Panic attacks
moe0303
Posts: 934 Member
Have any of you experienced panic attacks since starting LCHF? I have recently had an issue with this and I am trying to pinpoint possible causes. Is this a known side effect?
I have never had any issues with panic attacks before. I don't find myself as being under a tremendous amount of stress, but there are definitely stressors going on in my life right now. That being said, I don't feel particularly anxious about anything. But for several days now, at various times throughout the day, I feel as if I am unable to catch my breath even though I physically have no problem breathing. I feel claustrophobic.
Could it be related to this way of eating?
I have never had any issues with panic attacks before. I don't find myself as being under a tremendous amount of stress, but there are definitely stressors going on in my life right now. That being said, I don't feel particularly anxious about anything. But for several days now, at various times throughout the day, I feel as if I am unable to catch my breath even though I physically have no problem breathing. I feel claustrophobic.
Could it be related to this way of eating?
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Replies
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I do the same thing, whether I'm on LCHF or not. Haven't had a problem with it since I started taking my supplements for depression again. I started eating higher carb a few weeks before that and I don't *think* it made a difference.0
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Never heard of a connection, but google has.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/397774-insufficient-carb-intake-and-anxiety/
According to a case study by Mitali Wadekar, M.D., insufficient carb intake also leads to insufficient intake of tryptophan. Tryptophan is an amino acid used to make serotonin, a neurotransmitter believed to play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy mood.1 -
Yes.
I am a clinical psychologist and teach other health practititioners about experiences like this that are more hormone and insulin related rather than actual panic. Sometimes its the insulin balance changes, sometimes it is electrolyte imbalance, sometimes its just too low protein, or overall calories. There are many others in this group who will no doubt have things to add. Sorry, its midnight here in Oz, so I'll be brief now, but just keep watch over your energy as your body adjusts. Be great to observe and note when the feelings come as related to what and when you eat.
And of course, just make sure you are actually getting enough nutrition.0 -
Never heard of a connection, but google has.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/397774-insufficient-carb-intake-and-anxiety/
According to a case study by Mitali Wadekar, M.D., insufficient carb intake also leads to insufficient intake of tryptophan. Tryptophan is an amino acid used to make serotonin, a neurotransmitter believed to play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy mood.
L-tryptophan is one of the supplements I've run across. Generally either that or 5-HTP, which L-tryptophan is changed into. I take 5-HTP, among other things.0 -
@moe0303 Considering that creating and running off of ketones modifies the brain chemistry, it's absolutely possible, though not necessarily likely, that it could be related to the way you're eating. A friend who is bipolar went into a manic spell and pretty much stayed there for 3-6 months, all of while she was aiming for keto levels, and even after she upped the carbs again, despite being medicated heavily enough to put an elephant to sleep, etc. So it's all about your brain chemistry and your intake. Remember, any changes you make can take 4-12 weeks or more to show up, and changing back may not resolve the problem. More times than not, I find that going low carb tends to just reveal nutrient deficiencies that were already existing but masked... Good luck.0
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Do you have the chance to see a decent naturopath, or integrative medicine dr? If its mineral, vitamin or amino acid deficiencies, there will be other signs they will notice that you may not. Even changes to mood, and thinking.?
http://www.livestrong.com/article/431600-what-minerals-convert-amino-acids-to-dopamine-serotonin/ talks about the way the amino acids to dopamine and serotonin - neurotransmitters- the happy hormones- which also create the electrical impulses that connect one neuron to the other across the synaptic gaps.
Stress increases adrenaline and cortisol which lowers the production of those hormones which means we can;t think as well, etc, and additionally the stress hormones can play havoc with our digestion of food, and GI tract in general.
In the end it is usually a combination of all these factors that impact on how we are feeling.
Don't underestimate the mineral magnesium.0 -
Yes.
I am a clinical psychologist and teach other health practititioners about experiences like this that are more hormone and insulin related rather than actual panic. Sometimes its the insulin balance changes, sometimes it is electrolyte imbalance, sometimes its just too low protein, or overall calories. There are many others in this group who will no doubt have things to add. Sorry, its midnight here in Oz, so I'll be brief now, but just keep watch over your energy as your body adjusts. Be great to observe and note when the feelings come as related to what and when you eat.
