Panic Attacks & Gluten

[ciavyn]

Woohoo! I hope y'all are correct in saying that it may go away over time. I have panic attacks and anxiety, ADD, and a short-term memory deficiency that is really frustrating, as I'm an intelligent person, and therefore have a hard time when I feel like I'm acting "stupid." Brain fog is a great way to express it. Curious to see if after 6 months I can see a significant difference.

[Korwyn]

For those of you who feel that your panic attacks/anxiety has gotten better on the gluten free diet, how long did it take to see an improvement. I have been on the gluten free diet about three weeks and haven't notice much change in my anxiety (maybe a little but not much). My doctor said "mental" issues can take months to see improvement in - things such as brain fog, headaches, anxiety/depression, etc. I had tests for celiac that were negative, but this doctor thinks with all my symptoms that I still could have an allergy and feels that I should give it a try.

She said give a few months and I might notice changes - I also have bowel issues (lymphocytic colitis and IBS). She said after a couple months if I have gluten I will know because I will probably have a "reaction" to it.

My panic/anxiety keeps me housebound and I have suffered for over 20 years so if this is the answer I would be so grateful!!! Thanks everyone.

Blessings,

Leah

Hi Leah,

I have suffered as much (if not more) mental, CNS, and neurological symptoms as GI. Panic attacks, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, muscle twitching (Fasciculations), myoclonus (large muscle spasms), peripheral neuropathy (tingling and numbness in the extremities).

My panic attacks, anxiety, and insomnia began to improve almost immediately (within weeks) of being gluten free. They got better for a while, then took a downturn which I found was due to soy. Once I totally eliminated the soy too, they improved dramatically. I haven't had a panic attack since except when glutened or 'soyed'.

[jerseyangel]

For those of you who feel that your panic attacks/anxiety has gotten better on the gluten free diet, how long did it take to see an improvement.

I never had another panic attack after going gluten-free 4 years ago, but it was a good 18 months-2 years before the anxiety completely let up. I will still get anxious when accidentally glutened, but nothing like the way it was before.

Truthfully, I didn't even realize how bad it was until it was gone--I had lived with it for so long.

Give it time--the emotional/nero issues take longer generally than the physical ones.

[CarbQueen]

The panic attacks I've experienced were related to allergic reaction to chemicals, and certain food.

Daily yoga sequences helped me overcome the ADHD/OCD and addictive behavior. There is a sequence to help reduce the severity of brain fog. Since I am a spiritual person, my yoga practice nourishes my body, mind and spirit.

Once the panic attacks and brain fog subsided, I was able to do hours of research to determine the cause of my physical ailments. The doctors finally told me that whatever I am doing, keep doing it because it is working.

I still experience the occasional gluten attack, but those are less severe as my digestive tract heals.

[ktnhsv]

This is so interesting to me. I've had SEVERE anxiety and depression for 14 years. SEVERE ezcema type stuff on my ears since I was a child. With each pregnancy-I got worse. (I've had 5) I've also had really bad tooth decay. Just recently I tried to go gluten free for 2 weeks, but failed miserably, which led to more depression. I'm so overweight and my body hurts like I have the Flu daily, and has been for the past 3 years. After reading this thread, I'm willing to give it another shot, I'm so skeptical though.

[Tom Riggins]

Yes, I had panic attacks during the years of being gluten ill before diagnosis. I had mood swings and an extreme frustration response too. Most of that was gone about three months into the gluten free diet but it took about three years to not feel like I had what I could only describe as battle fatigue as eventually the myriad of weird neurological symptoms faded away. It was a very helpless feeling at the time.

[katinagj]

I have had panic attacks since high school. Whether or not they are related to celiac I am not sure. I have only been gluten free for a week and a half so I guess I will figure that one out eventually. Almost everytime I have a panic attack though, it is over nothing. I bawl my eyes out and can't breath and feel like all the walls are closing in on me, oh it is just...horrible. The worst feeling ever. It got a lot worse when I was pregnant, and since then I have had panic attacks even more often. I am hoping that they are being caused by celiac...and that I'm not just going crazy! lol. I also suffer from very bad claustrophobia but it is on and off so I'm going to guess that its possible that could be related as well..

[24hourlight]

I'm twenty four and I was I've been suffering from panic attacks for three years. Now it is interesting that I have also been suffering from Celiac's for THREE YEARS. In fact, if it weren't for my panic attacks, I would have never known that I had celiac's.

I remember calling my mom, in tears, telling her that I was losing my mind and she was like, "Uh, oh yeah, you might not be able to eat bread. I used to get terrible panic attacks and then I stopped eating wheat..."

