New here- questions (Insomnia and Anxiety)-- LONG

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WWW.PRIMAFORCE.COM?5 HTP BETTER THAN ANY OUT THERE THAT I HAVE FOUND.ALSO

MAGNESIUM AND CALCIUM.FOR GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP.VALARIAN TEA IS ALSO WHAT I USE.LOVE

IT IT HAS BEEN AN MY FRIEND FOR YEARS.LUNESTA AND THOSE CHEMICALS ARE ONLY GOING

TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE.HOPE THIS HELPS

 

 

 

Jill in Phoenix <jillinphoenix

 

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:38 am

<< >> New here- questions (Insomnia and

Anxiety)-- LONG

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi everyone, A little bit about me. Then I will search for posts for

answers to my questions, but I'll include them here, too, just in

case.

 

I'm 43 years old (almost), female, mother of 2. I had my youngest a

year ago and at 6 months got her sleeping through the night.

Unfortunately, though, my body/brain was used to getting up every 2-3

hours to nurse and that began the insomnia. Never had issues before

with sleep. (Wouldn't wish insomnia on my worst enemy!! Note: some

nights it was difficulty falling asleep, but mostly it was about

staying asleep or waking too early. Sometimes all three!!)

 

History of meds: Lunesta helped at first, but had to take more of it

to get same affect. Off that now. Been taking benzos to sleep-- they

help but have a high risk of dependency so I am wanting to get off

those (been taking them for just a few weeks only thankfully!!). Doc

and I have determined that this is now anxiety about sleep-- I have

made all the " right " changes in my life to help (regular bed/wake

time (about 7 to 7.5 hours total), less caffeine and only early in

the day, relaxing at night, less fat/sugar in the evening, lost a few

pounds-- only about 20 overweight, etc.).

 

I usually can fall asleep okay, but staying asleep is an issue. So

the benzos (mostly Valium in very small quantities: 1 or 1/2 of 5 mg

tablet-- Xanax kicked my butt) have been helping with both being

sleepy all night and being less anxious about the sleep issue in

general. However, as I mentioned, I don't want to take them for long

term. So the doc prescribed Effexor, but decided not to even try it

based on the scary side affects I've read about online. Yes, the two

combined (benzo and Effexor) might help with the anxiety and the

sleep problem BUT getting off them can be problematic, they both have

side effects, and then once off them... then what??

 

So I started researching more natural things for anxiety treatment

and sleep. I have never taken St. John's Wort but hubby has in the

past with some success. I know it is more for depression (not really

an issue except when I get very sleep deprived), but have always been

a worrier by nature. So I'm now thinking that the SJW might be a good

thing to try because, even though it is recommended by the medical

community (not always right, I know) only for depression, I've read

online that it is also good for anxiety and sometimes sleep.

 

My plan is start taking SJW along with the benzo for a few weeks,

then taper off the benzo when the SJW seems to be helping with the

anxiety and I feel comfortable getting off the benzo. Again, I've

only been taking it a few weeks, so hopefully this will be do-able.

 

My main question is:

 

Has anyone had any luck with SJW for anxiety, and did it help with

sleep?

 

I also am thinking of getting a good B complex vitatim as I read that

that can help. I am also taking fish oil (DHA) for overall mood.

BTW, I have already tried Melatonin (not restful sleep) and a " combo "

natural sleep aid (has Kava Kava, 5-HTP, and a few other things in

it), but I tried it right after (in place of really) the Lunesta and

it didn't make a dent. Plus being a combo pill, the dosage of each

item is pretty low. I've been thinking about adding a B complex with

the correct daily dosage of B6, B12, Panothetic Acid, even Insolitol

(B8). I also picked up a product called Deep Sleep that contains

Valerian, Passion Flower, etc. My only thought is to take ALL of

this or try different combos? As already mentioned my hope is to get

off the benzos compleletely and since I am taking a very low dose and

only for a few week that I should be relatively easy (I hope!).

 

Here is my thinking. I started the SJW today. If it winds up making

me tired, I may take it later in the day/evening (I just hope it

doesn't rev me up!). The vitamins and Deep Sleep I will take at

night as well. Lately I have had no problem getting to sleep (am

actually very tired by bedtime probably because of the long half-life

of Valium, but I hope that's not why) but *staying* asleep has been

my issue, plus waking up too early. I am thinking I will try all of

these changes and IF I have a bad night now and again, then take 1/2

or 1/4 of the benzo to get back to sleep.... in other words, use it

on an as-needed basis only. I am starting a new job soon and sleep is

critical. I *really* want to get off the benzos completely! But I

also really need to find the right combo of natural things to help

with sleep and sleep related anxiety or I'll be " stuck " since sleep

is critical for a new job, and in general of course. I am hoping

that the natural stuff is able to " make a dent " after my recent drug

foray, albeit short lived.

 

Any thoughts, input, etc. is very much welcomed. :-) Sorry this is

a novel!!

 

Jill