Might have been a bit too preemptive with the sugar thing. Overdid it yesterday and didn’t recognize it till night. It’s not like anything extra ordinary, just a common snack. Does sugar affect anyone else like this? Felt paranoid, uneasy, bothered by old intrusive thoughts to an extent, insomnia, low level anxiety.

Edit, I know it’s not just me. Years ago I could drink or eat sugar just fine, then I gradually developed anxiety with it. Also knew a girl it happened to. Same thing, no more sodas, sweet tea, desserts,etc.

Edited June 2Jun 2 by LunaLove96

17 hours ago, LunaLove96 said:

Might have been a bit too preemptive with the sugar thing. Overdid it yesterday and didn’t recognize it till night. It’s not like anything extra ordinary, just a common snack. Does sugar affect anyone else like this? Felt paranoid, uneasy, bothered by old intrusive thoughts to an extent, insomnia, low level anxiety.

Edit, I know it’s not just me. Years ago I could drink or eat sugar just fine, then I gradually developed anxiety with it. Also knew a girl it happened to. Same thing, no more sodas, sweet tea, desserts,etc.

I think anything sugary but also the non whole whole food elements in alot of foods aren't generally good for us, and in WD I suspect they may mess with our nervous systems. I've been eating pretty much like a saint for the last couple of years to be safe. I might have an icecream or two in the summer but they are alwats high quaility locally produced icecreams from farm shops.

Have had more increased anxiety lately, but for a reason this time. That flu I had gave me an ear infection.. which has led to constant tinnitus and double toned hearing. Absolutely freaky. It's like speaking into a fan where it sounds robotic, only everything sounds that way. Hope to God antibiotics will clear this up

1 minute ago, LunaLove96 said:

Have had more increased anxiety lately, but for a reason this time. That flu I had gave me an ear infection.. which has led to constant tinnitus and double toned hearing. Absolutely freaky. It's like speaking into a fan where it sounds robotic, only everything sounds that way. Hope to God antibiotics will clear this up

Ugh. My wife got an ear infection the last few days of our vacation in the UK. Her doctor here gave her antibiotics. The pain went away but it took a few weeks for her hearing to get back to normal. I hope you're feeling better soon!

Thank you @mstimc60 ! I never thought I would take certain things for granted till they're different! Especially normal hearing of all things.

Just now, LunaLove96 said:

Thank you @mstimc60 ! I never thought I would take certain things for granted till they're different! Especially normal hearing of all things.

I'm 65 and I'm learning that I don't bounce back as quickly as I used to from some things. I guess life is about adjusting to the reality of where we are in life. But we do recover, even if its not on our timeline.

14 hours ago, LunaLove96 said:

Have had more increased anxiety lately, but for a reason this time. That flu I had gave me an ear infection.. which has led to constant tinnitus and double toned hearing. Absolutely freaky. It's like speaking into a fan where it sounds robotic, only everything sounds that way. Hope to God antibiotics will clear this up

Sorry to read @LunaLove96 we find antibotics can cause issues, hope that won't be case for you, generally we try to avoid and let nature take its course but of course if it's bad you have to do these things.

On 6/3/2026 at 1:26 PM, mstimc60 said:

I'm 65 and I'm learning that I don't bounce back as quickly as I used to from some things. I guess life is about adjusting to the reality of where we are in life. But we do recover, even if its not on our timeline.

Boy am I learning that lesson lately 😭😅 Thank you, I will remember that

Update: anxiety has been more prevalent lately. Of course, I can CT the coffee and occasional sweet again. But I think more of it can be attributed to the former flu I had and its auditory effects. It can get very bizarre and frightening.. but time will surely heal it. Pressure and inflammation can’t remain in the Eustachian tube forever. That being said, I’d forgotten how foreboding straight up anxiety can be. I’ve been used to an uneasy undercurrent for a long time now, but to feel it raw, moments of panic and certain thinking something is wrong is difficult. I try not to catestrophize into it all feeling overwhelming or one thing after the other.. and just recognize it for what it is. Nothing is wrong. There’s no pressure… But my mind goes back to those rare panic attacks I had in the past. Those moments where the flight or fight is triggered for a season and I know it’s going to be a long ride… Think I’m scared of that feeling erupting again. The last one I had was when I foolishly CT the lexapro after two weeks, felt horrible WD, went back to 2.5mg that wasn’t enough… and the day I jumped to the 5mg again… I still don’t know what happened. It was the most horrifying experience in my life. I was running around, panicked, tachycardic, with evil SI intrusions blaring at me.

I don’t even know why I’m ruminating on what ifs, likely just the anxiety.

32 minutes ago, LunaLove96 said:

don’t even know why I’m ruminating on what ifs, likely just the anxiety.

