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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ThatAnxiousGal on September 27, 2007, at 20:08:52
Hi!
I hope I'm not repeating information, as Ive often browsed these forums.
I've been taking Effexor XR for about 6-7 months for my anxiety, and I'll admit, it's been great. I've not felt anxious in the slightest.
However, I've had some weight gain on it, which is not acceptable to me, as I've been in great shape. I've been weaning myself off it, and now it's been 4 days totally off the drug (horrible!).
Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone has had success on natural solutions for anxiety? Again, I responded to Effexor really well, so I don't know if that makes a difference. I had taken 5-HTP in the past, but never for longer term, so I don't know if it works (I have taken it since being off Effexor, and I am not anxious at all, but I'm not sure that means much).
I have noticed that Passion Flower is really awesome - like a benzo - when I've taken it. Do things like 5-HTP, l-tryptphan, etc., seem to work for anyone?
Thaks!
Posted by DJJohnson on September 28, 2007, at 7:10:24
In reply to Natural remedies for anxiety?, posted by ThatAnxiousGal on September 27, 2007, at 20:08:52
> Hi!
>
> I hope I'm not repeating information, as Ive often browsed these forums.
>
> I've been taking Effexor XR for about 6-7 months for my anxiety, and I'll admit, it's been great. I've not felt anxious in the slightest.
>
> However, I've had some weight gain on it, which is not acceptable to me, as I've been in great shape. I've been weaning myself off it, and now it's been 4 days totally off the drug (horrible!).
>
> Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone has had success on natural solutions for anxiety? Again, I responded to Effexor really well, so I don't know if that makes a difference. I had taken 5-HTP in the past, but never for longer term, so I don't know if it works (I have taken it since being off Effexor, and I am not anxious at all, but I'm not sure that means much).
>
> I have noticed that Passion Flower is really awesome - like a benzo - when I've taken it. Do things like 5-HTP, l-tryptphan, etc., seem to work for anyone?
>
> Thaks!Hey,
Very new to this board. There are a lot of well educated and experienced people on this board from what I have read. I too have the same question as you about an alternative med for anxiety (OCD). I have got to have help but the SSRI's all make me gain enormous weight and I am looking to any other meds that can help that are out of the line of the SSRI's which in my region is all that is prescribed for OCD. Any information would be helpful as my life is a living h** right now.
Thanks
Posted by LOOPS on September 28, 2007, at 8:01:38
In reply to Re: Natural remedies for anxiety? » ThatAnxiousGal, posted by DJJohnson on September 28, 2007, at 7:10:24
Hi -
yeah you could try cycling passiflora and something else like valerian if you want to go the herbal route (to take a break from each). Experimenting with magnesium might help too - I have to take calcium if I take a lot of magnesium or I get heart arrhythmia but most people are the opposite of me!
Maybe mixing tryptophan or 5htp with theanine might help - then you boost gaba, dopamine and serotonin all at the same time.
Personally I find tryptophan superior to 5htp - 5htp puts me in a bad mood, but it does seem to work for anxiety.
Posted by tealady on September 28, 2007, at 17:27:44
In reply to Re: Natural remedies for anxiety? » ThatAnxiousGal, posted by DJJohnson on September 28, 2007, at 7:10:24
I'd agree with LOOPS.
Try some calcium & magnesium mixed , or just some magnesium, preferably magnesium taurinate or magnesium glycinate. If you can't get that type you could opt for mag.citrate or mag. oratate; or even a 20 mins to 30 mins soak in a Epsom salt bath.(I'd do a couple of bath soaks anyway!)
You can also get some good Magnesium , B6 combos in tablets which help. I like one by "NOW" brand which contains trhe P5P form of B6 as well as magnesium. It's called Now P-5-P and contains a combo o0f magnesium taurinate and the B6 and B2 cofactors you need to help the magnesium work for anxiety.
I also like tryptophan. This also would be great taken with the above Now P-5_P..as tryptophan also needs that form of B6. Just take tryptophan at night and the P-5_P B6 in the morning.
Hope this helps
Posted by DJJohnson on September 29, 2007, at 5:39:48
In reply to Re: Natural remedies for anxiety? » DJJohnson, posted by tealady on September 28, 2007, at 17:27:44
> I'd agree with LOOPS.
> Try some calcium & magnesium mixed , or just some magnesium, preferably magnesium taurinate or magnesium glycinate. If you can't get that type you could opt for mag.citrate or mag. oratate; or even a 20 mins to 30 mins soak in a Epsom salt bath.(I'd do a couple of bath soaks anyway!)
> You can also get some good Magnesium , B6 combos in tablets which help. I like one by "NOW" brand which contains trhe P5P form of B6 as well as magnesium. It's called Now P-5-P and contains a combo o0f magnesium taurinate and the B6 and B2 cofactors you need to help the magnesium work for anxiety.
> I also like tryptophan. This also would be great taken with the above Now P-5_P..as tryptophan also needs that form of B6. Just take tryptophan at night and the P-5_P B6 in the morning.
> Hope this helps
Hey,I have never heard of the calcium and magnesium before. How does the above work and how much should I take? How effective is it? Will it work for severe anxiety? I will try anything except antidepressants. I am going to start a new thread about some other meds outside the line of antidepressants that I know nothing about but have read about. But natural remedies are fine. I am just looking for answers and I have got to have help.
Thank you so much.
Posted by bleauberry on September 30, 2007, at 19:55:28
In reply to Natural remedies for anxiety?, posted by ThatAnxiousGal on September 27, 2007, at 20:08:52
The most common natural anxiety treatments and cures:
5htp
tryptophan
gaba
magnesium (glycinate, citrate, or taurinate)
glycine
niacinamide (high dose)
passionflower
valerian
lemon balm
kava kava
ashwaghandaTrial and error is the only way to find which feels like what. Lab tests can help narrow it down. Short of that, just try one at a time, then mix and match if needed. Hopefully just one will do exactly what you hoped. When using combos, there is usually synergism that requires only small doses of each ingredient.
This is the end of the thread.
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