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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tony P on August 29, 2001, at 22:55:52
An earlier post re a bad experience with Sudafed reminded me of a very bad experience with yohimbe that I thought was worth sharing.
For those who may not be familiar with it, yohimbe bark or its active ingredient yohimbine are sometimes used to counteract sexual dysfunction from SSRI's - see some earlier postings this year - as well as for sexual (esp. erectile) dysfunction generally (not to mention recreationally < g >). Yohimbine is only available on Rx where I live (Canada) but I was surprised to discover the yohimbe bark in a health store a while back. BTW, some people have suggested that the whole bark is more effective than pure yohimbine - possibly other active ingredients.
I was on moderate dosage of Serzone (3-400 mg daily) and having some sexual problems - both with desire and execution. Serzone is not known for causing sexual dysfunction, but regardless of the cause I thought the yohimbine was worth a try.
Most herbs you can buy at your average health food store are pretty mild. So after minimal research on the web, on the basis of one person's suggestion, I brewed a tea from 5 rounded teaspoons of bark and 1000 mg of vitamin C (improves extraction). At the last minute a small amount of caution cut in and I only drank half - so about 2 1/2 generous tsp worth.
Within 5 minutes I knew I was in BIG trouble - feeling in the pit of my stomach like I'd just stepped off a 1,000 foot cliff. I decided to hang in for the ride. I have seldom in my life been so utterly consumed by anxiety and tension, and never in such a peculiar feeling way - hard to describe other than the Wiley Coyote/cliff analogy. Some of it felt like the descriptions I've read of serotonin syndrome - sweats, shakes, racing heart.
I lasted somehow through a movie with my wife, but then had to retire to bed (alone) and was off sick for the next two days. I probably protracted the recovery process by taking everything in the medicine cabinet to try and bring myself down - extra Serzone, Kava, Robaxin ... nothing helped more than a little, it was like going from extreme anxiety to merely high anxiety and stoned!
The ultimate irony was I had been planning a special night for our anniversary :-(
The problem with any whole natural herb of course is that you may have no idea what amount of the active ingredient you're getting. This was obviously good quality! I am also very sensitive to some kinds of stimulants, so 5 tsp might be OK for someone else - YMMV! Being a glutton for punishment, I did experiment a couple more times, MUCH more cautiously, and found I could tolerate 1/4 tsp.
The happy ending, though, is that my (very eclectic) MD and I have worked out a program of vitamin, herbal and DHEA (hormone) supplements that have largely overcome the problems I was having - without the side effects.
Tony P
Posted by JohnL on August 30, 2001, at 16:32:24
In reply to Yohimbe with AD - caution!, posted by Tony P on August 29, 2001, at 22:55:52
Hi Tony,
I can definitely relate to your experience with Yohimbe. I've tried it a few times myself, and each time was very weird indeed. I took the capsule extract form, so it was a little easier to adjust dosage. But no matter, it is one stimulating herb if you ask me. Not a pleasant kind of stimulation either. Very on edge, jittery, somewhat paranoid, and much too out-of-sorts to have sex. Indeed extreme irony. Having sex was why I tried it!I think Yohimbe is the kind of herb/drug that needs to be taken continuously for its sexual benefits, unlike Viagra which works quickly. But with Yohimbe, there are so many weird side effects that someone would have to start at a very low dose and slowly gradually increase it over time. I don't trust Yohimbe though. There is just something about it that is way too weird and profound. I would not suggest anyone try it, unless maybe they were an enemy of mine.
John
Posted by Rick on August 30, 2001, at 17:32:17
In reply to Yohimbe with AD - caution!, posted by Tony P on August 29, 2001, at 22:55:52
Also, Yohimbe can be risky for people who have high blood pressure. And lots of people who have high blood pressure don't even know they have it.
I'm sure this has been mentioned before...just a reminder.
Rick
Posted by jojo on August 31, 2001, at 10:42:18
In reply to Yohimbe with AD - caution!, posted by Tony P on August 29, 2001, at 22:55:52
> An earlier post re a bad experience with Sudafed reminded me of a very bad experience with yohimbe that I thought was worth sharing.
>
> For those who may not be familiar with it, yohimbe bark or its active ingredient yohimbine are sometimes used to counteract sexual dysfunction from SSRI's - see some earlier postings this year - as well as for sexual (esp. erectile) dysfunction generally (not to mention recreationally < g >). Yohimbine is only available on Rx where I live (Canada) but I was surprised to discover the yohimbe bark in a health store a while back. BTW, some people have suggested that the whole bark is more effective than pure yohimbine - possibly other active ingredients.
