I might decide to bite the bullet and try something for my horrific pms. My question is; I might try st johns wort first. If this doesn't work, how long would I need to wait to try a prescription AD?

I have used St. John's Wort a lot but I never used it for PMS so I don't know if it would work for that.

It really works very quickly for me for depression. I have depression and anxiety often since menopause and I can feel myself go down really fast. I find it works almost immediately for me-I usually start to feel better within an hour of my first dose. I am very sensitive to everything though and I think it is quite unusual to feel better quite so quickly. Once I feel better I stop taking it as it can me jittery and hyped up when I don't need it any more.

If you are using it for PMS are you intending on using it just at that time of the month or are you going to use it all the time without a break? Maybe you could try a month straight through and see if you feel any better. Some people have to take it for weeks before they have any improvement.

Good luck anyway

janet c

I PLAN ON USING IT EVERYDAY.

Make sure you talk to you Dr. who is prescribing the AD if you make the switch from SJW to the AD. I know that the SJW must be out of your system completely before starting the AD, and I think it might take a few weeks.

Yes excellent advice! SJW may be a herbal preparation but it has a very real and strong effect. The two should never be taken at or around the same time.
In Germany the doctors actually prescribe it as a proper anti-depressant because it has been proven to be so effective.I hope it works for you, shelby, because the side effects are far less than ADs.

janet c

Don't know where you live but want to add that SJW can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Make sure you wear sunglasses & sunscreen outside when using it.