Feeling like my symptoms are taking over my life, need advice.

[u/Sad_Investigator4980]

Hello, I started having symptoms of panic attacks and deliberating anxiety about 3 months ago. This is accompanied by diarrhea, upset stomach, nausea, and bad taste in my mouth, sometimes headaches as well. My first ever episode was really bad, i was in a constant state of fight or flight mode for about two weeks. After this I started to research and came across celiac and Non Celiac Intolerance and I decided why not because all of the symptoms matched to how i was feeling.

I want to add that whats frustrating about the situation is that I had no reason to be anxious or have panic attacks it was so random so my only thought was this is something related to my health. Reddit has many subs about anxiety and Gluten which is why I thought i finally found the answer and went gluten free about a month ago. Honestly I am feeling way better, I am starting to feel like my old self again. I did go to the doctor and my blood work for celiac came out negative and honestly I don’t want to do an endoscopy. As a new person going GF at times I do order from places that may use same fryers and I noticed that when I do I get anxiety days following the meal. This really assures me that maybe it is gluten but then I get discouraged by my family as they think it can be a panic or anxiety disorder.

I have started therapy to see if maybe that can help me along with my diet change. I just want to know if im really going crazy or if gluten can cause anxiety and panic attacks or is my family correct? Im just so confused and torn , I just want to feel better and be my old self again. How can I know for certain if I have a gluten intolerance? Thank you in advance for everyone who took time to read.

[u/Bebubx]

gluten can cause some individuals those mental symptoms, but mental disorder can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms.

have your physical health screened first. my endoscopy and colonoscopy determined i’m non celiac, but was suffering from stomach inflammation and valve irritation.

with symptoms that ping pong off each other like this, you need to rule out one to know the other. get screened OP so you have the peace of mind at the least (which should help your anxiety as well!)

[u/Sad_Investigator4980 → u/Bebubx]

Thank you! So you think I should do the endoscopy ? And if those results come back normal my family might be correct? 

[u/Bebubx → u/Sad_Investigator4980]

yes to both, as long as you realize it may not be so cut and dry to get an answer. my results said absolutely nothing regarding wheat/gluten, they only confirmed something was causing upset. a strict elimination diet is what helped me figure out the cause, and i actually found out it was lactose and gluten that way.

it was so worth it to even find out that much. i knew there was a real cause out there, and when my anxiety would flare up i could talk myself down by reminding myself im actively working on the problem, and it will get better. i wasn’t left wondering and panicking in circles about if its my guts or my brain making me feel this way anymore.

[u/Sad_Investigator4980 → u/Bebubx]

Thank you so much !

[u/k444411]

When im glutened the panic attacks are severe otherwise I have absolutely zero ..it's bizarre also doctor gives me a week of prednisone for inflammation when get glutened makes my asthma to the extreme

[u/Sad_Investigator4980 → u/k444411]

After being exposed to gluten how long does the panic attack symptoms last for you? 

[u/k444411 → u/Sad_Investigator4980]

Unfortunately a good week and half / 2 weeks

[u/Sad_Investigator4980 → u/k444411]

Thank you wow this sucks big time.

[u/k444411 → u/Sad_Investigator4980]

Oh believe me ik!!!! It's like a constant fear!!! The worst is when u feel like ur gonna faint and panic to pull over for few min when I'm driving!!

[u/cassiopeia843]

Did you get tested before eliminating gluten from your diet? You need to eat gluten for the celiac test results to be accurate.