My final 02 cents.
I agree with Barb (<blushing>, think you for the kind words), Charlie and
Kathie. Each suggests caution. The reason I decided to speak was because
I was feeling that there was preponderance of advice against trying
anything new. 'Course, maybe I was listening to my own thinking more than
the words in the messages :-}).
Becky, years ago, had a neurologist who told her to "never give up and
always be willing to try anything." I firmly believe that we all, and
especially those living with this disease, need to question and research
issues before leaping into action. Kathie's council suggests a way to do
this if one's regular medical professional is reticent to accept an
alternative to his/her preferred drugs.
The bottom line is that I'm suggesting that an open-minded caution be
adopted. 'Course, one should take care that one's mind isn't so open that
it's too porous to hold any convictions. :-}) Along with this
open-mindedness and caution, is an attendant responsibility for one's own
actions. This responsibility needs be recognized and accepted. Now, if we
could instill this self same awareness about responsibility in the hearts
and minds of many of our progeny......
Thus endth my final 02 cents.
Take care (sometimes the helplessness felt approaches over whelming :-}( ),
Jeff, Saturday partner for Becky, Seattle
[log in to unmask]
At 01:53 AM 6/29/97 -0400, you wrote:
>Barb wrote:
>St. John's Wort is, despite it's odd name, a DRUG (albeit a natual one
long in
>se to benefit humankind down thru the ages). Read up on it first, ask your
>pharmacist, and use with caution!
>Charlie wrote:
>My posting was one of caution. I support research into the usefulness
>of the substance.
>Kathie Wrote:
>I looked into St. John's wort a while ago also, like Jeff I feel very
>strongly that many natural solutions and substances are just as potent as
>pharmaceuticals, and require at least prudent investigation. I have only had
>a couple of bad experiences with natural treatments, compared to a number of
>pharmaceutical nightmares. I couldn't find much negative being said about
>SJ's wort, but I was unhappy that there was so little data to consider. I
>asked a friend who is a pharmacist what she knew, and after investigation on
>her part she told me that she believes it is conta-indicated with Eldepryl,
>because it also has MAO-inhibiting properties. So, it is probably just fine
>for Jeff, but not for me, as I use Eldepryl.
>
<---- snip ---->
>We all have a serious responsibility to ourselves and our families to be
>wise patients. There is a wealth of data available to us, we are well
>advised to use it.
