side effects od shi quan da bu wan?

 Jakub -

Shi Quan Da Bu Tang/Ten Great Tonification Decoction is one of the most commonly prescribed Chinese Herbal Formula prescribed for the chief complaint of Fatigue. It functions to build blood, and supplement Qi, thereby restoring energy in depleted patients, for example those undergoing chemotherapy whose blood counts drop precipitously. Considering that one of your chief complaints is Chronic Fatigue, I can see why your practitioner might have reasoned that this formula would improve your energy levels. 

However, there is a concept in Chinese Medicine that it is sometimes necessary to clear the excess, before supplementing the deficiency or weakness. Considering that this recent bout of pancreatic/liver pain began after a "excess alcohol intake and heavy food" (excess in Chinese Medicine and by your description), you may need a formula that either focuses on clearing excess or harmonizing the liver/pancreas/spleen for now. 

I suggest this because many of the symptoms you complain of are associated with Liver dysfunction, i.e. fatigue, hypochondriac (liver area) pain, lowered immunity, and even muscle fatigue/joint pain (for example we know that patients who are prescribed statin medications such as Lipitor for cholesterol are warned of the possibility of joint pain and muscle fatigue and they must have their liver function monitored regularly).  

Perhaps for now, you might want to focus on lowering the stress placed on your liver/pancreas by adopting a primarily vegetarian diet, with lots of leafy greens, and fish that are high in essential fatty acids (i..e. Salmon and Sardines).  Animal proteins tend to stress the liver, and your liver needs healing and rest. You might also consider the addition of supplements such as Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Sylmarin, which is the active ingredient found in Milk Thistle. Blue-green algaes such as Chlorella and Spirulina are also quite helpful in healing the Liver and boosting energy. 

Chinese Herbal Formulae for harmonizing the Liver/Pancreas that you might consider under the supervision of your TCM Practitioner include: 

A. Xiao Chai Hu Tang

B. Chai Hu Shu Gan Tang

C. Xiao Yao San

D. Da Chai Hu Tang

E. Yi Guan Jian

Each of the above Chinese Herbal Formulas contain herbs for treating both excess and deficient symptoms in patients, and they are each commonly used for the western conditions related to the liver and pancreas such as hepatitis, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, and pancreatitis. 

Together with appropriate appropriate dietary and nutritional emphasis (as mentioned above), and the elimination of known liver toxins such as alcohol, tylenol, etc., you will probably begin to notice significant and sustained improvement in many of the complaints you list above. 

Warmly,

Ray Rubio, DAOM, L.Ac. (FABORM)

www.westlakecomplementarymedicine.com