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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by James on June 6, 2002, at 18:34:14
Hi. I just want to preface this statement that I am pretty ignorant regarding herbal treatments and alternative medicines and that kind of stuff, and I’m just telling this story because when I related it to my pdoc she said that the guy was completely wrong.
So, a couple of months ago I went to the pharmacy I frequent to pick up my current cocktail of meds. While I was there I noticed they had a large selection of herbal stuff, and while I was waiting for my scrips to be filled I checked them out. I picked up a bottle of St. John’s Wort and asked the pharmacist guy working behind the counter if it was safe to take the St. John’s Wort for depression (I’m BP1 and ADHD) with the meds I was taking, as I was concerned for interactions. I was on Lamictal 250 a day, Gabitril 4 a night, and either Concerta 108 a day or Adderal 30 four times a day—I don’t remember. Anyways, he told me this:
“Hell no dude, John’s Wort, you can take as much as you want. It’s a herb (which he pronounced with the “h” like in Herbert), it’s just like eating a tree, you can eat the whole tree all day long and you’ll be fine.”
As it turns out, notwithstanding the current controversy surrounding the efficacy of St. John’s Wort, it is certainly far from clear that it is benign in combination with other meds, specifically stimulants I believe.
Moral of the story: Beware of moron pharmacists. Some are great and knowledgeable and kind, and others can just eat a tree themselves, like the freakin’ idiot I encountered.
--James
Posted by Xevious on June 6, 2002, at 19:46:53
In reply to St. John's Wort and morons, posted by James on June 6, 2002, at 18:34:14
Yikes! I'm glad you consulted with your pdoc, and I'm even more glad that she or he knew something about herbals!
Herbal supplements definitely have an effect on the body; the controversy is over whether or not they are effective at what they claim to do. (And depending on whom you speak with, this could be anything from relieving headache to curing, well, anything that ails you!)
Because little is scientifically known about these alternative treatments, it’s up to us to do our homework – and plenty of it – before trying them, *especially* if they will be added to an existing pharmacological regime. And for some folks, it will be well worth it – I’ve seen and read many positive examples of people medicating with herbs from the vitamin section! :)
As for me, I'm an amateur herbalist, meaning that I took some classes in herbology until I got bored with it (in perfect ADD form) and wandered off to try something else. While I'm not any healthier for my knowledge, my home brew has certainly improved! (Kava kava birch beer makes for great ethanol therapy!) ;)
Posted by Xevious on June 6, 2002, at 19:48:55
In reply to St. John's Wort and morons, posted by James on June 6, 2002, at 18:34:14
P.S. What a moron! I've often wondered why pharmacists still have to go through so much school... Now I'm wondering what the heck they learn! (Okay, class, now try the blue pill... mmm... dizzy...)
Posted by IsoM on June 7, 2002, at 0:48:11
In reply to St. John's Wort and morons, posted by James on June 6, 2002, at 18:34:14
“Hell no dude, John’s Wort, you can take as much as you want. It’s a herb, it’s just like eating a tree, you can eat the whole tree all day long and you’ll be fine.” ....Not the normal way that a pharmacist talks.
Are you certain he was a pharmacist & not just one of the assistants that work behind the counter that tend to the mundane stuff? They often wear the white frocks that pharmacists wear, but they have no medical or pharmaceutical training at all.
If he is a bonafide pharmacist, I think it may be an idea to report him before his stupidity harms someone unintentionally.
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on June 7, 2002, at 2:18:24
In reply to St. John's Wort and morons, posted by James on June 6, 2002, at 18:34:14
keep in mind someone on this board could suggest or tell you just as something idiotic or worse!
Posted by JohnX2 on June 7, 2002, at 4:51:46
In reply to Re: St. John's Wort and morons » James, posted by IsoM on June 7, 2002, at 0:48:11
> “Hell no dude, John’s Wort, you can take as much as you want. It’s a herb, it’s just like eating a tree, you can eat the whole tree all day long and you’ll be fine.” ....Not the normal way that a pharmacist talks.
>
> Are you certain he was a pharmacist & not just one of the assistants that work behind the counter that tend to the mundane stuff? They often wear the white frocks that pharmacists wear, but they have no medical or pharmaceutical training at all.
>
> If he is a bonafide pharmacist, I think it may be an idea to report him before his stupidity harms someone unintentionally.
I agree this seems quite odd and unheard of. If this really was a
professional pharmacist he/she ought to be reported.John
Posted by JohnX2 on June 7, 2002, at 4:54:59
In reply to Re: St. John's Wort and morons, posted by JohnX2 on June 7, 2002, at 4:51:46
> > “Hell no dude, John’s Wort, you can take as much as you want. It’s a herb, it’s just like eating a tree, you can eat the whole tree all day long and you’ll be fine.” ....Not the normal way that a pharmacist talks.
> >
> > Are you certain he was a pharmacist & not just one of the assistants that work behind the counter that tend to the mundane stuff? They often wear the white frocks that pharmacists wear, but they have no medical or pharmaceutical training at all.
> >
> > If he is a bonafide pharmacist, I think it may be an idea to report him before his stupidity harms someone unintentionally.
>
>
> I agree this seems quite odd and unheard of. If this really was a
> professional pharmacist he/she ought to be reported.
>
> JohnEven if it wasn't a pharmacist, something should be done about the
fact that the company was dispensing this information to you in this manner.
It still seems neglegent.John
Posted by JohnX2 on June 7, 2002, at 4:59:03
In reply to Re: St. John's Wort and morons » James, posted by 3 Beer Effect on June 7, 2002, at 2:18:24
> keep in mind someone on this board could suggest or tell you just as something idiotic or worse!
Hot off the press. Someone just told me Flintstone Vitamins will make my penis 3" longer.
I'm going out to buy some.... I'll let you know how it goes!John
Posted by DiscoPuppy on June 7, 2002, at 14:36:31
In reply to Re: St. John's Wort and morons » 3 Beer Effect, posted by JohnX2 on June 7, 2002, at 4:59:03
OMIGOD this was about the funniest thing I've ever heard here. Thanks for giving me a great laugh!
Puppy
> > keep in mind someone on this board could suggest or tell you just as something idiotic or worse!
>
> Hot off the press. Someone just told me Flintstone Vitamins will make my penis 3" longer.
> I'm going out to buy some.... I'll let you know how it goes!
>
> John
Posted by Cece on June 8, 2002, at 23:26:01
In reply to St. John's Wort and morons, posted by James on June 6, 2002, at 18:34:14
I tried taking a little St. John's Wort while I was on AD's and mood stabilizers and it made me feel really weird right away. Like an overdose.
I was so embarrassed for being such a "moron" that I didn't even tell my pdoc. Luckily, no lasting effects.
Cece
This is the end of the thread.
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