eva Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 I took st. johnswort for about half a year. now i tapered and quit 900 mg. of st, Johnswort inabout 4 weeks. And i feel terrible, depressed, can't sleep, desperate, sort of... Could this be withdrawal? maybe i went too fast but i couldn't split the capsules and taper by 1/4 pill a week, so i tapered 1 pill a week. And if that's too fast, am I in withdrawal now, and what should i do? Start taking sjw again and buy pill that i can split, or just wait and hope this withdrawal will not last for too long? Please advise! 1990-2013: prozac, 40 mg. daily 2013: st. Johnswort, 3 x 300 mg. daily tapered st. Johnswort, now off it. magnesium oil: applied to feet, at night low dose naltrexone: 3 mg. daily Taurine 3 x 500 mg. calcium: 800 mg. Fishoil Amino acids complex Ashwaganda, 2 x 450 mg. August 2014: stopped supplements, reinstated prozac, first 10 mg., now 15 mg. , for severe anxiety and panic and total insomnia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus Skyler Posted February 27, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 27, 2014 Hi Eva, you sure can have WD from St. John's Wort.. I just searched.. put johns wort into the search box up top.... and pulled up this thread. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/652-st-johns-wort-hypericum-perforatum/?hl=%2Bjohns+%2Bwort I think you probably can make a liquid suspension which is the way we taper drugs here. Others will be along to weigh in.. but you can start with the link above. Unfortunately, many think that if it's not a script, drugs cannot be such a big deal.. but sometimes OTC meds can give a go, especially when they have psychotropic properties. As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. Requip - 3/16 ZERO Total time on 25 years. Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10) Total time on 25 years. Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section. "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 28, 2014 Administrator Share Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) Since you've already got withdrawal symptoms, I would reinstate perhaps 500mg a day -- your nervous system might have adjusted somewhat to a lower dose -- stabilize for a month or two, and then taper. You can probably get St. John's Wort in lower doses and cut up the tablets so you're tapering by small amounts, such as 25mg. We have had people here who got St. John's Wort in liquid drops and tapered using the liquid. General information about St. John's Wort here http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/652-st-johns-wort-hypericum-perforatum/ Note: St. John's Wort is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). If you are taking it, you may have odd reactions to a substance called tyramine in some foods. You may wish to go on a restricted diet for MAOIs http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/maois/faq-20058035 Please start a topic for yourself in the Introductions forum http://tinyurl.com/3o4k3j5 and let us know your progress. Edited February 28, 2014 by Altostrata updated This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eva Posted February 28, 2014 Author Share Posted February 28, 2014 Thanks! Will reinsta 500 mg. and see what happens. Altostrata, i allready have a topic in the Introductions forum, called: 20 years prozac.... But will let you know how I am doing. 1990-2013: prozac, 40 mg. daily 2013: st. Johnswort, 3 x 300 mg. daily tapered st. Johnswort, now off it. magnesium oil: applied to feet, at night low dose naltrexone: 3 mg. daily Taurine 3 x 500 mg. calcium: 800 mg. Fishoil Amino acids complex Ashwaganda, 2 x 450 mg. August 2014: stopped supplements, reinstated prozac, first 10 mg., now 15 mg. , for severe anxiety and panic and total insomnia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 28, 2014 Administrator Share Posted February 28, 2014 Please add to your topic. Thanks for letting us know about your experience going off St. John's Wort. A lot of people think that since it's "natural," they can be cavalier about taking it and going off it. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted February 28, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 28, 2014 I took St Johns wort drops for around 2 years, many years ago and quit C/T because I couldn't afford the drops after a cut in income. I suffered withdrawal which led to going on effexor. I didn't recognise it as withdrawal and thought it was my depression that was back. I would definitely taper St Johns wort just like any other AD. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator JanCarol Posted March 6, 2014 Moderator Share Posted March 6, 2014 Thanks Mamma P. I had hubby on St. John's Wort (to keep him from going to a pdoc and getting the Kool Aid!) for a year, and I have him tapering 25% every 2 weeks. We have done the first 25% with no apparent ill effects. If anything, he may be feeling more pain than before - he's got a couple of persistent injuries (we think, getting MRI next week) that seem to bother him more now. I will discuss with him whether or not he wants to hold for another 2 weeks next week. It's amazing how many "formulas" and even multivitamins sneak this herb in, making the need for diligence important. "Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again. My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices. A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia. CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013. Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine). Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 - Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years on Lithium). Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made. The tedious thread (my intro): JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium The happy thread (my success story): JanCarol - Undiagnosed Off all bipolar drugs My own blog: https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/ I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted March 6, 2014 Administrator Share Posted March 6, 2014 Your hubby might benefit from fish oil and magnesium, seehttp://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1300-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/ This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eva Posted March 17, 2014 Author Share Posted March 17, 2014 I did go back on the lower dose of St. Johnswort, but just for a short while. We went on a short holiday of a few days and i forgot to take it with me.. so I quit. That was about ten days ago. The last week i have been feeling quite good! I tapered the cannabis-oil too, now just take one drop at night. And it looks like I'm beginning to feel better! I think stopping the St. Johnswort was really, thanks for the advice on that! 1990-2013: prozac, 40 mg. daily 2013: st. Johnswort, 3 x 300 mg. daily tapered st. Johnswort, now off it. magnesium oil: applied to feet, at night low dose naltrexone: 3 mg. daily Taurine 3 x 500 mg. calcium: 800 mg. Fishoil Amino acids complex Ashwaganda, 2 x 450 mg. August 2014: stopped supplements, reinstated prozac, first 10 mg., now 15 mg. , for severe anxiety and panic and total insomnia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted March 17, 2014 Administrator Share Posted March 17, 2014 Thank you, eva. Good to hear you're feeling well. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper175 Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 Goodness, I never know what is wrong with me but no SSRI ever worked, and now I figured why not try St John’s... 3 weeks in and i feel manic and acid brain. Just had a bit of depersonalization. If only 3 weeks at 900 daily can I just stop? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted January 6, 2018 Administrator Share Posted January 6, 2018 If I were you, Jasper, I'd reduce by 25% and see how that feels. Please start a topic for yourself in the Introductions forum. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annesj Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 On 2/28/2014 at 3:39 AM, Altostrata said: Since you've already got withdrawal symptoms, I would reinstate perhaps 500mg a day -- your nervous system might have adjusted somewhat to a lower dose -- stabilize for a month or two, and then taper. You can probably get St. John's Wort in lower doses and cut up the tablets so you're tapering by small amounts, such as 25mg. We have had people here who got St. John's Wort in liquid drops and tapered using the liquid. General information about St. John's Wort here http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/652-st-johns-wort-hypericum-perforatum/ Note: St. John's Wort is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). If you are taking it, you may have odd reactions to a substance called tyramine in some foods. You may wish to go on a restricted diet for MAOIs http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/maois/faq-20058035 Please start a topic for yourself in the Introductions forum http://tinyurl.com/3o4k3j5 and let us know your progress. Hi. I know this is an old thread but I was reading about St Johns wort. As I cant get any relief from my depression, I will try St Johns wort. My question is if St Johns wort are as "potent" as MAOI antidepressants, when it comes to being carefull with tyramine in foods? I hope not because I think its my last hope to ease my depression. I think its related to withdrawing zopiclone but Im really not sure anymore. Mabye both. Have had depression before (before benzo). Thanks Zopiclon 2013 and still. Oxazepam (Serax) May 2017- sept 2018. Jumped up and down 20-25 mg, started to have interdose w/d in Jan 2018. Tapered out Oxazepam (a bit fast by first 50 % then 25%) from 30 july 2018, stopped oct 14, 2018. Felt awfull, many w/d symtoms. Eased up slowly. Tapering Zopiclone. From about 12.5 mg usually (some nights 12 mg) Tapering : 9 dec - 26 dec 11 mg 27 dec - - 10 mg Having anxiety day time and depression (almost the other horrible w/d from Oxazepam is gone). Anxeity comes around noon and go away at around 8 pm that was the pattern before tapering Z. Take Magnesium citrat 120 mg Ecitalopram 2016 about 7 month, and 2017 may-oct 2017. Lyrica sept 2016-january 2017. No w/d when CT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted March 31, 2019 Administrator Share Posted March 31, 2019 People have different reactions to St. John's Wort, some of them bad. We don't recommend it for withdrawal symptoms. We don't treat depression here. Please see Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms Easing your way into meditation for a stressed-out nervous system Music for self-care: calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep Shame, guilt, regret, and self-criticism Ways to cope with daily anxiety Dealing With Emotional Spirals This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annesj Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 Thanks. Do you mean they had bad reactions when trying them in withdrawal ? Ive only read about some people here taking them so its hard to know. Some good reactions too. I guess people react bad on ADs too. I guess they are suppose to be safer than AD. In Sweden its approwed by MPA Zopiclon 2013 and still. Oxazepam (Serax) May 2017- sept 2018. Jumped up and down 20-25 mg, started to have interdose w/d in Jan 2018. Tapered out Oxazepam (a bit fast by first 50 % then 25%) from 30 july 2018, stopped oct 14, 2018. Felt awfull, many w/d symtoms. Eased up slowly. Tapering Zopiclone. From about 12.5 mg usually (some nights 12 mg) Tapering : 9 dec - 26 dec 11 mg 27 dec - - 10 mg Having anxiety day time and depression (almost the other horrible w/d from Oxazepam is gone). Anxeity comes around noon and go away at around 8 pm that was the pattern before tapering Z. Take Magnesium citrat 120 mg Ecitalopram 2016 about 7 month, and 2017 may-oct 2017. Lyrica sept 2016-january 2017. No w/d when CT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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