These daily panic attacks are too much...

[Peacelily]

The daily panic attacks started about 3 weeks ago. I am not on any medication nor want to be, despite the fact that my doctor gave me a Px for Ativan for anxiety. I am struggling to find summer work and think that may be why I'm having the daily panic attacks. But I also learned that I am suffering from Estrogen Dominance which is where your body has too much Estrogen, not enough Progesterone and can cause gallbladder pain, PMS-like symptoms and severe anxiety. I'm fine during the day, but my anxiety attacks seem to happen at night. It's really frustrating to deal with these on a daily basis. Any advice?

 

[khwoodin]

The daily panic attacks started about 3 weeks ago. I am not on any medication nor want to be, despite the fact that my doctor gave me a Px for Ativan for anxiety. I am struggling to find summer work and think that may be why I'm having the daily panic attacks. But I also learned that I am suffering from Estrogen Dominance which is where your body has too much Estrogen, not enough Progesterone and can cause gallbladder pain, PMS-like symptoms and severe anxiety. I'm fine during the day, but my anxiety attacks seem to happen at night. It's really frustrating to deal with these on a daily basis. Any advice?

Try to change your diet. Eat paleo and you should feel better!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[Peacelily]

Thanks for your reply Khwoodin. The thing is...I already DO eat paleo food combos, and have discovered that I can't digest a lot of paleo recipes. I discovered that I have IBS, so I'm in the process of over-hauling my diet and figuring out if I should take an OTC probiotic pill or go with probiotic yogurt instead. For instance, I can't eat red meat because it causes major indigestion. I can eat salmon, and chicken and turkey but not a lot. I also discovered that if I peel vegetables and fruits, it wreaks havoc on my gut; the gas from the peeled fruits and vegetables overwhelms my digestive system and gives me gastritis. It sometimes feels like a no-win situation to me. If I eat the wrong foods, I spend all night in pain from the gas, bloating, vomiting, and belching. So, if I want to eat a carrot, I have to eat it with the peel on. If I want to eat an apple, I can't peel it. If I want to eat a cucumber, I have to eat it with the peel on. Otherwise, major gas explosion in my gut happens.

I believe diet is 70- 80% of my anxiety problem for sure, because what we eat matters. And, I think the inflammation from my IBS along with my Estrogen Dominance and my thyroid problem (20+ years treated for it) is wreaking havoc on my mental and physical health for sure. This is why I won't concede to taking an antidepressant. That isn't going to fix my IBS or Estrogen Dominance or thyroid health. So, I know the anxiety attacks and depression (mild, mostly) is linked to my gut health. And because my gut is inflamed due to my diet choices, I have to fix those.

I just am having trouble coping nightly with the panic attacks because I know the cause (or think I do). But they still happen anyway. I even had a morning panic attack while driving to my job. That was scary. But I talked myself down, as I drove 60 mph, so that I could make it to work and be calm.

It doesn't help that I'm lacking in the social friends department either. If I had an active social network of friends to hang out and talk with regularly, I'm sure I'd cope better with these damn panic attacks. So, I have to get that aspect of my life taken care of too.

I could go to the local walk-in counseling center here twice a week for free to talk about my daily panic attacks. But thinking about doing that, gives me a panic attack. What can it solve, to talk to a counselor I can't see on a regular basis about my food issues and how those cause my anxiety attacks. I tried speaking to a doctor but that was a mistake because I got shamed. I could see a nutritionist, and think that may help to discuss IBS friendly foods. But I can easily Google IBS friendly recipes. Paleo, yes. But I have to be careful as the only way I can find out which foods work with my gut, is trying them, then eliminating the foods that give me gastritis.

 

[khwoodin]

Thanks for your reply Khwoodin. The thing is...I already DO eat paleo food combos, and have discovered that I can't digest a lot of paleo recipes. I discovered that I have IBS, so I'm in the process of over-hauling my diet and figuring out if I should take an OTC probiotic pill or go with probiotic yogurt instead. For instance, I can't eat red meat because it causes major indigestion. I can eat salmon, and chicken and turkey but not a lot. I also discovered that if I peel vegetables and fruits, it wreaks havoc on my gut; the gas from the peeled fruits and vegetables overwhelms my digestive system and gives me gastritis. It sometimes feels like a no-win situation to me. If I eat the wrong foods, I spend all night in pain from the gas, bloating, vomiting, and belching. So, if I want to eat a carrot, I have to eat it with the peel on. If I want to eat an apple, I can't peel it. If I want to eat a cucumber, I have to eat it with the peel on. Otherwise, major gas explosion in my gut happens.

