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Bad anxiety after eating??

Does anyone else suffer from bad anxiety after eating a large meal? I've been having panic attacks after eating. Abotu 10 minutes after I get finished eating, I will get very nervous/anxious feeling and I have heart palps. Almost everytime I eat a large meal this happens, so I'm guessing it is a panic attack.
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Avatar universal
I have experienced a similar effect after eating, as well as general confusion and vertigo. I have been anemic for years and take iron supplements. At the time when I had these episodes at their worst I had taken a break from the supplements to try a different kind. I felt horrible every day until I started to take a higher dose of iron, ferrous gluconate 35mg twice a day with orange juice or some drink with vitamin c to aid iron absorption. I no longer feel these symptoms although I do get general anxiety symptoms from time to time when triggered. Please get your mineral levels checked. You might be deficient and need supplements.
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Avatar universal
hi, if you feel like having panic attacks after having heavy meal then make it light, don't eat too much and then see what happens..if you again going through with panic attacks then better to consult therapist
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It could be a spasming esophagus. This uncommon condition makes you feel like you're having a heart attack after you eat a meal. See your regular doctor.
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Some of you, like me, might be dealing with a condition called hypochlorhydria. It simply means, you’re low on stomach acids. The solution is to supplement with hydrochloric acid every meal. You can pick it up at health food store or buy online. I didn’t have any of the classical symptoms of burping or heartburn, etc.  I thought I was going to have be hospitalized after 5 weeks of agony with major tremors, panic attacks, and extreme wooziness after every meal. In two days, it all went away with starting the use of HCL supplements. You have to experiment with the dosage to get it right. I hope that helps someone here. Do a search online to see how to experiment with the correct dosage with your meals.
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Avatar universal
22 year old male.
I'm having a lot of the same symptoms. The majority of the time when I eat I get anxiety. Initially I thought it was sodium  in the food I was eating but it happens no matter what I eat. I tried experimenting by cooking an all natural chicken breast,plain without any seasoning. I ate this with plain frozen sugar snap peas and it still happens. Headaches, chest pain, nausea,chills,feals like Im going to pass out.I feel Very faint. This seems to happen most in the afternoon. Usually I can get through breakfast and lunch with only minor symptoms(though not all ways ).I can't eat at restaurants such as cracker barrel,Ruby Tuesdays esc. Within a few bites I get extreme anxiety attacks. Yet for breakfast I eat a chichen bacon croissant with honey mustard from Dunkin Donuts nearly every morning and aside from nausea and the occasional anxiety symptoms I feel fine. I was on antibiotics about a month ago and the nausea never went away. This nausea is accompanied by pretty bad lower back pain. I've tried eating Greek yogurt for the probiotics but it hasn't helped.my doctor ordered a ultrasound of my aorta,kidneys, blatter, and prostate which was slightly enlarged but my doctor said it's not a problem due to my age. This has been happening for about 4 months and I have lost 30 pounds in that time. (186 lbs now down to 155) This happens when I'm overly full and if I eat a granola bar. There no pattern or consistency. Please help I want my life back.
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1 Comments
Try intermittent fasting. For example have your last meal of the day at 5pm and your breakfast the next day at 9 or 10am. This will give your digestive system 16 or 17  hours of rest. Try this a few times a week and it should help.  Apparently it is caused by your body beginning to rely solely on carbs.  Intermittent fasting will remind your body to use all foods consumed as fuel. I hope this helps you as it's not nice to have to live with.
16426782 tn?1447843358
I also get anxious sometimes after meals.. But it get normal after some time when I take small walks and take a cup of tea.
I always try to eat fresh and healthy to avoid any stomach problem that can increase my anxiety.
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Avatar universal
I have the same symptoms of stress and anxiety after crizes some meals.
sometimes I feel in one day and the other does not.
I am reading many articles and research on the internet .
At the moment the only thing that relieves my symptoms are chamomile tea and lemon grass .
otherwise I can not identify the problem. already cut various foods and nothing improves .
please if someone have some remedy or to indicate any tips , please contact because I am in need of help .
paoolo.***@****
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Avatar universal
Hello. Did you ever get this diagnosed or resolved??  I thought I was the only one too. Within the last few weeks it has become severe and I can't eat anything without triggering a panic attack response. I have lost 12 pounds in the last 3 weeks and I am terrified to eat because of the instant reaction I will get. I have been to endocrinologists and Immunologists, nobody can figure it out. Any insight would be extremely appreciated.
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Avatar universal
Yes. Just yes. You speak of every symptom I have, and I am currently researching a private allergist (UK) as my own research has led me to histamine intolerance. I too am 'newly' menopausal and my symptoms have increased since I stopped taking Omeprazole as I'm awaiting the H-Pylori test (more acid-more histamine?).
I switched to a short-term low-carb diet for just a few days just to see, and had a diet of chicken and veg. A few days in... BAM! Flushing, palpitations, panic. I ended up in A and E  for classic allergy symptoms. I wasn't allergic (I never REALLY thought I was but 111 sent me in). 5 hours later, still flushed. The next day, a smaller amount of chicken, 2 hours later a smaller flush that lasted about half an hour.

