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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by partlycloudy on March 31, 2005, at 6:49:07
I see mine this afternoon - should I tell her about the amino acid supplements I have been taking to deal with alcohol cravings? (She is aware that I am an alcoholic.)
pc
Posted by JKL on April 1, 2005, at 3:06:11
In reply to What does your p-doc think about supplements?, posted by partlycloudy on March 31, 2005, at 6:49:07
> I see mine this afternoon - should I tell her about the amino acid supplements I have been taking to deal with alcohol cravings? (She is aware that I am an alcoholic.)
> pcI had an appointment just a couple days ago and asked if I could add st johns wort to my prozac and zyprexa. I gave them a list of choices I was looking at, which included wellbutrin, st johns wort, or strattera. They liked the idea of st johns wort the best, claiming it has been very effective with other patients and that it is very safe. But they said liver tests were important so they took some blood. All is ok.
I think most pdocs would not be so pro-supplements. I was surprised. My pdoc told me that most other pdocs are allies to the insurance companies and their lawyers, but that he is an ally of his patients.
My pdoc likes supplements and prefers to have patients on saw palmetto for prostate problems rather than expensive drugs, claiming that saw palmetto works just as good at about $6 a month. He had other examples as well. I don't think his pro-supplement outlook is the mainstream though.
Posted by partlycloudy on April 1, 2005, at 6:48:37
In reply to Re: What does your p-doc think about supplements?, posted by JKL on April 1, 2005, at 3:06:11
My p-doc pronounced them "benign". Sigh. She asked if they were making me feel better, to which I replied that *something* was, and they were the only change I'd made, so she said to stick with them.
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 10, 2005, at 10:46:17
In reply to Re: What does your p-doc think about supplements?, posted by JKL on April 1, 2005, at 3:06:11
> > I see mine this afternoon - should I tell her about the amino acid supplements I have been taking to deal with alcohol cravings? (She is aware that I am an alcoholic.)
> > pc
>
> I had an appointment just a couple days ago and asked if I could add st johns wort to my prozac and zyprexa. I gave them a list of choices I was looking at, which included wellbutrin, st johns wort, or strattera. They liked the idea of st johns wort the best, claiming it has been very effective with other patients and that it is very safe. But they said liver tests were important so they took some blood. All is ok.
>
> I think most pdocs would not be so pro-supplements. I was surprised. My pdoc told me that most other pdocs are allies to the insurance companies and their lawyers, but that he is an ally of his patients.
>
> My pdoc likes supplements and prefers to have patients on saw palmetto for prostate problems rather than expensive drugs, claiming that saw palmetto works just as good at about $6 a month. He had other examples as well. I don't think his pro-supplement outlook is the mainstream though.Wow. Your doctor is definitely a "keeper".
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 10, 2005, at 10:50:52
In reply to Re: What does your p-doc think about supplements? » JKL, posted by partlycloudy on April 1, 2005, at 6:48:37
> My p-doc pronounced them "benign". Sigh. She asked if they were making me feel better, to which I replied that *something* was, and they were the only change I'd made, so she said to stick with them.
Well, gradually demonstrate the lack of "benign", i.e. that supplements are "active".
I no longer have a pdoc, as I so stabilized my mood with nutrients, he had nothing left to treat. Well, except for insomnia, and we tried all kinds of drugs for that. After we got through all of those he could think of, he dropped me from his practise.
My family doctor has had more than one "Aha!" moment, as I explain my rationale for a particular self-treatment, or the effectiveness of an alternative strategy. I can get drugs from him that I bet nobody else could get him to prescribe, for the condition I'm trying to manage. I think I've gained his respect. I'm telling him stuff all the time, that he has to look up to verify.
Anyway. Think globally, act locally. You can change how your doctors feel about alternatives. This can then affect how they treat other patients. Chip away at the stone. You can move mountains. Anyone can. One stone at a time.
Lar
Posted by gromit on April 11, 2005, at 1:12:52
In reply to Re: What does your p-doc think about supplements? » JKL, posted by partlycloudy on April 1, 2005, at 6:48:37
> My p-doc pronounced them "benign". Sigh. She asked if they were making me feel better, to which I replied that *something* was, and they were the only change I'd made, so she said to stick with them.
My former pdoc stopped just short of laughing in my face when I brought up the supplements I was taking. A few months later I asked about something to help with anorgasmia from Lexapro and he said that he'd heard ginko was good for that.
I did mention he was my *former* pdoc right?
Rick
Posted by Damos on April 21, 2005, at 22:29:35
In reply to What does your p-doc think about supplements?, posted by partlycloudy on March 31, 2005, at 6:49:07
Sorry PC, don't come here often and musta missed this.
My GP pretty much thinks I'm a fruit bat when I tell him about the alternative stuff I've tried. Once his eyes stop spinning he kinda shrugs and says; "Well if you feel it's helping". Legend.
The very best thing I've discovered is Australian Bush Flower Essences. Kinda similar to Bach Flower remedies, my kinesiologist recommended them.
Look at the individual essences. I trusted my intuition and got a blend of Anglesword, Bush Fuchsia, Five Corners, Red Lily and Turkey Bush. Knew from the first 7 drops under the tongue that this was something special. GP and others noticed the difference in me. Sadly ran out a while back and am in need of a booster of sorts.
Yours in hanging upside downness,
Damos
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