Anxiety Attacks When Glutenend!

[chili]

I seem to get alot of anxiety attacks when I have been cross contaminated. I also get irritated with loud noises..my children playing and laughing seems intensified by 1000..I can't stop the nervous feeling and anxiety attacks that come. DOes anyone have any advice how to manage this panicky feeling, besides the obvious of not getting glutenend!! thank you!

[eatmeat4good]

I don't know if there is anything you can do to stop them. I got a prescription for Xanax for the episodes of contamination because the anxiety is so disconcerting. It does help. I take just .25 mg. only until the reaction is over. I feel much better now than when I was at the mercy of a glutening. I hope you get a better answer but that is the only thing that works for me.

[JCastro]

I get exactly the same feelings (anxiety and irritation with loud noises) when I am cross contaminated. I also have Xanax which helps. It also helps me to just remind myself that I am fine and its just that evil gluten again! Hope you find something that helps you!

[Nads]

  On 3/21/2011 at 5:50 AM, eatmeat4good said:

I don't know if there is anything you can do to stop them. I got a prescription for Xanax for the episodes of contamination because the anxiety is so disconcerting. It does help. I take just .25 mg. only until the reaction is over. I feel much better now than when I was at the mercy of a glutening. I hope you get a better answer but that is the only thing that works for me.

Is Xanax habit forming? Do you feel even more anxious after taking it hen it wears off? Can you take it only as needed?

Thanks

[maryphyl]

I had a panic attack night before last--I had eaten gluten somewhere sometime before this. I did not recognize the panic as being a product of having consumed gluten but since it was irrational I guess it was.

[eatmeat4good]

  On 3/21/2011 at 10:42 PM, Nads said:

Is Xanax habit forming? Do you feel even more anxious after taking it hen it wears off? Can you take it only as needed?

Thanks

Yes, you can use it only as needed. I was very concerned about it being habit forming. I read a lot before I took it. I had so much anxiety about taking Xanax that I had to take a Xanax just to calm down!

But seriously, yes, my first Dr. was very concerned about the addictive nature of the Benzodiazepines. However, it has been miraculous for me. Tiny dose calms me right down. I always have it in my purse. But I never have to take it more than a couple of days after a glutening. I do not ever have what they call "rebound anxiety" where you get withdrawal symptoms and all that.

My current Dr. assured me it was perfectly ok for me to take it even if I needed it every day. He said at .25 mg it is such a tiny dose that I shouldn't worry about taking it as needed. The people who may get the rebound anxiety are up to 1mg or above daily and if they stop abruptly they will get really bad anxiety. He told me not to worry about it unless I got to 4 pills a day AND found they weren't working. Then we would taper down slowly. Well, that has never happened. I have been using it as needed for 6 years and have never needed it for more than a few days nor have I felt any withdrawal or anything negative when I stopped taking it. I originally got it for the gluten anxiety that happened daily but I didn't know what it was that was causing my anxiety. Of course it works much better now that I have no gluten in me.

If I take more than 2 pills, I will get drowsy so you have to practice with what dose works for you, if you want to take it. Talk to your Dr. about it because really-I wouldn't be able to handle the anxiety of accidental gluten without it. Very helpful for me. I only get 20 pills at a time....so I am careful. Sometimes that lasts me for months. But I know it is there if I need it. Everybody is different though, and I have read about the rebound anxiety being terrible and yes, you are right to be concerned about addiction.

Yes, I use it only as needed. It is not a daily medication...

[eatmeat4good]

  On 3/23/2011 at 4:27 AM, maryphyl said:

I had a panic attack night before last--I had eaten gluten somewhere sometime before this. I did not recognize the panic as being a product of having consumed gluten but since it was irrational I guess it was.

Hi Welcome!

Yes, panic attacks and anxiety are very common with glutening if you are Celiac or Intolerant. It is the first symptom I have.

[Jenny (AZ via TX)]

I take Alprazolam, the generic for Xanax. I still have some by Mylan, which they have told me they are not making anymore. I recently filled a prescription by Sandoz. I called and they told me it was gluten-free, however they cannot guarantee. My prescription is for .5 mg and I usually split the pill in half.

I don't have to take them often, but when I do have that anxious feeling, it works great. I have also let it melt under my tongue to get in my system even faster. Very bitter though.