Panic attacks for 40 years

[Darla1508]

I've been on medication for 40 years now for severe panic attacks.  I've been reading about gluten being associated with panic attacks and want to start a gluten-free diet, but have no idea where to begin.  I've been used as a guinea pig, had research groups test me, and all have been amazed at how severe my panic attacks are.  However, I've never been tested for gluten sensitivity, but feel it's worth a try to get off of it and see how it goes. 

Has anyone had luck with panic attack-free lives after getting off of gluten?

I'm so hungry right now and have no clue what to buy at the store.  Cheese? Do I live it on now?  Baked potatoes?  What?  Please help.

 

[5143Betty]

I have had them for 20 years. I tried gluten free as a last resort and after a week I noticed a huge change. No more constant rapid ❤ beat was the first thing. I've been getting better and better over the last 6 months, and feel like this was such a miracle. Let me ask you, do you have any other symptoms? I have terrible skin problems but no stomache issues.  Also remember that you must be eating gluten in order to get tested. I didn't know, and now I don't want to do a gluten diet and bring back my symptoms.  I'm new at this as well, but I wish you the best of luck! Try a magnesium supplement, it worked wonders for the general anxiety. Hope this helps.

[Darla1508]

I have panic attacks, rhuematoid arthritis, raynaud's symdrome, psoriasis of my hands and feet.  I can eat a cracker and my stomach bloats up like I'm 8 months pregnant.  Growing up, I had constipation consistently and that has lasted through my adult life  I went through more tests than I can mention, but no one thought to test me for celiac disease.  I also tried the magnesium supplement for a few years with no difference in the attacks.  I've tried it all.  I'm now on 15 mg of Serax 5 times a day.  I can't function without them.  I shake, head spins, blurred vision, hyperventilate, pounding heart, difficultly breathing, nausea, etc.  But I'm seriously tons of fun. LOL

[Posterboy]

1 hour ago, Darla1508 said:

I have panic attacks, rhuematoid arthritis, raynaud's symdrome, psoriasis of my hands and feet.  I can eat a cracker and my stomach bloats up like I'm 8 months pregnant.  Growing up, I had constipation consistently and that has lasted through my adult life  I went through more tests than I can mention, but no one thought to test me for celiac disease.  I also tried the magnesium supplement for a few years with no difference in the attacks.  I've tried it all.  I'm now on 15 mg of Serax 5 times a day.  I can't function without them.  I shake, head spins, blurred vision, hyperventilate, pounding heart, difficultly breathing, nausea, etc.  But I'm seriously tons of fun. LOL

Darla1508,

Have you tried a B-Complex.

Like say a B-50 or B-100.  Try taking it with each meal for two or three months to see if this helps.

B-Vitamins are known to help Celiac's.

https://www.celiac.com/articles/21783/1/B-Vitamins-Beneficial-for-Celiacs-on-Gluten-Free-Diet/Page1.html

Or had your Iron levels checked?

See this research from Natural News

http://www.naturalnews.com/040563_vitamin_B_deficiency_panic_attacks_iron.html

People who have panic attacks have been shown to be low in  B-6 and Iron.

I would also try some Zinc cold Lozenges they can help with Anxiety.

Zinc in lozenge form (sublingual's) will become metallic in taste when you have enough Zinc.

The first couple days or a week will taste like the cherry or orange flavor you bought but usually before you finish the first bottle they will become metallic in taste when your body has absorbed enough.

They really helped my anxiety I used to have daily.

For the Magnesium try finding a Magnesium Glycinate form it works wonders for depression.

here is the link to that research entilted

"Rapid recovery from major depression using magnesium treatment".

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16542786/

Magnesium is great for energy, cramps and fatigue as well!

There is hope!

I don't think I ever had low iron but I definitely had low Zinc levels once upon a time.

And I know I had B-6 issues then too because my homocysteine levels were elevated once upon a time before taking a homocysteine tablet  (under a doctor's supervision) (that has B-6) in it when my anxiety was the worst but I never associated the two because I didn't know there was an association.

