randomized Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 Hello! I'm wound up. I'm always anxious, I have trouble sleeping (can't stay asleep- not restful sleep), I feel irritable a lot, and I always feel like I'm in a fog. It affects my work, and interactions I have with people. I'm determined to do something about this without Rx medication. I don't trust doctors, and saw my mom's health and mind decline over the years due to over-medication. I'm ok with herbal supplements. I've heard melatonin would be a great help with sleeping. reposted because im not sure which forum this needs to go in. Link to post Share on other sites
edwards99 Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 we share same issues..melatonin didnt help me at all..good luck..i need it to Link to post Share on other sites
venusianx13 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I've tried magnesium with a calcium tablet half an hour before bed and it helped for a little while but the helpful effects seem to have diminished over time. Give it a shot, though. I hear you... sleep does not come easily for me, and if it does, it is always disrupted. I know what I need to do, though: For one, don't surf the net at night and don't watch television just prior to bedtime. Two, get myself to a place where I can meditate before bed. Getting myself in that mindset has been difficult, though. I hope you have better luck than I've been having with it. It wouldn't hurt to try. And yes, doctors love to jump on prescriptions the moment they hear you're having any kind of trouble (be it emotional, physical, etc). I'm thoroughly fed up. I've been on anti-anxiety meds since I was about 16. All different kinds. The longest I've been on one was after I've had my son 7 years ago until now... and the only reason I've consistenly been on this is because ANY ATTEMPT to even lessen the dose induces horrible withdrawl symptoms as it has an addictive effect. This is quite the opposite of what was told to me when I was put on it. You're wise to steer clear of the Rx meds. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Tulsy Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Do you find yourself worrying about things that are out of your control? Do you have obsessive thoughts, constantly nagging at you? Do you have trouble focusing on what you are supposed to do, because you whole life feel like it's something you are supposed to do? I would recommend making serious effort in your life with regards to serious changes in your life. All of the changes should be as positive and light-hearted as possible. -Eat GREAT quality food...maybe take more time to cook yourself, using the healthiest ingredients (cook is therapeutic for some people, often in pairs, great for conversation and experimentation). -exercise - joint gym, martial arts, yoga, running group, Pilates, or buy P90X, Turbo Jam, or a home fitness program - its a great way to occupy your time, and focus you energy...it will also drain you properly and DEMAND more and better sleep from your body. Work on things you CAN control, and don't worry about what you can't. Self improvement is good for you, and you deserve it. It will definitely help your anxiety. If there are any underlying conditions, please, go see a doctor as well. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
sendme Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I'm not up to speed on herbal supplements but these things can help: limit caffeine or cut it altogether, seriously even if you don't think it effects you it does. Stay hydrated, if you don't believe me try it, even 10% dehydration can have huge affects on your moods. Start every morning by drinking one 12 oz glass of water, drink another before breakfast, drink another before lunch, another mid afternoon, another at dinner, and another before bed. If you're anything like me you'll have to make yourself chug it, but seriously do it, everyday for two weeks and you'll feel somewhat better. Exercise, everyday... this one's hard, especially if you're like me, when I get anxious I want to wall myself up with my cyclical thoughts, but getting out and running or going to a studio class can break the cycle even when I can't. also, it's been shown running or walking outside boosts your mood more than doing so inside so be sure to take advantage of that free perk when possible. take vitamin B12 and folate supplements. This one will take about six weeks to kick in but you'll start to feel better. These may not be huge changes or differences but sometimes all I need is a little one to take the edge off and make the anxiety tolerable. Link to post Share on other sites
AshleyM86 Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 For sure stay away from caffeine...it can increase your heart rate and make the anxiety worse. This is going to sound silly, however, I find getting "lost" in a book or movie very helpful. It takes your mind off the worry if you can really get into it. Escapism. Helped during the depression. I would of course suggest you see a professional about this as well. Good Luck! Link to post Share on other sites
haribogumsnickers Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Lay off the red bull. Just do ten push ups when you feel intensely anxious. Link to post Share on other sites
