Have spent so much money on supplements for anxiety.....almost headed to get some meds... - Page 6

[babygrant]

I have been gluten and dairy free for about 2 weeks now.  DS is 5 and was very upset that he had to go gluten free (and is already dairy free) so I said I'd do it with him.  Anyways, they had an activity tonight and I had to run to the store quickly before so I picked up some of those chocolate malt balls.  I brought an allergy book to read while i waited for them and I munched on the malt balls.  About 10 minutes later I had a FULL BLOWN panic attack.  Trouble breathing, burning chest, racing heart, need to use the bathroom immediately, nausea....you name it.  I rushed home, used the washroom, and bauled my eyes out.  :(  I haven't had a panic attack in over a month, more along the lines of 1 1/2 months I think!  I was reading the allergy book section on anaphalaxia, so now I'm wondering.  Did I have a panic attack because I consumed gluten for the first time in 2 weeks, or was something psychological going on with the book I was reading.  I've almost suspected I've had gluten problems before because I have canker sores in my mouth all of the time, but haven't really tried an allergy elimination diet until these 2 weeks ago.  DH went to pick the kids up for me and I layed in the bathtub and listened to some relaxing music so I'm feeling much more at ease now, just a bit taken back that I got hit with that attack.  I still have all 10 of my ativan, but I don't want to use it (not sure why not).

Any advice or input?

[alison77]

Curious whether you've tried gluten/dairy since and what the results were?  My experience is that when my anxiety is not under control and there is some suggestion, my body reacts right away to it, whether it's from reading or a thought train.

[eireann]

For what it's worth, I was having horrendous anxiety with physical symptoms for a while.

I found when I stopped all the sups - b12, magnesium, etc, my anxiety decreased to an imperceptible level. The difference between a year ago today and today is unreal.

[babygrant]

Originally Posted by alison77 

Curious whether you've tried gluten/dairy since and what the results were?  My experience is that when my anxiety is not under control and there is some suggestion, my body reacts right away to it, whether it's from reading or a thought train.

I had anxiety and panic with my period, but I've been having gluten since and most days is manageable.  Going through a significant high stress time right now though, so that could be it.

[carfreemama]

I just read this whole thread and want to say, don't get discouraged! I've tried many of the same things you have and I am now on clomipramine and doing much better. Many of the same early results with meds, almost too-good-to-be-true improvements and then some setbacks and plateaus. I think it's hard when you hold out medication as your last resort/hope (as I did) and then you finally try it, it's scary when there's even a suggestion it might not work all that well. Then what? So I do think your updates are really important. It doesn't mean you stop doing all the other things, like tweaking your diet, exercising, CBT. As a pp said, you might be in a better position to commit to those things WITH medication. I know I have been. When I was at my worst with panic (and anxiety and OCD), there was NO WAY I could calm myself down long enough to do yoga for 30 seconds and all I could make myself eat was toast and coffee (of all things). All the self-help stuff just kind of mocked me. I knew it would help if I could do it, but no way was I able to. I was too sick to help myself.

I hate anxiety. I hate all the DECADES I've lost to it. I have been to NYC for a dream trip with a friend. I remember almost nothing. I was panicked the whole time. My friend said she had a great time with me. I appeared completely "normal." I grieve for all those years.

A few weeks ago, I went with dd to a wildlife park on a field trip. I suddenly realized I was THERE. Enjoying it. I have actual memories of that day.

I hope you are doing well. There are lots of ways to play with medication and it sounds like you have a good doc. As for the "hot liquid burning," I got that with clomipramine, exactly as you describe.

One thing I told myself was that if I didn't take chemicals, my body would make them. Cortisol, for one. Damaging to my body in itself. I've been flooding my body with stress hormones since I was 8 years old.

I did take my counselor's advice and focus on high-intensity exercise. She said running was better than yoga for clearing out adrenaline from my system. I tend towards insomnia/too much (nervous) energy. She was right. Almost like fighting fire with fire.