[Ally_Angel]

Hi there

I am currently on effexor, risperidal and temazepam.
My mum took me to see a spiritual lady and she has given me this long list of more natural things to take.. and wants me to slowly go off the strong meds. I don't know what to do about this... I am not sure if that will work. I am already doing so much better with what I am on now... and that could change if I go off what I am on. Any advice would be good.
Thanks

Ally

[zoidy]

I would be very very wary of going off the meds that you're on, especially if you're feeling good on them. I'm not sure about you, but it's taken me over two years to find a combination of meds that works for me and I'm still not quite there. But once I find the magic combo I'm sticking with it!

Also bear in mind that a lot of natural therapies can still have side effects and interactions. Also, because of the multiple compounds contained in each one, there is very little known about a lot of them - just because it's natural doesn't mean it's safer. And it definitely does NOT mean that they're safe to take WITH any of your existing meds. Some might be!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-natural medicines at all. But I am not convinced that any of the currently known products could be as effective as what you're on now. Especially a long list of them...

However if you do choose to go ahead, make sure you talk to your treating doctor about it beforehand and have them monitor your progress.

Zoidy's mantra: Just cos it's natural, doesn't mean it's safer!

[ster]

Ally If the meds are working well, talk to your DR. about the natural way. I would be very cautuious about doing this without a DR. letting you know if for U it could be changed.

[Perna]

I would always err on the side of what works for you and what you want to do. If the meds didn't work, then maybe you could work with your doctor and ease off some and try something else but since they work well at the moment, why change a good thing?

[eskielover]

My farovite expression is: "If it isn't broke, don't fix it".

My feeling is basically just that. You say that the meds you are on, are making you feel the best you have felt & I can't imagine wanting to change that. If you ever do get to a place where they aren't working as well as they are now, then that would be the time to take the list of natural meds to your Dr & work with him on changing over to the naturals.

My pdoc had the list of natural meds once I went through the list of prescribes meds. He tried every possible med & natural drugs that were on the market at the time. The natural ones didn't help any more than the prescribed ones did. Meds for me just never worked but at least me pdoc tried them on me. But he did wait until every other possibility had been tried.

Think it over & talk it over with your pdoc before ever deciding for the change.....besides, every change needs to be monitored.....even the change to natural. Side effects can happen with anything you put into your body.

Take care,
Debbie