Posted by jujube on October 8, 2004, at 17:06:32 [reposted on October 8, 2004, at 18:36:39 | original URL]
In reply to Re: Any Success with Herbs over Meds » jujube, posted by alesta on October 8, 2004, at 16:45:46
Amy,
Thanks so much for the response. With respect to the Rhodiola, I am erring on the side of caution (in spite of the fact that I have read that some doctors do combine Rhodiola with a SSRI and I have read some threads here about people combining the two). I will wait and give my vitamin regime a chance before I decide whether to try the Rhodiola.
My anxiety is, at times, relatively severe (usually after I have been sick like I was recently with iron deficiency that left me totally drained and having to take a lot of time of work while the situation was being resolved). Xanax does work for me, but the pdoc that I have been seeing about medication doesn't want to prescribe it because I am a recovering alcholic (8 1/2 years of sobriety). My own family doctor will prescribe a very small amount, but is cautious. I have never abused it, and am very cognizant of the fact that dependency can develop. For years I refused to take anything like Xanax. But now I realize that as long as one has a healthy respect for the possibility of addiction, one will use it with caution and only when needed.
I continue my search for natural remedies, and will follow the discussions on the Alternative board for helpful tips. Have you tried L-Taurine? I have heard it is good for anxiety. Good luck with the L-Theanine. If you think of it, let me know how it goes.
Take good care.
Tamara
> hi, tamara,
>
> many doctors aren't really familiar with natural remedies. i don't know that combining rhodiola with celexa is such a good idea. you do risk serotonin syndrome, as rhodiola increases all the neurotransmitters, including serotonin. i personally would not combine the two. you may be fine with the combination, and it's up to you, but you're taking a risk. i personally would quit the celexa first.
>
> <How long have you used the Rhodiola?
>
> i have used it for a month now. and i have taken it for many months in the past.
>
> <Did you notice a difference between the effectiveness of Rhodiola and an AD?
>
> yes, rhodiola is *much* more effective than prozac, which is the antidepressant i was taking. i hated being on prozac. it numbed my emotions. i was miserable. (i was trying it for social anxiety.)
>
> > I am also going to try GABA-Plus for anxiety. It is a combination of GABA, niacinimid and inistol. I should receive my order in about a week, and am hoping it will be effective. I am trying to go the natural route, but you never know with these things.
>
> absolutely..go for it. depending on how severe your anxiety is, a natural solution may work great for you. i am going to try l-theanine to tide me over until i get a prescription for klonopin (i have severe anxiety in work situations). (jarrow and vitamin world are both good brands. jarrow might be cheaper, not sure. i wouldn't combine l-theanine and rhodiola, though.)
>
> if you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask. :)
>
> take care,
> amy :)
poster:jujube
thread:400550
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040928/msgs/400557.html