tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post2322370806356238162..comments2024-03-14T03:43:02.583-04:00Comments on EPBOT: Gutsy Talk About AnxietyJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11888187687405622408noreply@blogger.comBlogger291125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-81952314643529472892020-11-09T02:55:17.647-05:002020-11-09T02:55:17.647-05:00I know some people aren't into medications, bu... I know some people aren't into medications, but I take a low-dose of Zoloft. It's not a perfect cure, but it eases my symptoms enough that my intestinal problems have stopped completely. I still get panicky sometimes, but it's much better in many respects.Michael Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00547070311046082252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-32906256951480149762013-11-02T23:48:21.359-04:002013-11-02T23:48:21.359-04:00Jen-
I'm commenting again because I found thi...Jen-<br /><br />I'm commenting again because I found this article:<br /><br />http://chriskresser.com/get-rid-of-heartburn-and-gerd-forever-in-three-simple-steps <br /><br />(it's the last part, but links to the other 5 are in the beginning)<br /><br />it's totally helped my GERD. I've been taking HCL w/pepsin (I got it at Whole Foods) and now I don't need my antacid. I'm also following a low carb diet, I don't know if that has helped but I have lost weight. Anyway, it's still too early to tell if it will help my IBS but I really really hope so. jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10825565938797709831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-68847229174500186892013-10-21T09:50:55.167-04:002013-10-21T09:50:55.167-04:00As a child I always had stomach problems and was v...As a child I always had stomach problems and was very emotional. I got depressed as a teenager and had mild anxiety. A bad marriage put me into full blown anxiety and extreme IBS which I am working through right now. I have thought about giving up gluten but I love bread and pasta so I feel your pain. Honestly the best thing for me was seeing a psychologist and making sure I am eating healthy and exercising. missmarybnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-16602956031495053862013-10-20T21:18:07.623-04:002013-10-20T21:18:07.623-04:00Thank you for posting this Jen. It's funny tha...Thank you for posting this Jen. It's funny that I am reading it while experiencing one of my anxiety triggers, riding in a car in the dark, not to mention raining. My husband just gave me that look that says "you're going to rip the arm rest off", so I decided to catch up on your postings. My anxiety mainly comes from conversations before/after. It takes me a lot to begin a conversation and then I replay the whole thing over and over in my head for days and weeks later. In fact, I recently lost my job due to this anxiety. Part of my job was to make cold calls by phone to set up appointments for people. I was practically foaming at the mouth in feat of doing this. It took me hours to get myself revved up enough to make those silly calls. I knew that it was silly, but the worry would wake me up in the middle of the night. It ended up being a deal-breaker for my boss. When you talked about the anxiety being stomach related, I completely agree. The better I eat, the more balanced that my meals are, the better I work through these things. They still happen, but I tend to wake up less with a rapid heartbeat, and I can talk myself down a lot faster. Jessicanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-92194119510774946802013-10-19T12:58:56.344-04:002013-10-19T12:58:56.344-04:00Jen, there are two things that come to mind... but...Jen, there are two things that come to mind... but you might not have other symptoms. Still, look up dysautonomia, it comes with other symptoms, but anxiety and gut issues are among them. I just found your blog... but there are medical conditions that can cause physical manifestations that feel like anxiety attacks. Thyroid, pheochomocytoma and Cushing's disease are three that come to mind. I wish you wellbeing.The Nice Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10187680266629928391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-48874370151456587082013-10-19T12:51:09.868-04:002013-10-19T12:51:09.868-04:00I know I'm late, but I hope you see this...
I...I know I'm late, but I hope you see this...<br /><br />If you respond unusually to medications it is probably worth your while to enquire about YouScript testing. Google it, it's covered by most insurances.<br />The Nice Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10187680266629928391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-41766516382381362222013-10-19T07:58:33.055-04:002013-10-19T07:58:33.055-04:00I always found it difficult to define or pinpoint ...I always found it difficult to define or pinpoint the source of my anxieties. I struggle to approach somebody on a one-on-one basis, where personal confrontation is required, and yet I can be a clear and confident public speaker. I always just considered myself an introvert, and embraced that, but it can get to the point that it hinders you day to day. Even in school, with teachers and students I'd known for years, I couldn't bring myself to approach someone for help, or to ask to sit with someone or work in their group - I was passive, waiting for others to initiate any interaction. I wasn't without friends, and got on well with people once a conversation was established, but it was (and still is) the initial move that paralysed me. <br />I'm good at lying though, and can be polite and calm in a 'pre-constructed' situation; working as a waitress, although still stressful, wasn't half as bad as simply asking a teacher for help. I think that was because it was my job to interact - it was anticipated by the customers and there were boundaries and criteria already set for the conversations. Equally, public speaking generally requires little spontaneity, and if you have an audience, there is again a standard that is expected and boundaries set.