I hope this is helpful.

****this is not medical advice just my experience with anxiety and depression and nutrients that helped me.

2 Timothy 2: 7 “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” this included.

Posterboy by the grace of God,

 

[Darla1508]

Forty years of doctors, research groups, medications, vitamins, injections, testing, etc.  I've tried it all. 

[pikakegirl]

The first symptom of Celiac that sent me to the hospital was 48hrs of cramping, then the panic attacks started. Multiple throughout the day. 1 year of this before the drs found hashimotos, but even on thyroid meds still happened weekly or at least monthly. 8 years later drs finally found Celiac. First few years still having panic attacks but then i found from many books about ten techniques to get through them and realizes benzodiazepines (Lorazepam, clonazepam, diazepam etc ) have a side effect of causing panic attacks and my terrible muscle pain. It took 3 years of dropping dose every three weeks but have been clean for 3 years and not one panic attack in those 3 years. I read and followed The Ashton Manual on line and tracked my progress with Benzobuddies online. The manual is 30 yrs study of benzos side effects and withdrawl. I was in withdrawl while on the drug and didnt know that was possible. I was tollerent and the panic attacks that began from malnutriion and my adrenal reaction were perpetuated by the very perscrption drug i was given. It was the hardest thing i ever did but i got my life back and no longer fear my mind. Years of psyciatric treatment only kept me trapped on drugs. Not once did those drs give me a list of techniques to get through the attacks thereby feeling less victimized by them.

[Darla1508]

I was tested for Hashimotos even though I didn't have the true symptoms.  I've literally been tested for every imaginable disease/syndrome known to man.  I spent years in the psychiatrist couch, years in and out of hospitals, years of flying to other states to meet with what was considered the best of the best.  I was simply diagnosed with panic attacks in the end.  Born with RA then at 30 had my first flare of Raynaud's and almost lost my fingers and toes.  Went to Betty Ford to get off the drugs to control my panic attacks because I was tired of taking drugs.  Didn't leave the house for months and finally got back on the drug so I could have a life.  I've done biofeedback.  I've done it all and have been put through the ringer by doctors looking for an excuse for the panic attacks.  Gluten free is my last resort.  If I'm not better within three months I will continue to live my life on the pill 4 or 5 times a day. 

[Gemini]

21 hours ago, Darla1508 said:

I have panic attacks, rhuematoid arthritis, raynaud's symdrome, psoriasis of my hands and feet.  I can eat a cracker and my stomach bloats up like I'm 8 months pregnant.  Growing up, I had constipation consistently and that has lasted through my adult life  I went through more tests than I can mention, but no one thought to test me for celiac disease.  I also tried the magnesium supplement for a few years with no difference in the attacks.  I've tried it all.  I'm now on 15 mg of Serax 5 times a day.  I can't function without them.  I shake, head spins, blurred vision, hyperventilate, pounding heart, difficultly breathing, nausea, etc.  But I'm seriously tons of fun. LOL

Holy Crap, Darla!!!!!!  Your symptom list almost screams of Celiac Disease and you should get tested ASAP!  I have Reynaud's also and I am so sorry you have gone through all of this with no help.  As long as you are not on any systemic, immuno-suppressant drugs for your RA, then you should demand a full Celiac panel and possibly an endoscopy.  I have anxiety, short term , when I am glutened so know how you feel.  NOT FUN!

[Darla1508]

I do have a wonderful doctor.  She would run all kinds of tests on me but I am unfortunately one that had their insurance cancelled after being with BCBS for 25 years.  Ugh.  Today is day two of gluten free and I'm giving it a try.  Throughout the 40 years not one doctor tested me for celiac disease, they were more interested in why my panic attacks were so severe and what happened to my brain during them.  As for the raynaud's, the flares are about 10 years apart and with steroids and pain pills it goes away within a week or two and I can once again wear shoes and use my hands.   My main concern is wanting to get off the Serax four times a day and seeing if going gluten free will actually help my panic attacks.