Now, anxiety may still flair up even after not eating gluten, but I find it much easier to control when I'm not eating wheat products. I'm not trying to be a bad influence, but smoking moderate amounts of weed also helps, you just gotta say no to pizza when you get the munchies.

[24hourlight]

I had a very similar experience. I was in college doing fine, and then I started suffering from crippling panic attacks. I would be walking to class and my toes would begin to feel tingly. Things would start to looks surreal and then BAM! I'd be death-fully frightened and no idea why. Then I'd start getting afraid that I'd start getting afraid again and my life was a big mess.

Because I am a stubborn thick headed male, I tried to "brave" the symptoms without speaking a word of it to anybody. Until one day it became so ridiculously unbearable that I called my Mom in tears. Without giving it much thought she told me that It's probably gluten and how she used to have the same problem.

Long story short. I stopped eating gluten and my symptoms went away. It took a pretty long time for the panic attacks to go away, and yes, they occasionally spike up, but they definitely WILL go away.

In the meantime, stay busy and try to distract yourself from yourself.

Here are some things that I have found to help with my anxiety. I'm not saying that they will work for everybody, but they definitely help me.

1) Taking walks.

2) Listening to music

3) Smoking marijuana (in moderation of course)

4) Listening to music and smoking marijuana

5) Thinking about people who care about you ( I don't know why but it works)

6) Writing

7) Exercise in general

[AliSha097]

It is interesting to see this post. I have been going through similar issues with panic attacks now that I am gluten free. It started with attacks in grocery stores where I did not know what to buy to attacks when I noticed I ate something wrong. Now, more recently, I noticed my bad nerves are taking over in my daily lifestyle. It seems I am always fussing over something. Not sure if it is celiac related or not, but my doctor seems to think so. My friend on here suggested trying fish oil pills daily. I just started on Friday so I am not sure how it will work out for me! Hopefully well.

[dsepa730]

Hi Everyone

So since March the doctors are saying you do have celiac disease, wait you don't have celiac disease. It's so annoying. I had an EGD and a Colonoscopy , and both times biopsies were taken and they were negative, but before that I had a positive blood test for the TTG, but the other part of the panel was negative. THey told me the next thing to do is get genetic testing to see if I have the DQ2 or DQ8 gene. It's now September almost October and finally just got the genetic testing done last week, still waiting for the results. I thought I was going crazy about two weeks ago, I started getting symptoms of a panic attack, rapid heart rate, feeling like I can't breathe, tingling feet, and sweating. I feel this way everyday, I can sleep perfectly fine. The other day I went to the ER because my pulse got to 160 and I just felt like I was going to pass out, they told me I was fine and gave me Xanax and sent me on my way. I'm not big into medicaitons. I tried it and it just made me feel out of it. THe next day I felt the same way again. People tell me I need to talk to someone and I probably have a lot of stress, but after reading these blogs I feel so much better that other people are feeling this way with gluten intolerance. I have so many symptoms of Celiac disease, and I just want to be diagnosed 100%, because I don't want to feel like this anymore. I love these forums, and they help so much.

[mushroom]

Hi Everyone

So since March the doctors are saying you do have celiac disease, wait you don't have celiac disease. It's so annoying. I had an EGD and a Colonoscopy , and both times biopsies were taken and they were negative, but before that I had a positive blood test for the TTG, but the other part of the panel was negative. THey told me the next thing to do is get genetic testing to see if I have the DQ2 or DQ8 gene. It's now September almost October and finally just got the genetic testing done last week, still waiting for the results. I thought I was going crazy about two weeks ago, I started getting symptoms of a panic attack, rapid heart rate, feeling like I can't breathe, tingling feet, and sweating. I feel this way everyday, I can sleep perfectly fine. The other day I went to the ER because my pulse got to 160 and I just felt like I was going to pass out, they told me I was fine and gave me Xanax and sent me on my way. I'm not big into medicaitons. I tried it and it just made me feel out of it. THe next day I felt the same way again. People tell me I need to talk to someone and I probably have a lot of stress, but after reading these blogs I feel so much better that other people are feeling this way with gluten intolerance. I have so many symptoms of Celiac disease, and I just want to be diagnosed 100%, because I don't want to feel like this anymore. I love these forums, and they help so much.

If you have had blood testing and biopsy, there is nothing preventing you from going on the gluten free diet to see if it works for you. And I mean a strict trial of the diet, not just not eating bread or pasta. I mean ferreting out all the hidden gluten in scrips and OTC meds, in personal care products. I mean not using cookware that is contaminated with gluten, not sharing containers of butter and jams and PB - all gluten. You will probably feel tons better and that will be diagnostic in and of itself. You have tried the doctors' tests; now try the true test - whether it makes you feel better. That is, after all, what counts. Be well

[singlutinoya]

Hello,

First of all, I just have to say that I love being a part of this forum and learning SO many things about Celiac Disease that I never knew before (even though I've had it my whole life). All of your posts have been an inspiration to me in expanding my knowledge about my own tolerances, diet, etc. Thank you so much.

