Herbs for Anxiety, OK for TTC and Pregnancy

[TeamViddy]

Hi folks,

I am curious if anyone has any experience with herbs that help alleviate mild anxiety problems. I am 95% sure I have ADD but was a quiet kid and never diagnosed. The anxiety part of ADD causes me to have trouble finishing work.

As an adult I found St. John's Wort and LOVED it- it took a few months but it totally changed the way I was able to focus and get things done without the ADD/anxiety stuff. When we started talking about TTC I researched the affects of St. John's Wort and some studies had raised concerns about it hardening womens' eggs. I stopped taking it about a year ago. Since then a lot of things have fallen apart, which isn't all bad because I was doing too much. A lot of the extra was stripped away- I went from running a business to being an independent contractor, which was a good thing. I haven't felt all that great about the way it happened.

I am still having a lot of trouble getting work done, feeling tons of anxiety. I am not drinking much caffeine, working out a lot, making sure to visit with friends and get some sun. And I am still really missing what St. John's Wort did for me- it took away all the mind clutter, thinking a thousand things all at once, the frenetic worries, the anxiety about finishing work. I really wish there was some herb out there that would do the same thing. I keep thinking about cutting gluten to see if that would make a difference too but there doesn't seem to be space for making that shift right now. Unless there's some incredibly compelling evidence I'm not ready to make that commitment. I am willing to wait out the few months it takes for an herb to begin working.

Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated!

[anyalily]

Hi TeamViddy. I just wanted to bump your thread because I am interested in possible answers and also want to send some support your way. I also struggle with an anxiety disorder and while I don't regularly take SJW it has bee very helpful in the past and I would like to know that it is available to me if I need it in my next pregnancy. (I had some PTSD issues after my first labor and some mild PPD for more than a year after.)

I will do some research and post back if I learn anything.

Also, this may be a good topic in the mental health boards...

[TeamViddy]

Hey! I am glad you bumped because through some research I found a few options that might work well.

As far as other brain/mood helpers go:

• 5HTP is not good for pregnancy. It sounds like in your case- occasional use- it wouldn't be that useful anyway.
• L-Theanine is extracted from tea. There's very little research about l-theanine, let alone l-theanine and pregnancy. But in my judgment it looks really safe. It's also immediately effective and tends to help people focus with a calm clarity.
• GABA hasn't been well-researched either. There are some questions about its safety during pregnancy but it doesn't appear to hinder conception.
• Magnesium Taurate can help you sleep better. It's definitely safe during pregnancy; in fact, it's recommended since magnesium deficiency can cause problems during pregnancy.
• Fish oil/DHA, etc is of course recommended for pregnancy and helps mood.

While responding to your post I also came across another MDC discussion in the post-partum depression forum.

http://www.mothering.com/community/t/1079669/preparing-for-pregnancy-alternativies-to-5-htp

So they are saying that SJW is OK. I also remember reading about it hardening eggs and then when I looked for more information last week I couldn't find anything that advised not taking SJW when TTC. I am going to try some of these other options in the meantime...

I imagine that my hormones will change my brain chemistry a bit once I do get pregnant. But I was really relying on SJW to get things done in my daily life and I cut it out a year ago, and have been TTC for six months now, and I can't keep pretending it's not a problem since it's been an entire year and has had some really negative repercussions. We may get pregnant this month but it may be several more months away and I need to take care of the issue now.

Sorry to hear about your mood issues after your daughter was born. I hope all goes well for you!