MercuryMorrison1 Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Melotonin works great for me. I take it about a half hour before I go to bed and it makes me feel really relaxed. Not excatly dead tired like a prescription sleep aid might...But it just makes me feel loose and comfortable. So when I do lie down slee is only a couple of blinks away. Link to post Share on other sites
zanzi Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 sounds like depression or an anxiety disorder. Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 (edited) Exercise. When I feel keyed up, I walk around my neighborhood for about half an hour to calm down and burn off nervous energy. You could also jog. Why are you anxious? Do you have money problems like most people do these days? Walking outside is free! Avoid caffeine after lunch and cut back on sugar if you can. I take 3mg melatonin every night. Edited August 4, 2012 by FitChick Link to post Share on other sites
Nikki Sahagin Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 I have crazy anxiety issues too...since I was about 12...it would be a million pound answer if someone could give me the 'cure'. I know anxiety is a lot like flatlining the breaks on the car. Your body expects anxiety and it floods you with the wrong chemicals. I've used some prescription drugs but all have given me horrid side effects from an upset stomach to headaches to feeling like a zombie. Diazepam was the only thing that worked well for me but it's so addictive you can't get that on prescription over here and it's effects diminish over time so you have to up the dosage. I try to eat healthily and exercise but I still struggle with anxiety daily. I hope you find a good solution for yourself Link to post Share on other sites
Feelin Frisky Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 Today's medicine is not your mother's medicine. I wish I didn't have to keep seeing this reflected in people's attitudes toward medicine. Revolutionary things have changed the entire nature--actually reversed the entire approach--in the last two decades. Most of the honorable mention goes to the "SSRI" class in which instead of merely softening a symptom, the medication works all the way "upstream" at the source of the problem--i.e. to aid the electrochemical processes that allow a person to see and correct patterns in their feelings and behaviors. Such meds are not a cop out--but and "opt-in" which is much like putting a pair of eye glasses on the mind which has long needed help seeing. The days where doctors handed out meds that may have contributed to the decline of an identity are not only gone but the days of new clarity, objectivity, and the potential to improve one's mental capacity into advancing years are here. Not only are "herbs" unregulated, some are dangerous and most do what the old meds used to do--soothe a symptom without ever treating the cause. Melatonin is not an herb though--it is a neurotransmitter. "Herbal" aids like Valerian root medicate more systems that are necessary and don't do a good job on the specific issues from which one suffers. There are also "supplements" which are marketed as "natures relaxant" like GABA which are dangerous and I have had my life very badly impacted by taking this. GABA is also a neurotransmitter (gaba-aminobutyric acic) which the body produces and the brain all but floats around in. It makes the transmission of nutrients and oxygen between cells possible. If you take extra, you feel a relaxing sense of wellness that may induce sleep. But the insidious thing is that taking it turns off your own ability to produce this neutroransmitter and if you don't know what you're doing, you can bring on general anxiety disorder like I did where the depleted system caused poor biological handling of nutrients and bu-products in my brain. The result was sleeplessness, panic attacks, insomnia on epic levels. I turned to Xanax out of desperation and got addicted. It was only through researching recovery from Xanax that I read about GABA and learned that I had caused my own problem. I had to take "neurontin" for a long time which has a crappy sexual side effect called anorgasmia where it's hard to cum--no shortage of wood, just a damn frustrating time trying to get a nut (for months). You may think you are dong a conservative and wise thing by avoiding doctors and real medicine, but like they say about a lot of things, this is not your father's (or your mother's) day and you'll be rolling the dice based on old information and old perceptions if you avoid today's medicine and your right to be told what it does and that you are in charge--not the doctor. Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I have crazy anxiety issues too...since I was about 12... What happened to you or your family around that time? Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 Today's medicine is not your mother's medicine. Yet, strangely enough, nearly every month there is another lawsuit or recall involving BigPharma. The only medicine my mother took was aspirin because "You kids are giving me a headache!" Link to post Share on other sites
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