But now I would like to start a topic. I know many members on this forum get more symptoms along the lines of GI, but I'm actually asymptomatic (on surface, anyway) in that area. What I AM very sensitive to is cognitive/mental ability...if I'm glutened, one of the symptoms I know I've been suffering along steadily is panic attacks. Sometimes they're minor and I can easily control them, but other times I just can't it...they take control of me instead.

I just eliminated something from my diet which it turns out I cannot have, but thought I originally could (I had no idea that mainstream cereals contained malt or malt flavoring in them!). It's been 3 days and I'm already feeling more alert and focused than I have in a very long time, but I still had a bad panic attack today. And yesterday, I was supposed to be somewhere for school but couldn't go b/c I had a BAD panic attack right before I got in the door. My body was shaking, I couldn't see straight, I was still paniky...my friend had to drive me back to campus!

So, here are my questions...

1) Does anyone on here seem to notice a correlation between panic attacks (if they have them) and getting glutened?

2) If so, then how long does it take for the panic attacks to go away? I don't expect them to go away overnight, but I would like some insight. I'm a college student with a very busy, rigid schedule, and I can't keep on getting spontaneous panic attacks that are bad enough to send me home or excuse myself. And, if the problem is gluten (which I feel that it is), than I'm not about take medication for it and mess up my system more.

Thank you to all of you once again for your support...

I get severe, pretty much all day panic attacks the second day after being glutened, along with a migraine and muscle aches; all three last for two days. The brain fog lasts for nearly a week. I'm not sure how much of the panic is a reaction to the gluten or the sudden withdrawal from it; either way, it's a sure sign that I've been glutened (as if the first day symptoms of severe stomach pain and vomiting weren't indicators enough).

[dani nero]

Hello,

First of all, I just have to say that I love being a part of this forum and learning SO many things about Celiac Disease that I never knew before (even though I've had it my whole life). All of your posts have been an inspiration to me in expanding my knowledge about my own tolerances, diet, etc. Thank you so much.

But now I would like to start a topic. I know many members on this forum get more symptoms along the lines of GI, but I'm actually asymptomatic (on surface, anyway) in that area. What I AM very sensitive to is cognitive/mental ability...if I'm glutened, one of the symptoms I know I've been suffering along steadily is panic attacks. Sometimes they're minor and I can easily control them, but other times I just can't it...they take control of me instead.

I just eliminated something from my diet which it turns out I cannot have, but thought I originally could (I had no idea that mainstream cereals contained malt or malt flavoring in them!). It's been 3 days and I'm already feeling more alert and focused than I have in a very long time, but I still had a bad panic attack today. And yesterday, I was supposed to be somewhere for school but couldn't go b/c I had a BAD panic attack right before I got in the door. My body was shaking, I couldn't see straight, I was still paniky...my friend had to drive me back to campus!

So, here are my questions...

1) Does anyone on here seem to notice a correlation between panic attacks (if they have them) and getting glutened?

2) If so, then how long does it take for the panic attacks to go away? I don't expect them to go away overnight, but I would like some insight. I'm a college student with a very busy, rigid schedule, and I can't keep on getting spontaneous panic attacks that are bad enough to send me home or excuse myself. And, if the problem is gluten (which I feel that it is), than I'm not about take medication for it and mess up my system more.

Thank you to all of you once again for your support...

You'll find that countless people get panic attacks because it is a major symptom. I became gluten-free 100% three months ago, but was doing a not too strict gluten free diet for years before since I thought I was only sensitive.

I used to become a different person when I was having a panic attack. I would think everyone was against me, that the whole world would crumble down on me and that everything was just wrong. I would scream at my husband and believe or do things that I would never naturally believe or do. I've not had a full-fledged episode like that ever since I went gluten free. Now I just get anxiety, and if it escalates to depression I start suspecting CC. If I ever get a panic attack again I'll know that I ate something I shouldn't have.

I also found that panic attacks aren't a long lasting symptom like anxiety.

The way you described your symptoms sound pretty much like me except that my vision remains fine and I just turn into a monster haha. So hopefully it will not come back unless you eat something that contains gluten.

