St Johns Wort & BF

[Katet]

wondering if anyone knew if St Johns Wort  was while for Breast feeding???
I had PPD with ds #1 & I have noticed I have been having a few anxiety attacks in busy places, going somewhere out of the norm & when either ds is ratty & I'm not in a position to easily deal with it (ie car) tend to be major triggers. Anyway I know St Johns Wort is good for anxiety & I don't feel I have PPD, so don't want to go on meds, but think if I don't keep the anxiety in check, it might head that way. My controlled breating & stuff, just doesn't always seem to be enough.

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

I haven't heard anything. But honestly, (and I'm very pro-medication when it's indicated!) StJohn's wort a med too - just not a regulated one...  I'd be more inclined to maybe go for a couple of therapy sessions with someone specialising in anxiety.  If you're already able to identify triggers, then a counsellor could be really helpful in helping you really control the anxiety attacks.  Meds don't get rid of the triggers, and a counselor could help you *cure* the trouble once and for all! 

[Katet]

I did heaps of counselling with ds#1 & I seriously don't think I can actually gain any more skills ( after the counselling I pretty much became able to control them & until the last month hadn't had one in over a year) & apart from avoiding crowds (shopping centres & check out cues) I can't really do much about it.
It is pretty hard to stop & do relaxation breathing excercises (or muscle relaxation), when you are trying to tell a toddler, that we have to give the food to them the weigh, so we can pay for it & he can't eat the new apple until it is paid for (even though Mummy gave him an apple from her bag & he's already eating it!)
I think maybe I have just got so tense that it takes too long to relax now, thinking I need to book some massage sessions to loosen the muscles & that might help... my back is one knotted mess.mostly from lifting 2 heavy boys. I must admit most of this has happened after we shifted Aiden to a bed & we had 2 nights of having to carry him back & put him in. he is 16kg & Liam (4mo is about 8.5kg) so it is heavy to carry either one of them.

[stasztk]

I would not take it even if I wasn't bfing right now. St. Johns Wort is linked to a lot of problems in adults. It works like a drug but it is not regulated by the FDA. So that means it does not have to go through years of clinical testing. Many drugs are derivative of the herb.
If you are really having a hard time and feel like you should be on meds you really should talk to a doctor and get a perscription so that they can carefully monitor you.
I wish you the very best. There are anxiety drugs out there that work very well to just calm you. Please don't try to self medicate. It is so dangerous. At least you can sue a drug company :wink:

[Katet]

thanks Teresa, I'm not bad, having had PPD & meds last time, I know I am in a place far away from needing them, I just have a friend who used St Johns Wort & it worked well for her & her anxiety, I wanted to find out if it was fine while bf... I was going to ring the motherwise-medication help line here... which gives info in stuff like drugs & supplements, but having worked with Drs I'm not hugely trusting on them actually having the info straight & like to hear what other mothers say & balance it all up. So I wanted to ask my BW friends (who I trust very well) what they knew

I think my best medication is more Kate time & a good massage, it's just getting a chance to do both & when like these last 2 weeks, family commitments have meant it was no-go!

[Deb_in_oz]

Kate - i find i get some anxiety as well in those situations - especially the mall...  when i look back on the situations (because in the moment it is too hard for me) i see that the root of the anxiety is usually 1) feeling rushed - this even gets me into trouble wth driving if i start stressing about having to be somewhere at a certain time or rushing to get home for naps, etc or 2) having to do too many things at one - ie you are trying to sort out the groceries and Aiden is harrassing you, etc so you start to get anxiety...

in those cases it does help to just stop for a second and focus on 1 thing only - if you have to just give him the apple and deal with it... or stop to talk to him and then resume the shopping, etc Bottom line is to sloww down for a second and break it down. quickly see what is causing the anxiety becauuse it might not be what you thought was the cause (i e- instead of Aiden being the cause, the fact that you are stuck in a queue and getting anxious is possibly what is getting you stressed KWIM)

[stasztk]

Good idea. More time for yourself (okay here is where all the moms throw their heads back and laugh!) I understand what you are saying. I can tell the difference between when I have not had enough 'me' time and when I am depressed. It is a good thing when you can tell the difference. Sad that you had to get to that low point though.
Are you feeling any better now? Do you think what Deb said might help? I thought her ideas were very good. I think I might use them myself. I do hope you start feeling better soon.
((Hugs))

[Katet]

I got a couple of hours this afternoon (Dh took a 1/2 day off work) Ok it was for a Dr's appointment for a problem related to delivering a 10lb4oz baby & I think I was building up because it was the second referal... the first Dr, I would have rather died than see again, So I was nervous about that. This one was fantastic & infact, I discovered he went to med school with an old Boyfriend of mine & We worked out we had met before
 
Agree with most of what Deb said & for the most part it is exactly what I do. Think this post should have been in PPD, but it was related to BF, anyway I have worked out what it is & while my example sounded like my boys trigger it, It is more a case of me & my being a perfect parent issue... sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees!
I think I just have too much muscle tension at the moment & it takes a lot more effort to relax... need a really good massage - must use the voucher I have from last years birthday, which I never used as it was the day I discovered I was preg with Liam!

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

DEFINITELY get a massage!!!  They can do wonders! I hope you start feeling better soon, whatever you decide to do. Remember, perfection is highly over-rated... :wink:

[stasztk]

Good to hear you got some time to yourself. I can't believe you had such a big baby! WOW! Get a massage, you deserve it!