Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
I've been exploring treatment options for my anxiety, depression, psoriasis, arthritis, irritable bowel and chronic headaches/migraines.
For years, I've felt like there has GOT to be a better and more lasting solution.
Anyway, I went to see a new physician who prefers to use pharmaceuticals as a last resort. She prefers to find the cause and address that rather than treating symptoms.
She told me about the MTHFR gene mutation. If you have it, you are more likely to get all the problems I have and also more likely to develop fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and other auto-immune problems, alzheimer's and other issues.
It's a simple, fairly reasonably priced test and if you have the mutation all you need to do is take folate and vitamin B12 and avoid folic acid. Folate is super important but if you have the mutation you can't metabolize the folic acid in processed foods. So I have to avoid anything "enriched" or "fortified" foods. And the B12 needs to be liquid form under the tongue or a shot.
Anyway, here's a link with more information. Might be something to look into: http://doccarnahan.blogspot.com/2013/05/mthfr-gene-mutation-whats-big-deal.html
For years, I've felt like there has GOT to be a better and more lasting solution.
Anyway, I went to see a new physician who prefers to use pharmaceuticals as a last resort. She prefers to find the cause and address that rather than treating symptoms.
She told me about the MTHFR gene mutation. If you have it, you are more likely to get all the problems I have and also more likely to develop fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and other auto-immune problems, alzheimer's and other issues.
It's a simple, fairly reasonably priced test and if you have the mutation all you need to do is take folate and vitamin B12 and avoid folic acid. Folate is super important but if you have the mutation you can't metabolize the folic acid in processed foods. So I have to avoid anything "enriched" or "fortified" foods. And the B12 needs to be liquid form under the tongue or a shot.
Anyway, here's a link with more information. Might be something to look into: http://doccarnahan.blogspot.com/2013/05/mthfr-gene-mutation-whats-big-deal.html
I am a nurse and have never heard of that test.
I do however like the no meds approach....can you exercise at all??
The person who suggested this test works in a natural health place where they focus on acupuncture and alternative options.
I'm nearly 50 and yes, I can do some exercise but nothing too crazy (arthritis).
I wonder how long this test has been available. From what I'm seeing, there are studies going back about 10 years.
Frankly, I am fascinated by all the of the testing they're able to do. The most incredible shift for me in all of this was to recognize there is a physical gene mutation indicating mental illness is perhaps more physical than mental. That's big.
That might be a good place to start in terms of asking around about alternative health care. Like any health care provider, it's good to learn all you can, make sure they're qualified and trust your instincts.
I've had anxiety all my life so being without it is rather like the movie, "At First Sight" where the guy has always been blind but gets surgery to restore his sight and he's just not even sure how to deal with it!
I'm not overwhelmed but it certainly is weird to be without anxiety - in a good way.
Today I had to run errands and my kids (who are older) were really surprised because I was out all day long. I just took my time wandering through shops and really enjoying everything. When I thought of something that seemed like fun, I'd just pull over and take a look.
No anxiety.
I drove all over - in heavy traffic, through construction, to places I'd never been - no anxiety. I had to deal with strangers and wait for quite a while at a couple of appointments. No anxiety.
And I just feel overall peaceful and calm but I have the energy to do everything I need to. I'm feeling hopeful that I'll wind up with energy to do not only those things I have to get through, but that I'll breeze through those and be able to do things I want to do for fun.
Normally, after a day of errands I'd be completely wiped out from the stress of it. Today I'm wondering what I should do tonight for fun!
I'm not doing everything yet but venturing out further.
I hope others are able to find things that help and hope that I continue to get better and better.
It's only been 3 weeks and my doctor says it will be 3 - 6 months before I am at normal folate/B12 levels. Very exciting stuff.
It took a long time, but a (surprise) helpful person at my insurance company went to a lot of trouble to contact the lab it uses and said they cover that test.
Next issue was wondering if I could convince the doctor to order the test She said it made sense and we're going to try it. I will have that run when I have my thyroid re-tested later next week.
Thanks again, Reed31! I am so happy for you and encouraged that this is working. Good luck and keep us posted about your progress.
Today I went to a museum I've wanted to go to for YEARS. I knew it was going to be crowded which is something I would have avoided in the past. There were a myriad of things that would normally trigger me but I was very decided about what I wanted to do and what I wanted to skip which helped. I didn't feel that anxiety around indecisiveness.
They had a maze inside which I would normally completely avoid but I went through the whole thing! Took me a few goes to get through it and I didn't look at the exhibits for long but it was a real achievement!
I kept wondering if I would get anxiety and so I was hyper-aware, but it never came - not even a hint of it! Due to the habit of anxiety, I am taking it slowly - just in case.
I spent a good deal of time at the museum and actually ENJOYED it! In the past, I would either go and would white-knuckle it the entire time or, if given the choice, I would just skip it - resulting in me sitting at home quite a lot. I could go out and be uncomfortable or stay home and be comfortable but couldn't really go out for a fun evening and enjoy it.
I am feeling so amazing and there are so many nuances to this that I can't put my finger on. One thing is that I am planning a few things (baby steps) and actually looking forward to going as opposed to dreading them. I didn't even realize what I was missing!
Thank you for your continued support, hugs and well-wishes. This is taking a good deal of courage but this far that courage is being richly rewarded.
My MD did not know about this test. I heard about it from a physician's assistant and then again from a nutritionist I respect and admire.
I also read about the vitamins in Dr. Christiane Northrup's books.
I think we have to be our own advocates in terms of health. If a doctor thinks you're being silly because you're learning too much about what could be impacting your health, they're not a very good doctor (IMHO).
http://www.methylpro.com/