Lately I've been feeling more anxious than usual. I am currently taking Wellbutrin XL (300 MG), Effexor ER (150 MG), and Ativan (1 MG). I really don't want to up the MG of any of the perscription drugs. I was thinking an herbal supplement maybe to take the edge off a little bit.
Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated!
I won't be reporting anyone.....ALL answers are welcome.
Amy J
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Believe it or not, exercise is great for getting rid of anxiety, a funky mood, the grumpies, and clears your head. It actually gives you energy. It is definitely an upper.
Lavender...known for its soothing and sleep inductive effects
Warm milk...old cure for calming hyper children down...or anyone for that matter
Chammomile...calming bedtime tea
Here are some more suggestions.
"Take frequent time-outs. Throughout the day, we're confronted with stressful situations. It is critical not to let this stress build up.
For every 50 minutes you work, take a 10-minute break to reduce your stress level. This can actually make you more productive than working straight through. During at least one of these breaks, do deep breathing.
Helpful: Inhale slowly, allowing the air to push out your abdomen. Exhale slowly, allowing the stomach protrusion to return to normal. For maximum oxygenation and benefit, each exhalation should last twice as long as each inhalation.
Reduce caffeine intake. In small, irregular doses, caffeine can be medicinal. It increases bile flow, which stimulates the gall bladder and reduces cholesterol. But in regular doses, it can hinder a number of body systems that are responsible for responding to stress.
Important: Limit intake to one to two caffeinated drinks a week.
Exercise regularly. Physical activity is necessary to remove waste products, particularly lactic and uric acids, from the muscles and nervous system.
In excess, these acids help make you feel edgy. Mild to moderate activity can both prevent and reduce anxiety for up to two hours.
Helpful: Engage in at least 10 to 15 minutes of activity in the morning and afternoon. A brisk walk combined with deep breathing is ideal.
Work hard to sleep well. Irregular sleep patterns and poor-quality sleep confuse your body. Your body becomes less able to respond appropriately to stress, and you are more vulnerable to anxious feelings.
Helpful: Keep a regular bedtime, even on weekends. Take a hot bath or a brisk walk three hours before bedtime to prime your body for sleep. Avoid naps. Avoid eating heavy meals or consuming alcohol or caffeine in the evening."
HERE ARE SOME HERBAL REMEDIES:
"B vitamins The B vitamins - especially B6 and B12 - help regulate the body's response to stress and maintain a healthy nervous system.
What I recommend to my patients: Twice a day, take a vitamin B complex formula that contains at least 25mg of B6...and also contains 1mg of B12.
Because these vitamins work best in combination with other nutrients, also take a multivitamin-mineral supplement twice a day.
Best: Look for B12 in the form of hydroxocobalamin or methylcobalamin. They are better absorbed than the more commonly available cyanocobalamin.
Kava kava This herb is approved as an anxiety and insomnia treatment in many European countries. It can help relieve acute and chronic anxiety without making you feel drowsy or 'fuzzy.'
Kava is as effective as serax - the benzodiazepine tranquilizer - for quelling anxiety but with no addictive potential.
Warning: Avoid kava if you drink alcohol or are taking benzodiazepines, such as Valium or Xanax...sleeping pills, such as Seconal or Halcion...or anti-depressants, such as Prozac or Zoloft. Do not take kava if you have Parkinson's disease - it may worsen tremors.
Saint-John's-wort This herb works as an antidepressant. It also relieves chronic anxiety. You must take it for several weeks before you feel its effects.
Research shows it lowers anxiety levels as well as Vallium does without fogging thinking. It decreases the uptake (rate of removal) of serotonin in the brain, thereby increasing serotonin levels, which induces calm feelings. It is not addictive and has few side effects.
What I recommend to my patients: Take 300mg of the fresh freeze-dried extract as needed. Avoid so-called 'standardized products.' The active ingredients often are not standardized.
Warnings: Don't take Saint-John's-wort if you're on an antidepressant, particularly Nardil or Parnate. And - because Saint-John's-wort may make you more sensitive to the sun, wear sunscreen when you are outdoors.
Valerian This is a natural sedative - the most popular one used in Europe. It contains ingredients similar to those found in Vallium. It is useful for relieving anxiety because it helps you sleep. It isn't addictive, nor does it make you feel groggy the next morning as sleeping pills can.
What I recommend to my patients: One 150mg capsule twice a day. Even this low dose can make you drowsy. If you would prefer to take it just for sleep, take one 300mg capsule one hour before bedtime. It may take several weeks before you notice an improvement in sleep.
Warning: Don't use valerian if you're taking sedatives, such as phenobarbital or benzodiazepines."
I really hope this helps and you feel better soon.
Anonymous
First of all...I'd reccommend asking your doctor for an alternative to Welbutrin. Everyone I've ever known who has taken this medication (and I've known quite a few) has had problems with it, including making their symptoms worse, and 2 of them have attempted suicide on more than one occasion. Also, talk to your doctor or a trained herbalist before trying any herbal remedies. Some herbs can have negative interactions with prescription drugs, and some people are allergic to certain herbs.
Some common and easily found herbal remedies for anxiety and stress:
Chamomile- drink it in tea, use it in your bathwater (as well as being relaxing, it's good for your skin, too!). Chamomile has a calming, anti-stress effect.
Lavendar- it can be used as a tea, but doesn't taste great. Use a lavendar scented bath soap, room spray, or essential oil to relax and de-stress.
Mint- in tea, in lotion, in bath soap- it is both soothing and invigorating.
Other herbal remedies are available, but these are the easiest to find and use. For more info, check out www.herbalremediesinfo.com . I use this site a lot, and it's been really helpful.
Another thing you might want to consider is taking a yoga class. Yoga is a very beneficial exercise that helps both your mind and your body become more balanced and efficient. It is an excellent de-stressing method, especially when it involves meditation. I took a yoga class at my community college, and it has changed my life dramatically.
Anonymous
Please tell me you are not taking over the counter medications as you are in Alternative medicine's. all these chemicals contain toxic substances that only put a 'band-aid' over the symptoms but does not treat the cause. Reduce stress by wearing soft blues, and pinks. Take time out for 'me', weather it be a dance class you take once a week or a hobby, you need 'me-time'. Get out to a local park, hug a tree, sit in the full sun for 10-15 minutes, get some fresh air, get a dog/cat, all will help reduce your stress. Best of luck.
?
Start first getting some magnesium in your system in the form of supplements and Epsom salt baths. Take a vit. B50 or B100 supplement for your nerves. Take Vitamin C for your adrenal glands-work up to about 8 grams a day or more for a while. Fish Oil and Vit D3 are good. L-Tryptophan is an amino acid that is very calming. The herb Ashwagandha is one of the best for anxiety imo. It takes a couple of weeks to kick in. The best and most unexpected supplement that actually cured my anxiety was Fulvic Acid drops from Optimally Organic.Buy them on Amazon and take as directed. Good luck.
Anonymous
I think it'd be best to be off of the psychiatric medications before going on any herbal supplements. They can have interractions. But St. John's Wort, Kava and Valerian are all good.
Also, depending on if you have any deficiencies (which a doctor can test for) you might benefit from vitamin therapy or taking amino acids such as SAM-E.