Supplements/herbal for anti-anxiety - Alcoholic with PTSD
 

Greetings. I am new to this site. Please help if you can.

I am an alcoholic with PTSD who is nearing the end of self-executed detox. Have given this a go a couple of previous times. Cold turkey nearly killed me. Weaning worked once previously, and is working again now. My health is rough at the moment, however, I come from a fit background, which I suspect has allowed me to survive all this (hopefully).

I am using a vitamin regimen, and I reckon I only have another day or two of weaning and I'm off the booze. My blood pressure is dropping, and I've started walking. However, I was at the edge a few days ago. My stomach is a mess, etc. Yes, I am seeking medical help, as well as therapy.

I am seeking an herbal or supplement regimen that will deal with my anxiety and fears. I feel a certain way as the alcohol is leaving my body and it leads to panic attacks, which drive up my blood pressure, and things enter a cycle.

I have been told that essence of Star of Bethlehem is very effective. Can anyone share with me other effective anti-anxiety tools in the non-prescription arena. I'm anxious to find something that reacts quickly.

Thank you,

Joe

Joe, I know the feeling. Have a look back through this thread to see the posts from MrsD and what she suggested for me (vitamin regime) and see if it applies to you. She will probably chime in here with regards to PTSD and anxiety.

Good luck. Its worth the days of pain to be clean.

I believe the "anxiety" is a result of the metabolic pathways of
alcohol. Once you stop drinking, the liver no longer is converting ethyl alcohol to carbohydrate (glucose). So that means other avenues of metabolism are then having to work in that regard.

The vitamins are enabling that conversion of metabolism.

Another thing might be happening... you may have an inherited condition called pyroluria. This is not a disease, it is a metabolic error in the manfacture of heme (for hemoglobin in our red blood cells). Pyrolurics have an endproduct that is excreted in the urine, and it is called kryptopyyrole. These pyyroles are harmless except for the fact that they complex out B6 and zinc from the blood, and then these folks develop deficiencies in both nutrients.
Anxiety and alcoholism is the result of this, as serotonin manufacture is impaired.
It is thought that a large % of alcohol abuse may be self medication of this "anxiety" and that being treated with high dose B6 and zinc can help.
Here is an article on it:
http://drkaslow.com/html/pyroluria.html

Understanding of this is more common in Europe where most the research was done, than in US. So American doctors don't look for this, and you have to do this research yourself and ask for the testing. Pfeiffer Institute and others will do the urine testing without a doctor's order...for this reason.

Here are some more things to read:
http://www.everywomanover29.com/blog...food-solution/

http://pyroluriatesting.com/

http://www.thehealingpartnership.org...ia_handout.pdf

People who are detoxing from alcohol, may have carb cravings as a result of the shift in metabolism. I think giving in to these temporarily may help. Chocolate for example is often mentioned.
But in the long run, eating lean protein, vegetables and moderate carb intake will help better over the long run. So try to moderate any "candy or chocolate" until you can feel this metabolic change has occurred.

B-complex, with emphasis on B1, magnesium, essential fatty acids, and a good multivitamin with minerals (including zinc) are often the backbone of detox.

You might want to consider some herbals like milk thistle. I take Healthy Liver Tonic along with drops of Super Echinacea. Perhaps something to calm any inflammation, as well?

There are medicinal teas, too that can be very helpful with calming.

I tend to do many herbals, teas and homeopathic remedies for ills and to stay healthy.

Best of luck to you. :)

I take it you aren't going to meetings of AA or anything, right? That sure helped me, to be around others just like ME.

I was able to talk to others who suffered the same fears and anxiety as I did. They understood just how I felt. It helped to talk to them as they helped to alleviate my fears.

This may not be for you -- but i just wanted to suggest it. It has helped MILLIONS of others to achieve and KEEP sobriety. Best of luck Joe. With the help of AA and God, in July I'll have 20 years clean/sober. And it's only because of them and people like you that I can say that. Take care. Hugs, Lee