PSA

[rocketrn]

When going to the doctor or for surgery, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make sure you tell them about *any* herbal remedies you are taking. A patient came in for surgery {no, not while I was there} who was taking St. John's Wart. They gave him demerol {a common pain medication. It is also given post-op to stop the shivers}, and he had a reaction from the

Comments

[aifacat]

OMG...yeah...that's a little scary... I would hope people would consider the herbal remedies they use as medication, but I guess not always...

Missed ya this summer...

[cassiusdrow]

Yikes. When I had that surgery back in January, I was surprised when the doctor told me to stop taking the St Johns Wort for two weeks before the surgery. He said it was a blood thinner and could cause excessive bleeding during the procedure. I'm glad I listened.

I guess any medicines (herbal or otherwise) can interact in unexpected ways.

[rocketrn]

I knew about the blood clotting factor, but I didn't know about the whole death thing. It's a good thing you listened to your doctor.

[yummyteece]

Yipes.
thanks for the heads up. I'm usually very good about mentioning that sort of thing, but i had no idea that St. Johns would cause such a reaction.