HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Vitamin D defiency and anxiety?

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/7/2014 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
I've been struggling since February with anxiety and some depression. It started by innocently changing meds bc I thought my old one was pooping out (had been on Cymbalta 6 yrs). Switched to Zoloft and that messed me up so back on Cymbalta 60mg plus Abilify 2.5mg.

The Abilify is helping but... I'm still having "for no reason" anxiety off and on. Not panic attacks but agitation/anxiety that I quell by taking a walk or if needed, a Xanax. I do have a history of anxiety issues including hypochondria and agoraphobia but they've always been "under control", meaning despite them, I lead a happy "normal" life.

I've never not had an extended episode of anxiety and I want to be my happy, funny self soon. I'm so sick of this! I'm 43 and 95% of my life has been lived happily! :P I called psych and they said I could up the Abilify to 5mg. I haven't done that yet bc I am trying my CBT and other healthy coping skills first. They ordered a thyroid test and vitamin D test. Thyroid normal, Vit D low at 20 & normal range is 30-100?
I started taking 5000 Vit D3/daily, yesterday.

My question- has anyone experienced low it D levels that correlated with anxiety/increased anxiety? It would be wonderful if that explained mine lol. Thanks!!!

Peace!
Lisa tongue tongue
Posted 5/7/2014 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have low Vit-D, but of all the supposed symptoms that can correlate, for me personally, I'm not sure that had an effect.

That being said, the topic of the correlation to Vit-D has been brought up a number of times here, so it does make me curious as to if anyone else has noticed this. You're not the only one.

What made you think of this possible connection?






M.
Posted 5/7/2014 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
What made me think of the correlation was I looked up Vit D defiency and a main symptom is depression... Anxiety goes hand in hand with depression, for me anyway. And also I've never had anxiety last this long. I still have many AD options but that road is frustrating as I experienced. Prior, the first AD that was ever given to me just worked.

It dies also say that many depressed ppl have low levels of Vit D so not sure if it's the chicken or the egg... What I do know is SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is definitely linked to low D levels. We just got through a brutal winter here and finally feeling some some and warm temps (I'm in northern indiana).
Posted 5/7/2014 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Recent research on vitamin D indicates that many people are deficient in this key vitamin.  Vitamin D status can be measured by a simple blood test, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D.

SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder is believed to be caused by a low level of Vitamin D during the gloomy winter months.

It certainly would be worth checking with your Dr. to have your blood level  checked.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Posted 5/7/2014 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Mine is low. Just had test 2 days ago. Normal is 30-100. Mine was 20. They have me taking 5000mg Vit D3/day. It's be nice if this explained why I'm still having issues. My past experience was "have an issue (2x MDD since 1993), take med, get better w/in a few weeks

This time the anxiety weirdness is lingering. It'd be nice if taking the Vit D supplements would help. It's just getting REAL old as you all well know. At 43, this is my first time experiencing anxiety "long term" (11 weeks). I haven't been a basket case this whole time and I've prob had more good days/moments than bad but the bad still seem to trump the good. I would take a panic attack over fighting this chronic anxiety crappiness.

Please tell me there is hope around the corner lol

Peace,
Lisa
Posted 5/7/2014 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
There is hope around the corner!

Keep in mind we may have to turn a few corners to get there, but yes, there's hope.

I agree with you that the chronicity of having GAD over extended periods of time just seems to wear you down to your bones,....can't quite shake out of it. Good comparison, btw,...panic attacks, at least they do eventually pass, so in a twisted way, we have solace.

The best advice I could offer is the very advice that's been offered to me here, which is to learn to stay in the moment and grapple with life (as well as enjoy the heck out of it), one measure at a time. Take small bites! :)







M.
Posted 5/7/2014 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Just a word of caution. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and is not cleared as easily from the body as other, water-soluble vitamins. Make sure to have your levels tested (I know you did, lesweet) before significantly increasing the amount currently taken. It can have adverse effects if too much is taken.

Best
Gigi
Posted 5/7/2014 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
5000 Vit D is a common dose w/defiency and even for autoimmune and other diseases. I'm just hoping it helps! Oh I also bumped Abilify to 5mg today, up from 3 weeks worth at 2.5mg. I noticed some improvement but I'm still getting the adrenaline anxiety feeling and have had 2 panic attacks in past 3 weeks along with chronic adrenaline feeling. Off topic but anyone reading this take Abilify as a booster to their AD & it brought anxiety relief?
Posted 5/8/2014 10:31 AM (GMT 0)
same case low vitamin D, this chronic adrenaline feeling how can you describe it.. ex ?
sorry for bothering but I also suffer from this adrenaline thing.
Posted 5/8/2014 11:16 AM (GMT 0)
I would describe the adrenaline thing as like drinking a whole pot of strong coffee. I HAVE to walk or pace to settle it down. Or a Xanax always works but I try to only taken Xanax if the walking/pacing doesn't work.

I'm guessing the adrenaline is anxiety. Just good ole, standard anxiety. And I hate it lol. I don't hate anyone or anything really but I do hate anxiety (even tho it's also led to a better life for me bc it forces me to make positive changes).... So... Maybe I don't hate it, just have yet to love it :D

How're you treating yours?
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply