Herbal supplements and Fibro

iVillage Member

Registered: 12-04-2008

3	Wed, 01-02-2013 - 6:19am

I have fibromyalgia and chronic pain, plus osteo-arthritis, high cholestrol; high blood pressure and thinning bones - all of which are being treated by various medications.

It has been suggested to me that Rhodiola rosea and/or Melatonin 5HTP could help me sleep, concentrate, improve fogginess and memeory, lessen fatigue and so on.

I wondered if anyone had any experience with any of these herbal supplements? And if so, had any side effects I should be aware of? I have heard that Rhodiola may cause Insomnia, Irritability, Mild Jitters or Shakes and restlessness, but I already suffer form these! Do they increase this in people with Fibro?

I can't find any side-effects of 5htp but would love to hear people's experiences with these suplements before I spend lots of money on them. Many thanks for your help.

Signatures On

brensticker

iVillage Member

Registered: 06-25-2008

In reply to: ukgardenfiend

Re: Herbal supplements and Fibro

Fri, 01-04-2013 - 12:50pm

I once tried Melatonin and found myself a nervous wide awake wreck in the middle of the night. I tried it for a week and was so miserable I gave it up. Then a doc told me I was taking way too much and that I need to take the lowest dose available. I still haven't gotten up the nerve to try a lower dose of it. I've not heard of any of the others. Let me know if you try something and it works.

Brenda

mcpayton

Community Leader

Registered: 06-06-2000

In reply to: ukgardenfiend

Re: Herbal supplements and Fibro

Fri, 01-04-2013 - 3:28pm

Vitamin D is the one thing that has helped me the most, along with B12 injections. I was very D deficient and anemic, so both were necessary for me health wise. As for herbals, I take one that helps with digestion that I get from my Chinese Medicine doctor, it's called Purozyme. You can order it online, but I'm not sure if it's going to be the same thing, since my doc orders his herbals from an actual herbal pharmacy. My DS has taken Melatonin with some success, but says he doesn't like it very much; he's 12, though, so who knows.

arryl

Community Leader

Registered: 07-26-1999

In reply to: ukgardenfiend

Re: Herbal supplements and Fibro

Tue, 01-08-2013 - 9:42am

Here is an article on 5HTP that may be helpful, you may want to consult with someone more knowledgeable before combining it with something like melatonin as a precaution.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/296130-5-htp-benefits/

Also lavender essential oils would be one to also try as it has several benefits:

http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/natural-essential-oils/health-benefits-of-lavender-essential-oil.html