Re: Help for anxiety

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I used to suffer a lot with panic attacks. Before I was diagnosed hypo. My guess

is that the two things are linked. Although - anxiety is something also

connected with being hyper, isn't it?

Are you feeling anxious pretty much all of the time - or are there triggers?

Like work, driving, or leaving the house?

I'm afraid I can't answer your question about it being common when

under-medicated. I've no idea.

I was once told - again before my thyroid problem was diagnosed - by a

nutritionist, that my anxiety was due to a lack of vitamin B12. And was advised

to take this in a liquid form. It helped me at the time. I bought B12 drops from

BioCare and felt much better very quickly.

There are a lot of natural remedies that have helped me in the past and I still

keep them in my handbag - just in case I start to get a case of the wobblies!

Quiet Life tablets - easy to find in any chemist.

Theanine - a green tea extract that's very calming. You may have to go to a more

specialist place for this one.

Bach Rescue Remedy drops under the tongue - for a quick fix.

Anxiety is not a nice thing to have to live with. But you don't have to live

with it - there are many things you can do proactively to conquer your fears. In

my experience - if you throw enough things at it to rid yourself of these horrid

reactions to stress - you will finally have some peace.

If you can find a good shiatsu practitioner in your area - you would be well on

your way to recovery. Shiatsu brings about deep relaxation and is really good

for treating anxiety. And can relieve some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism

too. Worth looking into.

I hope you find something that helps you. I know how upsetting these attacks of

anxiety can be.

Good luck!

Del Cardiff.

>

> Does any one have any ideas about helping with anxiety?

> Is it common when you're under medicated?

> .

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Anxiety when under-medicated for a thyroid condition is very common. It is also

very common if you adrenals aren't functioning as they should.

My anxiety became extremely bad when I was on levo-thyroxine (GSK Eltroxin)

regardless of my normal TSH level. I had to stop working, I had to stop driving

- I felt very anxious and paniced in the car - even as a passenger, I felt very

anxious and paniced in a supermarket or shopping centre, I felt very anxious and

paniced walking up the street, especially a busy street or a street with high

walls on one or both sides and eventually it got to the point where I could

barely leave the house - I assumed I was slowly becoming agarophobic, despite my

best efforts to beat my anxiety with cognitive therapy techniques I had learned

years before and was practicing regularly (don't worry - with treatment, all of

these symptoms are gone and I feel pretty much normal again).

I thought it was all in my head - that I should be able to fix it by 'thinking'

my way out of it. I felt like a complete failure - my confidence and self esteem

became very low.

Then I discovered www.stopthethyroidamadness.com in late 2009 which explained

everything (I had been on levo-thyroxine for over 8 years at this point) and I

sought help. I got a lot of testing done (which I recommend you do to) and

started on T3 containing medications - T3 only has worked for me (I had high

reverse t3).

To my great relief, I now know a lot of the anxiety I was experiencing was due

to symptoms of hypothyroidism and it's related issues like non optimal levels of

vitamin D, Magnesium (magnesium oil has worked for me - I rub it into my skin),

Vitamin B12 and folate etc.

Symptoms like light and sound sensitivity and the off balance/vertigo type

feeling that can be caused by middle ear problems - which are common in

hypothyroidism - were making it very uncomfortable for me when walking -

especially if I was walking on a busy street or if I had high walls on one or

both sides of where I was walking (I now see why I felt anxious with the high

walls, in hindsight - they made me feel very off balance). I also felt extremely

uncomfortable in bright and busy places like supermarkets or shopping centres.

Also, I now suspect weak tendons and ligaments, which I have learned can also be

a symptoms of hypothyroidism (which resulted in my ankles rolling in and my

knees knocking) made it very uncomfortable when walking. This symptoms has

noticeably improved with T3 treatment.

As a result of those hypothyroid symptoms, I always felt like I was walking

funny - that people must think I was drunk - I could barely walk in a straight

line sometimes (at least I felt that way, anyway).

I also became very anxious in a moving vehicle because of the off balance/out of

it/vertigo feeling (caused by the hypothyroidism) - I actually used to panic

when I knew I was going to be in a car for more than 10 minutes or so.

I also remember the lack of focus and concentration, poor memory, brain fog etc

caused a lot of anxiety for me when trying to have a conversation with someone

or when at language school - I felt completely out of it all the time -

extremely anxiety provoking when you don't know what is causing it.