It would be great if recovery was a nice steady uphill track, but its not. It can really put us on a rollercoaster of ups and downs. But the important thing is that you recognize anxious thoughts and ruminations as separate from who the "real you" is. We all feel the fear of falling back, but we also know we can bounce back. You got this!

If this was a rollercoaster, it felt more like a curveball! Not quite as downwards as before, but enough twists on a fairly normal track lately to make you wonder if you're sick again! Yes, I can separate myself from these things (most of the time..), but unfortunately it doesn't lessen what I feel, it just takes away its legitimacy. Thank you @mstimc60 . While I do wish this whole thing hadn't happened to me, I feel grateful to have met wonderful, kind, and compassionate souls like yourself on here. Sometimes I find that I have the strength to offer a comment on others' posts, and the next day I'm insecure and worried all over again. But like you said, rollercoaster. (Though TBH they aren't my cup of tea anymore, but a hot funnel cake always is! 😅🤣)

1 minute ago, LunaLove96 said:

While I do wish this whole thing hadn't happened to me, I feel grateful to have met wonderful, kind, and compassionate souls like yourself on here.

Can I share this with my wife?!?🤣

We can only do what we're capable of on any given day. Sometimes, the best thing to do is take a step back and restore your own power before you help someone else. But we all bring something to the table here.

lol

True. I guess for awhile I’ll be taking it easy with myself till I finish these abx. Btw @Chippy , it is a definite certainty antibiotics have thrown me off a bit, and definitely responsible for my edgy baseline lately. Especially since the broad spectrum ones wipe out the gut micro biome, which has a direct link to mental health with the gut brain connection. Ugh… But, it did help the infection at least, and it’s almost done with. I’ll get past this bump again, especially after last year like an idjit I took four rounds of abx in a row because Drs never heard of SSRIs affecting muscles. (They thought it was a stubborn uti)

I think I’d rather eat some root in the woods with medicinal purposes than be someone’s patient again 🫠 Lordy help me not go off on that tangent again-

3 minutes ago, LunaLove96 said:

Btw @Chippy , it is a definite certainty antibiotics have thrown me off a bit,

Sorry to hear, yeah they can definitely do that. Hopefully things settle quickly for you.

To anyone reading this with a sensitized nervous system, let me give you free wisdom that I am paying for.

For the love of God, do not use antibiotics unless you’re dying from an infection. Or something along those lines.

I only took 3/4 of my prescription before I had to stop. It took one day for it to destroy the good gut bacteria and directly affect the gut brain connection. I feel almost like I did when my last season started. Straight up anxiety, paranoia, and worst of all, feeling like I’m close to a panic attack.

I’d been in a fairly good window for the month of May till I got sick. Now I am scared of damage. Of taking weeks or months to heal my gut bacteria again and be somewhat normal again… My inclination is to take probiotics to boost it back up, but like with many supplements, they tend to be too strong/overwhelming. I don’t know if I just have the fear of another panic attack, or if one is actually trying to appear. But I am laying low, taking it about as easy and low stimulation as can be.

I would’ve rather dealt with this naturally if I hadn’t been scared of those new auditory symptoms. I’ll just say it. It’s evil. The way everyone is brought up with the idea of needing to be treated. Every little sniffle or cramp, why does it have to be so engrained in us that we need to feel perfect all the time? Lesson learned..

I'm sorry to hear you've had a setback from antibiotics.

For some people, they do pass reasonably quickly, so I hope this is what happens for you.

9 hours ago, LunaLove96 said:

To anyone reading this with a sensitized nervous system, let me give you free wisdom that I am paying for.

Pretty much all of the "wisdom" here is paid for, unfortunately.

9 hours ago, LunaLove96 said:

To anyone reading this with a sensitized nervous system, let me give you free wisdom that I am paying for.

For the love of God, do not use antibiotics unless you’re dying from an infection. Or something along those lines.

I only took 3/4 of my prescription before I had to stop. It took one day for it to destroy the good gut bacteria and directly affect the gut brain connection. I feel almost like I did when my last season started. Straight up anxiety, paranoia, and worst of all, feeling like I’m close to a panic attack.

I’d been in a fairly good window for the month of May till I got sick. Now I am scared of damage. Of taking weeks or months to heal my gut bacteria again and be somewhat normal again… My inclination is to take probiotics to boost it back up, but like with many supplements, they tend to be too strong/overwhelming. I don’t know if I just have the fear of another panic attack, or if one is actually trying to appear. But I am laying low, taking it about as easy and low stimulation as can be.

