St John's Wort Vs. Prozac.

[southeast-isher]

Now i take prozac for anxiety and i'm not all that happy being on it due to the side effects that affect me. That's not to say they affect everyone that takes it. And yes, i understand Prozac can help a lot of people. So with that debate aside, i am considering St John's Wort.

I think some people on here have taken it right? Has anyone taken it who has taken Prozac so can compare use of both. I'm sure St John's Wort won't be a cure-all for me but i'd like to consider trying it. Can anyone offer any pros/cons? Thanks.

[MKG]

The only thing I can tell you is that I used it as an adjunct to a "give up smoking" attempt. I failed to give up smoking. But that's beside the point - as far as I remember, St. John's Wort did absolutely nothing in line with its often praised effects. As far as I'm concerned, it was very expensive and completely useless.

If you're on Prozac, it's been prescribed for you by a doctor. That's because it actually works. In my opinion, St. John's Wort does absolutely bugger all. My advice - my heartfelt advice - is not to interfere with a course of treatment with proven therapeutic results. If you have unpleasant side effects, go back to the same doctor who prescribed the Prozac and explain your situation. There are usually ways round most complaints. My other bit of heartfelt advice is NOT to go the alternative route merely because it is alternative - there are conventional alternatives to Prozac.

Alternative therapies are fine - but when it comes to serious stuff like anxiety and depression, I feel that they are, to be frank, too simplistic.

Mike

[southeast-isher]

Thanks Mike... very kind of you to reply in such a way. I spoke to the doctor recently and he did say i was on the best drugs he could give me as we'd tried some other options which didn't agree with me. And him saying that was in itself a little bit depressing thinking that this is the best he can do... i'm asleep for like 12 hours a day sometimes more!

[MKG]

Then maybe that sleep is what you really need?

You will get past this (I was once, in the distant past, a psychiatric nurse). Chronic depressions are an absolute bastard - but, to be frank, you don't come across as a chronic depressive. At all!!! Acute depressions and anxieties get most of us at some point - and something like Prozac helps the majority of such sufferers through the worst bits. I'm not trying to do alternative therapies down - but I would shout and scream against extravagant claims which can't be substantiated. And when someone is suffering, I'll scream louder. The best possible treatment for any condition is always the best possible treatment (there - that's tautology defined in an instant).

As I said previously, talk to your doctor. And, as I also said, you WILL get past this. I hope it's quick for you.

Mike

[Odsox]

I had chronic depression about 6 years ago culminating in bad panic attacks. I can't remember what my doctor prescribed but it sort of worked OK but in the process totally destroyed my love life.
My doctor actually recommended St John's Wort which I shied away from for quite some time reasoning that it can't possibly be as good as a prescribed pharmaceutical drug, and the last thing I wanted was to be plunged back into depression again. I did eventually take her advice after about 9 months and it totally worked (works) for me ... does the job it's supposed to with no side effects at all.
I'm not sure if it works for everybody the same, and I know there's a problem with it neutralising birth control pills, but for me it keeps be as sane as I want to be.

[southeast-isher]

Well, MKG when it's not anxiety as such but severe obessive-compulsive disorder. I'm a handwasher! And i was having a panic attack weekly. The prozac cured the panic attacks almost completely. And it helped the symptoms i went on it for but the doctor says i should still stay on it though i'm not obliged to.

Odsox, what sort of dose of SJW are/were you taking to find success with it? And can you recommend any particular brand?

The prozac has hindered my love-life too in that well, i'm always asleep! No seriously, for me personally (not for everyone) it makes my libido very low indeed.

[chickenchargrill]

If the prozac works, maybe take some Gingko Balboa or something to help with the drowsiness and low libido? *shrug*

I tried St John's for depression and anxiety, hoping to avoid another visit to the GP and sorry to say it didn't work for me. My dog is the only non-pharmaceutical aide that's actually helped. No getting away with staying indoors with a Border Collie. ;)

Oh and a quick safety note - if you do choose to take SJW, don't start it until you're nearly off Prozac as it can cause Seretonin Syndrome if taken with prescribed anti-depressants.

[southeast-isher]

You know i have some Gingko Biloba but i think they are ginseng in with it too which i found too powerful so i stopped taking them... i'll have to check. Thanks ChickenChargrill.

[southeast-isher]

The doc said he'd give me v-i-a-g-r-a if need be lol but i declined the offer...

