Posted by LIFE on August 24, 2006, at 14:29:56
In reply to Re: Tired of Panic caffeine consumption, posted by tiredofpanic on August 21, 2006, at 2:17:53
Hey there guys, sorry I have been absent from our discussions for a minute, I needed to travel to check on my parents. In answer to your question, Jim, I consult with a lot of natural healers in my area and am a non-practicing massage therapist(during a depressed period I allowed my certification to lapse by not paying my yearly fees, How stupid was that? Now I need additional classes to recertify and take the state test again. How stupid was that? Especially since I cannot afford them now), so I have known about the benefits of Valerian root for quite some time. I also brew it regularly in my coffee and I still eat chocolate so I have to neutralize the caffeine or it overrides the affect of my meds. I get the caffeine shakes within minutes of consuming coffee that has not been infused with Valerian. And, like you, Tired of Panic, Snickers bars are a favorite of my entire family, I just had about ten of those bite-sized snack ones in the gold wrappers at my mother's house. She keeps them in the candy dish. If you cannot find Valerian root locally, log onto www.viable-herbal.com or search Viable Herbal Solutions-gives you detailed descriptions of herbs and their uses as well as contraindications, and you can order on line. They carry bulk herbs, my favorite because I have greater control over how I want to use the herbs ( brewing as teas, adding them to soups or cooking with them) In my coffee maker, I add directly to the glass pot 1 tablespoon of Valerian root while adding coffee grounds through the filtration system as usual, once the coffee is brewed I add two packs of powdered cocoa mix and four tablespoons of nondairy coffee creamer. I let the brew steep for about thirty minutes because Valerian in bulk form looks like large granules of sand and are quite hard so they need a chance to soften. I remove the pot , sweeten to taste with white stevia or sugar, I pre-measure into plastic cups and freeze. With the Valerian brewed directly into the coffee I don't feel the affects of the caffeine at all. When I eat as much chocolate as I have today, I need to go to the kitchen soon and make a cup of Chamomile and Valerian tea or I will be sugar rushing later. I've also had chocolate chip cookies, a bowl of Frosted Flakes and regular bottled tea. See, I have a hard time denying myself the simple pleasures of sugar and caffeine, so I do my best to neutralize the negative effects. My parents swear they are too old and life is too short not to enjoy these things, when in Rome... According to the Vegans I know, meat, sugar, and caffeine are contributors to my depression. I tried going vegan but I felt even more depressed and seriously deprived. So I antidote using herbs. I'm still trying to find an herbal combination strong enough to combat the bouts of sadness and hopelessness I suffered with prior to being prescribed the combo of Wellbutrin and Remeron. I was sad to the point of non-function, and I hated my job. However I see we have in common the need for money to come in at a slightly higher rate because financial worries do contribute greatly to my suffering when not medicated. That's why I fear getting off my meds at this time. I just can't afford to sleep for days or be awake nights. My cats and I are living on the poverty line and momma has to be fully functional right now if we are to survive, my parents are getting on in age and should be enjoying retirement rather than trying to siphon funds to help me. When I have to withdraw or cleanse from the meds I immediately lose sleep and fall into obsessive worry. I don't have headaches, but my thinking becomes extremely chaotic, I have trouble making the simplest decisions. The herbs that I use help the physical symtoms, headaches, bodyaches, tightness in the shoulders, and my skin is lovely, but I have not found the right combination to help with the mental symptoms, the obsessive worry over finances, extreme disorganization of thoughts, inability to make the simplest life decisions, and the dark feelings of hopelessness and loss of self-worth, but I am still looking. I research herbs and try different combinations, but I have not found the magic one yet. I have not heard of the anti- depressant you mentioned either, is it herbal or prescribed? I'm going to ask around about it, I'll let you know what I find out. I know you are not depression free but your spirits are good, keep fighting and as you struggle on those bad days at least you know we understand you are not just being lazy and are doing your best to have a pleasant and productive day. Life
poster:LIFE
thread:613132
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20060809/msgs/679664.html