Help from Natural Supplements~

Hi L.,
Have you heard of the Born Clinic in Grand Rapids? It is a wonderful clinic that focuses finding out what is causing a problem, rather than just treating the symptoms. I have a few relatives on my husbands side that have gone there, one even with cancer and they have had wonderful results. Here is their website http://www.bornclinic.com/DesktopDefault.aspx Hope this helps!

E.

there are a couple of herbal supplements that may help

My first suggestion is Valerian, often used to treat insomnia , but taken in a smaller dose can relieve anxiety the amount needed will vary per person.

Another would be Passionflower I haven't personally tried this one, because it does have side effects, but they tend to be pretty mild.

Homeopathic remedies (which have zero side effects)

Because you said your anxiety began after your third child I'm going to suggest Kali phosphoricum first. It's use is indicated when the person is exhausted and is having deep anxiety and difficulty coping, jumpy, over sensitive. Another suggestion is Ignatia amara this one is indicated for people who are anxious because emotional stress.

Hope that helps a bit

Homeopathy may be a good fit for you. There are no interactions with prescription drugs and homeopathic remedies. There is a great Homeopathic Practitioner in Brighton, her name is Margaret Paris. Her office is called Medica Health Services and it's located on Grand River. You may want to give her a try. Homeopathy is something I've been dabbling in for a few years now, but there are a number of questions that you sometimes need to answer before being able to choose the right remedy. Consulting a professional is your best bet for a good result. I have a book called The Natural Physician's Healing Remedies by Mark Stengler, N.D. and this is the quick list of suggested remedies for anxiety: aconite (homeopathic), acupressure, amino acids, arsenicum album (homeopathic), Bach Flower Remedies (I've heard wonderful things about these for mood/anxiety disorders), black cohosh, cell salts (love these), chamomile, exercise, gelsemium (homeopathic), kava, mental imagery, passionflower, phytonutrients (blue-green algae, spirulina, etc.) pulsatilla (homeopathic), St. John's Wort (my sister took this, it does cause some sleeplessness, shouldn't be used long term) and valerian.

I believe the body has an incredible ability to heal itself when given the proper tools, nutrition being the most important tool. While I can appreciate the need for life-saving drugs and interventions, I don't believe it is the answer for the majority of health concerns. You are wise to find some alternative. Your kidneys and liver can only take so much! Best of health to you.

L.,

Hi, God is good!! Hey I would say Fish Oil and /or St Johns Wort. It may take a couple of weeks to start working. These don't make your tried like Valeran and Passion Flower. Those are sedatives. Great to take at night though. But I myself can't afford to be tried. Her is a web link has lots of nature suggestions.

www.anxietysecrets.com/nutrition-3.htm

Hope that helps some. :-) -S.

Eze 47:12 -
And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

Check out Valarian Root. I know a Master Herbalist and he recommended this to my friend who has anxiety issues. I've even begun to treat my own ailments with homeopathic meds. Another place to check out is www.hylands.com. they are a homeopathic company that have been around for over 100 years and are staffed with Drs, pharmacists and nurses that specialize in homeopathy. Let us know what you come up with

Have you thought about other natural ways to cope with anxiety? Cognitive therapy and relaxation training have shown to be as effective as medication in treating anxiety, and it has better long term results. You don't even need to actually go to a therapist if you do not want, just read "Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think" by Dennis Greenberger and Christine Padesky. Another excellent book is "The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook"
by Edmund J. Bourne. I used to have trouble with insomnia until I learned more about how powerful breathing and relaxation are. Biofeedback therapy can also be extremely helpful, as you learn to control your body's reactions. Just a thought.

What a great step your taking even thinking about it. Please be very careful adding supplements when taking prescription meds. Talk to your doc and see if they can suggest something. If not look up an herbalist, make sure there trained. Maybe theres a food your sensitive to that makes you a bit off balance.
I'd suggest doing yoga, it gives me inner peace. Maybe think about what triggers you, and how you react. Think about how you'd like to react instead, so you have a goal. You said your Christian, maybe theres a verse you could say to your self while breathing deep. Think about the things, and activities that bring you joy, and do more of them. I get e mails from TUT.com that are uplifting. All the little stuff adds up.
Good luck, A. H

I have a young 20 something friend who has anxiety disorder as well. For years she was on medication...but a couple of years ago felt like it was no longer working for her and really wanted to look into natural supplements. She found a doctor who was willing to work with her in this new regime.. he found natural supplements that would work for her (sorry, I don't know which) and they slowly decreased the medication and increased the natural supplements. Last I saw her she was almost completely off the medication and only taking the supplements... and feeling the best she had EVER felt!

I would suggest you find either a DO (doctor of Osteopath) who tends to be less about popping pills, an alternative medical practicioner, or an MD who is willing to look at alternatives to prescribed medications. Working with someone who is trained in these things will ensure that you do it properly and don't do more harm then good.

I completely appreciate you wanting to support your body's natural ability to heal itself.. afterall, we WERE designed to do just that! Alternative therapies also could help... massage therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic etc... They work with your body's natural system to promote health and healing.