>
> I was on moderate dosage of Serzone (3-400 mg daily) and having some sexual problems - both with desire and execution. Serzone is not known for causing sexual dysfunction, but regardless of the cause I thought the yohimbine was worth a try.
>
> Most herbs you can buy at your average health food store are pretty mild. So after minimal research on the web, on the basis of one person's suggestion, I brewed a tea from 5 rounded teaspoons of bark and 1000 mg of vitamin C (improves extraction). At the last minute a small amount of caution cut in and I only drank half - so about 2 1/2 generous tsp worth.
>
> Within 5 minutes I knew I was in BIG trouble - feeling in the pit of my stomach like I'd just stepped off a 1,000 foot cliff. I decided to hang in for the ride. I have seldom in my life been so utterly consumed by anxiety and tension, and never in such a peculiar feeling way - hard to describe other than the Wiley Coyote/cliff analogy. Some of it felt like the descriptions I've read of serotonin syndrome - sweats, shakes, racing heart.
>
> I lasted somehow through a movie with my wife, but then had to retire to bed (alone) and was off sick for the next two days. I probably protracted the recovery process by taking everything in the medicine cabinet to try and bring myself down - extra Serzone, Kava, Robaxin ... nothing helped more than a little, it was like going from extreme anxiety to merely high anxiety and stoned!
>
> The ultimate irony was I had been planning a special night for our anniversary :-(
>
> The problem with any whole natural herb of course is that you may have no idea what amount of the active ingredient you're getting. This was obviously good quality! I am also very sensitive to some kinds of stimulants, so 5 tsp might be OK for someone else - YMMV! Being a glutton for punishment, I did experiment a couple more times, MUCH more cautiously, and found I could tolerate 1/4 tsp.
>
> The happy ending, though, is that my (very eclectic) MD and I have worked out a program of vitamin, herbal and DHEA (hormone) supplements that have largely overcome the problems I was having - without the side effects.
>
> Tony POn yohimbe available at "health food" stores, I
have seen 1/8 tsp as the recommended dose.
Posted by jojo on August 31, 2001, at 10:47:24
In reply to Re: Yohimbe with AD - caution!, posted by JohnL on August 30, 2001, at 16:32:24
> Hi Tony,
> I can definitely relate to your experience with Yohimbe. I've tried it a few times myself, and each time was very weird indeed. I took the capsule extract form, so it was a little easier to adjust dosage. But no matter, it is one stimulating herb if you ask me. Not a pleasant kind of stimulation either. Very on edge, jittery, somewhat paranoid, and much too out-of-sorts to have sex. Indeed extreme irony. Having sex was why I tried it!
>
> I think Yohimbe is the kind of herb/drug that needs to be taken continuously for its sexual benefits, unlike Viagra which works quickly. But with Yohimbe, there are so many weird side effects that someone would have to start at a very low dose and slowly gradually increase it over time. I don't trust Yohimbe though. There is just something about it that is way too weird and profound. I would not suggest anyone try it, unless maybe they were an enemy of mine.
> JohnI have used the prescription yohimbine. 5.4 mg. taken 3 times per day, quickly builds a tolerance, eliminating side effects. It also seems to have some AD and activating effects.
Posted by SLS on August 31, 2001, at 12:35:28
In reply to Re: Yohimbe with AD - caution! » JohnL, posted by jojo on August 31, 2001, at 10:47:24
Hi JoJo,
> I have used the prescription yohimbine. 5.4 mg. taken 3 times per day, quickly builds a tolerance, eliminating side effects. It also seems to have some AD and activating effects.
Were you taking any antidepressants at the time?Unfortunately, I have to keep yohimbine on my list of alternatives to treat refractory bipolar depression. One young lady on this board uses yohimbe as part of quite an innovative cocktail:
"After 3 1/2 years of experimenting, I take Nardil, Wellbutrin, Vivactil, Dexedrine, risperdal and yohimbe. For me, they work together -- I can't leave anything out."
Wow.
Thanks in advance.
- Scott
Posted by Tony P on September 1, 2001, at 1:08:44
In reply to Re: Yohimbe with AD - caution! » Tony P, posted by jojo on August 31, 2001, at 10:42:18
>[Most of original post snipped]
> > ... I found I could tolerate 1/4 tsp. ....
> >
> >
> > Tony P
>
> jojo said:
>
> On yohimbe available at "health food" stores, I
> have seen 1/8 tsp as the recommended dose.
>I should have asked!! Guess I was too embarassed - thought I was doing something naughty!
Tony
This is the end of the thread.
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