Views on Ashwagandha for anxiety/fybro/RLS

[58anniem]

Hello everyone, could I ask please what experience anyone may have with the use of Ashwaghanda pls?

My fybro pain and RLS has been helped a little with magnesium and Vit D k2 & Pilates/gentle stretching.

However I ALWAYS have a very tight chest, collar (feels fizzy/tense) & am breathless most of the time. I have insomnia and I think it is probably due to quite bad anxiety/mood swings. I am also on HRT but stopped (carefully) all other medication as side effects were worse than I could bear.

I have had a few chest X-rays which come back normal and Dr’s never suggest any further investigation as they just put everything down to fybro. But, it is soo uncomfortable I need to find something that might release the tension in my chest.

I have read up of Ashwagandha and it sounds like it might be very helpful...?

Wondered what experience others might have had with it and would they recommend please?

[Freddie20]

Hi 58anniem I did buy some to use in a smoothy, but didn't really take it for long enough to notice any difference. The taste is pretty awful. However I understand that the tight chest is a problem, when wr are in pain or stressed we hold our shoulders high without even realizing it. The awareness and deep breathing can help. Not into smoking weed but my daughter insisted that I try some the other night, when I was in a lot of pain. OMG I had forgotten what being truly relaxed and pain free felt like. I am going to experiment with cooking with it as I couldn't stop coughing and it made my throat sore. Good luck I hope you find something that helps, I have had lots of problems with that horrible tight feeling. Its not pleasant. X

[58anniem in reply to Freddie20]

Hi Freddie20 thank you fir your reply. Yes I do hold tension in my shoulders but do practice slow and deep and block breathing many times each day. I am also tempted to try some weed but hate the idea of the taste in my mouth (used to smoke until about 30 years ago and that’s what I remember)!🙄🤣 l would be interested to know how you get on cooking it.

Did you get rid of that tightness in your chest? ....I don’t know if it’s part of what we have or anxiety or if it’s something I should be having investigated - but reluctant to go anywhere near a hospital or surgery at the moment!

[Freddie20 in reply to 58anniem]

Hi....yes I definitely think its anxiety related. A few times Ive felt as if I was having a heart attack. I have been checked a couple of times and all is okay. I think the problem is, is that we dont often realise how stressed we are, just trying to cope with the pain and life is enough. Seek advice from your doctor, its worth checking it out. I hate smoking the weed, it was awful, but I am going to cook some brownies , and will let you know, how it goes. Unless I get arrested. X

[athenadark]

I tried ashwagandha for about eight months but stopped because it made me poop like eight times a day - didn't lose weight, but got a lot of reading done. I stopped taking it and stopped with the poopingbut it's a ymmv, it might work for you

I have chronic anxiety [tends to come free with depression and fibro] and I have a lavender pillow I can heat because heat and the smell helps, chamomile tea helps, but your doctor might be able to recommend other things, I take propranalol but you have to fight. I have had back problems for years and they brushed it off and it turns out I have a wandering vertebra that is trying to escape and it causes all the problems but if I didn't argue with the doctor over it I wouldn't have gotten tested and a diagnosis. You have to be your own advocate and tell them that something is wrong. Ask for a cortisol test, you might be producing too much which can make anxiety worse

[Budgielady]

I hadn't even heard of that but I have found a solution.. I take magnesium, vit D and zinc.. I recently discovered moterbikers cosmetic company and their products are amazing.. I ordered the fibro kit..I had constant neck and shoulder pain but within 2 applications of pain slayer balm I noticed a massive difference.. I have had constant pain for the last 4 years.. My sis in law treated me to a spa day for my birthday a couple of years ago and I struggled with the massage as it was so sore.. But pain slayer has eased the pain massively I described the pain like clenching your teeth but in your shoulders..

I put muscle magic on my calves at night and between that and the magnesium it has made a massive difference to my jumpy legs.

Finally sleepy head.. I have had chronic insomnia for the last 7 years and the only thing that helped me sleep was a dihydrocodeine.. I apply sleepy head to my temples, behind my ears, my neck, throat wrists and the soles of my feet.. Yi read a book and am normally out of it within 30 minutes.. The only time I normally wake is to go to the bathroom.. I do still have the odd cruddy night but that's normally either hot flushes or something equally annoying.

[JayCeon]

Motorbikers: cute names for the company and the products. Seem to target "us". Seems like a normal mixture of essential oils, which I use too, helps a bit. Pain slayer includes DMSO.

Ashwagandha is Sanskrit for "horse smell" ;-D It's from ayurveda. The healthline article on it is very positive (like a German site I deem well researched). That is supported by a lot of PubMed studies I've looked at, the last one from Feb 2020. Everything I've read suggests I should take it: Ancient, safe for most; may reduce: blood sugar, cancer, cortisol, stress/anxiety, depression, inflammation, cholesterol & triglycerides; and may increase: testosterone, muscle mass & strength and brain function. Strange that it's gotten past me, seems so fitting for me/us, so thanks for the question! The only occasional side effect is diarrhea, like AthenaDark says, which is something I have defo to watch out for. My 'other good site' says: Just reduce the dosis or stop it for the while. (I'd then just take my psyllium.) Also to consult your doc if you have diabetes, high blood pressure (altho it's said to help there too), thyroid issues, psychological issues und autoimmune - Whoiops, OK, I'll have to ask first...

What definitely helps me for tight chest & collar tho is osteopathy / TCM/ acupressure, and what you've said gentle (and !short) stretching/yoga/exercises. Mg & Vit D don't seem to help, but I still take them regularly.

[eclegmata]

I agree with JayCeon. When you're buying compound products produced by companies, then please please please read all the ingredients. I have had FM for almost 30'years & have been on a myriad a medication. I have used Ashwagandha and found benefits.

But have also tried to wean myself of all synthetic medication and only use complimentary assistance. By which I mean everything. Heat pads. Tens. Reflexology. Acupuncture. Lavender pillows. Osteopathy. Reiki. Yoga. Pilates. QiGong. Art, Music & Breathing meditation excercise. Anything! I have also been veggy for 40'years and dabbled for about 10 of those years with veganism. So using herbal remedies is something that I'm comfortable with. But I would stress the need to do your research.

I find drinking Valerian tea helps with sleep & I second the use of L-Theanine, which Londinium mentioned & again would add, as like buying essential oils, you should try to buy from reputable companies. I use Viridian for my vitamins and minerals. Good health food shops will stock their products and their mail order is really good. They are also one of the few companies out there, who give money back on returned bottles and Looking after the planet is a must. I would also research using Super-greens like Hemp, wheatgrass, Chorella, barley, spirulina & other powders like Maca, Cacao, Camu Camu and Reishi. All of which can be added to fruit juice or smoothies.

Stay well🍄

[58anniem]

Thank you everyone for your commends and recommendations. I asked my Dr and she absolutely sings the praises for Ashwagandha and so it arrived a few days ago....I will keep you posted! Good luck everyone!