Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Anxiety and depression! ?

KJDx

Recommended Posts

KJDx Rookie
KJDx
Posted

Hi all,

 
Since my teenage years I've had GI problems and been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, I'm beginning to wonder whether it's all related to celiac. A lot of the symptoms I have and I'm currently being tested for celiac disease.
I'm just wondering if people's anxiety and depression worsened prior to diagnosis?
I'm at my wits end at the minute, it's affecting every aspect of my life, from studying to relationships to my social life (that's non existent). I don't even wanna get out of bed let alone the house and the only thing I can do to help my anxiety is to research and find answers, the link between serotonin and celiacs is interesting.
 
I'm wondering whether anyone else feels this way? I wanna pull my hair out ??
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Welcome to the forum!  

Depression and anxiety have been linked to celiac disease.  Here is a link to a government study:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

if you are getting tested, please make sure you are consuming gluten or the tests will be invalid.  Check out the University of Chicago's celiac website for diagnostic testing.

Hang in there!  

 

cristiana Veteran
cristiana
Posted

About six months prior to my diagnosis I developed the most awful debilitating anxiety.   Coincidentally my B12 levels were extremely low and I had iron anemia.  These deficiencies were treated with supplementation before my actual diagnosis and I believe it helped tremendously.   Do get your levels checked with your doctor first as if you are deficient you may find supplementing will help.  

On the other hand - a recent poster discovered they had too much of another B vitamin that caused problems of its own, so make sure you are only supplementing if you need to.

  • 2 weeks later...
KJDx Rookie
KJDx
Posted
  • Author
On 25 February 2016 at 6:13 AM, cyclinglady said:

Welcome to the forum!  

Depression and anxiety have been linked to celiac disease.  Here is a link to a government study:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

if you are getting tested, please make sure you are consuming gluten or the tests will be invalid.  Check out the University of Chicago's celiac website for diagnostic testing.

Hang in there!  

 

Hi @cyclinglady,

Im still eating gluten, I know it's important until tests are done.

After a month I'm still waiting for blood test results :( it's so frustrating!! 

KJDx Rookie
KJDx
Posted
  • Author
On 25 February 2016 at 9:32 AM, cristiana said:

About six months prior to my diagnosis I developed the most awful debilitating anxiety.   Coincidentally my B12 levels were extremely low and I had iron anemia.  These deficiencies were treated with supplementation before my actual diagnosis and I believe it helped tremendously.   Do get your levels checked with your doctor first as if you are deficient you may find supplementing will help.  

On the other hand - a recent poster discovered they had too much of another B vitamin that caused problems of its own, so make sure you are only supplementing if you need to.

Hi @cristiana, 

I know the feeling! I've never felt anxiety like it! My doctor said he's tested for b12 and vitamin d too. Just waiting on results. It's ruining all aspects of my life at the minute as I'm in the most toughest part of my studies :( 

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted
56 minutes ago, KJDx said:

Hi @cyclinglady,

Im still eating gluten, I know it's important until tests are done.

After a month I'm still waiting for blood test results :( it's so frustrating!! 

Hang in there!  Having to study and not feel well is hard!  Try walking outside for 15 to 20 minutes a day.  It will improve your mood and help you with studying.   Another tip is to play an instrument.  It really improves your brain!   Seriously!  It fires it up!  Consider a $5.00 recorder.  You can teach yourself to play it.   Too much?  Listen to music.  Not as effective, but still good! 

 

 

sdlane Rookie
sdlane
Posted

When I feel I'm about ready to let loose on some idiot at work, I go to a quiet place for 10 minutes and do a meditation with my Headspace app...basically just guided breathing exercises.  I downloaded it from the iTunes store onto my iPhone.  I also listen to it with my sleep mask on at night when my mind is racing too much to go to sleep.  I'm always out within a few minutes!  Now staying asleep, that's another issue altogether!  At work, I also turn on Pandora on my laptop and listen to either 40s music or Jazz...or chill or spa, or.... lol  I can't wait for this challenge to be over so I can get off the gluten.  I have become so negative and miserable for no apparent reason, it's good to know that it's probably all gluten related and will go away when I can get off it for good.  Keep your chin up...you're not alone!  <hugs>

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


cristiana Veteran
cristiana
Posted

Well done for getting those blood tests done.  It will be interesting to learn the results, do let us know how you get on.

Re: dealing with anxiety I  found the following website very helpful.

Open Original Shared Link

There is also an excellent book to go with it, At Last a Life.   Obviously, there can be physical reasons we are anxious such as vitamin deficiencies etc as was the case with me but I found this book really helped me figure out what was happening.  It was good to read about other people that had come through it.  My anxiety got so bad at one point I just could not stop my mind racing and could hardly think about anything.  The website and book helped break a cycle.

