Something safe for Anxiety

[MeganW]

I've taken anti anxiety meds since I stopped taking anti depressants. I'm wondering if there is anything I can safely take while pregnant. I haven't tested yet but I'm 3days late for AF and I have to fly on Friday which is one the biggest things I take these meds for. Dr's apts travel etc. So I will not have a chance to see my dr between now and then and I'm not sure if I'll be able to get through to my acupunturist/herbalist ( I will try) so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[AngelBee]

I would try Rescue Remedy.

It works well for me. :)

[Fay]

Vitamin B-12?

[MeganW]

Thank you for the quick reply

[kawa kamuri]

Rescue Remedy!

[nadiawrites]

Rescue Remedy!

I've heard a lot about Rescue Remedy... can someone explain what it is?

Thanks!

[celia]

Rescue remedy never worked for me (not to say it wouldn't for you of course!) I really liked 5-HTP and also Kava. I didn't take them at the same time. oh- and just offering supportive vibes because I have a lot of anxiety when flying also so I can imagine what you are feeling.

[avaylee]

Another vote for Rescue Remedy. I suffered from panic attacks for years, did the whole Paxil routine, and used Rescue Remedy to eventually get myself off meds.

It's a homeopathic tincture, essentially the "essence" of I think five flowers. It's one of those things that I don't really understand how it works, but it definitely does for me.

I used it recently to fly, when normally I would take Valium. Between that and and iPod with my favorite ambient noise, I was perfectly fine.

Good luck to you!

PS. You can usually purchase Rescue Remedy at Whole Foods or a supplement store.

[Eaglevoice]

Rescue remedy is made by Bach flower essences. It's great. I went through a period where I got anxiety, too and a friend of mine gave me her tincture of rr. I loved it. Here is the website (http://www.bachflower.com/rescue_remedy.htm) so you can read up on it.

[prettypixels]

Another vote for Rescue Remedy here... and incidentally the Safeway near me is now carrying it in their health food section!

[nycholisticmom]

Rescue Remedy definitely works for me! Within minutes of taking it, I feel calm and at peace and my nervousness, dizziness and anxiety just melt away. I've also taken a B supplement and that seems to help as well.

Good luck!

[ilovemyavery]

My DH was just saying last night that we had to get more Rescue Remedy. His quote was "Normally, I don't believe in 'that stuff' but the rescue rememdy really works! And I have no idea why!" I need to get more ASAP, I've been starting to get more anxiety also :)

[meggles]

Chamomile and Lavendar tea, and if you need something stronger, you can try Skullcap or Valerian tincture.

[anabellee]

i agree with others, Skullcap works very well. i use it and it's been a good subsitiute when i have a panic attack. i had severe anxiety problems but so far *knock on wood* i've made it thorugh this pregnancy w/out needing zoloft!

[Jilian]

You CANNOT take Skullcap or Kava while pregnant. They are both thought to cause uterine contractions and skullcap has been thought to cause spontaneous abortion. I'm not sure about Valerian, so you might want to look into it. I was STRONGLY advised to avoid skullcap and Kava during pregnancy (and all other herbal remedies) during pregnancy. Definately check with your MW/OB/Herbalist before taking anything.

I know that Rescue remedy is safe during pregnancy and homeopathic remedies are also safe. Chamomile is safe and the homeopathic chamomila (sp?) is also safe. But keep in mind that homeopathic remedies won't work as well if you take caffeine or mint (they are antedotes).

[ChristieB]

Actually, my midwife (also an herbalist) recommended skullcap to me last preg. I had been taking valerian, but it lowers bp, and I tend toward low bp anyway, so she suggested skullcap. I took it pretty much every night while preg. with ds, to help me sleep.

For anxiety before/during flying, though, I highly recommend homeopathic remedies. Here's what my homeopath suggested for me:

Gelsemium 30C for nervousness before flying
Phosphorus 30C for anxiety in the plane (1st choice)
Calcarea Carbonica 30C for anxiety in the plane (2nd choice - try if the phosphorus doesn't work)

Good luck!

Christie

[KaraMaia]

My top three recommendations:

Massage !!!
Acupuncture !!!
Yoga !!!

Herbal remedy for postpartum anxiety: Motherwort tincture

I am a big fan of flower essences as well, of which Rescue Remedy is good for acute situations, I always carry it in my birth bag.

[Avena]

How about a nice bath with Lavender Essential oil & Epsom salts (the salts have naturally occuring Magnesium which helps w/fatigue & Stress.. and a good organic herbal cup o'tea!

The Mellow mama was formulated for preg. and is safe & effective :)
http://www.craftsburykids.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=256


In additon to teas your diet plays a very important role****** Which you may allready know :)

Eating grounding foods like root veggies and some millet right now may be a wonderful addition! Some grounding Root veggies:
Burdock
Carrots
Parsnips
I'd also suggest some yummy squash's!

Foods to avoid that will deplete your body:
*Caffeine
*White and processed sugars...If you go for a sugar stick w/maple syurp or honey or Agave....Agave has a lower glycemic index so you don't get a sugar rush but do have a yummy taste!
* Frozen foods
* Processed foods

Sorry if this is alot!

PS I too 2nd the Rescue Remedy! You can also add a few drops to a nice bath!

Be gentle on your self and treat your self to a massage!

Blessings mama!:thumb

[Avena]

Ooh duh How could I forget going to a yoga class!

Prenatal or gentle Hatha Yoga does WONDERS!

Love to you mama!

[Jen1977]

I just picked up my very own Rescue Remedy, though I haven't tried it yet. I want to start a discussion about anxiety in general, I'm not sure if I should have started a new thread for that or what, I'm still pretty new to this. Does anybody know anything specifically about anxiety and it's relation to pregnancy and/or breastfeeding (aside from the whole "you've never had this kind of responsibility before, of course it's extra stressful" stuff)? My own anxiety became more severe when my daughter was one and my son was 3.5, I had barely noticed it before even though in retrospect I know it has always been with me. I had been breastfeeding since my son was born, then tandem nursed, and am still nursing my daughter, now, but something inside told me that my anxiety worsening might have had something to do with hormones, and that it was somehow related to my extended nursing, even if just psychologically. I don't get panicky nearly as much anymore, and when I do I am usually able to ride it out without changing anything and usually those I'm with don't even realize what I'm going through. Anyway, my heart goes out to mothers who have it more severely than I do, I think many people would simply alter their lives to avoid their triggers, but as mothers we know our needs do not come first, and in order to really truly care for these precious little people, sometimes we have to face our very worst fears, while trying to keep an good attitude so as not to traumatize our little treasures. I think I'll repost this in a new thread, too. I'd love anyones thoughts.