practical ideas for various anxiety symptoms?

[advokatem]

Hi, all! I'm new here and would love some advice. I've been dealing with a large number of weird physical symptoms over the past few years that I think are related to anxiety. I began having panic attacks about three years ago, and while that's largely under control, even when I'm not feeling anxious I'm really struggling physically.

One of my three part-time jobs is very active/physical (I work for someone who is paralyzed and lift/turn him) and I do exercise at least a couple of times per week. I'm on iron for mild anemia. A few weeks ago I decreased the sugar in my diet, but didn't eliminate carbs altogther -- I eat pretty healthy. I only drink decaf coffee, and even then only for a set number of hours in the afternoon.

Any ideas about how to manage the following symptoms?

--shakiness / weakness / "jelly legs" / tremor in the morning and often all day
--high heart rate (82-ish; I'm female, mid-30's, thin/small) & sensation of vibrating / tightness in chest, especially in the morning -- this sometimes prevents me from sleeping the last couple of hours I need to; plus heart palpitations
--extremely jumpy, especially with sounds
--usually sleep enough at night (8 hours) but almost always feel sleepy during the day, sometimes extremely so ( the sleepiness has been so extreme I thought I might have narcolepsy since I also have vivid/stressful dreams and have experienced sleep paralysis, but I don't -- the sleep test was negative)

I have other more "head-related" symptoms, such as repetitive thought patterns, but I have some good tools for those, and right now the physical stuff is scaring me and I'd like to get it under control. I know my muscles are not physically weak -- I have no trouble exercising -- but the shakiness can make some tasks difficult, especially if they require good coordination. I took a walk in the woods today and the shaking made it difficult at times to pick my way over roots and rocks, which I used to be able to do with no problem!

Tomorrow I'm going to call my doctor and make an appointment -- we've been looking at these symptoms for years without much result. No blood sugar problems, only the mild anemia turned up in bloodwork. So I think this is all anxiety-related. Thanks for any help y'all can offer!

[Paxiled]

Well, it seems you're sleeping pretty well if you get 8 hours, so I don't think a sleep remedy is what you're looking for.  There are many natural remedies for anxiety, but if you're that sensitive you might need to go to the least effective ones because for you they might be just the ticket, such as chamomile tea or lemon balm or lavender.  Valerian isn't that strong, but can make people drowsy.  Kava is stronger, but doesn't have the same reputation of making people drowsy, but avoid the standardized versions if you have anything that suggest liver problems.  But there are tons of mild relaxants out there, including others I didn't mention -- hops is another.  Homeopathic remedies might be good for you, as they have no active ingredients.  Now, here's another possibility, which is you say you're "on iron."  Most iron, especially that prescribed by doctors and the supplements sold in drugstores, isn't well absorbed by humans.  It can also be constipating.  Some of your symptoms are those of someone with anemia, but if you're not absorbing your iron it isn't doing you much good.  You can get very well absorbed iron through foods such as dandelion greens, beets, parsley, watercress, and other green leafy vegetables.  A supplement called Floradix is made from all plant sources so it tends to be the best absorbed iron supplement.  Don't know if this will help any, but it's worth a try.

[advokatem]

...more additions :)

I am not on any anxiety medications. I tried Celexa and had such a terrible reaction -- weakness, fatigue, quickly lost weight (normal for me is 95 lbs, NOT anorexic, but can't afford to lose weight), very fuzzy-headed, all this lasted for weeks -- that I haven't wanted to try anything else.

I seem to react very, very strongly to medication, caffeine, and even some herbal teas. I tried valerian at night; it was terrible. I'd love recommendation of very mild anti-anxiety or sleeping meds that the sensitive folks out there have been happy with.

[advokatem]

I forgot to mention I also hold my breath / shallow breathe a lot.