Opinions - Should swim give up his SSRI for St Johns Wart

[Synesthesiac]

Swims docs put him an and SSRI as he's a bit depressed at the moment. But swims been reading a lot of bad effects from SSRI's recently, and also a lot of people saying that SJW is probably just as good, and with long less side effects. Also it appears that swim will be able to use his favorite recreational drug (MDMA) when using SJW [pleople claim it atually potentiates the MDMA experience], whereas the SSRI blunts the experience completely, and leaves swims recreational drug use options far reduced. Since swims only been on the SSRI for about 2 weeks he's not really got any noticeable effects yet at all, not even any side effects either.

So anyone here with experience with SJW and how it compares to SSRI's that would be much appreciaated. Any just general info on either too.

[riaahacker]

Keep in mind SSRI's can take many weeks for any benefits to become apparent as they rely on changes to receptor regulation and bdnf levels to bring the anti-depressant relief. If swiy is not satisfied with the ssri he should definitely talk to his doctor and bring up st john's wort as an option that he would like to persue. Good luck to swiy.

[Synesthesiac]

Yes swim is aware of that. He's gonna give them another month or so, then if the SSRI's are not giving the desired effects have a chat with his doc about SJW and his thoughts on changing. Swims not gonna suddenly stop or anything without asking him first.

Though I'm sure that his doc would not be happy about him using a drug he cant prescribe due to doctors inherant bias towards profitable, marketed pharmaceuticals.

[Ilsa]

it's good that the pharma bias is obvious to swiy....my cat thinks that giving the ssri's a go for about a month is not a bad plan. don't taper too quickly if swiy does decide to go with sjw.

there are two basic systems in the brain that are targeted by pharmaceuticals: the catecholamine (dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine) system and the serotonin system. from what has been stated about swiy's use, an ssri is more likely than an snri (selective norepi uptake inhibitor) to help. cymbalta (duloxetine) and effexor (venlafaxine) are both capable of the latter, though venlafaxine is required in high (~300 mg) doses. lexapro (Escitalopram), has slightly more positive reputation than the more familiar paxil, aka paroxetine, and prozac, aka fluoxetine. celexa (citalopram) are somewhat newer and appear, for some, to have fewer of the negative side effects associated with ssri's.

lifestyle changes, exercise in particular, can improve mental health; these include eating well, helping others in some way, taking time to appreciate a warm afternoon, and so on.

Reputation Comments on this post:

	Thanks, very informative about what possible effects the various clinical anti-depressants can have
	good info
	good closing words

[Synesthesiac]

Originally Posted by Ilsa

there are two basic systems in the brain that are targeted by pharmaceuticals: the catecholamine (dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine) system and the serotonin system. from what has been stated about swiy's use, an ssri is more likely than an snri (selective norepi uptake inhibitor) to help. cymbalta (duloxetine) and effexor (venlafaxine) are both capable of the latter, though venlafaxine is required in high (~300 mg) doses. lexapro (Escitalopram), has slightly more positive reputation than the more familiar paxil, aka paroxetine, and prozac, aka fluoxetine. celexa (citalopram) are somewhat newer and appear, for some, to have fewer of the negative side effects associated with ssri's.

thanks a bunch for the info. Swims on citalopram, which he's heard, at least compared to its counterpart SSRI's, has a smaller list of possible contraindictions.

lifestyle changes, exercise in particular, can improve mental health; these include eating well, helping others in some way, taking time to appreciate a warm afternoon, and so on.

Swim has actually started running around the block every day for 20 minutes, and does feel great after he has done this. Now I wonder why doctors dont ever prescribe excersise as a treatment*

Though swims currently given the running a break after he had a go on the stims (MDPV) the other day, to let his cardiovascular system recover and to generally avoid the strain on his heart. Suddenly going for a 20 minute jog everyda after years of being practically inactive gave swims heart a bit of a shock I think initially!

*Maybe something to do with the old money factor again *rolleyes*

[Ilsa]

good idea for swim to lay off the cardio while on stimulants...a leisurely walk won't hurt, and sometimes just gettin out of the house and strolling kicks up the endorphins (endogenous morphine, here's a ref courtesy of pubmed)...those are also why the exercise helps.


keep it up and be safe.