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Suggest Treatment For Depression And Insomnia

Posted on Tue, 16 Dec 2014

Question: I drank alcohol and later took Ambien 12.5 milligrams, ( I have a prescription) my blood alcohol was .10, I was stopped for sleep driving and Dui. I quit alcohol and prescription sleeping pills with the the help of herbs such as St. John's Wort, Valerian, Passion Flower, L- tryptophan, and Melatonin . I also took therapy and joined recovery groups. I have been clean and sober for 3 months My question is I have to take a urinalysis test, will the Herbs trigger a false positive for illegal substances? Some doctors say no, but some people on the internet claim these herbs gave them false positives on urinalysis. I prefer to use herbs to treat depression and insomnia and don't want to use prescription medications. I have insomnia from 28 years of shift work and now am scared of all prescription sleep aids. I took them for many years. I am 65, retired, and have never been in trouble with the police. I only take a prescription for high blood pressure. I don't use any kind of illegal drugs.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Will not show positive report

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

The urine analysis should not show positive report for illegal substances ideally. But it is true that these herbs tend to have minute amounts of substances especially of plant extract which are considered illegal. If by chance your urinalysis does show a positive result you can always handover those herbs for testing as well, you will not get into trouble that way.
But for all practical purpose I am confident you will get a clean chit. False positive results are very rare

I hope I was of help, please get back to me after your result and let me know what happened.

I wish you health and good luck
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (25 minutes later)

Thank you for your answer, my wife and I have been worried sick over this. I have an attorney. I am considering going to a private drug screening firm, just to be sure. They are supposed to be confidential and not disclose their tests to outside authorities. What do you think? If the tests are accurate I am confident I will pass. Some people have suggested stopping all herbs, but this could throw me back into depression and ruin my recovery efforts. I believe my depression is mild and that I don't need powerful prescriptions like you would need for major depression. Again, thank you for your answer. You are a very good Doctor.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Dont stop the herbs

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the compliments. I am sorry for the short delay in my response, I just got back from the hospital.

I recommend not to stop the drugs as you stand a high chance of relapse into depression. You can always produce your herbal medication to them for a counter check.
I believe you are doing the right thing and I am happy it is working this out for you

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (14 hours later)

Thank you for your help. Excellent Doctor. Helped me a great deal with my question.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the compliments. I like helping people and that is why i have chosen this profession. You can ask a direct question to me by starting your query as Dear Dr Rakesh Madhyastha. Please let me know about the test results, I will be waiting to hear from you

Regards

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar