![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ikikass on June 22, 2006, at 23:57:36
Hey guys, just wanting to get some advice about St. John's Wort. Over the last 8 years I've tried meds like Zoloft and Surmontil and Restoril. I was prescribed Effexor a year ago but have never taken it due to all the things I've read/heard about the side effects and withdrawl. I'm kinda scared, and also, I suffer from a sleeping disorder so I don't want to make things worse becuase depression is so hard to manage when you're totally exhausted. I have recently done some research about natural therapies, and have just started taking St. John's Wort over the past week end. Have any of you folks tried it, and if so, would you mind giving some feedback on your experience? I'm worried that I might just have a "placebo" effect and not actually get better, but just think I am, but maybe I'm just being paranoid.
Thanks guys!
Posted by Phillipa on June 22, 2006, at 23:57:36
In reply to St. John's Wort, posted by ikikass on June 19, 2006, at 13:25:28
What does it matter if your feeling better. I think this may get redirected to alternative. Why not post it there. Love Phillipa
Posted by ikikass on June 22, 2006, at 23:57:36
In reply to Re: St. John's Wort » ikikass, posted by Phillipa on June 19, 2006, at 15:44:18
Hm, I guess why it matters is that if it is only a placebo effect than I'm not really getting better, psycho-somatically, I just think I am because I'm taking a pill. I did post it in alternative as well, but thx for the tip :)
Posted by blueberry on June 22, 2006, at 23:57:36
In reply to St. John's Wort, posted by ikikass on June 19, 2006, at 13:25:28
SJW is a powerful plant. It can do anything a pharmaceutical antidepressant can do. By that I mean it can work like a miracle for some people, it can work sort of ok for some people, it can work not at all for some people, and it can make some people even more depressed than they were.
Though some people feel benefits in one to two weeks, it really does take minimum six weeks, but 8 to 12 weeks for a true test.
If it works for you and you stay well for a while but then it feels like it is pooping out...this is gonna sound weird...do not increase the dose...instead, decrease it. Really. That is how many people who experience sjw poopout get it to work again.
There is a good forum devoted just to sjw users. Tons of good information, experience, and advice there.
www.sjwinfo.org
Posted by ikikass on June 22, 2006, at 23:57:37
In reply to Re: St. John's Wort » ikikass, posted by blueberry on June 19, 2006, at 18:27:34
> SJW is a powerful plant. It can do anything a pharmaceutical antidepressant can do. By that I mean it can work like a miracle for some people, it can work sort of ok for some people, it can work not at all for some people, and it can make some people even more depressed than they were.
>
> Though some people feel benefits in one to two weeks, it really does take minimum six weeks, but 8 to 12 weeks for a true test.
>
> If it works for you and you stay well for a while but then it feels like it is pooping out...this is gonna sound weird...do not increase the dose...instead, decrease it. Really. That is how many people who experience sjw poopout get it to work again.
>
> There is a good forum devoted just to sjw users. Tons of good information, experience, and advice there.
>
> www.sjwinfo.org
>
>Thanks so much for the tip, that helps my research ;)
Posted by Dr. Bob on June 23, 2006, at 0:03:57
In reply to St. John's Wort, posted by ikikass on June 19, 2006, at 13:25:28
> Hey guys, just wanting to get some advice about St. John's Wort.
Welcome! And sorry about the extra trouble, but I'd like to ask you to re-register ("for the first time") under a new name that's less likely to offend others:
https://dr-bob.securesites.com/cgi-bin/pb/signup.pl
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by llrrrpp on June 23, 2006, at 20:45:54
In reply to Re: St. John's Wort » blueberry, posted by ikikass on June 20, 2006, at 10:01:59
I took SJW for about 3 weeks, and I developed a severe rash over my face and torso and arms that resembled prickly heat. It may have been a combination of mild sun exposure and SJW. not pleasant. I hadn't noticed any effects on my depression, and the rash made me feel just yucky and itchy all over. It went away in about 4 days. I had to take antihistamines and cool showers to get any relief.
I hope you have more positive experiences!
-ll
Posted by sdb on June 28, 2006, at 16:46:41
In reply to Re: St. John's Wort +rash :(, posted by llrrrpp on June 23, 2006, at 20:45:54
Hi llrrrpp,
Which sjw abstract did you take?
Brand?
Dosage?Many thanks
sdb
> I took SJW for about 3 weeks, and I developed a severe rash over my face and torso and arms that resembled prickly heat. It may have been a combination of mild sun exposure and SJW. not pleasant. I hadn't noticed any effects on my depression, and the rash made me feel just yucky and itchy all over. It went away in about 4 days. I had to take antihistamines and cool showers to get any relief.
>
> I hope you have more positive experiences!
> -ll
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Alternative | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.