Am I allergic to natural herbal medicines?

Comment by Chad J. Dupuis, L.Ac.

Side effects from patent medicines like those you are taking are extremely rare. When they happen they are generally mild, like nausea, mild headache, etc. Part of the reason these formulas have survived as long as they have is because of the tried and true aspects of them. A formula like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, for example, has been recorded since the time before Christ and likely used much longer than that. Along those lines allergic reactions are very very uncommon as well - not impossible - but very uncommon.

Now if you were being completely misdiagnosed (which is unlikely as anxiety w/tinnitus is pretty easy to properly diagnose as Kidney Yin Deficiency) I imagine strange things could happen. With you, however, it is likely that one of two things (or both) is happening. Vasoconstriction is a common issue with heigtened states of anxiety and yours may simply not be improved yet. Or this could be entirely unrelated and more of a carpal tunnel/neck/shoulder tension issue. Or a combination of both. Either way it is extremely unlikely that this has anything to do with the herbal medicine except that they may temporarily change your bodies reaction to the underlying forces that are driving the anxiety. In other words your symptoms may change from panic attacks, for example, to hand and face numbness, or a million other things until the underlying factors improve to the point that that anxious energy doesn&#39t need an outlet of some kind.

I am a little concerned that your practitioner is switching the formulas too often (but it&#39s hard to judge not knowing all the specifics of your case). I mention that only so that you understand most of these formulas that rebuild Kidney Yin take at least 3-9 months to make a deep dent. You should improve before then anxiety wise, perhaps with the aid of stronger more directly "calming" formulas - but you should be expecting a much longer time frame herbally for a deep resolution of your symptoms.

Comment by Archived User

Dear Chad,

Thank you so much for your letter. I am too concerned a little that the TCM doctor (to be exact) is switching the formulas every time I tell him my new symptoms/reactions from previous treatments.

My next question is how long I should continue having these anxiety treatments before one can determine that&#39s enough treatments?

Initially, I had 2 treatments per week for the first 2 months. The TCM doctor recommended having one treatment per week after I had experienced constant headaches and dizziness, and he started alternating treatments in the front and back sides. I honestly don&#39t know whether or not he really has a specific treatment plan for my anxiety or he may see something that I should be treated entire body. I still see him every Saturday but I don&#39t know how to tell him and if I should find a new practioner or stick with him and continue taking hebal medicine for Kidney Yin Deficiency until I see some results. For the record, I did feel great for a week after the first 15 treatments.

Floyd

Comment by Chad J. Dupuis, L.Ac.

It&#39s very hard to generalize about treatment length particularly with psychological issues, however, most people should have a noticeable improvement after the first 3-10 weeks of treatment. It may start slow in relative terms but it should be noticeable and should continue to get better as the months pass. It&#39s not uncommon to have to switch formulas as they can be more of a moving target at times, but initially it is usually better to give the body a consistent message.

I would think at this point if you have not improved, particularly with the anxiety symptoms, you should probably see someone else if you have that option. No judgement on your current practitioner but sometimes a different take on things can really speed up the progress.

Comment by Archived User

I appreciated your quick responses!

I have no judgement on my current practitioner neither. I admitted that his treatments did help my anxiety at some degree but not as much more as I hope it would be. I consider seeing different doctors to see if it speeds things up a little.

Thanks so much again for your comments. You have a great day!

Floyd