Has anyone used ‘off the shelf’ products to treat anxiety?

[Fortheweekend]

Due to various reasons, my anxiety (of which I have suffered from for years) is out of control and really affecting my life in a big way. It causes many physical symptoms, IBS/a very sensitive digestive system being the main one.
I just can’t get on with antidepressants, they exacerbate the digestive issues which is counterproductive as I just end up with more anxiety as a result.
I’ve tried all non medicinal things. I exercise, listen to guided relaxation each night etc but to no avail.
I keep reading about products such as GABA, lemon balm, valerian, CBD oil, L-Theanine, 5 HTP etc and whilst I know they won’t be as effective as an antidepressants even just bringing down the anxiety a notch or two would help immensely.
Has anyone tried anything like this? Has it helped? We’re there side effects?

This sounds like me 😢😢
I'm going to buy some kalms today and see if they help at all
I dont even know where the anxiety is coming from it's the nausea and diarrhoea that is causing major problems for me but the doctor doesnt seem to want to listen

I use Kalms, whether it is psychological or not, they seem to help me.

Have you tried any of the apps lik Calm or Headspace?

Llh1979 it’s awful isn’t it? I feel, as awful as it is that I can handle the actual anxiety but it’s the digestive issues which really ramp up the angst but I suppose it a big vicious cycle.
Llh1979 & olivo my friend swears by Kalms but it’s doesn’t seem to do much for me unfortunately.
Neeolara I do listen to Headspace which is lovely and calming but hasn’t helped much sadly.

I tried sertraline for 2 days as I was on edge but nothing like this and that's when the panic attacks started and awful anxiety doctor thinks I'm sensitive to it even though I've taken it before with no problems I'm hoping the kalms do something as indent want to feel this way

Vitamin B Complex I was told by my GP

Hi Op, not as such but quitting caffeine really helped.

I think for a long term fix, b12, vit d and magnesium, regular exercise and making time for self care would work for me (based on my own levels from bloods for the vitamins). In the short term, CBD oil is something I’m going to try. I had some CBD oil before a very, very stressful situation a couple of weeks ago and it made such a difference. I’m currently trying to up my vitamin levels and seeing how it goes but if it gets too much for me or I don’t feel it working I will definitely be reaching for the CBD oil again. Anti depressants never ever worked for me, and I doubt they ever had will. I’m genuinely of the thought that my own issue wasn’t a mental one - more a lack of vitamins etc. There are so many mental health conditions out there and anti depressants/anti anxiety medication are the fix - but they truly never worked for me

I have propranolol for anxiety.

I find that helpful. It is a beta blocker and so slows your heart rate. It doesn't stop the head stuff but it reduces the physical symptoms, stops the flight or flight stuff which then feeds the thoughts.

It gives me space to say to myself. This is silly. This is your anxiety. Etc.

It's been a big help. I take it as and when.

I know you asked for natural stuff. But wanted to post anyway in case you'd not heard of that.

Might peri-menopause be in play?

Oh. And another thing I was going to try - Zenflore, a probiotic I think? There’s a lot of research done into the relationship between gut issues and depression/anxiety, might be worth having a look up and see if it can be applied to your own situation and the possibility that something like that product might work for you

If you have an IBS diagnosis you can buy mebeverine (Colofac) over the counter. I find it useful for easing the cramps and pain and reducing diarrhoea.

Have you tried taking up yoga? I find daily practice really helps reduce overall levels of anxiety.

If you're happy to use the GP route try asking for anxiety meds not antidepressants, it's not like you haven't tried them. I have hydroxyzine (antihistamine) and pregabalin.

St Johns Wort is herbal antidepressant.

Camomile tea helps I crave it some days and liquorice tea for digestion.

I find those colouring books for adults are calming too.

DH takes valerian & 5htp which his doctor suggested trying. Also magnesium. Not quite as effective as prescribed anti anxiety meds but definitely works for him

A daily combination of prebiotics, probiotics, magnesium and theanine helped in this house. Not sustainable over a long period but for about 3 weeks, then dropped the pre and probiotics and just kept the magnesium regular. Although I did find the theanine quite effective .

When DH had horrific anxiety/reflux, I asked on MN for tips:

B12, Magnesium and Vit D.

A bottle of Lime Oil to inhale if you feel panicky.

Rescue Remedy is you feeling overwhelmed.

Counselling, getting out for some exercise, and a managed return to work.

Liquorice tea for reflux.

It worked really well

I have no advice for you OP but I want to be on this thread so I too can benefit from any advice given by others.

I have been seeing a therapist for anxiety. He has me deep breathing for about a minute at a time, several times a day, and he says that over time it actually makes physical changes to the body that helps to control anxiety. I find it useful as it makes me virtually stop and shut down for awhile.

There is an app called Breathe/Breethe (?they actually are two slightly different apps, and I can't remember offhand which is which) which is quite good for guiding you.

I use rescue remedy sweets (from amazon) that help more than I thought they would. I can't take SSRIs due to manic side effects so use my 'worry sweets' along with a healthy (ish) lifestyle and mindfulness

Look into Rhodiola Rosea and adaptogens.

Please look into the work of dr claire weekes. ...her work on anxiety and mental health is simple yet extremely effective and readily available. ...I honestly believe she saved my life.

Agree with PP re Rescue Remedy sweets.
But my anxiety was caused by menopause, so it was HRT that resolved it.

Yoga and a magnesium supplement help me.

Oh yes, yoga here, too.

Thank you all for such great advice.
Montyman can I ask which CBD oil you used? There are so many from dirt cheap to horrendously expensive I’m not sure if the pricy ones are better?
NiceGerbil I did ask the gp for propranolol but I have low blood pressure so she said no!
Aquamarine1029 I’m 47 and feel that I am most definitely in peri as I have so many symptoms but it’s getting a gp to a knowledge it. I even changed surgeries as my previous gp was clueless on peri but my new gp isn’t much better!
Solittletime I actually have some L-theanine and lemon balm which I haven’t yet tried. Did you get any side effects from it?
Raymondspectacles lime oil sounds great. I used to carry a grapefruit around with me when pregnant as it calmed the constant queasiness!
ApolloandDaphne hope you find something which helps you soon. Anxiety is horrible

No side effects, I found it great we actually got it for my dd (11yrs) and I could see a difference the days she took it. It didn’t seem to have a cumulative Effect, so I’d say it would even be something you could take on a bad day but not bother every day. I may be wrong though!