Re: depression, this one is good too.

Open Original Shared Link

I remember reading the customer reviews, as I waited for the book and started to implement the changes I could glean from them even before it arrived.    I have bought this for several people who have all been helped by it.

Cyclinglady is right - walking outside is good.  Also, try to be outside in the morning light as that is apparently very good for you.   

Keep us posted.

 

 

 

 

Irene Joanne Explorer
Irene Joanne
Posted

My anxiety was really bad the six months before I was  diagnosed too. My mental health is so much better after going gluten free. 

KJDx Rookie
KJDx
Posted
  • Author
On 7 March 2016 at 9:20 PM, cyclinglady said:

Hang in there!  Having to study and not feel well is hard!  Try walking outside for 15 to 20 minutes a day.  It will improve your mood and help you with studying.   Another tip is to play an instrument.  It really improves your brain!   Seriously!  It fires it up!  Consider a $5.00 recorder.  You can teach yourself to play it.   Too much?  Listen to music.  Not as effective, but still good! 

 

 

Hi all,

@cyclinglady I'm trying my best at the moment.  Having to consider possibly taking 6 months off my course due to how I'm feeling at the moment. Thank you for your advice, a very interesting point you make, one which ill look in to :) 

@sdlane ive previously tried the headspace app which did help. So that's one thing I am going to do again. Thank you for reminding me :) Over a month of waiting for blood results is making me even more anxious so the sooner I know the better. 

hi @cristiana, I will keep you posted on my results. Thank you for the useful sites I will be having a look at those. I can empathise with you regarding your previous anxiety because my mind is constantly racing at the moment even when I'm exhausted. Trying to look on the brightside though.

@Irene Joanne hi there, the body is a strange thing. Glad you're mental health has improved though :) it gives me hope.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,858
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Janet1234
    Newest Member
    Janet1234
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Rogol72
      Ibuprofen

      By Rogol72 · Posted

      Some interesting articles regarding the use of Zinc Carnosine to help heal gastric ulcers, gastritis and intestinal permeability. I would consult a medical professional about it's use. https://www.nature.com/articles/ncpgasthep0778 https://www.rupahealth.com/post/clinical-applications-of-zinc-carnosine---evidence-review https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7146259/ https://www.fallbrookmedicalcenter.com/zinc-l-carnosine-benefits-dosage-and-safety/
    • Jillian83
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By Jillian83 · Posted

      He is. Which makes everything even more difficult. I’m not a believer in “staying for the kids” but I have nowhere to go and it’s not just me, it’s me plus my babies. We live in a beautiful place, lots of land in the country and me and the kids love the place we’ve called home for their entire lives. But Im seeing that he’ll never change, that my kids deserve a happy healthy Momma, and that staying in this as is will be the early death of me. Then I look at the scars covering my entire body…this disease and the chronic stress I’ve been enduring for years that tell me I’m no longer beautiful and no one will ever look at me with interest again. I try self care, try to give myself grace so I can just start loving myself enough to gain strength but the slightest sparkle in my eye and skip in my step attracts his wrath and it all comes crashing ten fold. Life is just absolutely railing me from every single direction leaving me wanting to wave that white flag bc I don’t feel like there’s much hope no matter what happens. 
    • trents
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By trents · Posted

      Is this man the father of your children?
    • Jillian83
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By Jillian83 · Posted