Also - being under-treated for hypothyroidism can result in extreme worry and

anxiety of it's own which settles a lot with the right treatment.

Anyway - to cut a long story short - I am a lot better on T3 only treatment

since my rt3 clearance. I no longer have issues with any of these problems - at

the very least the symptoms have lessened a lot. I now feel comfortable in a car

again, I go walking by myself all the time now - I no longer feel overwhelmed

with anxiety the moment I walk into a supermarket - I feel relatively normal

again. Not 100% but much better - improving all the time.

I didn't mean to go on about this for so long - I had just posted a message of

my own when I saw your post and wanted people to know that anxiety was one of

the worst symptoms of hypothyroidism for me - I thought it was all in my head -

but it wasn't. Knowing that it wasn't in my head and that it could be fixed (and

has been fixed) has helped me a lot.

I found the best thing to do was to avoid the things that made me anxious

wherever possible (rather than facing them head on in an attempt to beat them -

a lot of people suggested this technique to me and it just made things worse)

until I was properly treated on T3 containing medications and vitamin and

mineral supplements (and adrenals, if I had that problem) and feeling much

better.

Anxiety could also be due to over-treatment/hyperthyroidism. I would be getting

some testing done - while you are waiting for the results perhaps you could take

your temperature to see if it is low (meaning you are under-treated and

hypothyroid) or to see if you have low cortisol, using the technique at this

website.

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/temperature/

Alana

>

> Does any one have any ideas about helping with anxiety?

> Is it common when you're under medicated?

> .

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi ,

>

> Anxiety can be all consuming and I sometimes confuse my symptoms with low

blood sugar, or maybe they overlap. I am certainly no expert but I do find that

Bachs rescue remedy, both sparay and lozenges definitely help. I also try to

keep my mind occupied and have a relaxation app on my I-phone for anxiety. I

listen to it when I get in bed and almost always fall asleep to it. There are

lots of cd's available. Also walking helps immensely.

Hope this helps.

Take care Debbie x

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You don't state what your meds are. It could be your adrenals being out of

kilter. If you are taking your basal temps every day an indication is the

readings going up and down like a yo yo. Try reading about adrenals on the Files

section. It will give you a questionairre and advise if you fit the critria.

Kind regards,

Tina.

>

> Does any one have any ideas about helping with anxiety?

> Is it common when you're under medicated?

> .

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I have suffered from anxiety & panic attacks in the past. The thing that stopped

my panic attacks was learning how to meditate. I learnt to meditate from a

woman who taught people how to cope with panic and anxiety. She was brilliant.

Within a weekend, the panic attacks stopped, however I was still left with

anxiety but it dramatically lessened as I continued practising meditation. The

main thing I was taught was to have a meditation focus (can be a flower in your

mind's eye, or else you can focus on your breath or focus on a mantra [can be

any sort of mantra that you like]). When you lose concentration on your focus

(the flower, breath or mantra) and find that you are thinking of other things,

then realise that you have lost your focus and concentration, and do not get

'attached' to your thoughts and let the thoughts go. If you like you can label

the thoughts (anxiety thought, doing the dishes thought, my back hurts while I

am meditating thought). Bring your concentration back to your focus (the flower,

breath or mantra) and continue this process. It is quite common to end up

thinking of other things constantly. This is to be expected. Just return to your

focus each time you get distracted. After a while, you will probably find that

your body and mind start to relax. If they don't, that is ok too. Try again

another time with no expectations. A big thing with anxiety is to give in to

it. It is strange to say, but as soon as you give in to the anxiety, it is

pretty hard to stay anxious. That was my experience anyway. Hope I have

explained it ok. Oh! A hint. Start off with small meditation sessions. 10 - 15

minutes is plenty when you first start.

As far as supplements go, try a good Vitamin B complex and take it in the

morning with food. I use one called Tresos B. It is excellent, but it is a

practitioner only line, so you would need to see a nutritional medicine doctor

or a naturopath to be able to use it. Magnesium can also help with anxiety.

A good idea is to stop using any stimulants such as tea and coffee and chocolate

etc. You should notice a difference pretty quickly. The stimulating effect of

these products can exacerbate anxiety symptoms.

