Serious Anxiety....which Seems To Affect Everything!

[givenupgluten]

I think I may have posted something similar in the past...but the situation isn't getting better, so I thought I'd fish for some ideas!

I was not technically diagnosed with celiac, but have gone through the genetic testing and have one of the 'celiac' genes. I have had chronic stomach issues since I was small - i'm almost thirty now..and my mother has celiac. My symptoms have changed and varied in their intensity over the years. What finally prompted me to see a new dr. last year re: my stomach issues, was that the anxiety around going out and doing normal things (taking the train to work each morning..going to the movies, etc) had become much worse. I was chronically paranoid about not having a restroom nearby b/c I had already had a few instances where I was put in this situation. When I have anxiety around an issue - any issue.. (and this has been the case since I was very young)..my stomach goes NUTS! It goes into overdrive and I feel very disabled by it....especially in the past couple of years. Long car rides seem scary, plane trips have become worse, trying something new or going to a new event are almost out of the question. I have always been a 'nervous person' I guess you could say, but in the past I have been a very constipated person as well....so the only result was..just being nervous! Now though, the opposite is true...and that's what prompts alot of my fear. I'm constantly wondering 'what if' or 'where's the restroom???' I think much of this is in my head - I can let an idea fester in my head forEVER, and I get very worked up. I don't know how to move past it though. I've tried meditating, doing something to get my mind off the situation, and literally tried willing myself into a better state of mind....and none of it is doing much good. I do notice when I'm active and have a regular workout routine, some of this displaced energy is used and I am less nervous/axiety ridden overall. However, I still have alot of unwarranted fears regarding this disease, simply b/c I dont have a great track record of feeling good.

I am completely adhering to a gluten free diet, and it has changed and cured alot of my symptoms. However I cannot seem to get over the anxiety. It's as if the problem has gone away, but the effects of it are long lasting, and I'll never be able to reconcile the issue in my brain. In the past (many many years ago) I was diagnosed with IBS and the dr. put me on something called dicyclomine (sp?) on as-needed basis. I only took it when things got REALLY bad, and I remembered it helping somewhat. This post is probably all over the place, but I'm wondering if anyone has used this medication to get over the anxiety/IBS related symptoms sometimes associated with celiac and/or what other techniques could I use to get myself out of this rut! I want to be free of this anxiety so I can start enjoying my life Any tips, pointers, meds..would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance..

[rinne]

Hi.

I found that B12 really helped me with stress and anxiety.

I am wondering what your diet is like other than gluten free, MSG can have some nasty effects as can Aspartame and other additives.

[givenupgluten]

I think I may have posted something similar in the past...but the situation isn't getting better, so I thought I'd fish for some ideas!

I was not technically diagnosed with celiac, but have gone through the genetic testing and have one of the 'celiac' genes. I have had chronic stomach issues since I was small - i'm almost thirty now..and my mother has celiac. My symptoms have changed and varied in their intensity over the years. What finally prompted me to see a new dr. last year re: my stomach issues, was that the anxiety around going out and doing normal things (taking the train to work each morning..going to the movies, etc) had become much worse. I was chronically paranoid about not having a restroom nearby b/c I had already had a few instances where I was put in this situation. When I have anxiety around an issue - any issue.. (and this has been the case since I was very young)..my stomach goes NUTS! It goes into overdrive and I feel very disabled by it....especially in the past couple of years. Long car rides seem scary, plane trips have become worse, trying something new or going to a new event are almost out of the question. I have always been a 'nervous person' I guess you could say, but in the past I have been a very constipated person as well....so the only result was..just being nervous! Now though, the opposite is true...and that's what prompts alot of my fear. I'm constantly wondering 'what if' or 'where's the restroom???' I think much of this is in my head - I can let an idea fester in my head forEVER, and I get very worked up. I don't know how to move past it though. I've tried meditating, doing something to get my mind off the situation, and literally tried willing myself into a better state of mind....and none of it is doing much good. I do notice when I'm active and have a regular workout routine, some of this displaced energy is used and I am less nervous/axiety ridden overall. However, I still have alot of unwarranted fears regarding this disease, simply b/c I dont have a great track record of feeling good.

