St John's Wort Vs. Prozac.

[southeast-isher]

Thanks Millims, well i am single so i can't take the beloved off for a cuddle lol... hence why getting some v-i-a-g-r-a would be unhealthy.

[southeast-isher]

It's a little bit more complicated as i have been taking another psychiatric medication for 11 years now which is said to augment the prozac. So i have been seeing the mental health team on and off for years now.

[StripyPixieSocks]

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.

St John's Wort will not help you sufficiently with anxiety. If you are suffering side effects to an uncomfortable degree please go and speak to your GP who should be able to recommend / prescribe something different.

Unfortunately drugs like Prozac and Zoloft etc *DO* have side effects but at the end of the day, I'd rather have the side effects than the anxiety and depression I suffer with :)

Prozac didn't agree with me either hence the switch to Zoloft and before I sought professional help I did take St John's Wort for a good while and while it has a mild stabilizing effect I wouldn't say it would replace Prozac in your case.

HTH

[southeast-isher]

I took some flaxseed oil capsules and other supplements yesterday after having not taken them for a while and these ones in particular seem to work for me - i woke up refreshed this morning with a bit of get-up-and-go.

I think i will not be concerned with getting off my prescribed meds for the moment as i think with supplements such as gingko (which i had forgotten about), theanine, and the omega 3:6:9... i should feel better. People can be cynical about these supplements but i notice a real difference.

Thanks all of you.

[mrsflibble]

I am very much of the "keep the meds" camp, after a disasterous attempt to come off prozac (well, own brand nhs fluoxetine) thinking I was better... I've never tried st johns, but I have tried diet changes, cutting out caffeine, exercise etc... it's just that I can't shake off the side effects. stomach problems being the most uncomfortable BUt I have managed to find a way to lessen them. firstly, cutting out lactose helped and seocndly taking multivitamines and a probiotic called Tumbiotix is amazing.

I also notice a difference, I tak flaxseed every morning too and it helps with the thyroid-based problems rather than the brain-problems.

[baldybloke]

I attended a 6 week CBT group session for Stress and Anxiety which I then followed up with a Self Esteem course at the end of last year. At first I found it really daunting but got into it and it has really helped.
Once you have admitted to yourself you have a problem, its only a matter of finding the right course of treatment that suits you. You need to stop looking at the big picture, which is overwhelming, which keeps you going round in vicious circles. Take little steps, set goals, reward yourself and keep at it. I also found Hypnotheraphy and meditation useful.

[southeast-isher]

Hi MrsFlibble, i don't get any tummy upsets - not at the moment anyway! And yes i'm on the cheapie fluoxetine but i called it Prozac as it's more widely know as that i figured.

And BaldyBloke, gardening too is very very good for your mental health... theraputic, or however you spell it. It's proven you know!

[gilly]

What about trying Passiflora tablets or liquid for anziety. I had a nervous breakdown quite a few years ago, went to a Herbalist in Galway, and she made up my own medicine. It was like an old-fashioned chemist's shop.
The main ingredient was Passiflora
I turned over a new leaf within a few day's
Life is good

[southeast-isher]

Thanks Gilly i will look into it.