I've been gluten free since March and was doing quite well until August. I always go through some kind of little "end of summer" depression/anxiety thing, and it usually only last a month or so. I have no idea what causes it and I usually forget about it until it hits again the next year, and then I remember, oh yeah, it's that time of the year again. This year, it hasn't gone away. I'm experiencing the worst anxiety I've ever had, like something really, really terrible is going to happen and it's making me miserable. I've had this feeling in my chest like an adrenalin rush constantly, I have headaches and I'm on the verge of tears all the time. I'm wondering if it's due to some kind of vitamin or mineral deficiency. I really don't want to go the medication route unless I have to.


Thanks for any help!
Chrisbee

You may not have to go the medication route, but you DO have to see a doctor. Get a full physical, screening for allergies, nutrient deficiencies, hormone levels, blood oxygen levels, EKG, et. If your doctor is progressive, he may screen you for metal toxicity.

You never want to confuse anxiety with an actual cardio (heart) or pulmonary (lung) problem. A full physical I think would be in order.

Hopefully you have a good doctor and that you feel better soon!

If all checks out clear, then it is up to you if you think you need a small dose of medication or some sort of "anti-anxiety" therapy.

Thanks Doll. Today has been the worst day so far. I really feel like I'm having some kind of nervous breakdown. I have an appointment with the doctor next Thursday, so hopefully we can figure something out. I'm even having a problem with my hair falling out and I've never had that happen before. I do have some extra stress in my life right now, so maybe that is part of it too.

Doll,

I noticed you are allergic to pretty much everything. Is there a comprehensive test for food allergies, environmental allergies, environmental toxins, heavy metal toxicity? What type of test is best? I am in the US, so i dont know if there are different tests and standards compared to the Canadians. I really dont want to take multiple trips to the allergist, doctor etc. to get tested.

Please advise,


Jim

I had intradermal testing, which is a newer method of the old "skin prick" test. In this form of testing, they inject a small amount of the allergen just under the skin. I was tested for inhalants first, and then foods the next day. They use what is known as a "grid" system. If you are allergic to a substance, you will get what is called a "wheel" where that particular substance was injected. You may or may not get symptoms in addition to that, and if you do, they can range in severity from itchiness to shock (rare). I saw an allergist/ENT doctor for my testing. Overall, expect 2 days of testing. Inhalants are usually done first, foods second. The "wheels" on your arm from any allergic reactions will go away in a week or so. Perhaps a little sooner or longer. I still think "skin prick" tests are the most commonly used and are very reliable. I was orginally supposed to use the "skin prick" tests, I think. In fact, I am not 100% sure that the intradermal method was used for all of my testing. I might have to double check that! I maybe had the "skin prick" testing and got to two mixed up! I know my doctor offers both. I didn't want to watch my poor sore arm while it was tested.

There are also allergy tests that are done looking for antibodies in the blood. Heavy metal toxicity blood tests can be requested at most GP's offices, I would think, but you may have to convince the doctor to test you first.

I don't know much about chemical sensitivity, but I know some on this board have it. They may be able to tell you how they were tested. I am not sure if there is a "formal" test or not.

Some doctors use "elimination diets", but I don't think they are commonly used anymore to dx, with current testing methods.

I am on allergy shots now, but have just recently stopped. My allergies have been *killing* me, especially at night, and seem to have gotten worse after the shots. However, I am not sure if this is just coincidence. I am supposed to see my GP tomorrow. My ENT is in another city.

My major symptomatic allergies are the inhhalens (dust mites, moulds, etc.), wheat (on top of Celiac), and milk as far as I can tell. I was told to avoid wheat and milk 100%. Not a stretch. I seem to tolerate potatoes, tomatoes, etc. without any noted symptoms, but I have been feeling so crappy lately (stuffy, sneezing, trouble breathing, escpecially at night, itchy, swollen eyes, random low blood sugars, dizziness, etc.) that I really have no idea if I'm reacting to my "minor" allergies or not. I'm supposed to go for further testing. I was originally supposed to go for RAST testing first. I don't know if it is more accurate to pinpoint what the "major" allergens I need to avoid are via RAST or not.

Hope this helped! PM me if needed.

Here is a link of how NOT to get tested for allergies (i.e. not reliable and quackery). I have heard of some people who say they can diagnose allergies by having a person put the substance under their tongue, and then check their arm strength! What? Um....no. Don't get scammed, see an MD familiar with allergies instead.

http://allergies.about.com/od/controversia.../unprovendx.htm

I'd honestly have your adrenal glands/cortisol levels checked out. I went through the same thing, for about 3-5 months, and by the end of that time, I think I had what people would consider a "nervous breakdown"!! I'm a really laid back easy going person, so I didn't know where all this anxiousness and fear was coming from. Turns out, my adrenals were low, and now I've been on this.
http://www.zapfatigue.com/go/FatiguedToFan...drenalStressEnd

I was also sooooo tired, I could barely function. I saw you have Hashimoto's, and I do too. I thought the tired part was maybe due to my thyroid, but apparently, all these are related. I ended up getting my thyroid meds increased, and have been on these supplements, and things are SO MUCH better! I hope you start feeling better soon too! Feel free to PM me anytime!

Agree 100%. That's why I mentioned "hormones" as one of the things to check out. Abnormal thyroid and/or adrenal levels can cause these symptoms.