Hi all. Well, I am curious to know if there are any good natural alternatives to antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications? The main reason I am thinking about this is because I would like to get pregnant again in the future and would need to be off my Lexapro and Ativan which I take sometimes to help me sleep. I know that some women use antidepressants during pregnancy, but I dont think I would feel very comfortable with it. Im not sure there actually are any natural alternatives that will really help, but I just thought Id post this and see if anyone had any ideas. Thanks for listening everyone!!

Hi Jen,
Actually I'm not sure, if there are any alternatives to antidepressants or antianxiety meds during pregnancy. But I know when I was having infertility treatments my dr ok'd me to be on prozac. I understand you being uncomfortable with it however, I was uncomfortable with it as well! I would suggest you call your ob/gyn's office and ask before taking anything "herbal" or labeled "natural". Especially if you are taking anything such as clomid of metformin to try and achieve pregnancy, because even herbs and natural meds can countereffect clomid, metformin and other meds used to help achieve pragnancy. Best wishes for you, Belle xx

i dont know if there is or not. i know that u can ask ur doc and they will let u know. occording to what ive heard there are natural cures for just about everything. let us know what u find out

I read a book called "Natural Prozac" (can't remember the author) and it goes through step-by-step lifestyle and diet changes to treat depression w/o meds. I didn't actually to bother to do the program, but there were some interesting ideas in there. Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your help!!

This post has been edited by jen78fl: Jan 14 2007, 11:09 PM

I think you'd have to wait and see how you're feeling during preganacy as there's a change in your hormones. I know I practically slept through my first pregnancy. I went to work, made supper, did some clothes up and slept until about 8pm. I finished whatever I had to do, and went back to bed around 10pm. No meds. Not really what you'd call depressed. Just incredibably tired!!

Jackie

i take sam-e every once and awhile. it is natural and there are very few side effects. (no sexual dysfunction woo hooo). my psych doc even approved it!! it is a bit expensive so i try and buy it on sale. but please ask your doc about sam-e before trying it!

yes i agree always ask ur doc 1st

herbal tea is good for battling anxiety.

Im going to look up that book, thanks for posting about it!

vallerian root will help with the aniexty b supplaments passion flowr st john wart

sam-e 5http all herbal/supplamental also omega 3.

If you have bi polar though some of those may caus mania though.

i know i keep saying this but make sure u check with ur doc if ur on meds of anykind. sometimes they dont mix well. forgive me for repeating myself but i mixed accidently and was so sick. i dont want to see that happen to anyone elsa

Thanks everyone. I have heard of some of things mentioned in this post but have never tried them. I have also heard that fish oil (omega 3) is good for depression/anxiety. Anyone try this? Anyway I think during my last pregnancy I was pretty tired too. Hopefully it would be the same and I could sleep without taking anything. Probably about the only thing I could take for sleep while pregnant would be benadryl but that causes urinary problems for me, which I had enough of during my last pregnancy! Well I really appreciate all of your help. I am glad to have found this board!

Before you go and take herbals be sure to talk to your doc first because many of them can interact with any pharmacuticals that you may be taking. But here is a list of all naturals/herbals that can help anxiety:

California poppy- the plant, not seed(and not its not opium). Good for anxiety and RLS(restless leg syndrome) but should not be used if preganant.

Chamomile- good for allergies, asthma, conjunctivitis, hives, psoriasis, anxiety, ADD, insomnia, stress, atherosclerosis, cuts/scrapes/abrasions, diaper rash, eczema, endometrial cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, lupus, Peptic ulcers, and PMS.

Corydalis- anxiety, insomnia, RLS, cataracts

Ginko- anxiety, depression, ADD, alzeimers, memory loss, parkinsons disease, cancer, cataracts, floaters, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes, impotence, heart attack, MS, tinnitus.

ginseng- anxiety, cancer, lyme disease, cognitive ability, diabetes, hangover, heart attack, high blood pressure, impotence, menopause, stress.

kava- anxiety, depression, insomnia, RLS, diminished sex drive.

Lavender- acne, headache, psoriasis, anxiety, insomnia, bronchitis, burns, digestive discomfort, yeast infection.

passionflower- anxiety, ADD, insomnia, RLS, diminished se drive

scutellaria(scullcap)- allergies, asthma, pnemonia, anxiety, headache, stress, atherosclerosis, diabetes, heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, ADD, cancer, chronic fatique syndrome(CFS), mononucleosis, ear infection, gonorrhea, lyme disease, infected nails, pelvic inflammatory disease, prostasis, hangover, influenza, viral infection, vomitting, periodontal disease.

valerian- anxiety, insomnia, menopause, RLS,indegestion, IBS

This is a list of all naturals/ herbs. Some are stronger then others and you may want to do some researcgh on them and talk to your doctor before taking them. For example: the kava may interact with the ativan because it has similar effects to diazepam( valium). valium is a benzodiazepine just like ativan. And the scullcap shouldnt be used daily. So before taking them reasearch. These herbals as you read them, will notice that they one way or another help anxiety even they have a variety of other uses.

I hope this list helps. :) They all came from the book "prescription for Herbal remedies" by Phyllis A. Balch, cnc.


//escape

This post has been edited by escape: Jan 15 2007, 12:00 AM

Thanks for posting that escape. That is some good info. I havent taken a lot of herbal supplements but I have taken valerian before which does have a relaxing effect, though i think it upset my stomach..

Also, I have just been reading about L-theanine or suntheanine and it seems to have helped a lot of people. Does anyone know about this supplement? I am thinking about trying it. I kind of like that its an amino acid instead of an herb. Would be nice if it actually worked.

Thanks again!!