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Need a natural source for my mother's anxiety. Right now, she is bedbound, has severe COPD, and I don't want to drug her up on lorazepam or Haldol. Has anyone had any experience with using Valerian in the elderly, specifically someone with COPD, and on Amiodarone, and Lexapro (20 mg) meds?

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Hello,
I would not recommend it. Evidence indicates it causes liver damage in some people, and it can interact with the amiodarone. Furthermore, you become tolerant to it, needing higher doses to get the desired effect over time. This in turn, increases the risk for adverse effects.

Because of this, I also support talking to her doctor first. Please don't start any OTC/supplement without consulting with them first, no matter how seemingly "benign" or 'natural" it may seem. So is digitalis...take too much of it and it will kill you!
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This is a question for her doctor and only her doctor. I just responded to someone else "prescribing" melatonin, yet the Mayo indicates a long list of possible drug interactions with it. "Natural" or not, supplements are still chemicals that interact with other chemicals in one's body.

"Certain supplements, including black cohosh, ma huang and valerian, can increase your risk of liver damage."

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/enlarged-liver/symptoms-causes/syc-20372167
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AliBoBali Apr 2022
I just don't know at 90yo that the risks of trying an herbal supplement first would outweigh potential benefits. Additional medications, that they're trying to avoid, also come with many potential negative side effects. Just a general thought about OP's situation.
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Valeriana root is a natural remedy that is supposed to help sleep and anxiety. However, is has not been thoroughly studied scientifically. It appears to be safe though. Whether it's effective or not, is debatable. You will have to ask her doctor for a trial of Valeriana. You say that your mother suffers from COPD. Do you know that COPD patients should not take Lorazepam or any other tranquilizer of the Benzodiazepine family? They can depress the breathing function to dangerous levels in patents with COPD. Incidentally, you also mentioned that she takes Amiodarone and Lexapro. You should be aware that using those two medications together is contraindicated. They can produce dangerous heart arrhythmias.
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I'll speak to my personal experience. Valerian root was not helpful for me when I was trying different supplements for my own anxiety issues. I personally found rhodiola and ashwagandha more helpful. I still drink ashwagandha tea, years later, because I find it so helpful. Kava kava root tea was by far the most potent plant-derived anxiety treatment that I took during that time.

I can't give a strong enough caveat to go along with this, though. This was my personal experience and I was 40yo when I was trying all these.

Just throwing out some things to help you find the right supplement, if you believe that's the right direction to go first before adding more medication. Many of these supplements are completely safe imo. The dosage amounts are not high and the effects are mild. The amiodarone interaction is the most concerning to me because if your mom has an irregular heartbeat, then you'd want to discuss any supplements with her doctor first. If your mom was younger and otherwise healthy, I'd say absolutely why not try the supplements first. While commonly Rx'd in elders with anxiety, benzo meds have negative side effects such as dizziness and increased risk of falling -- which may not be a concern at all since your mom is bedbound.
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I personally had an experience with Valerian when I was 50. It was given to me to help with what the doctor perceived as depression. It caused depression instead. I had only been sad about a breakup, not depressed. I became suicidal on Valerian. I was then perfectly fine off of it, just sad. I was told later that some people have that adverse effect with Valerian. So I suggest to be very careful with it, getting advice from her doctor, and if given the okay, watch for an adverse reaction.
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I would recommend having her blood levels checked for deficiencies. Once it is established what she is low on, then I would have a doctor along with a nutritionist prescribe what she she needs. B vitamins help with nervousness. Her deficiencies could be a number of things from hormonal, thyroid, low vitamins like A, D, B12, C, Iron, Folate and other B vitamins. Or, something more serious like Heart Disease, Depression, loneliness, and fear of dying. Once her nutrition is balanced keep her busy with doing enjoyable activities and socializing-things that will take her mind off herself. Counseling might help. As well as taking her to a senior activities center twice a week. Go when her the first time. I have found that people this age need someone to identify with. They need something to regularly look forward to. Some need to be in charge of something to feel purposeful. All the best to your Mom’s health.
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I would ask her pharmacist this question. They will know of any potential interaction with her meds and an herb.

I would try diffusing lavender essential oil, if no one is allergic.
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Leahst Apr 2022
lavender is great for anxiety, im glad you mentioned it. I made up a roller ball of lavender and fractionated coconut oil for my mum to use on pulse points. She said it helps her with anxiety. I also gave her a spray bottle of lavender water(hydrosol) which can be lightly sprayed on pillows or in the air.
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Hi,
I have tried Valerian with my husband in combination with 5-HTP, which is an over the counter mood enhancer. Excellent combination, however like everything else it worked for several years then the body builds a tolerance or the Disease reaching another stage and a new combination of treatment must be considered.

Currently he is takes Trazadone 50mg about 30 minutes before sleep and takes the 5-HTP twice a day and this works well. Hope this helps.
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Physician's sometimes use hydroxyzine 25mg (Vistaril) for anxiety. Mirtazepine (Remeron) is also sometimes used in the elderly who also have sleep disturbance associated with anxiety. Neither are benzodiazepines and neither have addiction or tolerance issues. Lavender oil on pulse points and pillow spray. A cup of Extra Strength Sleepy Time tea is a good bedtime routine.
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Llamalover47 Apr 2022
Beethoven13: As someone who now suffers from insomnia, I have tried hydroxyzine. I appreciate reading the tip on Lavender Oil.
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What about holy basil ot ashwaganda?
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