with Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.
I am a pharmacy student on rotation in an anticoagulation clinic. One of our patients is taking your product (pain formula and revitalization formula). Is there any research on how your products affect other medications, specifically Warfarin (Coumadin)?
Dr. Teitelbaum’s response:
All products can potentially interact with Coumadin. We use these in our patients on Coumadin, but check INRs [International Normalized Ratio, a laboratory test measure of blood coagulation] after several days (as we do when we make any change) for safety. We have not seen a problem.
The main interactions to be aware of would be that the magnesium in the vitamin powder may modestly decrease neurontin or cipro absorption, but we simply modify the dose. Calcium or iron can block thyroid absorption, and have therefore been left out of the formulas. Although the sleep herbs may potentiate the effects of sleep med’s, this is not at a level that has been clinically problematic (and is actually a clinically useful synergy). The pain formula ingredients do not have significant interactions, but I’d check INRs on Coumadin as above, especially because of the willow bark.
SHINE represents four areas of health issues that need to be addressed when creating a treatment program. These health issues and their roles in treating CFS/FM are as follows:
S = SLEEP: Get adequate sleep, preferably eight to nine hours a night. Sleep replenishes the body's energy and heals its muscles. Inadequate sleep will leave you exhausted and in pain.
H = HORMONES: Get tested for hormone deficiency and treated if needed. Hormone deficiencies can contribute to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
I = INFECTIONS: Get treatment when symptoms of infections occur. The lack of restorative sleep in CFS/FM leads to dysfunctional immune systems. Underlying viral, bacterial, bowel, sinus and yeast infections are common and can be a contributing cause or result of CFS/FM.
N = NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Optimal nutritional supplementation is essential. Many nutrients can be depleted as a result of CFS/FM. B-12, magnesium, Acetyl L Carnitine and glutathione, as well as your basic A, B, C and D vitamins need to be supplemented at a level that your average over the counter multivitamin cannot provide.
E = EXERCISE: Exercise as able. After 10 weeks on the 4 steps above, you will be able to slowly increase your exercise—without being wiped out the next day!
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posted on April 22, 2008 | 592 views | tags: anticoagulation, CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome, cipro, coumadin, fibromyalgia, FMS, magnesium, neurontin
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