Yay!!! I love it when people begin to "think outside the box"! While you work in a medical office...I work in a Chiropractic office where EVERYTHING is about letting the body function naturally as it was designed.
Advice on supplements...The single most important supplement that you should start on is a "High Quality" Omega 3 Fish Oil. A brand that is widely available is Carlson's. You can find it at most Natural Health Food Stores, Whole Foods,Etc. It's important that you don't go to Walmart or Sam's to buy this...quality is the key and you will notice HUGE improvements in your health within a week or so. Also, imperative for children to be on this as well. And it comes in liquid so very easy for them to take too!
As for anxiety, you could look at St. John's Wort and B vitamins. Also, until spring breaks here in good ol Michigan you might try Cod Liver Oil (in place of Omega 3 Fish Oil) as it aids in natural production of Vitamin D, which we Northerners often find ourselves deficient in all winter long! Stay away from plain old Vitamin D as it is very easy to overdose when taking it straight up.
I just realized that I could go on and on...so if you would like more advice, please just send me a message! Oh and the Daily Recommended Dose (from my doc) is 3500mg of Omega 3's. Not what most MD's will recommend...they usually recommend much lower dose, but read up on it...you need more! A good website to check out is Mercola.com. You can type anything in his search box and come back with a huge amount of info!

Good Luck, L.!

~L.

Hello, L.! Have you ever checked out the sight womentowomen.com? They have some GREAT insight on hormones and what imbalances can and will do to a woman's body. Plus, there's a symptom quiz you can take. (not that you need it, since you know your illness)

But, they also have vitamin/herbal supplements you can purchase, lifestyle suggestions (stress/diet/exercise/sleep, etc...).

Hope this helps and have a blessed weekend! :)

Hi L.! Have you ever tried Red Raspberry Leaf tea? I totally understand wanting to do what you can for your disorder naturally and use meds to do the rest. I use a lot of natural rememdies but am not afraid to at least talk to a MD about my symptoms. I actually use my naturopath, medical doctor and chiropractor as a TEAM even though none of them know that:) They all know what I am taking as far as supplements or meds. I don't know if this is making any sense but I think it is important to do things naturally as far as you can and take meds if you need them.
I agree with the others about finding a D.O. and also taking fish oils. I recommend Nordic Naturals or Carlson's. Also, the tea I mentioned at the top is a hormone balancer, I don't know if that applies or not.
Blessings on you!

Hi L.,
Thanks for sharing, I have a wonderful resource for you to check into that I know will help you out! Please take a free "nutri-physical" on my web portal at: www.marketamerica.com/jendiehl and you can find out what suppliments you should be taking based on YOUR responses to the survey. You'll get a list of suggestions and can look at each product on this web portal to see either a short commercial that explains it on "maTV" (under mamedia) or you can look up the product/suppliment and then click on the "i" for information and see the list of benefits, scientific studies done and ingredients, etc... I have been taking the OPC3 since starting with this business and can honestly say it has changed my life! I know of several doctors and other health professionals who use it and sell it. Since I have been on this I have not gotten sick and have more energy and a better disposition. It's a powerful Antioxidant that fights free radicals. I am nursing my 8 month old son and checked with my doctor before taking it and she said it would be good for both of us, and it has been! Please take the nutri-physical or read about the Isotonix products and get more information from this site: www.marketamerica.com/jendiehl. I would be happy to help you finding what you need, just call me at: ###-###-#### or send me an e-mail at: ____@____.com and I can send you more information and offer my support. God has blessed me too! I am grateful for the way I can make a positive difference in the lives of others with these incredible products. This is a product brokerage company that has a staff of scientist and doctors who are researching to find the best products and can offer things most can't, such as the GeneSNP (get your DNA genetic makeup results) and the Isotonix line that is absorbed quickly since it's the same consistency as your bodily fluids and you use more of it. I could go on and on, but basically I wanted to share that everyone I know of who has tried this LOVED it and it WORKS! I can promise you that you'd notice a difference, if you were to give it a try...let me know if you want to place an order and save some money on shipping and I can do it for you. Call if you have any questions, Thanks! Try to drink more water and relax, remember that God is in control and He cares! Hang in there and take Care of yourself...you're not alone.
Blessings,
J. Diehl
###-###-####

this might sound too easy, but what helps me most to feel better is regular excercise. If I work out for 1/2 hour to an hour, even every other day, it makes a world of difference for me with my moods. (I have problems with moods swings and depression). Even just take the kids and walk around the mall for 1/2 hour or so. I'm not sure what it is exactly that helps, but I know the more active I am, the less depressed I feel.

Hi L.:

I am not an expert on Meds for this disorder, and work on the other side of the field with Mental Disorders.

I would however, recommend Gaba-Plus with Niacin. It is made by Twin-Lab, do not buy any generic, trust the Twin-Lab name.

You sound like a wonderful family - God Bless!

M.

over time you may be able to reduce the amount of zoloft you take.. but as a medical person yu know that drugs are made to the highest standards.. every 50 mg pill of zoloft has 50 mg of active ingredient..

You will never have that kind of assurance with a herbal supplement.. Some have more of the herb some have less. They are not regulated by the FDA so you can not be sure.