I am completely adhering to a gluten free diet, and it has changed and cured alot of my symptoms. However I cannot seem to get over the anxiety. It's as if the problem has gone away, but the effects of it are long lasting, and I'll never be able to reconcile the issue in my brain. In the past (many many years ago) I was diagnosed with IBS and the dr. put me on something called dicyclomine (sp?) on as-needed basis. I only took it when things got REALLY bad, and I remembered it helping somewhat. This post is probably all over the place, but I'm wondering if anyone has used this medication to get over the anxiety/IBS related symptoms sometimes associated with celiac and/or what other techniques could I use to get myself out of this rut! I want to be free of this anxiety so I can start enjoying my life Any tips, pointers, meds..would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance..

Also, just to be clear (and to make this post even longer....sorry!) I just wanted to say that my celiac specialist felt that these symptoms were an IBS component of celiac. (when I saw him back in early fall) He said he sometimes sees these issues paired with celiac..and he wanted to put me on some medication for it in the beginning. I explained that I had been on several anti-anxiety/depression meds in the past, and had terrible results with all of them. I told him I would prefer to get past this on my own, thinking the diet would be enough to initiate change. I still have pretty strong feelings about not wanting to be on meds, especially for something I'm so embarrassed about..it seems so silly sometimes (mostly just embarrassing.)...but like i said, I had fantastic results if i recall with the dicyclomine when I just took it as needed. I guess I'm going to have to resort to taking something OR doing something differently. I go back to see my dr. in Mar.....and I'm not sure what to tell him!

[givenupgluten]

Hi.

I found that B12 really helped me with stress and anxiety.

I am wondering what your diet is like other than gluten free, MSG can have some nasty effects as can Aspartame and other additives.

Hi there...

I do take a b vitamin supplement with all the recommended values of B vitamins, but my mom has had some really good luck with a sublingual b vit..and I wonder if that would be better? Other than that, I eat pretty 'cleanly' and healthy. I'm vegan...so I avoid dairy and such. I don't use alot of soy products either, although I have the occasional glass of soy milk. I went vegan/vegetarian about a year ago and that paired with being gluten free, has helped tremendously. I used to be quite depressed and down a majority of the time, and I haven't felt that way in a LONG time...Now, it's just the anxiety over little things that has me frustrated. I generally feel good, unless something new is introduced into my routine. I don't mind coming to work b/c I know my routine and have restrooms nearby,etc...However, i was called for jury duty last week and just about had a fit! I was so worried that I would be called for a case b/c I was fairly positive I wouldnt be able to sit through a trial without needing the restroom. The fear and anxiety of just TRYING to do something like that, is what actually gives me the diarrhea issues (not to be gross..but it's true.)

Do you take a sublingual b vitamin, or something else?

[celiac-mommy]

I have anxiety disorder and was taking meds for many years. I went off of them when I got pregnant with my son and didn't want to go back. I talked to my dr about it and she has me taking 2000u of vitD, 500mg magnesium and 1000mg calcium per day. It has made a world of difference and I don't have the "unwanted" side effects of the Paxil....

[rinne]

.....

Do you take a sublingual b vitamin, or something else?

I've had B shots and taken the methylcobalmin, in a sublingual form. Lately I have been reading that the absorption rates for B vitamins, even the sublingual, is not that great and I have been looking into a patch and a nose spray.

It is worth having blood work done to check your vitamin and mineral levels.

Like you I have always held stress/anxiety in my gut. I'm sorry you have to struggle with this.

Have you ever tried St.John' Wort or any herb teas for anxiety. I remember being surprised that the Tension Tamer tea actually calmed me, I don't know if it is gluten free though, this is before I got sick.

I'm glad to hear that your diet is clean, that does make such a difference.

[AliB]

My daughter takes St Johns Wort for her anxiety, and although not completely gone it is a LOT better. She was verging on Bipolar on a few occasions it was so bad and I was terrified at her state of mind - in the pit one minute and bouncing off the walls the next, with no rhyme of reason! Her Doctor put her on Citalopram but she was so bad on them with tremors and the like that she weaned herself off and started SJW instead.

She had used them before but came off them because she felt better, which was the worst thing because it was the SJW that helped her feel better!

Interestingly they are also anti-fungal and anti-bacterial so, as people with Candida issues (like my daughter) often seem to have anxiety and stress-related problems I wonder if there may be a link and just perhaps the SJW works because it helps to suppress the fungus. Tis only a theory, but you never know.

I wish she would go gluten-free and dairy free and low-carb, as she also gets a lot of hypos (like I used to when I was younger) but I might be wishing a long time on that one.