I believe diet is 70- 80% of my anxiety problem for sure, because what we eat matters. And, I think the inflammation from my IBS along with my Estrogen Dominance and my thyroid problem (20+ years treated for it) is wreaking havoc on my mental and physical health for sure. This is why I won't concede to taking an antidepressant. That isn't going to fix my IBS or Estrogen Dominance or thyroid health. So, I know the anxiety attacks and depression (mild, mostly) is linked to my gut health. And because my gut is inflamed due to my diet choices, I have to fix those.

I just am having trouble coping nightly with the panic attacks because I know the cause (or think I do). But they still happen anyway. I even had a morning panic attack while driving to my job. That was scary. But I talked myself down, as I drove 60 mph, so that I could make it to work and be calm.

It doesn't help that I'm lacking in the social friends department either. If I had an active social network of friends to hang out and talk with regularly, I'm sure I'd cope better with these damn panic attacks. So, I have to get that aspect of my life taken care of too.

I could go to the local walk-in counseling center here twice a week for free to talk about my daily panic attacks. But thinking about doing that, gives me a panic attack. What can it solve, to talk to a counselor I can't see on a regular basis about my food issues and how those cause my anxiety attacks. I tried speaking to a doctor but that was a mistake because I got shamed. I could see a nutritionist, and think that may help to discuss IBS friendly foods. But I can easily Google IBS friendly recipes. Paleo, yes. But I have to be careful as the only way I can find out which foods work with my gut, is trying them, then eliminating the foods that give me gastritis.

Try following "lilsipper" on Instagram! She has amazing advice for ibs. Also may be a medical nutrition therapist?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[Peacelily]

Hi again khwoodin. Thanks for the recommendation. I checked out lilsipper's instagram and some of her recipes work for me, but some don't. So it's good to see alternatives. Like, I can't eat onions, apples, avocados, or tomatos b/c those give me gas. I'm learning about the different kinds of sugars and how to figure out which ones my body just can't break down (fructose is one I can't break down, that's in apples).

Now I'm having the whole "mysterious lump" in throat symptom with gas and belching and burning sensation in my upper chest, i.e. heartburn I think. I'm basically cursed with gastrointestinal issues. I found a digestion book written by a doctor that is opening up my eyes to how the digestive system works, what happens when it malfunctions, and all kinds of information about enzymes, sugars, etc. and how to test and determine my gut health, and diagnose my gut symptoms.

I agree with your suggestion that I need to see a nutritionist. I'm looking for one who strictly deals with IBS which has been difficult because so many nutritionists don't list any speciality they may have.

 

[jlk1992]

I saw you said you got shamed by your doctor. My advice is to find a different doctor. Not all doctors are like that, some just generally aren't concerned. I love my doctor and he's helped me tremendously, even if it's just to help give me some reasurrance that I'm okay. It's not easy to find one, but they can be very helpful.

 

[Peacelily]

Hi Jake, well, turns out that the boss of my doctor can't see me on a regular basis. For most of her patients, she sends them to her colleagues at the same clinic, as she's only in clinic 3 mornings a week for 2 hours at a time. I'm super disappointed, but was told this after-the-fact, when I called the clinic with some more questions before my scheduled visit with her. So, my search for a new provider continues.

But yes I won't return to my current provider for medical care after his dismissive treatment of me. I'm glad that not all doctors are like him (it would be horrible if they were). Yes, all I need is reassurance from my new provider; not dismissive talk or downplay of my symptoms or feelings. Here's hoping I can find a better provider for myself.

 

[jlk1992]

Good luck! I'm hoping everything gets better for you

 

[Peacelily]

Thanks

 

[janemariesayed]

The daily panic attacks started about 3 weeks ago. I am not on any medication nor want to be, despite the fact that my doctor gave me a Px for Ativan for anxiety. I am struggling to find summer work and think that may be why I'm having the daily panic attacks. But I also learned that I am suffering from Estrogen Dominance which is where your body has too much Estrogen, not enough Progesterone and can cause gallbladder pain, PMS-like symptoms and severe anxiety. I'm fine during the day, but my anxiety attacks seem to happen at night. It's really frustrating to deal with these on a daily basis. Any advice?

You say they are happening at night? Is that when you are sleeping or trying to get off to sleep. It might help if you read before going to sleep or watch a movie until you fall asleep. Lavender is also very good for helping someone sleep like a baby.

