Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 2020

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Herbs

Posted by Mattias on January 3, 1999, at 20:14:39

Has any one of you heard about the herb "Hypericum perforatum"?

It is used to treat mild to moderate depression, anxiety and sleeplessness. It is of course no miracle-pill, but it is an interresting choice to synthetic psychofarmaca, or maybe combine with syntetic psychofarmaca.
Iīm on Efexor now(4th week, 75mg/d) and if I not respond(havenīt done it yet..) to it, maybe I should try the herb or combine it with a raised dose of efexor?

Anyone who has experiences with this herb?

 

Re: Herbs

Posted by racer on January 3, 1999, at 21:56:31

In reply to Herbs, posted by Mattias on January 3, 1999, at 20:14:39

I've read about St John's Wort, although I haven't tried it. Here's a few words that you won't like hearing.

First of all, all chemicals are chemicals, whether they come from herbs or from pharmaceutical labs. The biggest difference is that the chemical compounds that come from the commercial labs are well regulated and extensively tested. The herbal concoctions can contain widely varied amounts of the active ingredients, and can contain other compounds that may effect their efficacy. Although the "all natural" label may make you feel more virtuous, it probably doesn't help as much as the tested, quality controlled, prescribed substances you get from your friendly, degreed, neighborhood pharmacist.

Next, before you do anything that might effect your medications, talk to your doctor. If you don't get along with your doctor, don't feel confident of your communications, and you have the option, find yourself a doctor you can work with. If you don't have the option of switching and still don't get along with the doctor, find an advocate who can help you communicate your concerns.

Finally, please be an informed consumer of any dietary supplements. Keep in mind that over the counter supplements are not well regulated, and that the regulations in place are there to protect you, the consumer. All that bureaucracy that drives us crazy was put in place for our protection.

The National DMDA newsletter just had a short article on SJW, BTW.

 

Re: Herbs

Posted by Molly Straight on January 9, 1999, at 23:04:15

In reply to Herbs, posted by Mattias on January 3, 1999, at 20:14:39

> Has any one of you heard about the herb "Hypericum perforatum"?
> It is used to treat mild to moderate depression, anxiety and sleeplessness. It is of course no miracle-pill, but it is an interresting choice to synthetic psychofarmaca, or maybe combine with syntetic psychofarmaca.
> Iīm on Efexor now(4th week, 75mg/d) and if I not respond(havenīt done it yet..) to it, maybe I should try the herb or combine it with a raised dose of efexor?
I would not mix it with any other antidepressant, as the exact machanism through which it works is not known. Seems to use several pathways or neurotransmitters. I run a natural foods store and that is the advice I have read from respected herbalists. Don't try to doctor yourself when you are on regular meds too, without medical advice.
Molly
> Anyone who has experiences with this herb?

 

Re: Herbs

Posted by Jef* on January 11, 1999, at 20:17:51

In reply to Herbs, posted by Mattias on January 3, 1999, at 20:14:39

Havent tried that herb but did go off Paxil and on St Johns Wort and I thought it worked just as good until about two and a half months later I went into major depression. So herbs didn't work for me. I am also currently on Effexor. Good Luck


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