[sbj]

I highly recommend The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook. Your anxiety has now led to phobic behavior - that's where you avoid something because you are so anxious. This is a self-help book that contains exercises and worksheets to help you. It really works and you may be able to change your behaviors without any medications whatsoever. Give it a try, it's a wonderful book.

Open Original Shared Link

[mslee]

Hi

Just wanted to say that I've found going gluten free, dairy ,MSG & processed food free has helped SO much. But I still have some anxiety that is hard to deal with, I have just started taking sub lingual B12, & also got one shot of B12, Magnesium every few days (it can cause "D") Hope these will help with time.

In the past I took St Johns Wart I remember it helping me feel better. Mint or chamomile tea helps, Kava Kava, and ah other medicinal herbs..hint hint may be other options...use caution if you are allergic to many plants.

Now I take a small dose of amitripyline 25 mg before bed, to help with pain and sleep seems to help with anxiety too. Although I hate to take chemical meds. for now I need it.

Good luck!

I hope you feel better soon!

[RiceGuy]

I totally agree with the suggestion of sublingual methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12), and also the magnesium. All the B-complex formulas I've seen don't even come close to the amounts of B12 which many find they need. Plus, a good B12 supplement is a must for any vegan. Also, Celiac tends to make us prone to B12 deficiency.

High amounts of magnesium can have a laxative effect, but it differs from one type to the next. You may need to experiment to find the one which is best for you, but a common form is magnesium citrate. This effect is lessened when combined with calcium, and you might also want to include vitamin D3 too.

[jlinc]

Hi givenupgluten,

Many of your anxieties remind me of my own. When I'm glutened, I experience severe anxiety about 48 hours later. It lasts for about 24 hours, and during that time it is almost impossible for me to think well of myself. (My thinking goes, "Must think positive... everything's crap... must think positive... everything's..." all day long) I've had this kind of depression since at least elementary school.

I live in a cloudy place and I take vitamin D. I've been taking 6000 - 8000 Mg or IU or whatever it's called. My doctor just gave me a blood test for Vitamin D, though and told me my levels are still too low. Even so, I feel much better.

Now, if I avoid gluten and take vitamin D, I don't experience depression at all. You mileage may vary, of course, but hopefully, this is helpful.

Hang in there. Things will get better.

Josh.

[cyberprof]

I think I may have posted something similar in the past...but the situation isn't getting better, so I thought I'd fish for some ideas!

I was not technically diagnosed with celiac, but have gone through the genetic testing and have one of the 'celiac' genes. I have had chronic stomach issues since I was small - i'm almost thirty now..and my mother has celiac. My symptoms have changed and varied in their intensity over the years. What finally prompted me to see a new dr. last year re: my stomach issues, was that the anxiety around going out and doing normal things (taking the train to work each morning..going to the movies, etc) had become much worse. I was chronically paranoid about not having a restroom nearby b/c I had already had a few instances where I was put in this situation. When I have anxiety around an issue - any issue.. (and this has been the case since I was very young)..my stomach goes NUTS! It goes into overdrive and I feel very disabled by it....especially in the past couple of years. Long car rides seem scary, plane trips have become worse, trying something new or going to a new event are almost out of the question. I have always been a 'nervous person' I guess you could say, but in the past I have been a very constipated person as well....so the only result was..just being nervous! Now though, the opposite is true...and that's what prompts alot of my fear. I'm constantly wondering 'what if' or 'where's the restroom???' I think much of this is in my head - I can let an idea fester in my head forEVER, and I get very worked up. I don't know how to move past it though. I've tried meditating, doing something to get my mind off the situation, and literally tried willing myself into a better state of mind....and none of it is doing much good. I do notice when I'm active and have a regular workout routine, some of this displaced energy is used and I am less nervous/axiety ridden overall. However, I still have alot of unwarranted fears regarding this disease, simply b/c I dont have a great track record of feeling good.

I am completely adhering to a gluten free diet, and it has changed and cured alot of my symptoms. However I cannot seem to get over the anxiety. It's as if the problem has gone away, but the effects of it are long lasting, and I'll never be able to reconcile the issue in my brain. In the past (many many years ago) I was diagnosed with IBS and the dr. put me on something called dicyclomine (sp?) on as-needed basis. I only took it when things got REALLY bad, and I remembered it helping somewhat. This post is probably all over the place, but I'm wondering if anyone has used this medication to get over the anxiety/IBS related symptoms sometimes associated with celiac and/or what other techniques could I use to get myself out of this rut! I want to be free of this anxiety so I can start enjoying my life Any tips, pointers, meds..would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance..

