to ask if there are any over-the-counter tranquilizers that work?

[ReanimatedSGB]

Not homeopathic ones, obviously. But I'm feeling quite physically unwell with the stress now and wondered if there is anything you can buy that will take the edge off? I have vague memories of some herbal thing - valerian and lettuce extract?

there's a product called Stressless which is not bad. It isn't diazepam of course, but it does help a bit.

Kalms is similar to Stressless. Not sure what evidence there is about whether they're effective or a placebo effect.

Promethazine is used for agitation as well as inmsomnia in mental heath settings. It's sold as Sominex over the counter.

It makes me feel drugged and slowed which I hate, even when using it to sleep but when I worked with working age mental health patients, it was used quite frequently as it is not deemed to be addictive in the way that benzo's are.

Promethazine

just to say, I felt so ill on promethazine, it was very lucky I took it on a weekend night, though I was up all night feeling ill in the most bizarre way.

I think the Kalms/Stressless type stuff is less likely to produce that kind of reaction.

In the past, I found the Kalms night ones helped a bit with sleeping, if sleep is a problem? Although don't think they'd work for hardened insomnia.

Valerian was withdrawn from sale in the UK I think.

Always found a swig of Night Nurse does the job if you're struggling to sleep, as long as you don't have to operate heavy machinery the next day!

Oh just googled and valerian does still seem to be on sale. 5-htp another herbal stress relief tablet.

get Phenergan, I think it is an antihistamine, works like the bee's knee's but will also send you to sleep if you are not careful!

sorry, Phenergan is Promethazine!

Phenegran 25mg
I take 2 at night they save my sanity

Phenergan knocks me out cold for hours. Why can't you go to your GP and get diazepam? 2mg is a very low dosage and can be a godsend when you've got anxiety.

Some people also use beta blockers but they don't help me. I'd speak to your GP if at all possible.

Exercise?

I’m pretty sure Valerian is very widely available, they couldn’t ban it, it’s a native plant and growing all over the place. Stinky stuff though. Chills my cat out really well

I’m a Sominex (promethazine/phenergan) fan as well. Use with caution as will cause drowsiness.

I think most GPs are very very reluctant to hand out any benzos now, especially for more ‘casual’ use (ie anything but the most severe of mental health emergencies/probably shouldn’t be being looked after by a normal GP anyway). 2mg diazepam isn’t going to do anything that rest/sleep/deep breathing/meditation/mindfulness can’t also do - I say this as someone who once managed to slow my heartrate so much during mindful meditation - whilst also on beta blocker & had a virus - that I actually passed out cold for while. Too relaxed! But goes to show the potential power of breathing/mind exercises.

Alcohol.

Cannabis.

I'm on a mild pill for hypertension already )indapamide). I think I'll see if I can get some Kalms tomorrow, I remember them being OK-ish when I was younger. I'm wary of Phenergan as I had it as a kid once or twice and didn't like it - total zombification. Thanks all.

hope they work well for you OP, take care

Rescue remedy is fab but piriton (antihistamines) never fail to give me a decent sleep.
Prob docs is best to ask. I used to use St. John’s wort but not good in sun - Holland and Barret etc are pretty knowledgeable about counter meds x

I've found if you are not used to taking them co-codamol can have a mild sedative affect. Obviously addictive so not to be used for a prolonged period but wouldn't have the same effect if used a few times anyway.

DH takes them very occasionally and thinks it helps him fall asleep.

I'm not having too much trouble sleeping, though the last week I have been waking up a lot and bad dreams. It's the tight-band-round-the-chest and headaches that are the worst. Basically longlasting panic attacks.

OP would you consider anything else for the long lasting panic attacks? Doesn't have to be forever.

Just a thought. I fully appreciate some people would rather not deal with a doctor on this.