<br />I think ultimately, my anxiety stems from a fear not so much of embarrassing myself, but of inconveniencing others. With that comes a fear of rejection, I suppose, which isn't going to happen if the other person/people act first or know exactly what's going on. As far as trying to overcome this, I can't say I've progressed an awful lot. I faced the 'wall' attitude demonstrated in the second cartoon if I tried to explain my fears. That's what sucks about anxiety - it is so inherently irrational that people who don't suffer from it often can't understand or empathise. <br />I could ramble for longer, but that summarises my experience of anxiety. Reading these comments, I feel like I should say I have it easy, but one thing I've learned is that each battle is huge for every individual, no matter the extent of others'.Lois Rhttp://loisraines.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-46458635981831939192013-10-18T00:59:40.413-04:002013-10-18T00:59:40.413-04:00I read this blog a lot and it helped me decided to...I read this blog a lot and it helped me decided to go paleo and drink kombucha.<br /><br />http://evolutionarypsychiatry.blogspot.com/<br /><br />Paleo also helped my heart palpations that seem to run in my Mothers family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-71448826819251116132013-10-18T00:37:21.408-04:002013-10-18T00:37:21.408-04:00I read through some of the comments and wanted to ...I read through some of the comments and wanted to add a few things. I found I am very lactose intolerant so couldn't do the yogurt for probiotics. I did kombucha instead. Start slow with kombucha, we drink GT's. Even on paleo I eat chocolate every night, but buy the good stuff with at least 70% cacao in it. After a while you can tell the difference between the good stuff and cheap. We avoid the gluten free stuff mostly. Eat lots of vegies. Try doing part of the Dr. Wahl protocol that also might help. Please try it, you will be amazed at how much better you will feel and better able to cope with the anxiety even if it doesn't all go away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-60856735926281447582013-10-18T00:30:25.200-04:002013-10-18T00:30:25.200-04:00I was first tested for ulcers in the 4th grade. I...I was first tested for ulcers in the 4th grade. I have experienced major heartburn to the point I slept propped up. My parents think I am emotionally unstable compared to my siblings (who take meds for theirs), I also experience major PMS, migraines, dermatitis etc.. Anyway, I went on the paleo diet to see if it would help those symptoms among others. It took about 6 months of strict paleo and lots of kombucha but at that 6 month point I noticed that there was no PMS, no heartburn, no migraines, the dermatitis had retreated etc. I was amazed. The change had been so gradual I didn't really notice. I have since fallen off due to travel, company and laziness. All my symptoms have come back so I am going back on tomorrow and will find ways of dealing with what made me fall off. I resisted the whole paleo thing for a long time but it did work for me. I also read about the gut thing and that is why I drank kombucha every day, I believed it did stabilize my emotions. The first 2 weeks of the paleo were hell, but worth it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-20990937590077513732013-10-17T14:32:47.671-04:002013-10-17T14:32:47.671-04:00Hey Jen, if you do get checked for celiac's, p...Hey Jen, if you do get checked for celiac's, please have the test done before you go Gluten Free. It is actually invalid if you do it afterwards. It might make a difference to you, in how seriously you take it. <br /><br />My son has autism, and as a family, we all went gluten/dairy free with him. It has made a difference for all of us really. I can see the direct relation food has on emotional well being first hand. Good Luck and may the Force be with you.