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I have so much I need to share... but my immediate need is sleep.

I am tapering off of Lexapro and am on 1.25 mg. So much insomnia. I have only been on it for a couple of weeks and didn't want to quit cold turkey or take this drug to begin with. I feel that if I could sleep for more than an hour or two a night I could pull myself together, get on with healing.

For the past several years I was taking one 25mg capsule of Benadryl to help me sleep. I would take this no more than 3 times a week because if I did take it more often my back muscles would tense up for a long time. I now read that Benadryl can contribute to dementia. I am concerned.

Any ideas? Prescription meds or herbal? I have Valerian tea with lavender yet I have read that if one is still on Lexapro, taking this is not a good idea. How long after taking the last dose of Lexapro can I get on with something else?  I am getting nowhere with my family doctor and must pay for an office visit to ask these questions $$$$ is in short supply now.

I also have had a severe bronchial condition for over a year and am just now feeling like I am getting well. I need to take a decongestant to open my sinuses which are the main problem. Get this: my pharmacist and my family doctor tell me that taking Sudafed (pseudoephedrine), the under-the-counter variety, is what I should do. Wow! that stuff is strong! The newer "safer" Sudafed is far less strong. I am cautious about taking these as long as I am on Lexapro but my doctor and pharmacist aren't. Who does one trust?

The cocktail of combined medications scares me since my body is very sensitive. I had anaphylaxis from taking Cipro, an antibiotic, once and this changed my attitude about taking most drugs.

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated. There are no Herbalists or doctors who think along these lines around here.

Kate

This will be very helpful to me as I just stumbled upon an article about Adrenal Fatigue while desperately searching for help with anxiety. I believe that I fall right into this category. Thank you.

Kate

Thank you ThreeRoses. I am trying to withdraw from one drug and find herbal remedies.

Kate

Personally I believe that it is okay and maybe healthy to be cautious or fearful about taking any medication designed to mess with our brains. I am weaning myself off of one drug now because of side effects. I am determined to tackle my anxiety, sleeplessness and physical symptoms without prescription drugs. That is why I am on this forum.

Too many people, things and past events have messed with my mind. I don't need drugs to fog me up any further.
I understand.

Kate

Ok Lizzie, the name Kate goes way back in my family so it is not my name. Kestrel is a bird which I have a special bond with.  I will keep Kate.
Thank you for your warm welcome, friends.

Kate

ThreeRoses, thank you for this recommendation. I am checking it out.

Wishing you a good day,

K

I have CPTSD from past damaging events in my life.

Recently, 10 months ago, the relationship with a family member was cut off. I am suffering mentally. I became very physically ill. For reasons I need to understand now, I have developed a few OCD things that I do and that go through my mind.

Can anyone direct me to a really good self help workbook kind of book? Something so that I can learn more about what is going on in my mind? I am very interested and need to know more. I need to calm this thing that is going on.  I see lots on Amazon.com and they all look good. Any ideas?

Hello

My name is Kate. I have complex PTSD. It began very early in my life and, due to several events which happened to me through the years, I am now dealing with things which occurred in my 40's. I am older now. I am at a very tough time. I need a sanctuary.

This forum looked like a safe place to come to. I was searching so hard this past week. I have developed a lot of physical problems which are being dealt with recently and I am looking forward to getting better. Now, I need to deal with PTSD.

Kate