[chickenchargrill]

lol Well, that particular medication is all well and good as long as the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. If the urge isn't there at all you might as well not bother.

[crowsashes]

if your taking it for OCD specifically the handwashing and to ease those symptoms ( as well as the anxiety) have you hassled or even thought about getting some cognitive behavioral therapy... or other talking therapies to see if that helps WHILST you are on the prescription meds? sorry if you've already gone down this route previously but if it was a few years back it may help now

i take SJW as i suffer from bouts of depression. i've been on medication but that left me feeling like a zombie... i was there but not 'normal' ... maybe i had become all to accustomed to the highs and lows, im not sure but i didnt like the way the drugs made me feel. i switched my medication several times with the doctor but nothing shifted that feeling. since taking the SJW ( i also take ginseng, a multi-vitamin,omega3+6 and evening primrose ) with the agreement of my doctor im feeling better... i still get my bad depressive states but these are no where near as often or even as long as previous... and i cope with them, its helped me get into other things giving me that push thats in turn helped ease my symptoms further. that IMO is what the drugs should do but what i never got from the prescribed meds i was offered... i still have check ups with the doctor and things are fine. not perfect but manageable and better than they were.

not all things work for the same people... maybe a lower dose of your script will ease the sleepyness... even changing the time of day you take your meds might help... take them in the morning instead of the even and vice versa... but as has been said before you really need to make any changes with agreement of your doctor...

[Green Aura]

Have you ever been referred to your Community Mental Health Team? I agree with crowashes - while Prozac may help control the symptoms you describe it isn't going to stop them long term. With CBT and some fairly simple techniques you can have a much better long term recovery than with drugs. I would suggest you discuss this with your doctor next time you go.

Prozac is one of the family of SSRIs - there are others in that family that will have fewer side effects for you. But it may be your GP isn't confident in changing it - GPs are great all-rounders but many do not have specialist Psychiatric knowledge. Again the CMHT could help advise on that.

The final thing I would add is that whatever decision you make re your meds, DO NOT just stop taking them. One of the peculiarities of SSRIs is that if stopped suddenly all the symptoms and worse can come flooding in. Again a programme, in conjunction with your GP or CPN, to be weaned off them will ensure this doesn't happen.

[Odsox]

Odsox, what sort of dose of SJW are/were you taking to find success with it? And can you recommend any particular brand?

I started taking 300mg tablets 3 times a day but gradually cut it down so that I am now taking just the one 300mg per day. The ones I take are made by Bio Health and if you're interested I can PM you the company I buy them from.
Good luck whatever you decide.

[Milims]

I've suffered attacks of acute reactive depression on numerous occasions and the Docs tried many meds on me over the years. Unfortunately the side effects they gave me were so severe that I was unable to take anything - including prozac - that just made me a zombie! It was only recently (about 15 years after the first time!)That they found something that suited. What I'm trying to say is that Prozac isn't the only thing that works, but it is one of the more popular meds. Why not ask you Doc for something else, something "lighter"? Also the suggestions of CBT and similar are good ones as meds aren't the only way to deal with this issue. Have you tried a homeopath?
Be good to yourself, push yourself a little when you feel the going is tough then praise yourself for your bravery. Remember that this is not the way it's always going to be, you will work thru it, the work will be hard but it is ultimately satisfying, so don't give up. You are a worthy and beloved person so never forget it. As to the love life - it doesn't always have to be swinging from the light fittings! Take the time to re-get-to-know your best beloved, sneak off of an afternoon cuddle when the kids are at school and take it gently from there Depression is sh1t but turned on it's head can offer you the opportunity to look at your world a new way, to test your strengths and because it strips you to the bone, gives you a chance to rebuild. Good luck and gentle hugs

[southeast-isher]

Thank you well, i managed to fall asleep last night having taken all my meds and i've woken up feeling great. That's not to say that happens every day. And it's on days like this i feel the benefits of the medication. They are a real double-edged sword.

First up i am going to get some gingko tea or tablets as i like this stuff - i have ginseng and gingko together but they are too powerful. Thank Odsox, a link would be helpful.

I have been on these meds for 4 years now i think and i am in contact with a psychiatrist who is very good and a really nice team of healthcare professionals.

CBT is an option but i don't feel i can do it this minute though i had tried before but they gave me a really nice CBT nurse who i was attracted to so it couldn't have worked and i had to pull out.