      Hi, I was recently diagnosed with Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis after years of suffering without answers. I lost my mind. I lost my job. I lost so much time. I lost Me. Conventional doctors are opulent come near me and the one who did sat across the room, misdiagnosed me, pumped me full of steroids which collapsed my entire hip for 6 months. So without answers I began my holistic journey. Fast forward a couple of years and still struggling with a mysterious whole body itchy, crawling “skin hell”, perfect teeth now deteriorating, thick hair now thinning rapidly and no more than a day or 2 at most relief….An acquaintance opened up a functional medicine practice. Cash only, I found a way. Within a month tests clearly showing my off the charts gluten allergy/sensitivity as well as the depletion of vital nutrients due to leaky gut and intestinal damage. dermatitis herpetiformis was more than likely what I was experiencing with my skin. I was happy. I thought this is easy, eat healthy Whole Foods, follow the diet restrictions and I finally get to heal and feel confident and like myself again very soon! 😔 Supplements are very pricey but I got them and began my healing. Which leads to the other major issue: not working, stay at home Mom of young kids, entirely financially dependent on my man of 7 plus years. He’s never been supportive of anything I’ve ever done or been thru. He controls everything. I’m not given much money ever at a time and when he does leave money it’s only enough to possibly get gas. His excuse is that I’ll spend it on other things. So my “allowance” is inconsistent and has conditions. He withholds money from me as punishment for anything he wants. Since being diagnosed, he’s gained a new control tactic to use as punishment. He now is in control of when I get to eat. He asked for proof of my diagnosis and diet bc he said I made it up just to be able to eat expensive organic foods. Then after I sent him my file from my doctor he then said she wasn’t a real doctor. 😡. I go days upon days starving, sometimes breaking down and eating things I shouldn’t bc I’m so sick then I pay horribly while he gets annoyed and angry bc I’m not keeping up with all the duties I’m supposed to be doing. His abuse turns full on when I’m down and it’s in these desperate times when I need his support and care the most that I’m punished with silence, being starved, ignored, belittled. He will create more of a mess just bc I’m unable to get up and clean so that when I am better, I’m so overwhelmed with chores to catch up that the stress causes me to go right back into a flare from hell and the cycle repeats. I’m punished for being sick. I’m belittled for starving and asking for healthy clean water. I’m purposely left out of his life. He won’t even tell me he’s going to the grocery or to get dinner bc he doesn’t want me to ask him for anything. I have no one. I have nothing. Im not better. My supplements ran out and I desperately need Vitamin D3 and a methylated B complex at the very minimal just to function….he stares at me blankly…no, a slight smirk, no words. He’s happiest when im miserable and I am miserable.  this is so long and im condensing as much as I can but this situation is so complicated and disgusting. And it’s currently my life. The “IT” girl, the healthy, beautiful, perfect skin, perfect teeth, thick and curly locks for days, creative and talented IT girl….now I won’t even leave this house bc Im ashamed of what this has dont to my body, my skin. Im disgusted. The stress is keeping me from healing and I think he knows that and that’s why he continues to keep me in that state. He doesn’t want me confident or successful. He doesn’t want me healed and healthy bc then how would he put the blame of all his problems on me? This journey has been hell and I’ve been in Hell before. I’ve been killed by an ex, I’ve been raped, robbed, held hostage, abused beyond nightmares but the cruelty I’ve experienced from him bc of this disease is the coldest I’ve ever experienced. I’ve wanted to give up. Starving and in tears, desperate…I found a local food pantry in our small town so I reached out just saying I had Celiac and was on hard times. This woman is blessing me daily with prepared gluten free meals, donations, educational info, people who know this disease and how they manage life and the blessings just keep coming. But it’s overwhelming and I feel like I don’t deserve it at all. He just glared and I know he’s going to sabotage it somehow. I don’t even know what to do anymore. I’m so broken and just want peace and healing. 
    • cristiana
      Ibuprofen

      By cristiana · Posted

      @Colleen H   I am just curious,  when you were tested for coeliac disease, did the doctors find out if you had any deficiencies? Sometimes muscle pain can be caused by certain deficiencies, for example, magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.   Might be worth looking into having some more tests.  Pins and needles can be neuropathy, again caused by deficiencies, such as iron and B12,  which can be reversed if these deficiencies are addressed. In the UK where I live we are usually only tested for iron, B12 and vitamin D deficiencies at diagnosis.   I was very iron anemic and supplementation made a big difference.  B12 was low normal, but in other countries the UK's low normal would be considered a deficiency.  My vitamin D was low normal, and I've been supplementing ever since (when I remember to take it!) My pins and needles definitely started to improve when my known deficiencies were addressed.  My nutritionist also gave me a broad spectrum supplement which really helped, because I suspect I wasn't just deficient in what I mention above but in many other vitamins and minerals.  But a word of warning, don't take iron unless blood tests reveal you actually need it, and if you are taking it your levels must be regularly monitored because too much can make you ill.  (And if you are currently taking iron, that might actually be making your stomach sore - it did mine, so my GP changed my iron supplementation to a gentler form, ferrous gluconate). Lastly, have you been trying to take anything to lessen the pain in your gut?  I get a sore stomach periodically, usually when I've had too much rich food, or when I have had to take an aspirin or certain antibiotics, or after glutening.  When this happens, I take for just a few days a small daily dose of OTC omeprazole.  I also follow a reflux or gastritis diet. There are lots online but the common denominators to these diets is you need to cut out caffeine, alcohol, rich, spicy, acidic food etc and eat small regularly spaced meals.   When I get a sore stomach, I also find it helpful to drink lots of water.  I also find hot water with a few slices of ginger very soothing to sip, or camomile tea.  A wedge pillow at night is good for reflux. Also,  best not to eat a meal 2-3 hours before going to bed. If the stomach pain is getting worse, though, it would be wise to see the doctor again. I hope some of this helps. Cristiana    
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.