Posted by Hombre on May 18, 2010, at 5:03:24
In reply to Chinese Medicine: Shen Disturbances, posted by Hombre on May 18, 2010, at 4:38:08
http://www.itmonline.org/shen/chap8.htm
Withdrawing from SSRIs:
"APPENDIX 1: Guipi Tang and SSRI Withdrawal Syndrome
The problem of adverse reactions to withdrawing from the antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is important to patients, especially since they already may suffer from problems of anxiety and fear which can exacerbate their concerns about symptoms that arise. A Chinese herbal therapy for this condition has not been established, but can be suggested from the typical symptoms of withdrawal. A listing of symptoms that have been repeatedly observed in patients withdrawing from SSRIs is arranged in the left column of the following table by general type, and paired with a potential TCM interpretation of the symptoms in the right column.
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Summing up the notes about TCM interpretation, the withdrawal syndrome may revolve around the problems of qi and blood deficiency, which may be accompanied by qi stagnation and dampness accumulation (and, in rare cases, also by internal wind). These deficiency syndromes of Chinese medicine are attributed primarily to the spleen (for qi) and liver (for blood); a Western interpretation of the same pattern might be a relative deficiency in serotonin availability or an imbalance of neurotransmitters that occurs when the drugs are removed.Key herbs that might be considered for SSRI withdrawal syndrome based on the symptom analysis include:
Atractylodes (white atractylodes): tonifies qi, resolves damp
Peony (white peony): nourishes blood, vitalizes blood circulation
Tang-kuei: nourishes blood, vitalizes blood circulation
Zizyphus: nourishes liver and heart blood and clams shen
Saussurea: circulates qi, calms shen
Ginseng: tonifies qi, calms shen
Astragalus: tonifies qi, raises yang qi
Polygala: resolves phlegm, calms shen
Fu-shen or Hoelen: resolves damp, calms shen
Pinellia: resolves damp, lowers stomach qi
Citrus: resolves damp, circulates qiA formula with these ingredients can be constructed from the traditional formula Gupi Tang, which includes most of the herbs. According to Giovanni Maciocia, who is widely respected for his knowledge of TCM, this formula is itself used for treating depression (11). He noted that: "The formula Guipi Tang tonifies spleen-qi and heart-blood and calms the mind: it is ideally suited to treat post-natal depression and insomnia. This formula is also recommended by Wu Qian in his Golden Mirror of Medicine for post-natal depression from worry, pensiveness, and sadness." The ingredients may be provided as a decoction ( Guipi Tang ), dried decoction, or in tablet form (Guipi Wan).
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While there have not been studies providing clinical evidence for efficacy of Gui Pi Tang, or any of the herbs mentioned, to alleviate SSRI discontinuation symptoms, it is a characteristic of modern Chinese medicine practices to select herbs on the basis of symptom patterns, with the expectation of attaining some level of effect. The symptoms are understood to be a manifestation of an underlying imbalance, whether described in ancient terms (e.g., qi and blood deficiency) or modern terms (e.g., neurotransmitter release and reuptake). That imbalance generates symptoms via common mechanisms that can be affected by the herbs. Starting an herbal formula along with gradual drug dose reductions may prevent or minimize the withdrawal symptoms."(continued)
poster:Hombre
thread:947779
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20100516/msgs/947782.html