Valerian root...I HATE IT right now!!

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Registered: 04-16-2003
Valerian root...I HATE IT right now!!
7
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 2:52am
I've been having sleep disturbances lately, and I think it's because I've been trying to cut down on my coffee intake, but the withdrawal symptoms make me want to jump out of my skin!!! It's like my skin is itchy on the inside, and it makes me so antsy that I can't even lie still enough to try to sleep. So, I decided to try this stuff my boyfriend said is supposed to work well. It's called Relax and Sleep by Jamieson, and it's mainly Valerian root. I took it at 11:30PM, and slept well for about an hour and a half or so. Then I woke up to go to the bathroom, and could not get back to sleep! I was so restless, and I wanted to sleep but I could not lie still. I have looked up valerian in my drug book (I'm a nurse) and it says that the adverse reactions/side effects include excitability, insomnia, and anxiety. That actually really sucks, because that is the opposite effect of what it is supposed to do! I also wonder if it's possible that the valerian could be interacting with the Celexa I take for anxiety and depression. The reason I thought that was because it also says in my drug book to avoid CNS depressants while taking valerian, and Celexa is a CNS depressant. It also says that the CNS depressants may potentiate the sedative effects of valerian, so I guess that because I'm on Celexa, the opposite effect is occurring from the valerian. See how wired I am? I'm doing all this research at 2:30 in the morning when I am supposed to be waking up at 5 am for work. Well, I shouldn't call it work...since I'm not getting paid for it yet! So that really sucks. But I'm almost done my placement, and I'm really enjoying it and learning a lot, so it's cool. I just wish I could sleep!!! Anyway, I'll try again, because I just finished some sleepytime tea. I hope that it works! ~Sabrina
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 9:19am

Have you tried a herbal sleeping tea?

  Shawna-- Proud Cl for 100 Pounds or More to Go 

Avatar for angelinoh
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 12:47pm
well at least you didn't have any major problems with it and learned to read up on things before taking them.

I know a lot of store meds you can't take if you're on Antidepressants or Thyroid meds

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 8:23pm
Sabrina, Sorry you couldn't sleep. I take two tylenol pm or two tylenol and two benedryl when I can sleep. Hope tonight is better! Hugs, Brenda

Hugs, Brenda 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
Wed, 06-02-2004 - 11:47am
Oh..be careful mixing herbal remedies with anti depresant meds... I'm an amateur herbalist (not master yet..) and Valerian can sometimes take a little while to work, but if there is something else in it and amounts aren't standardized, then you could have those weird adverse reactions and with CNS depressants..you don't want to mix.

In my experience with Valerian, if it worked for me, great..but if I got up for any reason, I had difficulty going back to sleep.

Most herbs aren't meant to be mixed with medications and I'm sure you already know this, but just because they are 'natural' doesn't mean they are safe. Like if you have serious ragweed allergies, you need to stay away from St. John's Wort (Blue Coneflower). Some herbal ingredients and preparations (teas, tinctures, essential oils) can have major effects on the body and cause harm if not used properly - some even cause miscarriages.

I hope you get to the 'root'(LOL) of your sleep problem....I take 75 mg. of Effexor XR and that has helped me a bit, but sometimes I take 50 mg. of Benadryl if I'm really in a bind.

Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 06-02-2004 - 12:50pm
I'm sorry to hear that you had such terrible results! Valerian works very well for me...was there anything else in the mix? (I take the capsules straight). I guess all those things react differently for different people, and with different medications, as you said. Have faith that if it is due to coffee withdrawal it WILL get better soon! I just read somewhere that caffeine is illegal is some countries, where it is classified as a narcotic - so no wonder it affects us so much!
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 06-02-2004 - 1:14pm


hardy har har!

Shawna Guinea Pig 4

  Shawna-- Proud Cl for 100 Pounds or More to Go 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
Wed, 06-02-2004 - 7:00pm
***slaps fin to forehead****