Expert: Jayne Boyle - 10/8/2009

Question
Hello!

My journey through post-birth control pill has been a frustrating one. Since I have gotten off the pill (after being on it for 3 years) I've been messed up. About 2-3 days after stopping, I started experiencing heart palpiations (skipped beats), internal tremors/jitters/shaking when falling asleep at night (which in turn made it difficult to sleep and I've had on/off sleep issues) and irregular periods (light, 28-32 days apart). Prior to the pill, my periods were normal length and 4-6 days (light, to medium to heavy to medium to light flow) and varied between 30-40 days hence I decided to go on the pill. I never had heart palpiations or sleep issues before, not until I got off the pill.

Naturally I went to the doctor. Had EKGs done, stress test, echocardiogram, basic blood panel, thyroid etc. Everything normal. Diagnosis: anxiety or hormones balancing out. Well, its been about a year and the palpiations have gone down a lot...I usually get them at "certain" points in the montha nd its usualy as I'm lying down to bed. They are more faint, but with this I also have this semi-tightness/fullness in the throat sometimes that also varies throughout the month. Now my biggest issue is sleep at this internal shaking. A little about that: usually it happens if I don't fall asleep fast enough and it gradually just comes on and radiates and I get a sensation for about 5-10 secs of internal shakes. The intensity has also subsided since it first started but its still there and I have sleep issues because of it.

I tried oriental medicine (acupuncture, about 2-3 treatments and some herbs for a few weeks) and I did not notice a difference.

I started researching motherwort and other natural herbs. I'm tired of going to doctors and having tests done (last time I went, in fact, was about 8 months ago). They did not do anything for me. I'm 25, I'm active, healthy and I've never had this since the stupid pill. Would you have any recommendations for herbs to try?  

Answer
You can try dong quai and maca.  For a start and kelp for trace minerals.  Try a mineral supplement also and calium magnesium before bed to help relax.  The two herbs helps to balance hormones.  Internal shakes I'm not sure what that is . Maybe a reiki treatment would help/  Jayne