Bipolar Support Group

Dear Bekah,

I'd caution you about the herbal medications.

I've been a great advocate for herbal/non-traditional treatments for years, but some of them can really screw up the pdoc's meds for you. Talk with your pdoc before you take anything else. Your meds must not be working well for you. It's scary to say so, but it almost sounds like a step into self-medication...that usually happens when we don't let our doc know how effective or not effective our medication is.

Good wishes. Let me know how it goes?

lol, Ms, you beat me to it, was exactly the same thing that I was thinking, most interaction sites will caution you about taking herbal's with or without medications for the treatment of bipolar, with they could either cause a higher dosage than what should occur, like with lithum which can be fatal, or they could cause your medications not to work like they should.

Run do not walk to your Doctor, let them know what is going on, and see what they have to say about it, if there is a certain herbal, you are considering let them know what that is and get their opinion on whether or not to take it.

Post edited by: carmen33, at: 11/21/2007 05:12

my doctor at this point has me on seroquel and Celexa. Some days thigs seem fine but other days I just can't take it. Right now my am seeing my pcp. She is the one that is treating me. Should I look into seeing another type of doctor then? I just want to find a stable point that I have all the time and not still have some bipolar issues if you all understand. Like I said it is not all the time. I guess apart of me are afraid of the meds and the disease too. I am afraid of loosing it completly. I want something that will make me feel in control of my life ALL the time and not let the drugs and disease control me.

Hi Bekah,

I don't think anyone is totally stable. How long have you had your pdoc? Please do not take ANY herbal remedies unless recommended by a professional. Just because they say they are natural doesnt mean they are good for you. They can create problems, as much as prescripted meds

hugs,Dawn

I right now am seeing only my pcp. I have been with her for over 10 years. I guess I am expecting too much from something so large and out of my control. I just hate feeling like some times I can't even control myself. I know the meds I am on now are helping because I look back before the meds and see what I use to be like yet then again I look at the happy times in my life and want those times back. The times where I could control myself and have a decent life. Right now I just feel as though that is not possible for me. I see so many people happy with their families as if there is not a care or concern in the world and at one time that was me. Now I feel like my life is slowly crumbling beneath me.

Hi Bekah,

I just read your post and wanted to reply. There are 2 herbal remidies that come to mind, Holy Basil and St. John's Wort. I lived in Boston for 15 years and had a great deal of trouble in the winter months, sort of seasonal affective disorder. I took St. John's Wort and i found I breezed through the winter months. It is similar to Prozac and does work on depression. I took 2 capsules daily, sometimes more on a bad day. Holy Basil is a variety of the spice Basil and is great for the stress angle and anxiety. They can both be purchased at a healthfood store. Take care, Scott

Hi! I have heard that St. Johnswort can be dangerous to those who already take an antidepressant and so should be taken with the knowledge of a doctor. But I have also read that it works wonders for some. Personally, it didn't work for me. Chamomile is awesome for stress and anxiety, as is Valerian. But again, run it by your pdoc since she probably knows about side effects and interactions and such. Peace, peach

I too would caution you about the herbals. There's just too much we don't

know about interactions between herbals and prescription drugs.

One thing you can take safely is Omega 3/6 fish and flaxseed oil capsules.

These are essential fatty acids, and they nourish the 35% of the brain

that's made of fat. See Elizabeth Somer's Food and Mood and Julie Fast's

Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder for more about this.

Please make sure you are working with a pdoc and therapist. They can

help you oversee this process. Both books are available at Amazon.com.

God Bless, Sue