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Prescriptions

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Hi, currently on ESA.

I have a skin condition for which the Dr. prescribed me ointment. However, I also believe it requires a herbal supplement to alleviate the problem.

The ointment works but I also know the herbal supplement works too; I stopped using the herbal supplement for a few weeks and the condition returned worse in spite of my using the ointment.

Anyway, can I get the Dr. to prescribe me the herbal supplements?
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Comments

  • DomRavioli
    DomRavioli Posts: 3,136 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Unless the 'herbal supplements' are approved by NICE (national institute for clinical excellence) - and I doubt they are - then no. doctors can only prescribe what has been vigorously tested and approved.
  • wulfhere
    wulfhere Posts: 116 Forumite
    edited 22 May 2012 at 1:28PM
    Yea, that makes sense. Big pharma has to ensure it's giving us cancer inducing pills so they can hook us up to the cancer 'treatments' later on. A natural, organic herbal supplement would cut out the need for vast expenditure on the NHS, where the majority of public money gets siphoned off into private companies.
  • Prinzessilein
    Prinzessilein Posts: 3,257 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Herbal treatments may well be 'natural' and 'organic' but that doesn't necessarily mean they are safe!

    There are a number of herbal products I am not advised to take as they counter-indicate my prescribed meds.

    A large number of medicines have herbal origins (aspirin for example - is based on willow bark)...herbal does not equate with safe.

    It makes perfect sense that the GP can only prescribe supplements that are approved. And you should always tell the GP if you are taking over-the-counter herbal remedies alongside prescribed meds.
  • GlasweJen
    GlasweJen Posts: 7,451 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I dont want my tax money spent on quackery, if you want herbs to cure you then go buy them yourself.
  • HB58
    HB58 Posts: 1,787 Forumite
    Chinese 'herbal' creams have been very effective for eczema. Not surprising considering they were found to contain high doses of topical steroids!

    I would far rather have something that is properly controlled and regulated thank you.
  • Two4Tuesday
    Two4Tuesday Posts: 639 Forumite
    A large number of medicines have herbal origins (aspirin for example - is based on willow bark)...herbal does not equate with safe.

    Well said.
  • DomRavioli
    DomRavioli Posts: 3,136 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    wulfhere wrote: »
    Yea, that makes sense. Big pharma has to ensure it's giving us cancer inducing pills so they can hook us up to the cancer 'treatments' later on. A natural, organic herbal supplement would cut out the need for vast expenditure on the NHS, where the majority of public money gets siphoned off into private companies.

    I'm sorry that it wasn't what you wanted to hear but as we have all stated drugs have to be rigorously tested, as they can contraindicate with other medications and basically kill you.

    And anyone living with cancer doesn't really want to get filled with rays or radiation, so I do suggest you apologise for being so irresponsible with your words.
  • Lum
    Lum Posts: 6,460 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    Always reminds me of a conversation between me, my dermatologist and his medical students. He always likes to have his students in when I'm visiting as I'm a particularly severe and interesting case.

    He was giving them the lecture about how some people always assume that anything that is natural is automatically safe, at which point I interject:

    "what? you mean like blowfish?"

    Cracked him right up.
  • wulfhere
    wulfhere Posts: 116 Forumite
    Wow! What a naive bunch!
  • Oliver14
    Oliver14 Posts: 5,878 Forumite
    wulfhere wrote: »
    Wow! What a naive bunch!
    You said that :T:T:T:T:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
    'The More I know about people the Better I like my Dog'
    Samuel Clemens
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