I am also a uni student by the way, and if I get CC and feel poorly, I just text one of my classmates and ask them to record the lecture for me. Of course my classmate would have to ask for permission to record it (that's how it is in sweden). This method has never failed me. The only problem I have is keeping up with deadlines and producing work that matches my actual skill-level. I haven't figured out how to cope with that yet, but if you have then please let me know how you deal with deadlines ;-)

By the way, here in sweden, some students actually EAT their sandwiches in class.. they probably contaminate their desks or something. If it's the same over there make sure you wash your hands before even touching your face. I keep some wet wipes in my bag all the time in case I can't get to the toilet.

[dani nero]

Here are some things that I have found to help with my anxiety. I'm not saying that they will work for everybody, but they definitely help me.

1) Taking walks.

2) Listening to music

3) Smoking marijuana (in moderation of course)

4) Listening to music and smoking marijuana

5) Thinking about people who care about you ( I don't know why but it works)

6) Writing

7) Exercise in general

I wouldn't do that, ever. It's bad enough as it is to feel anxiety, so why add to it and make two problems out of one by doing something that is both illegal and harmful. This is not the way.

[freaks and geeks]

I've had pretty bad panic disorder for a few years which I suspected was related to gluten but it wasn't until recently I became convinced. I've done a lot of things that help, but recently I discovered that Pepto works better than all of them. Somehow it just soothes the irritation in the stomach and helps calm the nerves that are hypersensitive from the irritation. It's fast-acting, and so far it has worked every time (crossing my fingers). I just wanted to share this in case it might help someone frustrated with frequent panic attacks caused by gluten. Before I discovered this, it used to take about a week for my anxiety to subside.

[ming1972]

i have panic attack since my 20s. now iam on my 40s. i just started gluten free a few weeks. i have found that i have less panic attack. last thursday i can hold my wifes hands and walk for 30 minutes without trigger my panic attack. and i can take a train or bus full of crowed people all without panic attack.

i have did a food log for more than 10 years. i have found a few other things will make panic attack worse they are:

coffee and tea

alcohol (food cooked with alcohol)

honey (food cooked with honey)

most medicine

this may not apply to everyone. just take note what ever you eat

Edited December 18, 2017 by ming1972
add a few words

[Policyguy]

Hey op,

I'm new here and not diagnosed, but I'm beginning to suspect I may have an intolerance at the least. 

I had my first severe panic attack a year ago-- severe shortness of breath, so much so I went to the hospital. In the ED and in subsequent doctors visits, it's seems I have a great bill of health. But for some reason meals lead to varying degrees of heart palpitations, leg weakness, and most recently another panic attack. I also have bloating that won't go away. I've cut dairy pout of my diet, along with fried foods, but my problems persist. I'm wondering if gluten may be the culprit. It's hard to think that it suddenly affects me at 26, but some of the descriptions (including ops) sound simular to what I'm going through. Any thoughts and advice would be helpful. I'm new to all of this.  (I'm used to eating any and everything I want. )

 

[cyclinglady]

3 hours ago, Policyguy said:

Hey op,

I'm new here and not diagnosed, but I'm beginning to suspect I may have an intolerance at the least. 

I had my first severe panic attack a year ago-- severe shortness of breath, so much so I went to the hospital. In the ED and in subsequent doctors visits, it's seems I have a great bill of health. But for some reason meals lead to varying degrees of heart palpitations, leg weakness, and most recently another panic attack. I also have bloating that won't go away. I've cut dairy pout of my diet, along with fried foods, but my problems persist. I'm wondering if gluten may be the culprit. It's hard to think that it suddenly affects me at 26, but some of the descriptions (including ops) sound simular to what I'm going through. Any thoughts and advice would be helpful. I'm new to all of this.  (I'm used to eating any and everything I want. )

 

The only way to know if you have celiac disease is to get tested.  Learn more:

https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/screening-and-diagnosis/screening/

 

[Scott Adams]

5 hours ago, Policyguy said:

Hey op,

I'm new here and not diagnosed, but I'm beginning to suspect I may have an intolerance at the least. 

I had my first severe panic attack a year ago-- severe shortness of breath, so much so I went to the hospital. In the ED and in subsequent doctors visits, it's seems I have a great bill of health. But for some reason meals lead to varying degrees of heart palpitations, leg weakness, and most recently another panic attack. I also have bloating that won't go away. I've cut dairy pout of my diet, along with fried foods, but my problems persist. I'm wondering if gluten may be the culprit. It's hard to think that it suddenly affects me at 26, but some of the descriptions (including ops) sound simular to what I'm going through. Any thoughts and advice would be helpful. I'm new to all of this.  (I'm used to eating any and everything I want. )

 

It’s important to keep eating gluten until you finish all testing, which can be difficult. It’s also hard to get any tests now due to Covid-19 stuff. There are also home test kits available for ~$100 in case you can’t get screened soon.