[Gemini]

18 hours ago, Darla1508 said:

I do have a wonderful doctor.  She would run all kinds of tests on me but I am unfortunately one that had their insurance cancelled after being with BCBS for 25 years.  Ugh.  Today is day two of gluten free and I'm giving it a try.  Throughout the 40 years not one doctor tested me for celiac disease, they were more interested in why my panic attacks were so severe and what happened to my brain during them.  As for the raynaud's, the flares are about 10 years apart and with steroids and pain pills it goes away within a week or two and I can once again wear shoes and use my hands.   My main concern is wanting to get off the Serax four times a day and seeing if going gluten free will actually help my panic attacks.

Is it possible to pay for the blood screen out of pocket?  If not, then if the gluten-free diet helps, you must assume you have Celiac and follow the diet strictly because that's the only way it will work.  I am pretty sure that if your symptoms improve dramatically, you would not want to cheat on the diet or would doubt you have a problem.  I did not have the endo because my blood work was off the charts. I have never doubted my diagnosis because of that and the unbelievable improvement in symptoms.  My problems with Reynaud's improved on the gluten-free diet also.  They did not go away but they did show significant improvement.  I hope you have the same results!

[tessa25]

You can sign up at walkinlab.com, pay $298 for the Celiac Disease Comprehensive test, head to your nearest Labcorp for the blood draw and have your answers in a week. Requires you to be eating gluten for many weeks beforehand.

 

[Phyllis Schockner]

On 7/10/2017 at 8:31 AM, Darla1508 said:

been on medication for 40 years now for severe panic attacks.  I've been reading about gluten being associated with panic attacks and want to start a gluten-free diet, but have no idea where to begin.  I've been used as a guinea pig, had research groups test me, and all have been amazed at how severe my panic attacks are.  However, I've never been tested for gluten sensitivity, but feel it's worth a try to get off of it and see how it goes. 

Has anyone had luck with panic attack-free lives after getting off of gluten?

I'm so hungry right now and have no clue what to buy at the store.  Cheese? Do I live it on now?  Baked potatoes?  What?  Please help.

 

I've also had sever panic attacks since 1984 from bacterial encephalitis, I have been gluten free and sugar free for years but it didn’t help with that, I finally had tests done recently to see what my neurotransmitters were, gaba, serotonin etc, the were all very low, been on Supplements to raise then for about 3 months and also getting Hyperbaric Oxygen twice a week, and I can truly say my panic attacks are much better, have cut my meds in 1/2 and only need to take it when needed which now is maybe 2 times a week, able to get through them now with out meds and hope that one of these days I’ll be cured. Go to a Homeopathic Dr, who understands, yes it cost $ because insurance companies don’t care, but its worth knowing after so long there is hope.  

[Denise G]

On 11/21/2019 at 7:05 AM, Phyllis Schockner said:

I've also had sever panic attacks since 1984 from bacterial encephalitis, I have been gluten free and sugar free for years but it didn’t help with that, I finally had tests done recently to see what my neurotransmitters were, gaba, serotonin etc, the were all very low, been on Supplements to raise then for about 3 months and also getting Hyperbaric Oxygen twice a week, and I can truly say my panic attacks are much better, have cut my meds in 1/2 and only need to take it when needed which now is maybe 2 times a week, able to get through them now with out meds and hope that one of these days I’ll be cured. Go to a Homeopathic Dr, who understands, yes it cost $ because insurance companies don’t care, but its worth knowing after so long there is hope.  

I have had anxiety and panic attacks for the last 30 years. a year and a half ago, i was diagnosed with celiac disease. i went gluten free and I haven't had panic attacks since! 

[cyclinglady]

59 minutes ago, Denise G said:

I have had anxiety and panic attacks for the last 30 years. a year and a half ago, i was diagnosed with celiac disease. i went gluten free and I haven't had panic attacks since! 

That is amazing!  I am sure your post is bound to help others who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks.  ?