My Perimenopause Anxiety HELL!
Hey there friend! Let me tell you a story about how I noticed my anxiety levels had gone through the roof when I hit 46. I would wake up with a pounding heart and feeling really teary, it was awful! I was dealing with the stress of work and had to pretend that everything was fine, even though I was really struggling.
My doctor prescribed me Effexor-XR, which helped for a while, but I soon realized that this was just one of the many symptoms I was experiencing as a result of perimenopause. I'm now taking HRT, but I must have gone through the next drop in hormones because my anxiety levels have been increasing again.
A friend suggested that I try Ashwagandha or Kava root to manage my anxiety. After doing some research, I decided to try both of them to see which one worked best for me.
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that is often used as a natural remedy for anxiety because it helps to stabilize the body's response to stress. In addition to stabilizing cortisol, it protects the brain from degeneration and improves anxiety symptoms by destroying free radicals that cause damage to the brain and body. Ashwagandha helps to improve focus, reduce fatigue and fight anxiety without the side effects of most anti-anxiety medications.
Kava root, on the other hand, is used to improve mood, ease anxiety, and boost sociability. It works by stimulating dopamine receptors. A randomized controlled trial conducted in Australia found that kava can be considered a first-line therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. However, it is important to take kava under the guidance of your healthcare provider, as it can interact with certain medications like benzodiazepines or prescription sleeping pills. Also, be aware of the most common side effects, including headache, drowsiness, and diarrhea. There are reports of liver damage with kava, so it's wise to get baseline and periodic liver functions tests while taking kava.
I also researched 5-HTP, which is synthesized from tryptophan and can help to treat a number of issues associated with anxiety, including insomnia, moodiness, and headaches. 5-HTP increases serotonin, a calming neurotransmitter that transmits signals between the nerve cells and alters brain functions that regulate your mood and sleep patterns. However, I ruled out 5-HTP as an option because it is not recommended to take with any prescribed medications.
I've done some research and have decided on these two options:
I'm hoping that these natural remedies will help me manage my anxiety without the side effects of most anti-anxiety medications. It's a journey, but I'm determined to find a solution that works for me. Once they arrive I will try them out for a few months then update you with a review.
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