I'm self-diagnosed as lactose intolerant and pursuing SIBO tests.
I also suspect I have Celiac disease.

Not just me then. Phew!
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Avatar universal
After being medicated for Panic Disorder for nearly ten years and still having trouble with anxiety, I have only recently noted the relation between my eating habits and anxiety. I have only now come to the conclusion that I have Reactive Hypoglycemia. Typically, I experience near panic attacks within a half-hour to an hour after eating and the anxiety can linger for hours afterwards.

While most doctors will do little to nothing about this, because there's no medication for it, I have found that intermittent fasting cures hypoglycemia. In an era of excessive carb intake, our bodies are no longer operating the way they should be. Intermittent fasting basically reprograms our bodies to work the way they were meant to.

In my experience, this has completely eliminated my Reactive Hypoglycemia (not immediately, it takes a little time but had incredible results in only a few days) and anxiety troubles. Not to mention I lost an incredible amount of weight very quickly. ;)

4 minute tabata workouts also help (again, in time once your body gets used to it)

http://www.ketogenic-diet-resource.com/reactive-hypoglycemia.html        Some helpful information about it
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Avatar universal
Did you ever figure it out?  I have this, too, and it's getting worse.  I've been sick for four years and had many tests.  Most came up ok, but these four came out positive:  Yes-Histamine Intolerance  Yes-SIBO (Histamine Intolerance is probably because of the SIBO)  Yes-Mitral Valve Prolapse, Stage 1, Yes-Very low Vitamin D (14 ng).  So, I am working on all of these, but now seem to have a blood sugar problem.  Every meal now, I get a huge amount of anxiety and tingling/numbness/tissue pain down my arms and on the right side of my chest.  Sometimes it goes into my legs, too, and my head.  This has been going on for four years, but has lately gotten so much worse.  It happens more with carb foods (corn flakes, rice crackers, etc.--I've been gluten-free for three years).  But, now it's happening with chicken, apples, zucchini, although not as bad.  I've been on a low-histamine diet for a year now and I'm reacting to almost every food now.  Does anyone have help for this?  To everyone else on here, please check histamine intolerance, SIBO, Vitamin D, Mitral Valve Prolapse and get your blood sugar tested.  The blood sugar test will be next for me.  I have a feeling it's all of the above.  Ever since I hit menopause, my body has been slowly falling apart in multiple ways.  However, I think most of it is related to digestion.  I think I'll try the Tums approach as well to see if that helps.  Thank you.  
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Avatar universal
My son had a huge panic attack almost two weeks ago and has had a couple more since.  All occurred after eating.  I'm going to suggest to him the Tums before eating and I'm also going to investigate the gluten angle.  He's in college therefore not eating healthy and , of course plenty of beer involved as well.  Has had anxiety issues for a long time but never anything like these past two weeks.
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Avatar universal
My son had a huge panic attack almost two weeks ago and has had a couple more since.  All occurred after eating.  I'm going to suggest to him the Tums before eating and I'm also going to investigate the gluten angle.  He's in college therefore not eating healthy and , of course plenty of beer involved as well.  Has had anxiety issues for a long time but never anything like these past two weeks.
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Avatar universal
What ended up being the problem after your son saw the gastrologist?
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Avatar universal
I meant mri not cat scan
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Avatar universal
Hi, I was wondering if I can get help I have multiple symptoms started after birth control and then antibiotics for hpylori. I have constant fatigue , depression, anxiety going in stores , 2 major panic attacks in the past 3 years lower back pain came from knowhere . I also had turbunate reduction on nose its back blocked now, i have pressure in my head . No longer can drink milk or i would make all symptoms worse. Sugar or caffeine in moderations or pain is worse . Cat scan shows moderate facet hypertrophy and annular fissure. I also get very dehydrated and dizzy in the am. I was happy outgoing and i take vitamins and just want my life back. Doc refuse to test just prescribe anti depressants that only make me feel sick and no motivation to get out of bed ferritin 17 and vitamin d 21 or 25 female 31yrs reg periods symptoms worse on period. Facet injections relief for one month and ibs. Took antidepressants then quit florastor to try to get ibs under control. Some reacurring vag yeast infection and crackling sound in hed with pressure. I bite my lower lip constantly when sitting . Thanks im not anti-social or suicidal just feel sick no job .
