herb/drug interactions

[Guest guest]

Colleagues,

 

A 68 year old woman has just come to me for treatment via a referral

from her psychiatrist. The referral is mainly to treat her

'fibromyalgia' which keeps her up at night. Her hips and shoulders are

severely achey. She " probably " has MS, first diagnosed (MRI) in the 80's

but the disease has been slow and mild until now. Many of her present

symptoms could be MS, could be drug side effects or interactions. The

medications she is currently on: Effexor, Prevacid, Neurontin, Klonopin,

Propanolol, Depakote, Lipitor, and occasionally Imitrex. (I think the

psych and internist are communicating about the meds, at least.) Without

going into further detail, I am daunted by the number of meds, some of

them hard on the liver, some affecting absorption (etc.) and I'm

concerned about just treating her patterns. I would be adding heat and

phlegm clearing and blood moving herbs to the soup. I know the standard

herb-drug interactions, mostly theoretical, to watch for, but when

there's just a lot of strong pharmaceuticals, I'm inclined to see that

as a red flag? Or does it really depend on each individual case? I am

going to first see whether acupuncture brings her relief. She is

suffering a great deal now and if herbs are indicated I would like her

to have them soon. I know some of you are experienced in knotty diseases

in patients taking western meds--I'd be grateful for your opinions.

 

Thank you, Marian

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