St Johns Wart

Re: St Johns Wart

LizCape — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:57:31 GMT

Well, you already noticed what influences or causes your jaw clenching. In most cases it's stress induced, indeed. If you can work on that, you don't need St. john's wort ot any other medication.

Re: St Johns Wart

Mrs Dot Dot — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:37:36 GMT

I jaw clench most nights.... more so when stressed at work.... which is regularly.... dentist fitted me with a mouth guard to prevent me biting too hard when asleep, as you have no control on how hard you clench, as it is subconciously, and can put incredible pressure on your teeth which can result in cracked/ broken teeth etc and muscle ache! Now I know about it, I try to control it more, and learn to relax more- not very easy .....still would not take St Johns Wort for it tho.

Only used mouth guard a couple of times, as spent the nights dribbling on to my pillow -Lovely! and also woke up with it on my pillow once!

Re: St Johns Wart

LizCape — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:26:13 GMT

As far as I know jaw ache is not a side effect of St. John's wort, but correct me if I'm wrong. In stead, possibly it's caused by (stress-induced?) clenching, for which St. John's wort is used as a remedy.

St. John's wort has relatively very few side effects and I would definitely prefer it over prescription SSRI's. Still, be aware of interactions with other medications.

Looking at your concoction, I definitely agree with you on the caffeine. But also, I would never combine St. John's wort with 5-HTP because the combination might elevate your blood pressure. I do know people who use both of them without problems, though.

If you really need a mood enhancer you might consider SAM-E. It's safe, supportive and very effective. Just google it and you'll find a ton of information. And most importantly, think of making some re-adjustments in your life, get enough sleep, reduce carbohydrate intake, get regular excercise and a lot of fresh air.

Re: St Johns Wart

Anonymous — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:09:48 GMT

[quote user="StephB"]

eeek I wouldn't they contain st johns wort. as well as a whole concoction of things! including way too much caffeine!! wouldnt like to feel the crash or jaw ache after taking those personally. especially since they don't contain any magnesium to help it.

http://astronutrition.com/happy-pills-feel-better-now.html

Serving Size: 2 tablets
Servings per Container: 30

Amount per Serving:

Vitamin D3	800 iu
Niacinamide	30 mg
Vitamin B6	40 mg
Folic Acid	50 mcg
Vitamin B12	800 mcg
Selenium	50 mcg
Arginine AKG	250 mg
St John's Wort 0.3% Hypericin	300 mg
Caffeine Anhydrous	200 mg
5HTP	50 mg
N Acetyl L Tyrosine	500 mg

[/quote]

Poobum. I have them now

Re: St Johns Wart

Anonymous — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:49:37 GMT

http://astronutrition.com/happy-pills-feel-better-now.html

Serving Size: 2 tablets
Servings per Container: 30

Amount per Serving:

Vitamin D3	800 iu
Niacinamide	30 mg
Vitamin B6	40 mg
Folic Acid	50 mcg
Vitamin B12	800 mcg
Selenium	50 mcg
Arginine AKG	250 mg
St John's Wort 0.3% Hypericin	300 mg
Caffeine Anhydrous	200 mg
5HTP	50 mg
N Acetyl L Tyrosine	500 mg

Re: St Johns Wart

Anonymous — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:40:41 GMT

Does anyone know anything about Happy Pills? I received them today. They say not to take them with anything else such as prescription drugs/presricption anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs. I'm being quite thick here but I assume they mean drugs prescribed by doctors etc?

I'm currently dosing up on vit B, evening primrose and iron tablets and that's it.

I'm just getting all paranoid after reading bad things about St Johns Wort as it has it in it....

Re: St Johns Wart

Mac Feather — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:29:36 GMT

[quote user="bongo"]

has anyone ever tried valerian for anxiety? did you find it worked??

im currently on beta blockers for anxiety and dont really like it plus my fiance hates the fact that I feel the need to take them.

if valerian works I would much prefer to take that instead.

