Kathy4Him Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 For those of yiou who are using lemon balm, is it helping with anxiety? We are taking ds, 23 off prozac and wanting to use lemon balm to help transition off med. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicklemama Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 I am using lemon balm personally. I started it about a month ago. I am taking Lemon Balm Force by New Chapter. I did this to try and keep from having to ask for an SSRI for myself. I've never taken them so I can't compare but I notice a difference. I'm not so quick to be snappy and get angry from anxiety. I still feel the anxiety but i can keep myself from snapping my husbands head off when i get anxious. I am falling asleep quickly and staying asleep. I have no experience giving it to a PANDAS kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayzoo Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 It is working great for us! We are getting off zoloft because this is working so much better for her separation anxiety and nightmares. I have tried two brands, and one did seem to work better than the other. We are using Nature's Way 500mg caps morning and evening. It is dirt cheap as well, so a major plus ($4.60ish for 90). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy4Him Posted April 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 Thank you! I have the New Chapter Brand, think I need it for me after reading nicklemama's msg!!! We are trying it 1 in morning 1 in evening. Mayzoo, how are you weaning off zoloft? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicklemama Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 I should add that it took a week or two to notice a difference. I'm taking it morning and bedtime but I'm thinking of taking the second dose in the afternoon to better cover the evening. I'm really snappy in the evening when I'm tired from dealing with DS. Kathy4Him 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayzoo Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 Thank you! I have the New Chapter Brand, think I need it for me after reading nicklemama's msg!!! We are trying it 1 in morning 1 in evening. Mayzoo, how are you weaning off zoloft? I take 2 excedrin and one or two lemon balm when I get my tension headaches too and it helps me a LOT!! I used to have to take 2.5-5mg hydrocodone/apap for my headaches with the excedrin, now 80% or more of the time the excedrin and lemon balm kick them just fine!!!!! I am super happy about that. Right now if I get real short on patience, I will take one as well. I have mild ocd and mild depression as well, and my kiddo needs me to have all the patience I can beg, borrow, or steal as it is, so I do what I have to do to give her my best since she deserves it. She already has so much to deal with she does not need a grumpy mommy too. Kiddo was only on 12.5 mg of zoloft every day so we went to 12.5mg every other day for a two weeks and then we are stopping. I have some on hand should I notice any problems with stopping it. I believe she took her last dose this morning, but I have to check her pill minder to be sure. I have never really seen great results from the zoloft anyway for her, so I do not expect any issues with weaning off, but I am going to watch closely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayzoo Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 I should add that it took a week or two to notice a difference. I'm taking it morning and bedtime but I'm thinking of taking the second dose in the afternoon to better cover the evening. I'm really snappy in the evening when I'm tired from dealing with DS. I was happy to notice results with the first dose. My headache went away and a sense of tranquility washed over me. Kiddo was able to be in a room separate from me by the next day. I was able to spin around without having to worry about bumping into her . Each of us have a different response and that is just part of the miracle of each of our uniqueness . But, this uniqueness makes treating stuff more difficult Kathy4Him 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowingmom Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 A sense of tranquility.....does this ever occur? We will have to give this a go. Kathy4Him 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayzoo Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 (edited) Her daddy and I were outside working on a downed tree for a few hours today. Kiddo was able to be inside (cold and rainy here) playing her Nintendo or reading books by herself for the whole 3ish hours. I checked on her frequently, but she never got upset, never melted down, never ran outside screaming bloody murder, and seemed to be having a good time on the whole. Like everyone here, I am all for almost anything that allows her to feel comfortable, relaxed and reasonably happy. I would recommend any one dealing with moderate to severe anxiety to give it a try. I am sure it will not work for everyone, and it may not work for us forever, but it is working for now and for that I am unbelievably grateful. Edited April 19, 2013 by Mayzoo EmilyK 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FallingApart Posted April 21, 2013 Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 I will do some reading, but my first thought is whether you can take this while on an SSRI? Both DD and I are on one but this sounds like something I would like to try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy4Him Posted April 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 Falling Apart: I was also concerned about that as my ds, 23 was on prozac. His neuropsych said it would be fine, his rheumatologist said it would be fine. I was cautious but decided to try. It is fine so far. Literature does say it contradicts with prozac and several other ssri's. Could not find anything on luvox which we are switching to at a very low dose of 25 mg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chemar Posted April 21, 2013 Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 We grow our own lemon balm and one can also make a soothing tea with fresh leaves or even just chew a leaf when feeling stressed! Kathy4Him and SSS 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopeny Posted April 21, 2013 Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 I am looking into this for myself Kathy4Him 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayzoo Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 I will do some reading, but my first thought is whether you can take this while on an SSRI? Both DD and I are on one but this sounds like something I would like to try. So far as I can tell, it would be fine: " Possible Interactions:Lemon balm may potentially interact with the following medications: Sedatives, thyroid medications -- Lemon balm may interact with sedatives and thyroid medications. If you are taking sedatives (for insomnia or anxiety) or medications to regulate your thyroid, ask your doctor before taking lemon balm. HIV medications -- It is not clear whether lemon balm interacts with antiretroviral agents. At this time, avoid use of lemon balm if you're taking medication for HIV." http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/lemon-balm-000261.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayzoo Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 We grow our own lemon balm and one can also make a soothing tea with fresh leaves or even just chew a leaf when feeling stressed! I am getting a medicinal herb pack soon. I have a pot all picked out to grow them in. Lemon Balm will be one of the 9-13 seeds I buy in the package. Until it is ready to harvest, what I buy is dirt cheap and works wonderfully for my daughter and myself. She had severe separation anxiety and nightmare. Today I had to go look for her since she was playing outside without me . We have a large yard that is fenced all the way around with two big dogs to watch after her when she outside for a few minutes, and today daddy was hanging out in the area to keep an eye out too, but mommy worries after all this time of her being right beside me. I take it with excedrin for headaches and when I need a boost for my patience. I am amazingly pleased as you can tell LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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