SJW isn't AMA approved, you know, SAWE. That would come under the witch doctor half of treatment you're concerned about!

I'm a big fan of, um ... *clearing throat* ... "alternative medicine," such as acupuncture. I'm teasing you about St John's Wort, because many people who have only heard the scuttlebutt about it are terrified of it. You know better, because you have had first-hand, positive experience with it.

5-HTP isn't herbal, like St John's Wort. You've read up on it, so you know it's an amino acid that our bodies turn into serotonin, which fights/prevents depression. Research is ongoing & overall looks promising, especially for those who are currently benefitting from Cymbalta--an anti-depressant aimed at people with despression-associated chronic pain, or depression and chronic pain, e.g., fibromyalgia.

SJW, like most herbs, has to be metabolized by the liver & may cause toxicity over time. Doctors tend to worry about this, especially when there is something available that they consider a safer alternative.

As for alcohol, from what little anecdotal reference I could find on the web, the problems arise with beer drinkers who consume four or more drinks, and some mention taking not only 5-HTP but valerian, melatonin, and SJW as well.

I hope you'll give your new MD a chance. I've been with my half-AMA, half-altMed for 20+ yrs. I think it's probably the way things are going, if we're ever to get serious about prevention & keep costs down.

Stay in touch. I'd like to know how things go for you.