Hi everyone!
You may have read the post I started on panic attacks- well my doctor has made an important discovery I'd like to share with others in case they have not been checked.
I found out two weeks ago I am deficient in vitamin b12, iron and vitamin c. Since taking supplements I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ATTACKS!!!! Usually in two weeks I would have had at least six panic attacks in a fortnight.
My doctor thinks the panic attacks could have been linked to b12 deficiency so please if you havn't been checked for nutritional deficiencies and youre suffering panic attacks, it might be an idea to have this checked out.
Best
dandelion
Wow!! Thanks for the info! I've suffered from panic/anxiety for years and have never heard that! I"ve got an appt with my shrinky-dink in a week or so, and I'll ask to be tested!!
Wow! Who would have thought that vitamins would be so important? I am so glad that you got to the root of the problem and that you are feeling better. I am sure that your posting your information here is going to help others! Thank you!
Wow!!! I am as shocked as the other cysters! I never knew that vitamin deficiencies could cause you to experience panic attacks! I am so happy you are doing better and treating this problem! Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information! Take care...*Hugs and Luv*
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Hi Dandelion,
I too suffer with anxiety and panic attacks.I'm wating for cognitive behaviour therapy at the moment as I tried prozac in the past and it in resulted in one massive panic attack.It made me so nervous that i couldn't continue taking it.Could you tell me how you found out you were deficient in those vitamins and if you take the b12 in tablet form or have to have injections.
Hi cysters!
Well I had a normal blood test (ya know from the inside of your elbow) taken at my normal doctors appointment and they checked for 'nutritiona deficiencies especially b12'. I should remind you that not everyone who gets panic attacks will be deficient and having normal levels wont stop the panic attacks for some. For example my housemate and sister-in-law (almost!), she has pcos too and has panic attacks bad around her periods and ovulation time but she's quite healthy (no deficiences). (And just recently joined the boards under the nick wildflower!) so you see it wont solve everybody's panic problem but it's still worth checking out!
best
dandelion
I just had a blood test done last week but only to check hormone levels.(still awaiting results)I find my panic attacks are much worse from ovulation to TOM,infact most times that is the only time i get them, but i feel a background "jittery"feelin at other times because the fear of having a panic attack is always lingering around in the background.
I have a B complex vitamin that I don't take. (Yeah, I know...bad me) I think I will start it now. But are there any side effects or anything I need to be aware of? I haven't had any blood tests in about 3 years, so I have no idea if I am deficient or not. I don't have the healthiest diet in the world, so I am sure that I am deficient in many things. I've been inspired by this site to get up off my butt and do something to help myself. So, this may be the first step. Any side effects? Thanks!
That is great! Congratulations on your discovery and thank you for sharing. I'm so glad you reminded me that sometimes nutritional defeciencies can cause lots of problems and it's a good idea check into it.
__________________ It's ok to cry if you're sad. Tears are God's little safety valve.
*****************************
That is so true! I've been getting a b shot every week for the last month or so, because all my b vitamins are very low. After each shot I feel calm and my anxiety fades. I can also sleep much better on those days. I don't stress about things, and it doesn't take me like hours to fall asleep. Unfortunately, because I'm so stressed right now, my body uses up the b vitamins so quickly that I'm back to being deficient like the next day. Too bad I can't get a shot everyday. I'm sure that if my B's were at a normal level, my anxiety wouldn't be such a problem. Here's an article about b vitamins that I found. Also note now important bs are at carb metabolism!
The Unbeatable B's
The Ultimate Stress Nutrients.
Few of us realize that the stress and anxiousness we feel is often the result of acute vitamin B deficiency. Although our hectic schedules combined with environmental toxins and daily pressure at work, play a role in our stress levels, much of this can be avoided with adequate supplies of vitamin B. The key to understanding Vitamin B's role in preventing stress is in the realization that a deficiency can cause over-tiredness and anxiousness that leads to increased stress levels. The primary reason is that the individual B vitamins play some of the most critical roles in the systems in your body responsible for producing energy.
Most of us will benefit from the addition of B-Vitamins in our daily supplement program. Without the Vitamin B family, our bodies can't maintain healthy nerves, skin, hair, eyes, liver or muscle tone. Nor can they utilize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins adequately. The Vitamin B family is an important group of nutrients, each with its own biological role to play. As a group, the B's work together in the body and can be found in the same foods. Because of this "togetherness" they're called the B-Complex vitamins. Since B-Vitamins are water soluble and cannot be stored in the body for long periods of time, they must be replaced daily. Here's an overview of the Vitamin B family:
Vitamin B-1 (thiamin)
Functions as an enzyme compound.
Supports energy production, carbohydrate use, and nerve cell function.
Promotes strong mental health.
Vitamin B-2 (riboflavin)
Plays a crucial role in energy production.
Maintains healthy eyes, skin, and mouth tissues.
Vitamin B-3 (niacin)
Promotes healthy cholesterol levels.
Supports energy production
Vitamin B-5 (pantothenic acid)
Plays a key role in adrenal functions and in producing red blood cells.
Helps maintain ideal cholesterol levels and helps utilize fats and carbohydrates for energy production.
Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine)
Plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of over 60 different enzymes that help repair and replace cells.
Supports immune system, as well as keeps mucous membranes and skin healthy.
Provides support vital for healthy pregnancies.
Can be linked to proper formation of red blood cells.
May decrease risk of atherosclerosis by blocking the action of homocystein, an undesirable form of the amino acid cysteine.
Vitamin B-12 (cobalamin)
May decrease risk of atherosclerosis by blocking the action of homocysteine, and undesirable form of the amino acid cysteine.
Supports energy metabolism, as well as immune and nerve functions.
Biotin
Promotes strong healthy nail and hair formation.
Maintains production of scalp oils, promoting a healthy scalp.
Helps the body convert simple sugars to glucose, for energy reserves.
Helps produce fatty acids, essential energy nutrients.
Folic Acid
Required in protein synthesis and red blood cell formation
Believed to reduce the risks of some birth defects when taken prior to and during pregnancy.
Promotes a healthy heart by maintaining healthy homocysteine levels.
May decrease risk of atherossclerosis by blocking the action of homocysteine, an undesirable form of the amino acid cysteine.
Chonline and Inositol
Involved in the body's use of fats and cholesterol, choline in the use and storage of fat, inositol in making large key molecules.
Called phospholipids, these large molecules, aid in digesting and using fats.
PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)
Works concurrently with other nutrients in the body to perform a variety of different tasks.
Helps in formation of folic acid and use of protein to repair and regenerate the body.
Supports healthy intestinal flora.
__________________ All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king
— J.R.R. Tolkien
my panic attack update/discovery!!! 
Kathryn
