[DechanDawa]

I use the herb valerian. Not just to sleep but if I feel anxious. The problem is dosage. It isn't like taking medication with a certain dosage. Some days I realize I am taking handfuls of capsules. I seem to be able to handle depression better than anxiety. I have come to dread anxiety. I hate it. It really seems to somehow make me hurt physically. Maybe it is tension and anxiety combined. Has anyone taken valerian and does it just stop working after a certain point?

[mindwrench]

I used Valerian Root off and on with mixed results in the past. It seems to offer some relief against mild anxiety or mild insomnia but falls short at about any dosage when anxiety is more profound. I noticed heartburn and terrible burps at higher dosage too. I replaced Valerian with Diphenhydramine (Benedryl) until finally getting proper anxiety meds from a pdoc.

[DechanDawa]

I use Benedryl at night along with valerian.

[mindwrench]

Originally Posted by DechanDawa

I use Benedryl at night along with valerian. My pdoc refuses to prescribe anti-anxiety meds. I had an evaluation by a psychiatrist in which I answered a questionnaire stating I had extremely high levels of anxiety. Like on a scale of 1-10 I wrote a 10. The psychiatrist refused to prescribe any anti-anxiety med. This was in September. I emailed my pdoc and told her the situation was forcing me to take valerian at high dosages that cannot be properly monitored. Also, buying valerian is 3X more expensive than anti-anxiety meds. It's frustrating. I noticed I was drinking more recently (in response to anxiety) and I have cut that out. It is obvious my anxiety is increasing. I agree with you that valerian root is now giving me less benefit. Usually this means I need to discontinue it for a month or so. I don't experience heartburn at higher dosages.

My pdoc actually said i could keep using the Benedryl if I wanted and if it was working, but I asked for something that would be stronger and she gave me Hydroxyzine which in my opinion is only marginally better than the Benedryl. The big things to watch out for with the Benedryl is the anti-cholinergic effect, which in high enough doses per day can make you constipated, and it can cause you to not breathe properly in your sleep with a high enough dose. There are some warnings I see written in various articles about the risk of dimentia being increased with prolonged use of Benedryl.

I have heard about pdocs moving away from prescribing powerful antianxiety meds like they used to (benzos). The hydroxyzine is more expensive than benedryl but has less side effects with continual use. You might be able to get a Hydroxyzine script from your pdoc.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by mindwrench

My pdoc actually said i could keep using the Benedryl if I wanted and if it was working, but I asked for something that would be stronger and she gave me Hydroxyzine which in my opinion is only marginally better than the Benedryl. The big things to watch out for with the Benedryl is the anti-cholinergic effect, which in high enough doses per day can make you constipated, and it can cause you to not breathe properly in your sleep with a high enough dose. There are some warnings I see written in various articles about the risk of dimentia being increased with prolonged use of Benedryl.

I have heard about pdocs moving away from prescribing powerful antianxiety meds like they used to (benzos). The hydroxyzine is more expensive than benedryl but has less side effects with continual use. You might be able to get a Hydroxyzine script from your pdoc.

Dementia? Is there a risk of that using hydroxzine? I don't like the sound of the benedryl causing breathing problems. I don't think I want either of these.

Sometimes I switch off from valerian to passionflower, another herb used to treat anxiety. I am definitely overusing the valerian. It's not good for the liver. Damn. Maybe I just need to cope with anxiety. Thank you for responding. It was a comfort.

[DechanDawa]

I weaned myself off of benzos this year. That's the main reason I came on Psych Central...to find out the story on why benzodiazepines were not being prescribed. So I got off them because, as you said, the doctors don't want to prescribe them anymore for anxiety. The problem is...that they really DO quell anxiety like nothing else. But they are also supposed to increase risk of dementia. I must still be psychologically addicted because the bottom line is although I am happy I'm off them I miss the benzos, still.

[mindwrench]

Originally Posted by DechanDawa

I weaned myself off of benzos this year. That's the main reason I came on Psych Central...to find out the story on why benzodiazepines were not being prescribed. So I got off them because, as you said, the doctors don't want to prescribe them anymore for anxiety. The problem is...that really DO quell anxiety like nothing else. But they are also supposed to increase risk of dementia. I must still be psychologically addicted because the bottom line is although I am happy I'm off them I miss the benzos, still.

I think the anti-anxiety med group as a whole is intended to be, or hoped to be a temporary measure while the underlying cause of anxiety is addressed to such a point that anxiety can be controlled with less harsh substances. That's just my interpretation of things. The problem comes in when our anxiety and/or anxiety attacks is not sufficiently controlled by what we have available or are prescribed while we work on resolving the causes of anxiety. I think that many of us will have a ongoing need for anxiety/sleep meds for the foreseeable future. It would be nice to find things that work sufficiently, that aren't going to damage us in some way when used long term.

[DechanDawa]

Modern life causes me anxiety. I have a good diet, I exercise, I have managed to routinely sleep well, but I cannot remember a time in my life when I wasn't anxious. I always thought I was just high-strung. I am not bipolar because I don't have huge mood swings. The psychiatrist refused to give me a diagnosis.

Hell, I think I will just switch from valerian to passionflower...and keep some Guinness Stout on hand because I think that might be better than Benadry or that other one.

I doubt I will ever get to the bottom of my anxiety. It's probably along the lines of existential angst.