St Johns Wort

[Lonnie]

Have any A/Bers takes St Johns Wort for Depression, and if in your opinion it worked, how long did it take before you noticed a difference?.
I've been taking it for a month now, and don't want to waste any more money.

Thanks.

[smudge]

Hi Lonnie - hope things are okay with you.

I've been taking St. John's Wort for many, many months now & they seem to take the 'edge' off when I'm feeling a bit low.

I wouldn't say they're a cure for depression, but I don't cry quite as easily as I did before taking them. Mind you, I still have a grizzle if I'm watching anything sad on telly, but then I always have done!

Take care. -x-

[smudge]

P.S. When I was chatting to my doctor a few weeks ago, I mentioned that I'm taking St. JW & he said it was absolutely fine to do so.

[Feena]

http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/Depress ion/dep_bach_flower_remedies.htm


This may help you Lonnie. Good Luck.

[Lonnie]

Hi smudge,
Thanks for that answer, i'll give it a bit longer, ypu know when you have certain problems, you normally can see even a glimmer if light at the end, with me, I see nothing, I was prescribed Prozac, but can't take it because of my job, and counselling was a waste of space.
Thanks again.

Hi Feena,
Thanks for your link, i've put it in my favourites for a closer look later,
Much obliged.

[smudge]

Hi Lonnie - I know exactly what you mean & have felt like that myself from time to time - we're only human after all!

I know of two people who have been on Prozac for years & believe me they still have their down days. I personally wouldn't want to take it, but have had three other types of anti-depressants in my life. Once when our grandson was born with lots of problems & we were told he could die before he was 18 months old - he's now nearly 16! Then when Dad died in '94 & Mum in '96.

To be honest, I think the weather can play a big part in how you feel & it's no wonder anyone's felt happy over the last couple of months with all this constant cloud & rain!

I hope you're feeling better soon. -xx-

[Lonnie]

Thanks smudge,
Thats a wonderfully caring answer, says a lot about the type of person you are.

That must have been a real shock when told that about your Grandson, I know it was a long time ago, but you never really get over it, because you keep the memories,
Also your parents, my mother has passed over these last four years, and every so often, I swear I hear her tut tutting when I do something she wouldn't have approved of.

My issues are to do woth my daughters day centre and the social services, and because she is so difficult, no-one else will take care of her, even one night, and because of that, the age old question, What happens after we've gone.

thats unanswerable, but as we get older, its getting louder.

Anyway, enough of that, and thanks again for your replies.

i've had this on and off for a few years, only its getting worse now, an number of contributaries,

We have issues with our

[smudge]

Oh Lonnie, I can empathise with you, but I can't go into details on here.

I just read your post out to our youngest daughter & she said she thinks there's an association called 'Family Link', which can offer respite for parents like yourself. I'm not sure where you live, but if you Google, you may find a telephone number for your area.

In the meantime, isn't there anyone in your family who are prepared to offer you the little break you need?

Thinking of you..... -x-

[Lonnie]

Hi smudge,
No-one in the family, I have a close family, at least, it was until my daughter got bigger and older, now only my sister asks us round, and thats only occasionally,but we never stay more the 30 mins,, but thats because she's into everything, they say they don't mind, but by their expressions, you can see they do, I meet my brothers occasionally, but the last time we went to one of their houses was about five years ago, and they don't come to us, but to answer your question, they haven't offered, and we won't ask, I don't think we should, and I wouldn't,they know the situation.

My wife has three sisters, all married with families, and they've also never offered.

there's a lot more into this, but its all about my daughter, she's beautiful, and happy most the time.

I'll google 'Family link', and i'll post back, many thanks to both you and your daughter.

[masma]

Hi Lonnie
I had a lot of problems with my son a couple of years ago and I swear that the only thing that got me through it was St Johns Wart. It takes about 4 weeks to get into your system so I'd say stick with it if you can.

[Lonnie]

Thanks masma,
Yes, I'll give it a bit longer,

Thanks for replying.

[newlywed]

Hi Lonnie

With regards to the St Johns Wort, there are many places you can buy this but have you heard of Healthspan? They are a company that provide pharmacy grade vitamins etc with free post and packaging and is tax free so if you go to www.healthspan.co.uk you get top quality products at an affordable price, I ordered St Johns Wort from them and it helped me a lot, it does take about four weeks to get into your system but I recommend you buy from here.

[Lonnie]

Thanks newlywed,
I'll certanly use them, at the moment I have a carton of 90, bought from my local health shop for �11.99, on this site, its 120 for �5.95. Quite a difference.

Much obliged, and welcome to the site.

[Lonnie]

Hi smudge,
If your still on this thread, 'Family Link', unfortunately, is for families of children, (always the way isn't it), my daughter is almost twenty three now, so officially, not a child, but many thanks to both you and your daughter, she seems as nice a person as you are.

[smudge]

Hi Lonnie,

Sorry I'm late, been a busy old day, just got back!

You're very welcome & only wish we could do more.

I wasn't sure how old your daughter is, so it's a shame the Family Link won't be of much help to you.

I really do hope you will find a way of getting the respite you so deserve.

Thinking of you & your daughter, Smudge -x-

[Lonnie]

Hi smudge,
Don't bother to reply, or we'll be here forever,

Just like to say,

Bless you.

[wolf63]

Lonnie

I have manic depression/bipolar disorder. The depressive periods used to be horrible.

I was prescribed Citalopram and still take it daily..

However my psychiatrist also suggested Folic Acid and Omega 3 EPA at 1000mg per day. The Omega 3 costs �20 per month, but I feel so much better. I can now cope with life.

http://www.oilofpisces.com/depression.html

http://www.healthyandessential.co.uk/shop/prod uct_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=47

They appear to be much dearer than the shop bought variety - but you need 1000mg of the EPA and the shop ones don't come in that strength.

Good luck.

[wolf63]

PS

Why can't you take anti-depressants? You say that it is because of your job - is your employer being difficult?

[Lonnie]

Hi wolf,
Thanks for the suggestion, its a thought, but I drive trains, (London Underground) and they are very very hot on medications, we are contantly being given surprise drink and drug tests, and even harmless drugs like Codeine come up as positive. (false positive), but thats enough for them to ban us taking it.

St Johns Wort doesn't appear on the tests, but our health people say that if your taking it, your admitting a problem, and your off the trains until its cleared your system, so I haven't said anything about it.


I'll see what they have to say about the ones you've suggested.

And thanks again.

[spanner7853]

i'm a bit late in replying but I dont normally come on to this topic. My doctor actually advised to take this rather than anti depressents from the doctors as it's not addictive. Be careful not to go out in the sun too much though as it can make your skin hyper sensitive to the suns rays. Cows eat it in fields and it can make all there skin fall off it's horrible. That aside I always found it works very well when I'm feeling a bit down.