I’ve debated on whether to post anything about this, because I’m not sure how it will come across to some. But then I think, it has helped my daughter so much and I just couldn’t help but share with those who may be dealing with the same issues. I fear that people who deeply struggle in this area will scoff and say, “Well, it’s just not that easy!” Or, “You have no idea what you’re talking about!” Please hear me when I say I do not think this is a cure all, nor am I undermining the real struggles of fear and anxiety! I am simply sharing what has helped us and it has made a night and day difference!
Before it all started
Let me give you a little back story. My daughter has always surprised me from the beginning. She has always been little miss independent. Even at a young age, she had no problem leaving mom and dad for a night or even a weekend to stay with cousins or at Papa and Grandma’s house. She has always wanted to do things on her own.
It was just within the last year and a half that she started this fearful feeling of being left alone. At first, she would say she didn’t want mommy or daddy to go downstairs after she was tucked into bed. Then, she would wake up from a scary dream and she couldn’t fall back to sleep because she was afraid that dream would come true. She would also have anxiety and a tummy ache at bedtime, EVERY night!
I remember when I was her age, I struggled with the same type of issues. Every night, when my mom would have to leave to go to work (she is an RN and works night shift), I would get a stomach ache. I didn’t know why, but looking back I know now that it was because of something I feared. I often was afraid that my mom wouldn’t come home because something happened to her. Or what if I needed her in the night and she wasn’t there to help. After a few years, I must have “outgrew” it, because I don’t remember struggling when I got to be 11 or 12. **Again, I want to stress that I don’t know every kind of struggle that fear and anxiety bring. But, I believe this is the same fear that my daughter now struggled with.**
No matter how much we tried to convince her that she was fine, or it was just her imagination, it still didn’t ease that internal nervous fear that was upsetting her (We really didn’t know what else to do to help her). We’ve also had nights where she would get so “nerved up” that she would eventually throw up. It would get that bad. I had tried oils to help with relaxation and rest, which I think helped to an extent, but it just didn’t cut it. We’ve tried adjusting her diet just to see if that made a difference. However, we were already staying clear from some known food sensitivities, but that too didn’t seem to take care of the issue.
Finding The Right Remedy
I’ve been using Homeopathy for about tens years now. I had first heard about it when I met my mother-in-law, who is very knowledgeable on the subject! At first, I didn’t know if there was really anything to it. But, I’ve always enjoyed learning new things and was interested in a more “natural” approach to health. I have watched over the years how homeopathy has helped with a few issues I had and now no longer struggle with those issues. I’ve also used homeopathy to help my son, Cole when he had a terrible rash on his face due to a yeast overgrowth. (Maybe someday I’ll share his story) But, his rash is totally gone now and we didn’t use any steroid creams for it, just homeopathy! (And lots of prayer, really God was the one who healed him, I believe).
But, back to the remedy for fear & anxiety. Gelsemium sempervirens 30c is what Joette Calabrese recommended for “symptoms” that I felt best fit Clara. I’ve listed them below:
- Anxiety before a surgery
- Certain types of insomnia where you are afraid of going to bed (for fear you may not fall asleep — in this case, the “event” is not a test but instead, the anticipated sleep!)
- The feeling of “butterflies in the stomach” and an urgent need to use the restroom
- Stage-fright (like a sporting or performance event where your child needs to tackle the quarterback or perform in a recital)
The link to Joette’s blog is here. I have found her blog to be so helpful when trying to find the right remedy for a specific problem.
Joette has different “protocols” for different types of anxiety. So, it’s important to match the protocol/remedy to the most similar case. Gelsemium seemed to best fit our case! Sometimes you have to try one remedy, and if there is not significant improvement, you may need to try the next closest remedy.
The Result
We’ve been using Gelsemium for a few weeks now. Twice daily. And we haven’t had an “episode” since we’ve started using it! I couldn’t believe the difference it has made. Our evening bedtime routine is back to how it used to be. No tears, no belly aches, and she is even sleeping in her top bunk bed (which she had been very nervous about doing for over a year).
I’m not saying this will be the end of our struggles, but it has definitely helped balance her out and she is a happier girl because of it! If you’re looking for an alternative to prescription drugs or over the counter medications, I highly recommend Homeopathy. Do your research and ask questions. I also highly recommend Joette Calabrese as a credible source. She has an amazing story and years of credentials/experience.
As always, I hope you find this helpful!
With Love,
This Farmhouse Wife