The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
St John's Wort
Posted by Ines (Tel Aviv)
★★★★★
I'm taking Saint John's Wort and it is helping to feel better from mild depression -- being prescribed Paxil, Miro and Prozac -- decided to take first Saint John's Wort and so far so good !!!
St John's Wort
Posted by Sandra (Inchigeelagh, Cork, Ireland) on 03/07/2009
I just wanted to mention a possible side effect of St John's Wort. I started taking a German preparation (they have done some of the most extensive studies on the herb, and regularly prescribe it for depression). 900 mg once a day. I happened to go to my doctor a week after starting. My usually normal blood pressure had skyrocketed to 180/100. I had been feeling a bit jumpy and recognised the feeling as I had previously experienced a massive increase in my blood pressure from taking licorice. I immediately stopped taking St. John's Wort and within two days felt a lot better in terms of the jumpy-ness. I will not have my blood pressure taken for another few weeks, and unless you hear from me again you can be sure it's back to normal.
I've read studies that say the herb does not affect blood pressure, but I can't help thinking that the people in the study were not super sensitive like myself.
St John's Wort
Posted by Heidi (Ogden, UT USA) on 03/08/2009
WARNING! If you have bipolar disorder, avoid St. John's Wort. My husband has BPD, and used st john's wort for a full year before having any side effects, and when they came, they were a DOOZY!
He said he felt like his brain was sitting on a frying pan and sizzling, and if he'd had a gun, he would have shot himself in the head, not because he was suicidal, but simply to bring an end to the sizzling sensation.
It took a year for the herb to saturate into his system enough to bring this on, but it was a VERY unhappy side effect for him. It lasted an entire afternoon, three or four hours of brain sizzle. Not something he ever wants to repeat.
Gluten Free Diet
Posted by Anonymous (USA)
★★★★★
Depression can be a side effect of celiac disease, which I have. It is treated with a gluten free diet. If you feel you have had digestive problems that are very confusing, consider getting yourself checked for this. Or search "celiac" on the web for plenty of information.
Homeopathy, Nutrition, Yoga, Change
Posted by Noreen (Quincy, MA)
★★★★★
Homeopathy worked first and best for immediate relief, Nutrition worked second best to heal my body and make it better able to deal with stress (I eat at least 1 salad a day, and live food, hydrating vegetables or food), Yoga was miraculous and an instant success-after years of resistance to first try, I loved it and it has given me so much strength during the tough times- which are very infrequent now!!! Change was throughout my recovery, getting away from negative people, jobs, places, thoughts, things and replacing them with more positive, lively, lush, uplifting, happy alternatives. I focus on the good and only acknowledge the not so good as a learning point.
Sunshine
Posted by Anita (Garland, NC)
★★★★★
Go out into the sun for a while. make sure u have on sunsrceen. if it is cold outside, just soak it up through the window. a great natural way to ease depression!
Sunshine
Posted by Deb (Anywhere, Usa) on 10/23/2009
I have Sarcoidosis and was wondering about vitamin D intake. I have read that it is not advisable for persons with Sarcoid to take vitamin D supplements. Does anyone know for sure?
Sunshine
Posted by Lis (Ny, Ny, Usa) on 11/22/2010
"Sunscreens, even weak ones, almost completely block your body's ability to generate vitamin D. Rays cannot penetrate glass to generate vitamin D in your skin."
"If you live north of 37 degrees latitude (approximately a line drawn horizontally connecting Norfolk, Virginia to San Francisco, California) sunlight is not sufficient to create Vitamin D in your skin in the winter months, even if you are sitting in the sun in a bathing suit. The further you live from the equator, the longer exposure you need to the sun in order to generate vitamin D. "
Source: drfranklipman.com/vitamin-d-faq
Fish Oil
Posted by Laurie (Wolverine, MI) on 11/22/2008
In reply to the person taking fish oil. Fish oil is very good, trying different types of omega threes would be beneficial. Vitamin D3 is essential in winter months, especially if in the northern states; no depression when vit D3 is around. Best regards
Fish Oil
Posted by Nirinjan (Traverse City, Michigan) on 12/30/2009
For those who are vegan or don't want animal products you can try hemp oil which has omega 3,6,and 9. Hemp oil with bragg's or tamari makes a great salad dressing!
