Hi Kim,
I have no idea what 8pm NY time is here in Ontario, so it might be a little hit and go.
I'm going to reply to all of your postings here, b/c its so much more simple to keep things all in one place.
First of all,i think you are so brave for going natural. When i first started having problems with anxiety, i was on only herbal treatments. Didn't really work for me then, but i think that when i'm a little better, i can probably wean myself of medication by using herbal stuff. The problem with herbal remedies are that you build up a tolerance for them, so the more you use them, the less they work.
You asked me if i have trouble sleeping. I guess you could say that, b/c i don't really sleep. I sleep for about 3-5 hours at a time, really restless sleep with intense and bothersome dreams. This is going to sound really quirky, but right now i have two beds. (I don't work in the summers, so i don't have to have an alarm set). I have one in my room (obviously), and one in my basement. When i can't sleep in one, i switch. Most nights i'm split b/wn the two beds. I can't remember the last time i slept through the night. Its the part I hate most, b/c as if its not tiring enough to be constantly on edge with anxiety. Its very exhausting when your mind is unable to relax. I usually stay up until i'm dead tired, b/c i hate the few moments b/4 I fall asleep, when i have thoughts i can't control. This is a very bad time for me, its when i have to fight the hardest not to slip into a panic. I actually have meds to help me sleep, clonazepam. Its not a knockout drug, its just to help relax. However, i only take one in an emergency, i find that i often feel worse after having one. Same thing with my xanax, i avoid it at all costs. Right now, i'm only taking my antidepressant regularly (celexa).
Anyways, what i wanted to tell you about, b/4 that rant, was about a really great herbal sleep remedy. I used it initially, it is wonderful. I slept peacefully and deeply. Unfortunately, it got to the point where i was using it every day, so it stopped working. Its called Valerian. If you have problems sleeping, i'd try it. I tried many different ones, and this is the only one that seemed to work. (I've had a panic disorder for about 5 years now
