I was prescribed Cymbalta primarily for nerve/burning pain a few months ago and tried it for 3 weeks or so, but it made me feel hypo and hyper at the same time! It felt as though I didn't belong to myself! (Hey, having RSD, that might not be a bad idea.....)

I know it takes time to adjust to meds, but this wasn't for me..

I want to try the natural supplement St. John's Wort..it is widely used in Europe with great success.

I have asked doctors and pharmacists if it's OK to take it while on Neurontin both but no one can give me a definite answer. St John's Wort helps maintain an optimal seratonin level which benefits emotional well-being and helps keep the pain at bay...it's suppose to be as effecitve as an anti-depressant for pain and mood !

Also has anyone with nerve pain tried alpha lipoic acid (supplement)

Thanks for the info!! I'm trying to sabotage the billion-dollar drug industry with some natural stuff !!! and keep my brain cells from falling out since some of my hair already is.....

Love to all,
Hope4thebest

I don't know but I always air on caution. Some supplements and I am not saying this one but you may not have a reaction but it may not work to its fullest. I think I read that with magnesium and why one should take it a few hours apart. I am not sure if you are aware but there is a vitamin/supplement board on here too that may be able to assist you if you put a post or do a search.

Might help to contact a naturalist who specializes in homeopathic remedies. I know my Cymbalta pharmacy info specifically contraindicates St. John's Wort because it is another form of anti- depressant. I'm also on Neurontin, but haven't seen anything on the reaction between it and SJW.. My doctor told me NOT to take SJW with my Ultram because it also has some anti-depressant properties, so knowing that it can react with some of our meds, I would wnat a professional opinion.

Another note. I have a friend who is VERY into natural remedies (she has allopecia). She uses a certified naturalist and was told that St. John's Wort is not very effective for a large majority of people. Her daughter didn't have any real results with it either. She said that SAM-e and Kava kava have been shown to have more results than the St. Johns Wort.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Interactions

Go toward the bottom and it lists every drug it could interact with separately. It should never be taken with pain meds, antidepressants, blood thinners, cold medicine, and a whole lot more!

Hugs,

Karen

you can go to drugs.com and cross anything over with condraindications,,i do believe i read there that you can take xanax with it and maybe cymbatra,,,,good point to bring up,,i remember reading about st johns wart,,there are quite a few that you cant take with it,,and with antidepressants ,,it tells you to not mix herbs,,,,,,,,,,,,,be carfull

Thanks for the info and the links! I will check out the resources...
I know it's not advised to take with other anti-depressants because you can flood your system with seratonin.

I am cautious about who sponsors the information that I read..I am leary of reading info from drug companies because if the word got out that this little plant was effective, their anti-depressant sales would plummet...

One thing about having RSD, I've learned so much from researching, reading the posts, etc..I've learned about the brain and the intricate pathways where pain travels...our bodies are a phenomenom!!

I still have faith that sometimes it can 'right' itself...
Hope4thebest xoxo