Antibiotics are a leading contributor to yeast overgrowth, which often results in anxiety attacks, panic attacks and a variety of other debilitating physiological and psychological symptoms such as those experienced by this site visitor…
Hi, I am a 25 year old male and have been experiencing anxiety, panic attacks and weird breathing for a period of 5 months. I was on a 5 day course of antibiotics which ruined my stomach pretty bad for about 2 weeks. I was wondering if during that 2 weeks a fungal overgrowth could occur causing all of these problems I have now. I know that antibiotics even kill your good bacteria and I have been taking a probiotic for this which has helped. Before this happened I was a very healthy athletic person who ran marathons and also happened to be very relaxed and rarely tense about anything.
I have not been able to drink coffee for the time this has been going on. I have extremely high sensitivities to smells such as cigarettes, tar, pesticides, cleaning products and much more. I have tried medications with horrible side effects. All that has really worked for me is probiotics and spirulina. I quit eating sugars and carbohydrates for a two day period and that exacerbated the symptoms. I am thinking that is due to the toxins the dying fungus might have released. I do not know if this is enough information, but I was wondering if you could recommend anything. I appreciate all of your help and find your blog very interesting. I am glad you have found a way to beat your anxiety and are helping others to achieve this as well through natural methods.
Thanks again. Ciao
Hi Ciao,
The fact that you were healthy prior to taking the antibiotic is a clear indicator of what set this off for you. Yes, antibiotics are a leading cause of yeast overgrowth and Candidiasis, along with sugar and refined carbohydrates.
The other symptoms you are experiencing, inability to drink caffeine, sensitivities to smell and side-effects from medications are also common symptoms for yeast overgrowth. These symptoms indicate the liver pathways are not functioning properly. Candida yeast emits toxins in the body like acetaldehyde. These toxins often inhibit or disrupt the liver from functioning properly which would cause the inability to drink caffeine, take medications, and sensitivities to smells.
The sensitivities to smells is the development of multiple chemical sensitivity, also known as mcs, a very common condition that accompanies yeast overgrowth. So you’ll want to be sure to read up on this topic at the links I’ll provide below. The primary source of relief for sensitivities is avoidance as well increasing the health of the liver and endocrine system and eating a healthier diet like the Candida diet.
It is pretty common to have an exacerbation of symptoms the first few days after removing sugar and carbohydrates from the diet, because there will be high levels of die off as you cut off the food supply to Candida yeast and because sugar and carbohydrates are addictive. You are probably experiencing withdrawal. This usually subsides in a week or so and then there should be improvement and relief.
Anxiety and yeast overgrowth are both very complex issues that require a multi-faceted approach. Food sensitivities are almost always involved, so this is an important component to look into. I encourage you to read all the sections of my site and blog on Candida yeast, anxiety, chemical sensitivities, food sensitivities and explore all the issues that I mention on each of these pages which can be found at the following links:
Symptoms of Anxiety Tracking Down the Culprits
Physiological Causes of Anxiety Attacks
Anxiety and Candida
Food Allergies & Sensitivities
Alternatively, my Ebook, Candida Secrets provides a comprehensive blueprint for all the factors that need addressed for yeast overgrowth. I have a new book on anxiety and depression that I’m working on, but it will not be ready for another month or two. I’ll let you know when it’s available. All the steps that one takes to improve yeast overgrowth will also address anxiety attacks or panic attacks on many different levels, because the contributing factors that result in yeast overgrowth are also contributing factors to anxiety.
Recovery from anxiety attacks, yeast overgrowth, chemical sensitivities and other related conditions is an ongoing process, not something you do once and be done with. Once these type of problems are set into action there is no going back to the old diet. You must think in terms of permanent changes in diet and lifestyle. The human body was not intended to eat sugar, caffeine, alcohol, refined junk food etc., or be exposed to environmental toxins. The body can get away with for a while, then there comes a day when something breaks the camel’s back, for you it sounds like the last straw was antibiotics.
Depending on how strong your constitution is when you’re born and how many straws you throw on the camels back along the way will affect how quickly your camel’s back will break. Some people can get away with abusing the body for a lifetime, some people are born with a broken back, and others it may take years or decades. However, once the camel’s back is broken, there is no going back. You can support or mend its back, but if you return to eating sugar, caffeine and junk food and continue to expose it to environmental toxins, the back will break again.
Best Regards
Cynthia
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