<br /><br />~Yet another JennAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-74969978533965778822013-10-17T10:14:17.087-04:002013-10-17T10:14:17.087-04:00Anxiety is such a personal experience. In my suppo...Anxiety is such a personal experience. In my support groups (which helped me significantly), we each experienced it somewhat differently, though of course there are similarities, which is why we were there. In the worst of times, my panic definitely came first, then my body wanted to expel everything, in whatever ways were most expedient. My doctor told me this was a physiological phenomenon, having to do with the body getting ready to fight-or-flight. I am so very grateful the worst of the panic seems to be over, and now I experience mostly mild anxiety, at least in comparison. However, my gut is still a big problem. I have GERD and IBS, both of which are made noticeably worse by even mild anxiety. I haven't noticed that I am more anxious when either is acting up, but I'll be watching, thanks to your post. I have noticed that when my blood glucose level is not well controlled, my anxiety level is significantly worse. I took the ALCAT and have 66 food intolerances, and eating those foods does impact my anxiety level, as well as my GERD and IBS. I guess it makes sense, as the body is one inter-connected machine, and everything impacts everything else.Angelanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-81350195874944898152013-10-15T09:49:16.281-04:002013-10-15T09:49:16.281-04:00I have anxiety and i also have lyme disease, which...I have anxiety and i also have lyme disease, which can cause anxiety, but while we were looking for what ailed me, before we found the lyme, we also found I had an overgrowth of streptococcus in my gut. This can happen if your system is out of whack (in my case due to lyme) or if you have old scars or craters in the tonsil or sinus area, especially if you were prone to tonsilitis as a kid. Strep can cause big anxiety! <br /><br />Mine is social now but also stress, yes, over emotional stuff on TV gets me. Even bright lights especially fluro could trigger it. Or too much sun. And yes when my chemistry was out of whack due to the lyme and/or strep, I could get out of the blue while at perfect peace, or even wake up in a panic attack so no point trying to tell me that was caused by my thinking or attitude. :) <br /><br />As my lyme has been in treatment and I have begun homeopathy for healing gut, aiding detox and so on, it is slowly fading. Thank goodness. Anxiety is the total pits! I feel for anyone who has it however it gets triggered! Keechyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13508060247369251383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-84704832617409558702013-10-14T22:03:51.263-04:002013-10-14T22:03:51.263-04:00I too, have social anxiety/gut problems! I have r...I too, have social anxiety/gut problems! I have read a few replies, but I can at least tell you my experience. I've always had anxiety and wasn't really diagnosed until I was in my early 20s. My panic is always about public situations and making a fool out of myself in front of strangers. My panic is mainly in becoming ill in front of people and vomiting (phagophobia I believe). I was diagnosed with IBS back when I was 12-ish and it was basically my anxiety making my guts churn. Symptoms included upset stomach, constipation, poo pains, and nausea. The nausea would then trigger another set of panicking. It turns out to be genetic as my paternal grandfather dealt with bad anxiety (but never talked about it) and my brother's anxiety manifested in having to make a BM every time he was nervous. I dealt with the "IBS" for years and managed with daily Zantac. <br /><br />Finally caught up with it being panic attacks and sought help with a psychiatrist. But basically, my panic attacks are heart palpatations, dizziness, guts churning, bowels churning, terrible/irregular poops, urgency to pee, and nausea to then cycle into more panic over the thought of vomiting. I went on antidepressants to combat the anxiety and it helped immensely. I recently found out that my anxiety has also caused a diagnosis of Interstitial Cystitis (Painful Bladder Syndrome). My anxiety has caused me to clench my innards so badly, that it causes bladder issues and constipation. I started physical therapy to help combat the tension, and that has even helped my guts/lower bowel muscles. Philospudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01004098100206438798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-50362161504769169662013-10-14T21:10:18.270-04:002013-10-14T21:10:18.270-04:00I absolutely agree that taking care of your gut he...I absolutely agree that taking care of your gut health while it may not "Cure" everything, certainly reduces anxiety. I took myself (with 4 kids in tow) to the ER this past winter thinking surely I was having a stroke. Nope, just anxiety. I began seeing an alternative health care practitioner. I cleaned up my diet. No wheat, limited grains, no dairy, and no refined sugar. I also was on supplements including digestive enzymes and probiotics. While I wasn't having any noticeable tummy troubles. My anxiety has become next to nothing as I healed my gut. Have you heard of the GAPS diet? Maybe look into that. Also, and you might already know this. low levels of B6 have been linked to depression and anxiety. When I learned this I Looked at the supplements I had been taking especially for brain health and to calm me. They all had b6. Magnesium is also something to consider adding to your regimen. I also use esential oils which have helped me and several friends a lot. Sorry to talk your ear off, but health, and taking it into your own hands is a passion of mine. I guess you could say I am a crunchy kinda granola girl. We have so much power to heal ourselves. It's remarkable! Thanks for sharing your stories and your life. The good you do is commendable. Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17403996191412425500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-29339229236936187302013-10-14T19:54:34.855-04:002013-10-14T19:54:34.855-04:00Jenn makes a lot of great points! Interestingly, ...Jenn makes a lot of great points! Interestingly, there are a lot of people who feel that changing your diet can drastically reduce auto-immune symptoms as well. Google autoimmune and gluten/grain-free diets and you'll find lots of potentially helpful links.<br />(Not trying to be argumentative or push any type of diet...I just find this stuff fascinating)Meaganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02619869571189818725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-78395582720571121522013-10-14T19:03:50.894-04:002013-10-14T19:03:50.894-04:00Oh yes, gut health is tied to mental health. Gut h...Oh yes, gut health is tied to mental health. Gut health is tied to ALL health. Shawnettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18101274934248663938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-7129396906317509672013-10-14T16:49:09.435-04:002013-10-14T16:49:09.435-04:00I have an old ulcer, but it only acts up some time...I have an old ulcer, but it only acts up some times, and doesn't seem to be linked to my anxiety, which I have all the time. Pretty sure my ulcer has everything to do with a mean relative though... <br />I have completely unexplained anxiety. It's not linked to social interaction at all (I am pretty extroverted). But I have an attack almost every day. I actually had to ask if it could be a thing to have anxiety without it being social. And turns out, yes! I have it in spades. The only time I have experienced relief from them is during my second pregnancy. They have been practically non-existent. I guess that is the bonus I get for all the heart burn, body aches, and peeing I have to put up with ;-) Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02556412363930442263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-20614363065430549752013-10-14T16:46:45.763-04:002013-10-14T16:46:45.763-04:00My anxiety is definitely a social anxiety mixed wi...My anxiety is definitely a social anxiety mixed with over-thinking and fear of the unknown. Simple things like having lunch with a friend and two of her friends I have never met cause my heart to pound and my stomach feel sick. I usually back out and find a reason for not going. Same thing with parties. I like being social, I like going out and having fun, but when I don't know the place or the people I get anxious. For a long time I hated even going to a store by myself if I had never been there before on my own. I live in southern Maryland where things are spread out; the mall is an hour away. A few years ago I couldn't drive there by myself, now I do it every few months with no problem. I think once I realized I had anxiety I found ways to deal with it. I've even managed to drive to the closest metro station and wandered around D.C. by myself. I still get nervous and shakey, so much so I had to change out of the heels I was wearing to a job interview earlier this year because I was afraid I'd fall, but I am better able to control it. Small talk still eludes me, as it does most introverts, but I tell myself I'm okay. Actually what really helps me is a quote from The Chronicles of Narnia, the Voyage of the Dawn Treader. When Lucy is scared Aslan comes to her and says "Courage, dear heart." I say it to myself and eventually I want it tattooed on my wrist as a daily reminder that I can go to a friend's wedding by myself or eat at Panera alone.Shannonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-28741161935623863872013-10-14T15:13:40.245-04:002013-10-14T15:13:40.245-04:00I had to comment. I had vhemo last year and its be...I had to comment. I had vhemo last year and its been a long returning to nirmal. Two things heloed. One was probiotics. I had been taking them but not enough strains. The sevond one was my symptons were similar to IBS with C and D alternating. Not fun. My Dr. Recommended Imipramine. It helped a lot. Now the funny connection. THE IMIPRAMINE IS MOSTLY FOR ANXIETY. Second use for IBS. Proof there IS a connection. Good luck. Moonflwr912https://www.blogger.com/profile/00459459420314285890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-45346841525451912002013-10-14T13:57:48.825-04:002013-10-14T13:57:48.825-04:00My anxiety is definitely social-but it is both in ...My anxiety is definitely social-but it is both in the moment and thinking about it before/after. But mine is also obviously a result of some things from my past that I'm trying to work through.<br /><br />I've found the best things for me are: eating healthy (everything in moderation, lots of fruits and veggies), exercising regularly, yoga, deep breathing/meditation/guided relaxation, and CBT work with a therapist. It really does help.<br /><br />On the gluten issue, I am a bit skeptical of people saying that gluten is the "key" to fix health problems. I'm from a family of celiacs and definitely know that gluten can wreak absolute havoc on your body. But most people can tolerate gluten just fine, and, honestly, cutting out gluten completely is very difficult (it's in places you wouldn't think like soups, soy sauce, and salad dressings). If you've been tested and don't have celiacs, it may not be worth the effort to try to cut it out. If you choose to, go for it. But I think you'll likely find the same benefits by just taking the time to prep healthy meals from whole foods and keeping processed crap and sugars to moderate levels/special treats (I don't know about you but telling myself I could NEVER have french fries or a cupcake when I'm really craving one-absent something like celiacs-is just going to make my cravings and anxiety even worse!).