis drop away - I now feel very 'groggy', kind of 'detatched', occasionally light headed and a bit off balance. The most worrying feature though is my libido has totally vanished, I have no interest in sex at all and cannot become aroused.

Please can you folks advise? perhaps I am taking to much? not enough?

Thank you
PR1

Forum: General Discussion

withdrawal problems

COLINT — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 19:46:01 GMT

i have had 3 couses of oxyteracycline this year for sinus infections.the last lot i took had a reaction with the sjw of two year 900mg per day standing and i had anxiety and other
dreadful symptoms.after stopping the antibiotics the anxiety would not go away so
i decided to wean off the sjw.i have gone down from 900mg from nov1 to 500mg now 20 dec.the brand is higher nature ,a 300mg capsule of grind powder.
i have had bad withdrawal symptoms .at the mo i am tired,sleeping difficulties ,palputations.brain fog ,headache ,upset stomach etc.
can any body
help with this.
many thanks colint

Forum: General Discussion

rapid heart beat

Arniegrape — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:06:51 GMT

I've taken SJW for a number of years, and have experienced great results. However, recently, for no particular reasoning that I can find, I have developed a rapid or abnormal heart beat, which can often last for days at a time, and sometimes be completely debilitating. I also take Advair for asthma, and realize that this could be one of numerous factors contributing to this, but was wondering if anyone has experieced something similar from taking SJW?

Forum: General Discussion

15 minutes

StJohnssoldier — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:52:32 GMT

I have heard reports that StW takes around 4-6 weeks to start working Well I bought the KIRA brand the other day and took my first one with my main meal After 15 minutes of ingesting it I could feel its effects
I must admit I tend to be very sensitive to these supplements.I have a similar effect with fish oil.
StW very very good stuff though so far.

Forum: General Questions