And of course, just make sure you are actually getting enough nutrition.
Similarly to this, I have found that I experience more anxiety when I am fasting or eating insufficiently, and sometimes sodium/potassium/magnesium helps. I'm not typically a sufferer of anxiety. I will note, however, that my stress in general has increased lately, which is likely a factor. I believe there are many factors that contribute to depression/anxiety, and diet should be considered in how we feel, both mentally and physically.0 -
Thanks for all the replies.
I currently do not take any supplements and haven't for a long time. I usually try to eat a good amount of veggies but haven't been lately. My intake has increased a little bit. I find that I am getting a little bit hungrier these days, though I had some pretty low days when I started. I think my typical intake is around 1500-1600 calories usually. I'll have to go back and check, but my carb intake is usually less than 40g (total). That's just how I usually like to eat.
I haven't been working out as much either. I'm trying to get back into it.
I'll look into some magnesium supplements...though I have always tried to avoid them (the same goes for all medications). For that reason, I'll hold off going to the doctor, for now.0 -
Thanks for all the replies.
I currently do not take any supplements and haven't for a long time. I usually try to eat a good amount of veggies but haven't been lately. My intake has increased a little bit. I find that I am getting a little bit hungrier these days, though I had some pretty low days when I started. I think my typical intake is around 1500-1600 calories usually. I'll have to go back and check, but my carb intake is usually less than 40g (total). That's just how I usually like to eat.
I haven't been working out as much either. I'm trying to get back into it.
I'll look into some magnesium supplements...though I have always tried to avoid them (the same goes for all medications). For that reason, I'll hold off going to the doctor, for now.
Supplementing your electrolytes shouldn't be viewed as medicating. I rather dislike meds, too. You're simply replacing what you aren't currently eating.
I prefer to take electrolytes in liquid form, and prep a keto-ade every day. It's very helpful, and may be worth a try. No need to take pills to supplement.1 -
I get tightness in the chest like a panic attack when my electrolytes are low. Genuine panic attack/anxiety was decreased with keto for me.2
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I am the same as baconslave.....my general anxiety decreased with keto and my mood has actually improved. I hope you find the answer to help you because I know panic attacks can be awful!!0
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I do the same thing, whether I'm on LCHF or not. Haven't had a problem with it since I started taking my supplements for depression again. I started eating higher carb a few weeks before that and I don't *think* it made a difference.
I said that, then had one this morning.
BTW, a friend taught me that for some reason, Benadryl seems to stop milder panic attacks. I took 2 of the gel caps and it starts working pretty quickly for me.1 -
I do the same thing, whether I'm on LCHF or not. Haven't had a problem with it since I started taking my supplements for depression again. I started eating higher carb a few weeks before that and I don't *think* it made a difference.
I said that, then had one this morning.
BTW, a friend taught me that for some reason, Benadryl seems to stop milder panic attacks. I took 2 of the gel caps and it starts working pretty quickly for me.
@Twibbly - it makes me wonder if it's an inflammation reduction or something... Will have to ponder!0 -
I do the same thing, whether I'm on LCHF or not. Haven't had a problem with it since I started taking my supplements for depression again. I started eating higher carb a few weeks before that and I don't *think* it made a difference.
I said that, then had one this morning.
BTW, a friend taught me that for some reason, Benadryl seems to stop milder panic attacks. I took 2 of the gel caps and it starts working pretty quickly for me.
Sorry for jinxing you
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Thanks for all the great advice, everybody.
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KnitOrMiss wrote: »I do the same thing, whether I'm on LCHF or not. Haven't had a problem with it since I started taking my supplements for depression again. I started eating higher carb a few weeks before that and I don't *think* it made a difference.
I said that, then had one this morning.
BTW, a friend taught me that for some reason, Benadryl seems to stop milder panic attacks. I took 2 of the gel caps and it starts working pretty quickly for me.
@Twibbly - it makes me wonder if it's an inflammation reduction or something... Will have to ponder!
Or a histamine reaction. When histamine overloads the body, weird things can happen. The ER actually gave me Benadryl when I went in last time for a migraine/cluster headache attack.
Or it just drugs you enough that you no longer care.
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