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

[Guest guest]

Hi Jill,

 

The most natural method would be to learn who to breathe normally. I found

the Buteyko Breathing Method very helpful. Many people know its effect for

curing asthma, but the method is very effective in treating symptoms like

anxiety, insomnia and even depression.

 

 

Here's a link for an introduction on video:

 

http://www.truveo.com/tag/www.sleepingallnight.com

 

Kind regards,

 

Dorothee

 

 

 

On Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 11:55 PM, Sonya <talking2sonya wrote:

 

> Hi Jill,

> I remember those days.... I however went against the conventional

> doctor's advice with the heavy drugs. I had never been much on

> conventional medication anyways....

> I use a product called " calms " by hyland. It is very cheap (under

> $7-8 a bottle) I also use rescue remedy for the anxiety. lavendar

> essential oil is also something that I wear often. All these items

> are available at your local health food store or can be purchased on

> line.

> One other huge help for me was using guided meditation CD's and

> relaxing music in the evening. I put the meditation cd's in and use

> headphones when i get into bed..... I hope this helps..

> Sonya

> SE Michigan

>

> --- In

<%40gro\

ups.com>,

> " Jill in Phoenix "

> <jillinphoenix wrote:

> >

> > 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

> >

>

>

>