St John's Wort

Hello, Just wondering if anyone post op has taken St John's Wort? I have used this in the past for depression and it works very well for me, with no side affects ( especially the sex drive, which needs all the help it can get right now ). Dose is 300 mg 3 times a day, have to take it regularly or it won't work. Wonder if I would have to take more of it post op due to malabsorption. Also know I will have to stop it at least a couple weeks before surgery. Well, any thoughts or experiences with this?? Thanks a bunch !! Brenda S

I used to spike my hubby's drinks with liquid SJW. I had to find alcohol-free or he could taste it. It changed him from "BUTTMAN" into a fairly nice guy (most of the time). I've HEARD, and this was a few years back, that the liquid SJW is more concentrated. I got the stuff I was using at Vitamin World in the mall. I dunno if you have a Vitamin World near you or not, but you might want to consider the liquid stuff for better absorption after the DS. I think you can put it straight into your mouth and it absorbs immediately. LeaAnn

ROFL!!! You little dickens, you! Does he know? You stopped? *taking notes*

Well, BUTTMAN wouldn't take it on his own, so I told him as long as he was eating anything I was cooking for him, he'd be getting it! Yeah..we ran out a while back and I quit giving it to him, thinking I would need to get some more eventually, but so far, so good! BUTTMAN still comes around occassionally, but not like he used to! LeaAnn

Hi LeaAnn, Never heard of the liquid form will have to check that out. Thank-you Brenda S

It is a strong medicine, i would not want to overlook it on the med list for the doctor or anetheist

St. John's wort also interacts with many other drugs, especially blood pressure medicines--make sure your healthcare provider and pharmacist know that you use it. It is not necessarily any safer than pharmaceutical antidepressants, and not necessarily any less expensive either. But if you aren't on any other medicines and it works for you, that is great.

I've been on Wellbutrin XL (why does everything associated with me have an "XL" attached?!) No problem with libido. Hubby has been taking Lexapro which he likes a lot better than Zoloft, it does not leave him feeling sleepy or "out of it". Please be cautious when taking herbals, some concentration are not consistent and as mentioned, can interact with other meds.

XL, XR, SR, ER is the "newest" thing in drugs - they can charge more! And actually it is easier and the doctor's know we will be more likely to take drugs as scheduled if we only have to take them once a day instead of 2, 3, 4 times a day. Also extended release, etc tend to keep your blood levels of the drug more steady. There is no real standardization of the different abbreviations but generally XL and XR and ER are extended release SR is sustained release DR is deleayed release and of course enteric coated means that its not supposed to disolve until it hits the intestine or something like that! Ask a pharmacist!

Thank-you for all the responses. When I was originally started on it, probably 10 years ago, my family doctor agreed to it, and helped me wean off prosac and onto St John's Wort. I took it regularly until my preganacys and nursing the last 3 years or so. Now, with all the nerves with preparing for surgery and all, I started it again. I agree it is very important to let doctors know about taking it, and I treat it just like a drug. I already asked about it with surgeon's assistant, and when to stop it. When I see Dr Maguire in person it will definately be on the list of " things to ask ". Can't be too careful that is for sure. Brenda S