[/quote]

I have been on betablockers in the past- my hands n feet were so soooooooo cold!!!!!!! Have heard about valerian but have never tried it. As per usual I havent gotten round to it.

Re: St Johns Wart

LizCape — Tue, 19 May 2009 11:04:54 GMT

Too bad to hear that so many of you girls need, or needed mood elevators. I've been there too.

St. John's wort contains a MO-B inhibitor which slows the break down of serotonine and some other neurotransmitters within the synaptic cells, and so effectively increases their levels. There are prescription medications bases on this, which are strong anti-depressants and only used for severe, endogenic depressions. The concentration in St. John's is very low, though, and might not be effectife for some, but high enough for possibly serious side effects.

SSRI's, like prozac, act by inhibiting the transfer of serotonine through the cell membrane into the synaptic cells, thus keeping the neurotransmitter levels higher. Not too long ago the prozac manufactures advertised how good this stuff is, because it only affected serotonine levels, which was supposed to be the main factor of mood disorders. It would have relatively few side effects, and was prescibed like candy. Now research shows that there are a multitude of neurotransmitters involved in mood disorders, the manufactures swiftly changed their campaign and now claim that they are also doing the other neurotransmitters. It's all about the money. But sometimes it may be necessary to push you in the right direction.

5-HTP works differently. It is a precursor molecule for the synthesis of serotonine-like neurotransmitters. So it effectively delivers more building blocks to the brain, thus increasing the neurotransmitter levels. In fact this is a natural way and can be very effective. For me, natural is my first choise.

I truly believe that a disorder has a signaling function. The body tells us that we're doing something wrong. This "wrong" shouldn't be taken too literally, of course. Wrong, in the sense of unbenificial for healthy functioning, is often unavoidable. But there are things we can do in a lot of cases. One of the most important things, as I feel it, is to be conscious of your body and to listen what it tells you.

I am not going to play the psychologist here, which I am not. I am a vn and a natural health practitioner. As I said before, I have been there too and also took prescription drugs. But my life changed after a seminar with Chinuy Lin in a nearby city. He made the ancient Chinese Qi Gong very accessible. And I know that you may be thinking that this is vague new age stuff, as I did, but I was surprised how many successful business people and medical doctors attended his workshops. Maybe it's not for you, girls, but I just want to tell you that it's there. I uploaded a book from Chinuy Lin for you to read (I am not supposed to, I'm afraid....) and who knows it will make you interested. I am pretty sure that there are Qi Gong workshops in the UK too.

B.T.W. I am in no way affiliated with Lin. He made it very accessible to us western people, but there are a lot of other teachers.

Here is the download link: http://cid-a7dfe3c6a4201f23.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/BornAHealer.pdf

Hang in there, girls.

Re: St Johns Wart

Anonymous — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:22:03 GMT

Valerian is not the best thing for anxiety it's for sleeping and shouldn't be taken in the day really because it can make you very drowsy and could potentially be dangerous driving or in the work place. Also Valerian taken with Anxiety problems with out magnesium or 5htp could potentially give you really sore jaw, headaches and even TMJ in some cases from jaw clenching in your sleep. Be sure to take it with Magnesium if you do take it as a sleep aid.

Re: St Johns Wart

Emma Daw — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:19:45 GMT

Hi, I tried taking St John's wort last year and found that it didn't help. I was feeling really stressed due to the agro and lack of nursing staff at my last practice - I was feeling pretty dead on my feet, not sleeping and seemed to be catching every bug going around. In the end I went to the Doctors, rather begrudgingly !. I filled out a health questionnaire and he diagnosed that I had depression - I just thought that I was rather stressed. I then went onto a Prozacy type medicine which really helped despite my initial pre/mis-conceptions. I'm now off the medicine and feeling so much better

Re: St Johns Wart

Anonymous — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:12:08 GMT

[quote user="bongo"]

has anyone ever tried valerian for anxiety? did you find it worked??

im currently on beta blockers for anxiety and dont really like it plus my fiance hates the fact that I feel the need to take them.

if valerian works I would much prefer to take that instead.

