Gut Bacteria and Panic Attacks - Haven’t has one since treated

[Areed00]

About a year ago I started having a lot of gas and some mild problems with my stomach at the same time however my anxiety increased and I began having panic attacks. I was a driver and eventually had to quit my job because I had to keep pulling over and could not complete my route. It became difficult to go anywhere or do anything much less talk to someone. I had researched and googled myself to death when I finally found helibactor pylori as a possible culprit. When I asked my previous doctor to test me she said there was no sense in doing that because it wouldn’t cause those symptoms but she was wrong. Several more months of misery went by when finally my rheumatologist mentioned getting checked for the helibactor pylori. I was so mad that it had been dismissed so quickly before and was now being mentioned to me by another doctor. I was tested and had it and was treated and have not had a panic attack since. I do have some anxiety still but I could not function before. I wanted to hide in a bubble and never go outside again. Now I can go places and do things and not freak out. Please don’t dismiss something because one doctor may not think like you do. You know your body.. push for the testing and the answers and ask to be checked for this bacteria and anything else that you feel in your gut... it’s your life and you have to live it!!

[lillyofthevalley37]

Well done diognosing yourself

[lorianxiety]

Areed00,yes I agree with you completely ,when you know somethings not right with your body functions ect and Gp thinks they know best,(rubbish));Ive had this Hpyori,and last year when my anxiety ,health ect was at its worst I provided a stool sample at the new surgery /practise,when I think of it I don't think they knew why I handed it in-it came back ok,since then im still stressed out cheeks go red for no reason sweat more,fart more and it stinks /trying to cut down on sugar intake though find that difficult when my adrenal glands are overworked ,im just existing,would like to hear more how you felt at the time you were overanxious ect!

[Amz1987]

Can I please ask what all of your symptoms where?

Same thing happened to my father in law. He was told it was all in his head and they tried to put him on antidepressants.

He kept pushing and ended up having a endoscopy and was diagnosed with this as well. But unfortunately he ended up with stomach cancer as well.

I haven’t been feeling well for months and my dr again just wanted to give me antidepressants and told me it’s just anxiety!

I saw another dr last week and have referral to have the h.plyori breath test although he also just looked at me like no way were my symptoms attributed to that but he’s allowed the test. I have to do it some time this week.

[Gambit62]

h pylori infection is a known cause of B12 deficiency which would match with the problems you describe - unfortunately there isn't a good test for B12 deficiency - though looking for significant drops in serum B12 over time is a good way of identifying a problem - its usually seen as being a single test.

If you want to know more about B12 deficiency there is a lot on this website

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Pernicious anaemia is actually an autoimmune disorder that affects the mechanism that allows most B12 to be absorbed from food - its the most common cause of B12 deficiency. B12 deficiency will eventually cause deficiency but it isn't one of the first signs in significant numbers of people. Unfortunately the mention of anaemia in the title confuses many GPs and other medical practitioners into thinking that it is the cause - it causes some of the symptoms but isn't involved in many others.

[denvajade]

It’s terrible how we get treated I too have ra and a gut condition I believe I got from methotrexate, bad bacteria has taken over.

[Shackelton]

My 85 year old mom has been plagued w panic attacks which first showed up just over a year ago when 3 weeks into taking an anti depressant. I still believe the Lexapro and now mirtazipine are playing a role , but They did find h pylori during an endoscopy after colitis 2 months ago.

Her new GASTROENTEROLIGIST has also dismissed the hpylori as anything of concern. Thanks for posting as I think h pylori can wreak havoc and mom's few docs aren't chasing anything on her symptoms while simply casting her into the dementia bucket which anyone who spends time with her isn't seeing. Seems to be more extreme fear and anxiety and now fogged by antidepressants for which they keep raising her dose even when it's not working for her but causing all day panic and more confusion. H pylori?? Her heart meds may be playing a role as well.. beta blocker.

We're slated to do the h pylori breath test at month's end... thanks for the hopeful post! Happy YOU are feeling better!