Natural anxiety supplements that are safe to take with Lexapro and Lamictal?

[MindClot]

So I have been taking Lamictal and Lexapro for bipolar disorder, intense anxiety and panic attacks for about 6 years now. They work decent on most days, but there are still too many days where despite my breathing exercises I feel intense hopelessness, fear, panic, and depression. It makes it very hard to function and get through the day. I also stress easily and am having a very hard time finding a way to manage it despite many relaxation techniques I have tried. I get very strong panic attacks sometimes that can be really frightening and hard to stop. I was wondering if anyone knew which, if any, natural herbs, supplements, (etc.) could be used in conjunction with my current medications to help manage anxiety/depression? I understand that some can counteract the effects of my medications altogether, while others can have bad interactions with them. I've been researching but haven't had much luck :( Any knowledge, advice, anything would be much appreciated! Thank you.

-Kali

[needtogetwell]

Hi mindclot,

I am not aware of anything natural which would be suitable with your current meds.

Our resident guru on natural things is Dahila, she may have some ideas for nutritional support which might be useful to you.

Jesse? Dahila? Any ideas?

Cheers!
Pam

[AnxietyNewbie]

I was actually wondering the same thing because I just started on Lexapro yesterday and I am afraid to take anything with it. I just started selling It Works! products and there is a bottle of pills the comapny has called confianza that is all natural and supposed to work for stress and anxiety......I have no clue I haven't taken it personally but I was going to show my Dr the next time I go the ingredients and see what she says.

I will let you know....in the meantime if you do find out let me know too :) Thanks

[After5hock]

http://www.ehealthme.com/di/lexapro/E

This might help a little bit. I did look up the interaction of using Confianza with Lexapro. I looked it up by each ingredient, and I haven't found anything too bad. There was one person who was effected negatively by taking Lexapro with Siberian Ginseng Root (its only extra in the Confianza. I'd say that you'd be fine, but I'd still ask your doctor (just in case).

[AnxietyNewbie]

After5hock.....thank you so much for doing that!!! I will still take the bottle in when I go but it the meantime that is pretty good news and maybe the 2 of them together will really give some relief. :) Again I just started selling the product so I wasnt sure what RX's it would counteract with and which it wouldn't I know a friend takes it with her HBP meds and says she is fine, but you never know.

Anyway thanks again!

[After5hock]

After5hock.....thank you so much for doing that!!! I will still take the bottle in when I go but it the meantime that is pretty good news and maybe the 2 of them together will really give some relief. :) Again I just started selling the product so I wasnt sure what RX's it would counteract with and which it wouldn't I know a friend takes it with her HBP meds and says she is fine, but you never know.

Anyway thanks again!

It's no problem. :) Let me know how the Confianza works, and if you like it. My mom got me some a few week ago, but I get anxious about taking anything (even natural supplements).

[Dahila]

Mellisa aka Lemon balm is save with bipolar so is meditation, I know that it is extremely difficult for bipolars (have been with bipolar for over 20 years, my exhusband) but it pays off :) It is worth to try. I was making a lot of herbs for him with the agreement from doc. Unfortunately it was back home, I can not even find that herbs here...

[jessed03]

I'm confused. Why not start straight with camomillea and go from there?

3 cups per day.

[Dahila]

camomille is not that effective on mood stability:( Bipolar is everything but peace of mind

[jessed03]

Missed the bipolar bit. My bad, sorry :)

[AnxietyNewbie]

It's no problem. :) Let me know how the Confianza works, and if you like it. My mom got me some a few week ago, but I get anxious about taking anything (even natural supplements).

Me too.....I do drugs.com first to check for interactions all the time!!! It may take me a little bit being so new to lexapro to start taking the Confianza but I will let you know.

[After5hock]

Me too.....I do drugs.com first to check for interactions all the time!!! It may take me a little bit being so new to lexapro to start taking the Confianza but I will let you know.

Thanks. I'd rather to be able to take the Confianza for work so that I don't have to take my Hydroxyzine (it calms to the point of being tired, and I have a cleaning job. Lol)

[AnxietyNewbie]

Thanks. I'd rather to be able to take the Confianza for work so that I don't have to take my Hydroxyzine (it calms to the point of being tired, and I have a cleaning job. Lol)

My only experience with Hydroxyzine (atarax right?) was for an outbreak of hives and let me tell you I slept like a baby and the hives were gone way faster than if I took regular benadryl. I had no idea it was prescribed for anxiety though too.

[After5hock]

My only experience with Hydroxyzine (atarax right?) was for an outbreak of hives and let me tell you I slept like a baby and the hives were gone way faster than if I took regular benadryl. I had no idea it was prescribed for anxiety though too.

There's different types of Hydroxyzine. This one is the PAM which is the Vistaril for anxiety. The HCL type is the Atarax that you took. I had the HCL before too. I had this weird itch all over my body, no rash. Couldn't figure out what was going on. Later, they told me that it was because I was stressed. (Which I believe cuz it was around the time my hubby was dying from cancer)

[Ritch]

Magnesium In high doses is usually very helpful with mood disorders and can also offer a calming effect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmzDnbJoTxU,
http://george-eby-research.com/html/depression-anxiety.html
http://www.poliquingroup.com/ArticlesMultimedia/Articles/Article/669/Twelve_Benefits_of_Magnesium.aspx

Google magnesium for anxiety and depression, I'm sure it will provide you with a lot of reading :) Also Niacin (vitamin b3) has helped me a great deal, make sure if you decide to purchase niacin that you got the no flush version. the usual version can give unpleasant hot flushes.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Extension-Flush-Niacin-Capsules/dp/B000QISSPU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1396577500&sr=8-3&keywords=no+flush+niacin

Read up on both before making an informed decision

[AnxietyNewbie]

There's different types of Hydroxyzine. This one is the PAM which is the Vistaril for anxiety. The HCL type is the Atarax that you took. I had the HCL before too. I had this weird itch all over my body, no rash. Couldn't figure out what was going on. Later, they told me that it was because I was stressed. (Which I believe cuz it was around the time my hubby was dying from cancer)

Im so sorry to hear about your husband :(

[AnxietyNewbie]

I did read about magnesium being good for depression too. I take sublingual B-12, super B complex, Vit D3 (I have a vitamin deficiency), fish oil, multi vitamin and a calcium one as well......Im sure adding magnesium wont hurt either. Lol

[After5hock]

Im so sorry to hear about your husband :(

It's fine. (That probably makes me sound heartless?).. He was a very bad person though.

[AnxietyNewbie]

It's fine. (That probably makes me sound heartless?).. He was a very bad person though.

Ok lol.....I dont feel bad then!! :)