![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Richdawn on June 27, 2005, at 12:46:49
Hi, Linkage
One of your posts explained that you experienced serotonin syndrome while using St. John's Wort.
Do you think that happens very often? Do you think it could be linked to brand or dosage? If you don't mind sharing this info, what brand and dosage of SJW you were on when your incident happened?
Since my son, age 22, seems mildly depressed, I told him he could try SJW to see if it would help. He had previously tried Celexa and Zoloft and didn't like the side effects. Now after reading your experiences, I am a little worried that I advised him to try the SJW.He also takes Adderall.
Thanks for any info you can give.
Richdawn
Posted by linkadge on June 27, 2005, at 19:58:47
In reply to Qestion for Linkage, posted by Richdawn on June 27, 2005, at 12:46:49
Interesting. I was taking Jamieson SJW which is a fairly reputable brand. I was taking 3 X 300 per day.
I don't know how SJW interacts with the stimulant. I personally would be a little cautious since SJW can have a fairly strong dopamiergic effect.
You need ask weather the stimulant is contributing to the depression. This can be a somewhat common side effect from stimulants.
I became very depressed when taking dexedrine alone. Especially when I crashed at the end of the day.
Some things I would consider.1) Is the stimulant creating/adding to the
depression? Is the stimulant indirectly
causing depression by creating anxiety?If, so I would look at some ways to reduce the
needed dose for it. Fish oil may help
attention, as well as certain vitamins such as
magnesium, folic acid, vitamin D.Another possability in this line is to try and
use an older trycyclic antidepressant such as
desipramine, or nortryptaline, which are used
for depression and ADD. That might kill two
birds with one stone.Also look to see if the stimulant is interfering with sleep at all. This could indirectly cause depression.
2) If the depression seems completely independant
of the stimulant, I would try to
determine what type of depression it is.I would first try a fish oil with high EPA content. I have found that the high epa/dha ratio
fish oil has a potent AD effect. On here in Canada is called OMega 3 + JOY, which contains 1g of EPA and 50mg DHA. This will not interact with the stimulant. I found 1 gram of EPA/day had a significant antidperssant effect in me.
I am not throwing the idea of SJW out the window, but you may see some interactions, and some funkyness.Other mood supporting possabilities are 5-htp, inositol, folic acid, ginger root (for anxiety/GI issues).
Do you have any more details on his specific symptoms, issues ?
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on June 27, 2005, at 20:08:48
In reply to Re: Qestion for Linkage, posted by linkadge on June 27, 2005, at 19:58:47
Posted by Richdawn on June 28, 2005, at 22:46:49
In reply to Re: Qestion for Linkage, posted by linkadge on June 27, 2005, at 19:58:47
Hi Linkage, and thanks for taking the time to reply.
My son is taking the SJW brand Perika which seemed to be recommended by several sources.
He seemed to be depressed even before he was prescribed the Adderall. I think his depression probably started in middle school. It has always been mild so that it allowed him to function at school and in life in general, but not at his highest level,in my opinion.
The doc who prescribed the Adderall thought the depression might be caused by his frustration at not being able to concentrate. The Adderall seemed to make a dramatic dent in the depression at first but then it seemed to come back. The med continues to make a great difference in his motivation to finish his schoolwork and to concentrate.
But it could be possible that the stimulant is affecting the depression negatively.He has also been taking fish oil - OmegaBrite which had been recommended before on this site. I believe it does have a high EPA level. He is also taking a multivitamin and magnesium. I didn't think of folic acid or the other supplements you mentioned - I will suggest those to him.
His symptoms are: irritability, feeling both bored and restless at the same time, not being interested in calling or seeing friends, feeling down about his future and about not having a girlfriend. Small setbacks really throw him more than the average person.
He is careful to exercise almost every day and is trying to eat nore nutritionally which I think has helped some. He claims the exercise helps some.
When you experienced the serotonin syndrome, were you taking any other meds or supplements?
Thanks again for your help, Linkage! You gave me some good things to think about.
Richdawn
> Interesting. I was taking Jamieson SJW which is a fairly reputable brand. I was taking 3 X 300 per day.
>
> I don't know how SJW interacts with the stimulant. I personally would be a little cautious since SJW can have a fairly strong dopamiergic effect.
>
> You need ask weather the stimulant is contributing to the depression. This can be a somewhat common side effect from stimulants.
>
> I became very depressed when taking dexedrine alone. Especially when I crashed at the end of the day.
>
>
> Some things I would consider.
>
> 1) Is the stimulant creating/adding to the
> depression? Is the stimulant indirectly
> causing depression by creating anxiety?
>
> If, so I would look at some ways to reduce the
> needed dose for it. Fish oil may help
> attention, as well as certain vitamins such as
> magnesium, folic acid, vitamin D.
>
> Another possability in this line is to try and
> use an older trycyclic antidepressant such as
> desipramine, or nortryptaline, which are used
> for depression and ADD. That might kill two
> birds with one stone.
>
> Also look to see if the stimulant is interfering with sleep at all. This could indirectly cause depression.
>
> 2) If the depression seems completely independant
> of the stimulant, I would try to
> determine what type of depression it is.
>
> I would first try a fish oil with high EPA content. I have found that the high epa/dha ratio
> fish oil has a potent AD effect. On here in Canada is called OMega 3 + JOY, which contains 1g of EPA and 50mg DHA. This will not interact with the stimulant. I found 1 gram of EPA/day had a significant antidperssant effect in me.
>
>
> I am not throwing the idea of SJW out the window, but you may see some interactions, and some funkyness.
>
> Other mood supporting possabilities are 5-htp, inositol, folic acid, ginger root (for anxiety/GI issues).
>
> Do you have any more details on his specific symptoms, issues ?
>
>
>
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by linkadge on June 29, 2005, at 20:25:07
In reply to Re: Qestion for Linkage, posted by Richdawn on June 28, 2005, at 22:46:49
No, I was just taking the SJW alone at the time.
I cannot project my experience with it onto others, but just something to keep in mind.
If you have any other questions feel free to shoot.
Linkadge
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.