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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> Oh for cripes sake!
        
(Message started by: Melissa on Feb 26^th, 2006, 2:57pm)

Title: Oh for cripes sake!
Post by Melissa on Feb 26^th, 2006, 2:57pm

As if I don't have enough crap to keep track of!

Quote:

RX Drug interaction checker...

ST. JOHN'S WORT and FOOD (TYRAMINE FOODS)
Severity: Major

Description: Taking ST JOHN'S WORT with TYRAMINE FOODS (aged cheese, wine, others) may cause your blood pressure to be too high.
If you take St. John's Wort and eat foods that have tyramine in them, you may have problems with your blood pressure, your body temperature, your muscles, or your thinking. Some foods which have tyramine are wine, beer, aged cheeses and meats, avocado, and chocolate. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list of foods which have tyramine in them. Call your doctor right away for any of the following problems. 1. You have a bad headache. 2. You have trouble walking or speaking. 3. You have trouble moving your arms or legs. 4. You feel anxious. 5. You have trouble thinking. 6. You do not know where you are or know the people around you. 7. You feel very sweaty or have a fever. 8. Your muscles are tight and shaky. 9. You faint (pass out).

[smiley=ohjez.gif]

Looks like it's cold turkey time....again. ::)

Ce la vie! :P

;)

Title: Re: Oh for cripes sake!
Post by BarbaraD on Feb 26^th, 2006, 3:09pm

My gosh Mel -- I have those symptons and I don't even drink wine OR take St John's wort....

Think I'll just quit reading the destructions ... they'll scare you into a heart attack.....

Title: Re: Oh for cripes sake!
Post by floridian on Feb 26^th, 2006, 3:30pm

Saint Johns wort is generally good for anxiety.

The first research into SJW found it had MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibition) properties. This is the same type of action found in older antidepressants, and mixing MAOIs with tyrosine or tryptamine foods can be bad. But more recent research has shown that SJW is a very weak MAOI, and that is not how it works.

SJW has hypericin, which is really more like a tricyclic antidepressant. And much (maybe most) of the activity is from amentoflavone, a compound that acts like the benzodiazepines (valium, xanax, etc). Current thinking is that SJW fights mild to moderate depression if it is caused by stress - the amentoflavone prevents a person from being stressed out to the point of depression.

There are a few cases of people having hypertensive episodes triggered by SJW - not clear if it is related to food, or just an unusual individual action. Good idea to monitor blood pressure before and during SJW.

Here is the Physician's Desk Reference's take, which has some cautions, but is not as alarmed as other sources:
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/herbaldrugs/102670.shtml

Title: Re: Oh for cripes sake!
Post by Melissa on Feb 26^th, 2006, 3:37pm

Thanks Flo!

In all honesty, I feel pretty good through the day (except for mood swings and lots of crying due to withdrawl off of Cymbalta) until I start drinking my Lambrusco. :-/ Then I get more vertigo and can feel my anxiety rise a little.

I wonder if maybe just cutting my daily dosage in 1/2 would be beneficial instead of dropping it alltogether?

modified to add: Ehhhh, nevermind. I'm callin my doc in the morning and letting him know I'd like to go back on my Xanax XR for a month, and then just go back to my quick acting Xanax as needed.

I feel pretty damn good not taking anything at all, so why bother? The mood swings are expected for withdrawl, so at least I know it is the coming off the medication and not me.

Thanks for letting me spew my psychobabble! ;)

Title: Re: Oh for cripes sake!
Post by Charlie on Feb 26^th, 2006, 7:26pm

St. Johns Wort has a funny name; otherwise it's one of the oldest cons in crank medical history. Tons of money has been wasted on this crap. http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/writer.gif

Charlie

Title: Re: Oh for cripes sake!
Post by _Lee_ on Feb 26^th, 2006, 8:38pm

St. Johns Wort ? Is that worts off of St. John? :o

Title: Re: Oh for cripes sake!
Post by Opus on Feb 26^th, 2006, 9:20pm

It was a trigger for me, I only worry about side effects when I get them, but getting slammed was a real bad one for me.

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Oh for cripes sake!
Post by cootie on Feb 26^th, 2006, 9:32pm

Sure makes me wonder about what we do eat in combinations and meds of any kind causeing side effects we don't realize are caused by all that. Did I say that rite ? I'm afraid to take anitidepressants......esp after the CHANGE I went thru after quittin paxil. I fell apart Pam

Title: Re: Oh for cripes sake!
Post by Melissa on Feb 27^th, 2006, 3:43pm

Well, talked to the nurse (who relayed things to my doc), and he doesn't want me on the Xanax XR because when I would eventually go off it, my anxiety will increase tremendously. SO, he wants me to stick with the quick acting Xanax and take it as needed. Thing is, I asked her to tell him I'd like to be able to refill it if need be, and I guess he didn't say anything about it. BUT, I think it's because I told her to tell him I had approx. 22 pills left. (think that could be it? [smiley=laugh.gif])

Anyway, knowing I'll be on NOTHING at all, sort of made my heart speed up and get anxious, but I just kept telling myself that I can do this!!!!!

I am one strong bitch, dammit.

TY all for always being here for me. You guys are irreplacable friends that I love and care for very much.

mel

oh, and p.s., it's like I told Jesse. I've been on nothing before and was fine, and I can be on nothing again and be fine. I can NOT let myself be dependent on drugs that are unnecessary, when I can fix myself through mental conditioning.