Anti-anxiety Meds Anyone?

[givenupgluten]

I have had anxiety and bowel related issues for years. In the past (before going gluten free) this has been the scenario: my stomach hurts, which triggers anxiety re; needing to find a restroom QUICK OR, I have anxiety which triggers my stomach to hurt, and then I panic more, b/c I need to find a restroom quick. It's a vicious cycle which was what invevitably prompted me to seek help, and led me to celiac/gluten intolerant diagnosis. I've been gluten free for about 2 months, and almost all my anxiety has gone away. I dont have issues surrounding traveling by subway, which used to frighten me to my core. I was paranoid every morning about not being able to find a bathroom b/c of a few incidences in the past where I was stuck on the train. However, my stomach still gets crazy nervous during certain situation - the most annoying and difficult one being traveling by plane. I have no fear of flying, however after a few bad stomach situations on planes, it's like that fear is engrained in my mind and it goes off automatically every single time I take a trip. It's debilitating. This past trip I took a few days ago, was the worst of all. I didnt have any of my typical diarrhea during the trip - which I now assume was due to eating gluten in the past. However, the day I flew out I ended up with a terrible stomach ache and bloating that could not be remedied by gas meds or anything else. I simply had to sleep it off. The day I left, I was so anxiety-ridden I couldn't move. My dad almost cancelled my flight b/c everyone was so scared about putting me on a plane. It's embarrassing and frustrating. Can anyone tell me if this is simply a side effect of celiac, or something else? My gastro dr. gave me elavil to take for the anxiety, calling it an ibs related symptom - that's probably heightened by having celiac,etc. However, at the time I didnt choose to go on it, b/c I only get this awful stomach pain/cramping/nerves when I go away...it's not an every day thing. I'd rather not be on meds if I can help it. Anyone experience worse symptoms (gluten free) when traveling, then when not?

[jerseyangel]

I feel the same way I don't travel by plane (luckily the farthest family is a 4 hour car trip away), and hate being anywhere that I either don't know where the restroom is or can't leave easily--as in get in my car and go.

I tried Zoloft at one point, had some pretty unpleasant side effects, and like you I don't feel like this all the time. It's like a reflex--my system tenses up only at certain times.

It was much worse before going gluten-free. Then, I also had panic attacks and had no idea what was happening for a long time. I'm sure that my difficulties now stem from all that.

On a positive note, as time goes on and I "get through" things that cause anxiety, the less I feel the anxiety. I know I'm getting better, but it's a slow process. I've been gluten-free for 3 years.

[RiceGuy]

I and others can tell you that a few key supplements can do wonders for nerves/anxiety/stress, etc. I'd highly recommend a sublingual methylcobalamin (vitamin B12) supplement and a magnesium supplement. Some others can help too, like a good B-complex, but from all my research, these two seem to be the top recommendations.

There are numerous reasons why they help, including the fact that melatonin production relies on B12. Both B12 and magnesium are essential for nervous system health. Among the many benefits of magnesium, it strengthens the blood/brain barrier, and is well known for it's calming effects. Vitamin B12 is also essential for the maintenance of the myelin sheaths of nerve cells.

I agree with jerseyangel too. It can take time for your body/mind to relearn things. It's like if a puppy is mistreated, it can become nasty, and you'll have quite a time teaching it new behaviors. But it can be done with the right approach. As was stated, getting through a situation which used to bring on anxiety can help the adjustment process. Take small, manageable steps. You'll get there!

Lastly, there may be other foods which are contributing to how you feel. Some other commonly troublesome foods include dairy, soy, corn, nuts, eggs, and nightshades. Any one of these, or some other food, might need to be eliminated from your diet.

[MyMississippi]

Tell your doctor that you don't feel the need for an anxiety med to take everyday and ask him if he would give you some Xanax or similar drug to CALM you when you have to fly or for other stressful events. But understand, that these drugs can cause some dependence, depending on how often you feel you need them to get thru the days. Or consider going on the Elavil with the intention of some day discontinuing it with the help of your doctor. This way, you can get the calmness you need until you feel stronger and better able to deal with your stress.

[givenupgluten]

Thank you everyone for your responses...I just feel so abnormal when these incidences occur. Luckily I have a VERY supportive family - Unluckily..they all live over a 1000 miles away, so I'm traveling during holidays and other times a yr. ..there's just no getting around it. I had such an unpleasant time this last trip I am considering telling my family I won't be home for xmas...I'm not sure if it's worth it. I also don't want to become one of those people who's afraid of EVERYTHING and so they never actually do...anything.

I have a question about the supplements...I do take a B vitamin, however it's not sublingual. But when I received my last blood test results which tested for vitamin deficiencies, etc...I had MORE B vitamins in my bloodwork than was necessary. I was actually slightly over the range limit. I do take a calcium supplement with magnesium in it, and I do notice a bit of a difference if I don't take this supplement for awhile. Do I still need a sublingual B vitamin, if my bloodwork shows that I seem to be absorbing it well in regular form? Im not too informed about this - although i do meet with my RD today to discuss everything.

I think that getting something I can take only in specific circumstances would be the way to go. If I could eliminate the original stress that causes the stomach problems throughout my trip, I think I might be ok the rest of the time. Since going off gluten, I have noticed that I handle things much better - just not flying for some reason!

[Worriedwife]

Just be careful if you decide to go with the Xanex. Some manufacturers use gluten in it, while others don't. Check the gluterfreedrugs.com website for safe manufacturers, and then find out where your pharmacy gets theirs from. You don't want to make yourself sick while you're trying to calm down.

[givenupgluten]

Great tip - thank you!!

[RiceGuy]

I have a question about the supplements...I do take a B vitamin, however it's not sublingual. But when I received my last blood test results which tested for vitamin deficiencies, etc...I had MORE B vitamins in my bloodwork than was necessary. I was actually slightly over the range limit. I do take a calcium supplement with magnesium in it, and I do notice a bit of a difference if I don't take this supplement for awhile. Do I still need a sublingual B vitamin, if my bloodwork shows that I seem to be absorbing it well in regular form? Im not too informed about this - although i do meet with my RD today to discuss everything.

A B-complex may not have enough B12, and usually it's cyanocobalamin, which, strange as it sounds, has cyanide in it (hence the "cyano" part). The form I suggested doesn't require conversion by the liver, so it can be utilized right away. Since there is no known level of overdose for B12, you can safely take more. Though from what I've read, the body doesn't assimilate more than about 5-6mg per day, and it is also better to spread the doses throughout the day. Other B vitamins DO have levels at which they can be too high, but not B12. So the separate B12 sublingual would be my recommendation.

As for magnesium, some on this board take 2000mg or more per day. The typical recommendation is to start with 400mg, which is approximately what has been determined to be a proper daily intake. Malabsorption however, can mean you're not actually benefiting from all that you're ingesting, so you might need more than the RDI of certain nutrients. Magnesium deficiency is common for Celiacs too. You can slowly work up to a dose which is comfortable for you. Too much magnesium tends to loosen stool, which is the basic idea behind Milk of Magnesia.

Even if your calcium supplement has 400mg of magnesium, I'd still try a separate magnesium supplement. If all it does is loosen stool, then you may not need it. But if you feel better at the same time, you might just need to balance it with some additional calcium, as these two minerals tend to balance each other out. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) would also be a good idea.

[Jenny (AZ via TX)]

The natural route is the best way to go if you can. If that doesn't work, I believe alprazolam (xanax generic) made by Mylan is gluten free. To be sure double check on this forum. There was a thread about it fairly recently.