[/quote]

I've never heard of this but will keep an eye out for replies....

Re: St Johns Wart

bongo — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:48:58 GMT

has anyone ever tried valerian for anxiety? did you find it worked??

im currently on beta blockers for anxiety and dont really like it plus my fiance hates the fact that I feel the need to take them.

if valerian works I would much prefer to take that instead.

Re: St Johns Wart

LizCape — Sat, 16 May 2009 17:00:40 GMT

Yes, 5-HTP works just as well as prescription drugs like flurazepam, but much safer. It has been forbidden in the US for years, may it still is. People have died after using it, but that was due to contamination and had nothing to do with 5-HTP. Very convenient for the pharm. industry though, because no HTP means more prozac sales, means more money for them!

Never try St.John's wort together with 5-HTP because that combination can potentially blast your blood pressure to a dangerous level (serotonine syndrome).

Ever considered meditation..?

Re: St Johns Wart

Faye Sewell — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:09:06 GMT

Lots to read up on and think abotu still!, that stuff Steph spoke about sounds good though!

Thanks

Re: St Johns Wart

Anonymous — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:56:08 GMT

Just google'd it:

http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/27000426

Re: St Johns Wart

Saskia Quinn — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:24:31 GMT

Faye,

definitely give it a lot of thought before you decide on what to do.

In my opinion, it has more against it than for.

Re: St Johns Wart

Faye Sewell — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:21:48 GMT

Thanks for all the replys!, Think I have alot of thinkign to do??

Re: St Johns Wart

Dippy — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:18:06 GMT

I took it for 12mths years ago. Helped with the ME/energy levels but didn't touch the depression. Yes, it can affect the efficiency of the pill and there's not been enough research into long term use which is why I stopped taking it eventually.

Re: St Johns Wart

Saskia Quinn — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:14:47 GMT

another point about St John's Wort - there are a significant number of other drugs you cannot take at the same time, dont know exactly off hand but I am sure it could be found on the internet.

If you are wanting to take it and then decide to try something else or consult with your doctor, there is a period of 2 weeks without anything due to the effects of St John's Wort, before you start any other drug

Re: St Johns Wart

Anonymous — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:12:59 GMT

[quote user="heather mac"]

The only thing I remember about st johns wort is that it interacts with the pill i think

[/quote]

yes it does

Re: St Johns Wart

Mac Feather — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:11:10 GMT

The only thing I remember about st johns wort is that it interacts with the pill i think

Re: St Johns Wart

Anonymous — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:10:21 GMT

5-Hydroxytryptophan

It's an amino acid that encourages the natural production of serotonin in the brain. I take a combined capsule with Valerian root in it too which helps me stay asleep and feel more rested in the morning. You have to play with it a little to work out what mg works best for you. I take Solgar 5-htp capsules and they contain:

50mg magnesium

100mg 5-htp

100mg Valerian root

10mg vitamin B6

I usually take 2 to 3 capsules a night just before I go to bed. I started out taking 1 for two weeks and then moved up to 2 and I use 3 for days that I might feel more stressed or need more rest the next day.

more details here and on google if you're interested.

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/5-hydroxytryptophan.html

you can purchase it here.

http://www.worldwideshoppingmall.co.uk/body-soul/5-hydroxytryptophan-5htp.asp

Re: St Johns Wart

Anonymous — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:48:56 GMT

[quote user="Faye Eaton"]

[quote user="StephB"] I prefer taking 5htp every night instead.[/quote]

What is that Steph??! thanks

[/quote]

I'm intrigued too....

Re: St Johns Wart

Faye Sewell — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:44:32 GMT

[quote user="StephB"] I prefer taking 5htp every night instead.[/quote]

What is that Steph??! thanks

Re: St Johns Wart

Anonymous — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:43:04 GMT

It made me really ill and gave me really bad anxiety. I prefer taking 5htp every night instead.