 

[Peacelily]

The panic attacks start after dinner time way before I go to bed. I think it is a combination of life stressors plus biological stressors (low on iron, vit. d, vit. b's, low on progesterone). I also haven't slept in the past three nights very well. I slept about 4-5 hours this morning from about 4 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. I just hope I can catch up on sleep by Monday.

I am going to try Melatonin OTC as my sister said it is natural and she gives it to her son every night to use as a sleep aid and he's been on Melatonin for years with no allergic reaction; just some sleepiness the next day.

 

[janemariesayed]

The panic attacks start after dinner time way before I go to bed. I think it is a combination of life stressors plus biological stressors (low on iron, vit. d, vit. b's, low on progesterone). I also haven't slept in the past three nights very well. I slept about 4-5 hours this morning from about 4 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. I just hope I can catch up on sleep by Monday.

I am going to try Melatonin OTC as my sister said it is natural and she gives it to her son every night to use as a sleep aid and he's been on Melatonin for years with no allergic reaction; just some sleepiness the next day.

Well it seems like you are sleeping late anyway and that isn't too good for your health. You've heard the saying 'the hours before midnight' I'm sure. Try to go to bed about 11pm. If you cant sleep just lay there with your eyes closed and try not to think. If you can read or watch a dvd before you sleep it might help.

 

[Peacelily]

This past week I slept late b/c I didn't fall asleep untl well after 1 a.m. due to the multiple ER and Urgent Care visits. Normally, I fall asleep by 11 or midnight and wake up without problems around 6 a.m. But this week's choking healthscare, asthma attack, and stomach problems put a wrench in my sleeping schedule. My anxiety is through the roof. I usually can sleep after hot bath, some crossword puzzles, or reading but not this week. I managed to sleep from 1 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. this morning and actually dreamed. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night I barely slept and didn't dream at all. I'm still a little tired today but my body is adjusting to the lost sleep, which studies show once you lose sleep, you can't really get that lost sleep back; you just have to go to bed earlier than normal to help your body adjust again, which I will try tonight, by going to bed around 9 or 10 p.m.

I once did a sleep today for segmented sleep and found out that my segmented sleep is normal for me. I can't sleep through 8 hours unless I'm catching up on lost sleep. Otherwise, I will sleep for 4 hours, wake up around 3 a.m. or 4 a.m., stay awake for about 30 to 45 minutes, then will fall asleep again for a couple of solid hours and feel fine.

 

[janemariesayed]

This past week I slept late b/c I didn't fall asleep untl well after 1 a.m. due to the multiple ER and Urgent Care visits. Normally, I fall asleep by 11 or midnight and wake up without problems around 6 a.m. But this week's choking healthscare, asthma attack, and stomach problems put a wrench in my sleeping schedule. My anxiety is through the roof. I usually can sleep after hot bath, some crossword puzzles, or reading but not this week. I managed to sleep from 1 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. this morning and actually dreamed. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night I barely slept and didn't dream at all. I'm still a little tired today but my body is adjusting to the lost sleep, which studies show once you lose sleep, you can't really get that lost sleep back; you just have to go to bed earlier than normal to help your body adjust again, which I will try tonight, by going to bed around 9 or 10 p.m.

I once did a sleep today for segmented sleep and found out that my segmented sleep is normal for me. I can't sleep through 8 hours unless I'm catching up on lost sleep. Otherwise, I will sleep for 4 hours, wake up around 3 a.m. or 4 a.m., stay awake for about 30 to 45 minutes, then will fall asleep again for a couple of solid hours and feel fine.

The thing is that you will dream when your mind is at alpha level. That is not proper sleep but a waking sleep. A very light sleep. You don't normally dream when you are in a deep proper sleep but when your body is starting to come back round to consciousness. It is quite amazing really. So that is why we dream just before waking. At least you managed to sleep until mid-morning so you were able to catch up on some hours. Have you tried lavender? That would relax you like a baby. If you see some growing anywhere, grab some and put it in a bit of lightweight material and just bung it right next to your nose and sniff it in as deep as you can with every breath. Place it right by you when you sleep. It normally sends me off within about 20 minutes.

Your body will feel tired and drained because sleep is when we recharge. Your body is not recharging properly. This can lead to irritability, accidents, hunger or lack of appetite. Lethargy, depression, panic attacks and OMG what else?

All you can do is keep your sleep to a certain time and get up when your alarm goes off as well. And then don't go to bed till your bedtime, however, tired you are. That way, your body will get itself back into a routine, hopefully.