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-32192111961177698752013-10-14T02:28:07.840-04:002013-10-14T02:28:07.840-04:00I totally do the cleaning thing. Not just for anxi...I totally do the cleaning thing. Not just for anxiety, but for frustration, anger, etc. It's like if I can't control my life or what's going on around me, I can still control my environment. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16438833336742698307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-31178854504734905902013-10-13T15:45:24.837-04:002013-10-13T15:45:24.837-04:00Personally, my anxiety tends to kick in with socia...Personally, my anxiety tends to kick in with social situations. Before, during and after social interactions. Before I even go to a party I will tend to have conversations planned out in my head so I know what I can talk about about. But then I overthink it and then feel that no one will be interested in what I have to say. During the conversation, I continue planning out what I could say, but then I try and wait for some type of pause so I can jump in but it seems that I can never jump in and start talking before someone else does. But if I do get a chance to say something, then after I'm done speaking, it invariably seems that there is always an awkward lull in the conversation as a result of what I say. Then I feel terrible that I ruined a perfectly good conversation and just retreat into my own little mind dungeon. Also, I'm always worried about what my facial expressions and body posture are telling others during a conversation. Do they think I'm angry or that I'm being standoffish? I've been told I tend to look angry whenever I'm not smiling. Then after the conversation I'm constantly going over and reexamining what happened during the conversation and think of all the "stupid" mistakes I made. Rehashing everything that I've "perceived" to be my mistakes and issues and social problems and how they affect how I interact with others seems to be my favorite poison of choice. I actually have physical reactions when I think about what I did, groaning and shaking my head and if it was really bad and involved someone that I was actively trying to make a good impression with, I will cry while thinking about it. <br />I do also have panic attacks during times of intense stress. My first panic attack was when I was 15 and had a D in chemistry. I had been trying to get my grade up in Chemistry and was going through a particularly difficult section. I had left a very important homework to the last minute and although having finished it, came back to my room to pack it up for the night and could not find it. I searched the entire area. Could not find it. The stress of my parents's expectations, the stress of my own expectations, the disappointment that I felt from all angles, even from my teacher, and a few other issues that were piling up in the back of my brain, all led to me finally starting to hyperventilate, sobbing, shaking and feeling the need to pass out. My parents later told me that panic attacks and an anxiety disorder are something that they both deal with, my mom also has depression. Anyways, to make a long story short, my anxiety is usually of the social interaction variety. <br />As for the change in diet, I really couldn't say. I do think that I might be lactose intolerant, but I am stubbornly refusing to believe that as I love cheese, and milk and butter and ice cream and all of that stuff. Andreanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-54755226294389585072013-10-12T19:28:59.989-04:002013-10-12T19:28:59.989-04:00I don't have anxiety, but when my brother died...I don't have anxiety, but when my brother died I had a small anxiety attack. For a few minutes for a few days I would think everything I touched and everyone I loved would get sick and die.<br />-Maralyn H.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-58814921668431656222013-10-12T14:44:52.076-04:002013-10-12T14:44:52.076-04:00I've had IBS since college. Not having immedi...I've had IBS since college. Not having immediate access to a bathroom triggers anxiety. So places like airplanes, concerts, plays, etc where there are times you either cannot get up and go or it's really embarrassing /inconvenient to others for me to leave makes me panic. Once I know I can get up and head for the bathroom the panic will generally pass. I switched to the CHEX cereals because they are gluten free. It seems starting off my day gluten free helps, but I don't know what would happen if I went completely gluten free. Never tried it. A lot of stuff makes me sick to my stomach/running for the bathroom when I eat. Eating out I'm always wary of ordering salad and I love salad. Too many restaurants wash the greens with something other than water and it tears my stomach out. If I go out to eat with friends I usually get chicken fingers and fries and even then I don't plan to do anything or go anywhere but home afterward just in case. I think I might try probiotics too. Maybe it will help. Marniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10254240216101024881noreply@blogger.com