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Avatar universal
i have anxiety after eating also, but i think thats because before i eat something i get very overwhelmed with the fact that" this could be my last meal if i eat this because its got so much salt, so much carbs, so much (of anything really) that it would make me have a heart attack and ill die.. i know thats really bad.. and extreme.. but when i have panic attacks thats all its based around ... and its getting to the point where i cant even eat a piece of bread or rice or something i felt safe about before cause thats always in the back of my mind .... really need help with this..
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Avatar universal
I am not sure of your history with any other anxiety or panic attacks, but my son just recently was suffering from anxiety only after eating and we were going crazy trying to figure it out and found that it is a simple fix of taking an indigestion medicine. I know it sounds crazy, but he started taking 2 tums before he ate and it was gone. He will now be going to see a gastrologist. Try it! It really worked for him :)
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Avatar universal
I am not sure of your history with any other anxiety or panic attacks, but my son just recently was suffering from anxiety only after eating and we were going crazy trying to figure it out and found that it is a simple fix of taking an indigestion medicine. I know it sounds crazy, but he started taking 2 tums before he ate and it was gone. He will now be going to see a gastrologist. Try it! It really worked for him :)
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Avatar universal
Could be a side affect of benzo or some other psycotropic med.
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Avatar universal
Saw your post.  I found out that I'm gluten intolerant.  Since then, I have been paying attention to what I eat and have noticed I often get that feeling if I eat something with gluten in it (sometimes I get the feeling on a carb overload as well).  You may want to be tested to see if you are gluten intolerant.  One good thing to do is keep a food journal and note what you eat, when and how you feel during different times of the day.  Be forewarned that gluten is in just about everything that comes in a box or bag.  It is not just in 'wheat' like alot of people think.  celiac.org is a good resource for more information.  Good luck!
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Avatar universal
It's time to address the anxiety.  Our anxiety feeds off our fears and worries, and when we sit in anticipation of another attack, we will get one.  You're absolutely correct, it's a vicious cycle.  Try to distract yourself  before and after eating both physically and mentally and see if that helps.  If not, therapy would be very beneficial in teaching you how not to dwell on this and think differently.  Also, do some deep breathing exercises before eating and when you feel yourself getting anxious afterwards.  Breathe slowly in thru your nose and slowly out of your mouth.  Exercisie is good for anxiety, so if you're able, take a walk after eating.  I know it's both scary and frustrating but there is help, so if you can't do this on your own (most of us can't) seek help with therapy. Best wishes and take care!
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Avatar universal
I  have been checked out by my doctor, had blood work and the full workup. My thyroid and blood sugar is fine. I have saw a cardiologist for my heart palps and had a tone of test done. He says all is fine! I don't know if I"m just in some kind of viscious cycle or what. But I do find myself thinking about it before I eat, worrying if I'm going to have another panic attack or not.  This is very frustrating, I would just like to find a way to get away from this!
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1547031 tn?1296831436
yep, happens to me too.  But it's very cyclical.  One day I'll have panic after every single bite I force down my throat, but the next nothing...  I hate that.
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