Givenupgluten, I'm sorry you are having these issues. I think some of this may get better the longer you're off gluten. I too have anxiety issues and they are much better but I'm approaching my 2nd anniversary of being gluten-free. But if I have a hard day at work and something goes wrong or if I am - say - late for an important appointment, I will have D and it is BECAUSE of anxiety and the big D makes me more anxious so it is a vicious cycle.

I am working on the anxiety but in my opinion it takes a while for your intestines to become "calm" or normal. Some damage may not ever recover, depending on how much there was. So give it some time, continue with the vitamins and meditation and I hope it gets better for you.

[Di-gfree]

I've had anxiety most of my life; and the panic attacks started about 25 years ago. It's been crippling, so I can identify. Going on a gluten-free diet (started about 12 years ago) didn't help with the anxiety, for me. It didn't improve many of my symptoms actually; just some.

So fast forward to 08, and I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's (which I'm sure I've had most of my life). Anxiety, panic attacks, social phobias, etc., are listed as some of the symptoms of being hypothyroid. Plus, over time with hormonal imbalances, the adrenals have to work over-time, as they try to make up for the fact that the thyroid isn't working properly (I think that explains one of the reasons for the anxiety in my case, along with other hormonal imbalances including the thyroid.)

Also low ferritin (and low B12), as was already mentioned, can cause anxiety. I'm still working on getting my ferritin and B12 up. So, if I were you, I'd get a full thyroid panel done - just to rule in/or rule out that possibility. I got TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and thyroid antibodies checked. Along with ferritin, B12. I've also had my sex hormones checked out, among other things.

Oh, but eventhough I've been on thyroid replacement for over 6 months, my anxiety hasn't gone away. I still have adrenal issues, hormonal imbalances, etc., that I'm trying to sort out. It's complicated, and I've found no easy fix, that's for sure.

[givenupgluten]

Thanks to everyone who posted..It's been so interesting to read the replies and see parts of myself in all of them! I'm awaiting (anxiously..of course Haha) my dr. appt in March. I'm going to bring up many of the things posted here and hope to get to the bottom of this. In the meantime I picked up the anxiet and phobia workbook that was mentioned in a previous post and am excited about starting that. I have also found that taking a little Kava (an herbal supplement I take when things get really bad) helps to calm me down. The vicious cycle still exists though, and hopefully someday it won't be such an intrusive part of my life! Thanks again everybody

[Di-gfree]

I started having panic attacks about 25 years ago; mild anxiety before that, and severe anxiety once the panic attacks started. Even when I was a teen, I could feel the anxiety in my stomach, too - and had insomnia, worrying about things.

Fast forward to now, and not only do I have celiac, but I have Hashimoto's, and just found out I have adrenal insufficiency because of low ACTH (a hormone that is released from the pituitary that is supposed to signal my adrenals to make cortisol (a calming hormone)). Problem is my ACTH is very low, so I'm not making the cortisol I need; hence the panic and anxiety (and now even worse symptoms). After that mouthful, I guess I'm suggesting to check other things - thyroid/other hormones, like ACTH, and AM cortisol (at the same time as ACTH). The anxiety definitely sounds adrenal-related, or at the very least, thyroid.

Oh, I meant to ask rinne, if you're still reading this thread, about the B12 patches - there is such a thing? I have a hard time getting my B12 up, even taking 5000 mcgs sublingual B12 per day.

Ha - I see I posted already, a couple of posts above... I just found out about the low ACTH a couple of days ago, though.

[C.S. Blogsmith]

Once my Vitamin D and B-12 levels were normal (both are vitamins that effect the brain), Magnesium helped with my anxiety. Also, it became necessary to make sure my body was detoxing from hormones (hormones from food, personal care products and the body's own natural hormones--which might not be flushing out properly). Flax seeds (as long as you are not sensitive to Phenols/Salicylates) help you do this (just be sure to grind them up first). So do epsom salt footbaths (epsom salts are magnesium sulfate). When they are absorbed throught the skin they help take care of the magnesium problem as well as supplying the body with sulfates (which cannot be absorbed through the gut. A healthy body manufactures sulfates, but if you have ever had a vitamin B 6 deficiency, it often can no longer do so. This problem is called a Phenol Sulfur-Transferase Enzyme Deficiency).

[FrejasKay]

Dear Friends,

I am Kay and on my first visit to the forum. So glad to find you all. No wonder we are followed by anxeity in all daily life. We really cannot trust the things we learned to be nutrients for us.

Since you struggle bravely to live gluten-free, I think maybe it could be helpful to share with you, that gluten-free is not the whole answer for some of us. I am not educated on this, I am a patient in recovery my self, but protein intolerance includes both the proteins in gluten and the protein, casein in all milk products.

When we cannot digest these proteins correctly they create toxins in our brains, called morphine peptides.

I wish to share this information with you. Maybe you'll find it helpful.

This link is to the works in English of Dr. Kalle Reichelt, Norway. He came far in understanding this problem.

Open Original Shared Link

Somewhere in his papers I read about how just 1 single molecule of gluten creates ( if I remember correctly) 15 morphine sequences in the brain in we, the patients. (...food-cravings?...)

We find wheat in all kind of products in our daily life, for example in my lovely Kerastase hair shampoo. For many years I did not know that I got ill after each hair wash, I just felt kind of scared to wash my hair. If these peptides is the problem, gluten, casein and all substances behaving like these peptides must be avoided from our food and surroundings at all costs.

I myself cannot come near the bakery department in the stores either. If we listen well to our body it gives us intelligently some of the anxiety as a kind of signal: "Now your brain comes near a danger zone"

Our brains go into a kind of coma if these particles touch our skin, our hair or get inside our body. We cannot concentrate, we cannot think, remember, function clearly, we get angry and irritable and very shamefull afterwards. We feel that we cannot handle ordinary grown life.

I should mention, that my poor English is caused by not having English as my first language. I cannot blame peptide fog for everything.

"The day we fully understand the problem, the anxiety will have to find a better place..."

All the best wishes and remember every morning: Love is much stronger than anxiety. Go with love! Kay

[GFtraingirl]

Hi givenupgluten,

I am reading through the posts here trying to find answers to some questions I have. I am in my mid 50's, and used to be outgoing, never feeling anxious about anything, other than just occasionally, like all normal people do.

During the past few years I have become a recluse, going to work, doing well there because I work with some great people. But as far as getting new friends, I am at a standstill. Fear and anxiety is stopping me. I wondered why.

After reading and reading and feeling my way through seeming mountains of literature about thyroid, celiac and adrenal gland related issues, I have finally realized that I am deficient in calcium, magnesium and all B vit's. For the past few weeks I have added these to my diet in a more planned way, and am doing better. I still have a ways to go to overcome my anxieties, but I am on my way.

I believe that the proper balance between calcium and magnesium is extremely important. The leg cramps that had gotten so bad I could barely sleep at night, are much better; not gone - yet - but I sleep all night. I am visiting my MD tomorrow, and will ask her about the calcium-magnesium connection, but do not hope for much help; I trust my naturopath more and will see her later this month when I get test results back from my MD visit tomorrow.

You have received many good answers to your post; I do not know if this will help you any, but I wanted to tell you about my experience anyway.

I hope you are feeling better... :-)

[givenupgluten]

Everyone's responses have been SO helpful - thanks to all! Luckily, I have been doing better. I've cut all the caffeine out of my diet - Before the only thing I was drinking that contained caffeine was green tea in the mornings. I didn't see it as a problem, b/c it's supposed to be good for you..right?! I started noticing that it contributed to some of my daily agitation and anxiety though. So I stopped that, and so far so good. I've also been trying some breathing techniques and meditation. I bought a couple of yoga dvd's so that I can't expend some energy, while also learning to relax! I need to invest in a sublingual B vit. complex this weekend when I get paid. I think that will help as well. I have a trip coming up in Apr, so that will be the true test of whether I'm able to handle stress any better overall or not. I'm really trying to stay positive! Thanks again everyone.

I still have a lack of motivation to do much..when it comes to outtings/trying new things. There are lots of things I plan on doing, and then just don't feel like I have the energy or desire to do when it comes time to do them. I'm not sure if this is also stress/anxiety related..or if I'm just lazy! I'd sure like to kick that habit though - and it IS becoming a habit. I wouldnt consider myself depressed, but I definitely have little interest in doing social activities. I live in NYC and once I'm finally home from work after dealing with the stress of the day and mass transit , getting out again seems rediculous...so I pretty much go to work, come home..and on the weekends I relax. I feel like I should be doing more.