thanks for all your suggestions. i don't have any of the other typical allergy responses like itchy, redness, etc., so i think i can say that it's not really an allergic reaction. i am working out of this funk now - ended up having a massive panic attack where i had to go to the er i was so afraid, and while there i decided to give up the diet and ate something that they gave me, which i hadn't been eating, and was okay. the following day i had a work cookout with lobster, and i ate about 1/2 of it - my throat was feeling super tight afterwards because i was so scared to eat it, but then i was okay. i have been able to reintroduce everything else but corn and nuts. i don't know a good way to do it. the other thing i credit with my improvement is that i started on anti-depressants when i wrote my last message, and if i could chart how i feel since i started talking them, it's a constant increase (there is a light at the end of the tunnel afterall!). i'm seeing a therapist as well. still having panic attacks now and then, but very infrequently compared to before. they happen in the middle of the night only now - which is still disconcerting to wake up to one, but at least i have been able to get through them and go back to sleep.

any suggestions for avoiding night panic attacks? why would they happen at night?

also i wasn't able to find the grounding posts - can someone give me more specific words to look for? i just did a search on grounding . . . . thanks!

sorry - so long. just wanted to update on what i've been going through.