Topic Title: Helping Manic Depression
| |  "Helping Manic Depression"
, Tue 28 Jan 22:49
Kelly mentioned he hadn't heard of many experiences of St. Johns Wort helping manic depression, so I thought I would write and share mine.
I took St. Johns for a couple of years. During that time I experienced a clarity and rationality I'd never had, but didn't know if it was that or the whole foods nutrition, vitamins and Gingko Biloba I was also taking.
Then I moved to a new city, which was exciting but stressful. The change made me feel so good that I stopped taking the St Johns Wort for about 3 to 4 months. Thought I didn't need it any more, that I was doing fine. Until I realized I was beginning to exhibit all my old behaviors.
First I went on a 3-week buying binge with money I didn't have to spend (on Ebay, if you must know). I don't remember much of it, except as a crazy swirling obsessive time. Then I began having paranoid/suspicious thoughts. I found myself craving beer, something I'd pretty much given up (being a former substance abuser). I suppose I was trying to self medicate myself with alcohol.
Then the bottom fell out, when my mania switched to depression. A deep dark depression where I woke up every morning wishing I was dead. Each day got worse, as I felt more hopeless and alone in the world. I couldn't figure out why, as I was forcing myself to go jogging, walking a lot and eating well, but even that wasn't helping.
Then I realized it must be the St. Johns I quit taking. Now, after 4 days of taking it every day the ugly thoughts are starting to go away - "I'm so stupid and useless" "I'm ugly and no one cares about me" "I'll never have a happy life" - yes, it got that bad.
And I'm starting to feel hope again for the future peaking out of the dark clouds that were over my head. My manic behavior just seems so crazy looking back on it, and I feel a lot more rational. So it does help both the depression and the mania.
All I can say is Thank God. I'll keep taking it, I don't want to go through this again! Thanks for letting me share this.
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Tue 28 Jan 2003 21:33 |
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| | "Re(1):Helping Manic Depression" , Sat 1 Feb 19:17
In response to Bratsmira's letter about manic depression, I also have been diagnosed with this disease. The symptoms you describe are very similar to what I have, hopeless depression, suspicious thinking, hyper-awareness of my surroundings and so on. These must be hallmarks of the illness. I started St. John's Wort while on vacation and had a good result. I was able to get up and go sightseeing with reasonable enthusiam when it seemed like I would spend the trip depressed and in bed in our hotel room. My memory also improved.
I stopped the SJW when I thought I was better. Sure enough, as you describe, the symptoms returned. But this time my husband insisted I take a prescription medication specifically for manic depression, Lithium, because it was suggested by a doctor. I started 300 mg. of this medication and am having about the same result I had on SJW. I was taking 300 - 600mg. of SJW. Actually, the SJW had a better effect lifting my mood vs. Lithium which is more calming. The problem with Lithium is side effects, even at a very low dose. It unfortunate SJW cannot get any credibility with doctors in the US despite its amazing properties.
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Mon 16 Dec 2002 10:10 |
| | | "Re(2):Helping Manic Depression" , Mon 3 Feb 16:12
Donni,
Sorry to hear your husband insisted you take a doctor's prescribed medication, when the SJW was working just fine. I have heard so many bad things about Lithium, how it eventually destroys the liver and how you can no longer experience the elation that comes with the "manic" part of the depression. I can only imagine the side effects.
Also, most manic depressives eventually stop taking it, for awhile at least - not because they feel so great, as with SJW, but because they are tired of the side effects & feeling so "level" all the time. They only start again because they feel they have no choice.
As for your wish that one day doctors in the US will recognize SJW as beneficial, I don't see it ever happening, because pharmaceutical (prescription drug) companies scratch the doctor's back and vice versa. And doctors get no "kick back" from recommending herbs. Neither are they required to read up on the newest alternatives - which some feel threatens their livelihoods and job security.
My personal advise is to listen to your own intuition, not your doctor's or husband's, and kick the Lithium and get back on the safe, healthy St. John's Wort. Good luck.
Posts: 4 | | Registered: Tue 28 Jan 2003 21:33 |
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