Am I Alone

[Danijela]

I haven't yet been diagnosed with celiac disease however I am going in for screening

I was just wondering if anyone has experienced sudden feelings of terror and anxiety in relation to celiac disease

and if so can you give me any advice on how you handled it and how to cope with it.

Thanks

Danijela

[Guest Viola]

Welcome to the board Danijela.

I'm pretty sure that no one is alone with this disease. It takes on so many different faces.

I actually pretty much locked myself up for a few years before I was finally diagnosed. Just a fear of going out, a fear that someone was going to talk me into eating and getting sick. Always a fear of where the bathrooms were located.

I don't think that last one really goes away

Anxiety is very common amoung Celiacs on gluten, as is low self esteem, brain fog (not thinking straight), anger, frustration and not standing up for ones self. It usually goes away with a gluten free diet, but pops back again if you accidently get into gluten. Some I believe are treated with various meds. I use my dog as my anti-depressant and confidant.

[Rachel--24]

I had fear and anxiety while waiting for my test results although it may not be the same fears your experiencing. I wasn't afraid of the gluten free diet at all...I feared my results would be negative and that I'd still be sick with no answers. I'm happy thats not the way it went. I prayed alot and I think it payed off.

[PreOptMegs]

I was definately anxious to figure out what was giong on . I play college basketball at the University of Missouri St. Louis, so being healthy is a priority just to make it through the long and very exhaustive season. I didn't know how I would handle it if it would slow me down athletically. I found that the more I read and learned about the disease and what you can and can't eat really helped me relax and enjoy life again.

[KaitiUSA]

Fear and anxiety are common symptoms with celiac. I had anxiety alot...that was one of my worst symptoms.

[Carriefaith]

I was just wondering if anyone has experienced sudden feelings of terror and anxiety in relation to celiac disease and if so can you give me any advice on how you handled it and how to cope with it.

Anxiety is common. I find that hardly any medications help me with my symptoms (except gravel for nausea) so I either wait it out or try and think of something else. Some things that may help, maybe try going for a walk/bike ride, have a relaxing bath/shower, eat comfort food, watch a movie, listen to your favorite music, ect.

[julie5914]

I have been gluten free 3 months and still have the anxiety, low self-esteem, and often fear of silly things. I am espcially pushy and anxious about test results. That is a GOOD thing though - be proactive in your health care. Otherwise you will never find out and resolve what is going on. Wish I could tell you it goes away fast (and maybe I am not being strict enough). I do think it will go away with time though. My digestive troubles were gone immediately - I don't even think about it. And that alone is worth the tough diet.

[Danijela]

Thank-you all for your responses. The support I have found on this site is amazing.

Thanks