General Herbals And Meds

[Jen L]

Hey! :-)

Was wondering what herbals worked for you, if any and what your experience has been with them.

My man was on 7 medications when I met him. He is down to a mere 6, but I have started him on a host of vitamins and herbs and stuff. Some seems to be working, others not so much. Need some feedback. We also have an apparent Testosterone issue all of a sudden, however, he DID just get a vasectomy about 6 weeks ago....so we're not sure if it's the stuff I'm trying or the Vasectomy to blame. Ugh!

Here is what he's on:

Prazosin
Zolpidem
Buspirone
Escitalopram
Oxcarbazepine
Cyproheptadine

I took him off the sleeping pill (the one that is like Ambien) and put him on Melatonin. Seems to be better. His impulse issues are much better, his anger (even though he's not violent or loud or anything) is pretty much gone and when he has bad dreams, without the Ambien, he can come out of them easier. Doesn't sleep as well....but which is better??

I have him on Hops (heard this is good for PTSD).

He's on Stress Support from Vitacost (has L-Theanine) and is for the proper function of adrenals, which is damaged when under stress.

I make a shake each morning with coconut milk, banana, blueberries, Chia seeds and hemp protein. Sometimes chocolate syrup!

I also have him on a good quality fish oil, Vitamin D3, pro-biotics, B-complex and a multi vitamin.

Two days ago, I started him on Zinc (testosterone levels) as well as Sam-e, which has received rave reviews for mood issues.

Any thoughts?

 

[franciemarnie]

Here's my thought - you are wonderful the way you take care of him!

Don't have much to add medicinally though. Sounds like great stuff you're adding.

Apple cider vinegar - 3 tbs. with 8 oz. water and half tsp. baking soda will help keep a person's blood pressure down, oxidize the system, clear sinuses, balance acid/alkaline, aid regularity, undermine arthritis calcium build-up, give you luminous skin and lots more. Must be apple cider vinegar. Adding juice of one lemon and maple syrup makes it taste like lemonade!

 

[NewWife777]

Wow! Good for you! His pill cocktail sounds very similar to my husband's. Where do you buy these supps? Especially interested in Hops and Stress Support. Thanks :)

 

[Life_in_the_Mist]

I believe in herbs. My only thought is be sure to check whether the herbs/supplements interact with the drugs he is on--a surprising number do.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

@Jen L, You keep saying 'you' started him on these herbs. Are you qualified to be changing his medication or talking to a doctor about it?

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Did you list the meds wrong? You said he is on Zolpidem (Ambien) but then you say he's off the sleeping pill. Just want to clarify.

 

[kahlan]

I would be concerned with drug interactions and physical reactions to suddenly stopping one drug anf starting another herbal/natural or not.

 

[Jen L]

Here's my thought - you are wonderful the way you take care of him!

Apple cider vinegar Adding juice of one lemon and maple syrup makes it taste like lemonade!

Thanks for the compliment!

Also, we do Bragg's cider vinegar....thanks for the suggestion of making it taste like lemonade!!!! I never knew that and I gotta say, as much as I'm for getting my ph under control, I hate it. Gonna try that!!!

 

[Jen L]

Wow! Good for you! His pill cocktail sounds very similar to my husband's. Where do you buy these supps? Especially interested in Hops and Stress Support. Thanks :)

Thanks!!

I get them at Vitacost. Anyone who uses my name as a referral gets $10 off (and I do too). No idea how to do that though. I just saw that little deal thing in my last order. No worries if you don't want to use my name. It's actually Jennifer Varberg. The "Jen L" is my soon to be maiden name (and hopefully my new married name! lol).

 

[Jen L]

... be sure to check whether the herbs/supplements interact with the drugs he is on--a surprising number do.

I did research them as far as interactions go. I found nothing. So far there are no adverse affects. Most herbs don't have side effects or cannot be overdosed. I say MOST. I know there are some that do and can be overdosed.

 

[Jen L]

@Jen L, You keep saying 'you' started him on these herbs. Are you qualified to be changing his medication or talking to a doctor about it?

Yes, I did say I am doing this. What constitutes qualified? I am a common-sense thinking person. No I'm not a doctor. Sorry I'm sensitive to this, but my son had a LOT of medical issues over his lifetime and I have found time and time again that common sense prevailed over a doctor's so-called degree in medicine. And for the record, I have three friends who are doctors and one nurse friend. So, I'm not against formal medicine. Just an outside-the-box thinker who has succeeded in the past and I'm not afraid to try.

Also, I have not changed his meds at all. He stopped taking a sleeping pill. That's it.

 

[Jen L]

Did you list the meds wrong? You said he is on Zolpidem (Ambien) but then you say he's off the sleeping pill. Just want to clarify.

Ooops! I probably did. I was rushing to get them all on here before he woke up and got upset that I was online.

I didn't realize that Zolpidem was the Ambien. I must have missed the one he IS taking and listed that one instead. Or, he's only on 5 meds instead of 6. I don't keep track - he does. We go through them each week and fill his little medicine organizer thingy. Whatever it's called.

Just glad he's off of it. It made him MEAN!