If you want to try aromatherapy, pure lavender essential oil (not fragranced

oil) is quite therapeutic and relaxing. It helped me a great deal. You can use

it in an oil burner or else it is safe enough to sprinkle a little on your

pillow slip. It has a calming, relaxing effect. Another calming oil is Roman

Chamomile. Patchouli can be really relaxing & oil is fantastic for

times of great stress and trauma. Make sure you get pure oil (in

dilution). Sometimes other oils are substituted and they don't have the same

therapeutic qualities.

Sorry, but I don't know about whether anxiety is common when you are under

medicated.

Good luck and remember that the anxiety will pass. It always does. It just

feels pretty awful when you are suffering and are in the middle of it.

P xo

>

> Does any one have any ideas about helping with anxiety?

> Is it common when you're under medicated?

> .

>

[Guest guest]

PS - I have also noticed that my anxiety levels can sometimes be linked to my

menstrual cycle. I might get anxious and not know why and then a few days later

I get my period & immediately feel better and 'ok' again. This has happened

more times than I care to mention. At these times, it doesn't matter how much I

meditate etc.. The old hormones kick in and the anxiety hangs around until my

period starts and then everything goes back to normal. I would be quite happy

to rip out my reproductive organs so this didn't keep happening! (only kidding,

but the anxiety can be a pain sometimes).

>

> Does any one have any ideas about helping with anxiety?

> Is it common when you're under medicated?

> .

>

[Guest guest]

It is very common, especially if you are suffering with low

adrenal reserve and just being ill is sufficient to cause you great anxiety.

Get your adrenals sorted and that should help a lot.

Luv - Sheila

Does any one have any ideas about helping with

anxiety?

Is it common when you're under medicated?

.

[Guest guest]

I would suggest a good adrenal glandular and a good B-complex vitamin to

go along with it. Remember if you are supplementing ONE B-vitamin like B-6 or

B-12 or any of them, you must also take a B-complex with all the Bs to balance

them. It's very important.

http://pureformulas.com/adrenal-desiccated-90-tablets-by-standard-process.html

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00280M12A/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_6

I'd also start taking Spirulina to support everything in the body:

http://www.amazon.com/Nutrex-Spirulina-Pacifica-400-tabs/dp/B00024D86C/ref=sr_1_\

3?ie=UTF8 & qid=1301927558 & sr=8-3

Cheers,

JOT

[Guest guest]

I also found meditation, relaxation (using the progressive muscle relaxation

technique) and cognitive therapy techniques for treating my anxiety very helpful

- they always helped reduce my levels of anxiety, panic and stress. However,

despite repeatedly using these techniques for many years (since I attended an

anxiety course in 2002)I never combated my anxiety fully and it continued to

worsen the longer I remained on levo-thyroxine only treatment for my

hypothyroidism.

Since treating my hypothyroidism with T3 containing medications my anxiety has

significantly reduced. I still use meditation and relaxation and cognitive

therapy techniques for anxiety today - they just work much better now

Don't worry - it does get A LOT better with the right treatment. Wishing you

well.

Alana

> >

> > Does any one have any ideas about helping with anxiety?

> > Is it common when you're under medicated?

> > .

> >

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi ,

>

> Anxiety when under-medicated for a thyroid condition is very common. It is

also very common if you adrenals aren't functioning as they should.

>..

>

thank you so much for that.i can relate so much to what you say about feeling

weird ,i feel so spaced out and off the planet ,it scares me to death.and when

im in the shops its ten times worse.

.x

[Guest guest]

Hi P,

Low Magnesium and low Vit B6 may be a cause and supplementation may help....with

a range of pre-menstrual symptoms.

best wishes

Bob

Is your progesterone, cyclically, too low?

>

> PS - I have also noticed that my anxiety levels can sometimes be linked to my

menstrual cycle. I might get anxious and not know why and then a few days later

I get my period & immediately feel better and 'ok' again.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Bob. I will try and 'up' my Mg and B6 around 'that time of the month'.

Not sure about the progesterone, cyclically. I've only ever had it tested as a

once off.

P

----------------------

> > PS - I have also noticed that my anxiety levels can sometimes be linked to

my menstrual cycle. I might get anxious and not know why and then a few days

later I get my period & immediately feel better and 'ok' again.

>