I would’ve rather dealt with this naturally if I hadn’t been scared of those new auditory symptoms. I’ll just say it. It’s evil. The way everyone is brought up with the idea of needing to be treated. Every little sniffle or cramp, why does it have to be so engrained in us that we need to feel perfect all the time? Lesson learned..

Sorry to read @LunaLove96 , it is why we suggest avoiding. I agree, the whole system is flawed, we are lulled into a false sense of security that the medical profession actually understands what they are doing. Unfortunately Pharma runs it and so does the Markets, things are not designed for our wellbeing at the front and centre IMO. In WD we are so much more vulnerable unfortunately.

Hope things ease quickly for you xxxx

Sigh. I think it might be considered a wave, it’s not entirely as destructive as before, so I guess it is good improvement. But currently I am working on grounding myself and being mindful. Especially when the anxiety is convincing of something, or I find myself trying to figure it out again. I literally have to be like, no, stop whatever thoughts in its tracks. Been through this many times, recognize it for what it is, this will alleviate again. It’s not the end of the world, there’s nothing wrong with me, now take all the easy time I need to be patient and easy on myself, just rest.

Don’t evaluate it. Anxiety is unreasonable, there’s no need to figure anything out.

Also, I didn’t use it, but be careful with nasal sprays guys. (Or pretty much anything at this point I’m guessing) They don’t bode well for people with a history of anxiety.

Thank you chippy and Luke.

Update: some good and bad, trying to focus on the good. Both the ear symptoms and bladder have alleviated, which I never thought would happen. Do still have to be careful with certain foods, but I suppose I will attribute it to the oddness of WD’s for future reference. Every day forward is healing and getting further away from the start point.

Now onto the flip side. I don’t really know how to describe it well, aside from… brain fog? Lately I feel like I’ve been struggling to find certain words, and especially at night, sometimes I’ve just felt… disoriented. To best describe it, I haven’t been sleeping well due to anxiety. But eventually I get so tired that I half sleep and quickly wake up. Part of me is in dream world, the other half, anxiety, is trying to figure out what’s happening and freaking out. Like are you in bed right now or at work? That kinda confusion ends up scaring me. Then for the sleep aspect, it’s so muddled with the anxiety I swear people are talking to me, or they come into the room, etc. Then I actually wake up like, ugh, this is confusing. Five seconds later I go right back into it. Almost like fever dreams? Overall, it’s very anxiety inducing for me to not feel like myself, or that I’m not all there… It’s still hard to take my own advice and recognize it for what it is. To allow myself to feel lousy… for however long, till it passes.

Hi @LunaLove96 I had episodes like that during WD. I'd forget routine things like starting the coffee maker or taking my bag with me when I left for the office. As you suspect, I think its due to a combination of background anxiety and lack of regular sleep. During these periods, I found I had to be very intentional about my daily routines and use mindfulness to stay in the moment. Its frustrating to have to be so careful about things that once came naturally, but as you say, it will pass. Of course, anything you can do to improve your sleep will help, too, bit one thing at a time. You'll get through this!

3 hours ago, mstimc60 said:

Hi @LunaLove96 I had episodes like that during WD. I'd forget routine things like starting the coffee maker or taking my bag with me when I left for the office. As you suspect, I think its due to a combination of background anxiety and lack of regular sleep. During these periods, I found I had to be very intentional about my daily routines and use mindfulness to stay in the moment. Its frustrating to have to be so careful about things that once came naturally, but as you say, it will pass. Of course, anything you can do to improve your sleep will help, too, bit one thing at a time. You'll get through this!

Yes, this too shall pass. Usually with the frustration of a kidney stone, but it always does!

21 minutes ago, LunaLove96 said:

Yes, this too shall pass. Usually with the frustration of a kidney stone, but it always does!

🤣

Currently in the ER... While my auditory concerns lessened unfortunately my head pressure worsened into serious migraines lately. That, dizziness and tingling in my face and arm with some disorientation sealed the deal. Definitely not good for anxiety. They will be checking for anything, i appreciate any prayers in this scary time.

Prayers on the way, @LunaLove96 Keep us posted!

Good news, everything came back normal. It wasn’t as bad as anxiety is always saying it is. Turns out it’s just residual lingering stuff from the flu. The reassurance helped a lot. But me having to leave early ruffled a few feathers at my work, and I’m realizing I’m giving way too much thought and stress to cliquey toxic people who would likely replace me in a week anyway. If there’s one thing about anxiety, it will make you fret about everything and concoct the worst case scenario’s. So, aside from the undercurrent of anxiety (and the latest job searches..), it’s been iffy lately. A dirty window, as they call it? I’m trying to avoid hasty decisions and anything rash… Best way to describe it, just unsettled. Trying to lay low, even if anxiety wants to over analyze.