I'm going through major stress right now - redundancy letter looming, flatmates' marriage broken down, a bunch of other stress.
I used Quiet Life tablets for a month or so. But they seemed to be aggravating my bowel, so I stopped taking them.
I got sleeping tablets from my GP instead, to use only in cases of extreme need.
I have been taking mirtazapine anti-depressant for 5 and a half years and it mostly helps.
Just not completely right now.
Things have been really bad the past week. I took Rhodiola a few days running, as I'd taken it for a few months from October. But it didn't seem to be helping. I stopped taking it.
The next day I took several Quiet Life as I was desperate. But it didn't really help, and technically I shouldn't take it with my anti-depressant.
The past 2 nights I've been waking at 4.30am and unable to get back to sleep again. I am resorting to a sleeping tablet tonight. The nervous adrenaline is surging through my body and I have such a headache. I have no appetite, I have to force myself to eat.
I've just had a 3 week break from psychotherapy, and now I've started back, thank God.
But I feel so so awful.
I think I've caused complications with the herbal medicines I've been taking too close together, and perhaps the wrong ones for me.
I also tried Chamomile tablets a couple of weeks ago, but weirdly they seemed to give me insomnia.
What CAN I safely take alongside my anti-depressants?
I'd have Rescue Remedy intravenously if I could! It does help, but I know it's not for long term use.
My budget is limited due to impending redundancy, or I'd see a practitioner. But. As it is, my GP is likely to increase my anti-depressant dose if things don't improve.
Help!
Sorry to hear that Eleison. It does not have to be this way. Help beyond you imagination is available. You are welcome to get in touch
Ruby
Have you tried EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)?
Thank you both.
I already am in therapy, and my therapist is excellent. I am working things through at a deep level.
Life itself right now is overwhelming.
I posted to ask about herbal medicine and what damage I may have caused by taking what I have so close together, and what other options are available to me in terms of herbal medicine or similar.
Try Kali Phos 6x. It is calming for anxiety/insomnia etc. Repeat it every half an hour to begin with then every two hours. You can carry it in your bag, wherever you go. Available at most health shops under 'bio chemic remedies'. There are no side effects, but it works at a deep level.
Your therapist is the best person to speak to in event of emergencies like this one. Could you phone her and ask about your present situation, before you see her fo next appointment?
Hope it gets easy for you
Blessings
Herbal problem
Hi, hope you are feeling a little better since your post. I am a qualified medical herbalist and although I cannot give you advice without a consult, I would advise contacting your nearest Herbalist.
Many people self medicate with herbs and that is fine ONLY if they know what they are doing. In my years of practice I have seen many people who believe herbs are ineffective or useless. This is because they are often bought as single herb 'products' over the counter and the therapeutic doses are not sufficient. Thats why you have qualified herbalists who can prescribe real herbal medicine tailored to your body and needs after a consultation, especially if you are on prescribed medication.
This is a huge safety aspect. People that work in shops know a little about the products they sell, but nothing about the application of plant medicine in terms of anatomy,physiology and chemistry(unless they themselves are qualified herbalists). Believe me there are lots of herbs that would be useful blended for you and that are safe alongside your meds, but you must see a herbalist. A suggestion I have made to my clients in the past is that after they have spent their money on a pot of this and a tub of that, they could have paid for a professional consult. Also, some herbalists do offer cut prices for cash strapped folks, so don't give up on the idea.
Also, you will have done no harm to yourself as this over the counter stuff is quite weak dosage wise which is why it can be sold OTC.
My best wishes to you and I hope you find the help you need, things will get better...
Herbqueen
Hi Eleison,
It sounds like you're hypersensitive to some of the herbal remedies you've tried. As they have active ingredients, then those of us prone to hypersensitivities are less likely to be able to tolerate them. As such if you want to go done the herbal remedy road, then I would advise that you have a proper consultation with a herbalist and take it from there.
What no one will be able to tell you is how you will react to a combination of the antidepressant plus a particular herbal remedy.
NB 'mirtazapine' itself does have 'suicidal behaviour', 'anxiety' & 'insomnia' amongst others listed as a side effect. Obviously I don't know how you were before starting the antidepressants, but if any new symptoms have arisen since starting them, then they should be the first suspect.
The latest on all UK registered drugs here - [url]What's New - electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC)[/url]
Remedies without active ingredients would be an option i.e. bio-energetic remedies, like tissue salts, homeopathics, flower remedies, etc. You may need something more specific than Rescue Remedy, so again you may best off consulting the relevent type of practitioner.