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PTSD and Gluten

Gluten.Solutions
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Gluten.Solutions Newbie
Gluten.Solutions
Posted

PTSD AND GLUTEN

I was labelled with PTSD early 2006 after living with many traumas in my life. In 1969 age 14 my father took over the family shop in Tigers Bay Belfast when "The Troubles" actually meant real violence. I saw and experienced human suffering and death by soldiers and communities, hearing and watching glowing tracer bullets screaming overhead as I choked on the diluted cloud of CS gas was the least of it, this left a lasting impression on my soul. I married and began 25 years of violence, mental and physical, at the hands of my partner who was diagnosed as bi-polar spending extended periods in a secure unit. My eldest son was knocked down aged 7 and left seriously brain damaged. My mind dissolved now that I was nursing 2 very ill family members and I was now a private detective dealing with the worst underbelly of society. Now escapism presented itself in crime which resulted in 2 years in prison. I divorced and went on a 5 year cocaine filled adventure and becoming quite famous and in the media very often, google me!! This led to the wrong people noticing me and trying to kill me several times after beating me with guns, baseball bats etc.
I ran away to a weird existence in London then came back to Belfast to be with my family but sadly my disabled son passed with a grand mal seizure. 
I was prescribed all the anti depressants, pain killers, sleepers bla bla, did the CBT, lived in the dark jumping at every little sound unable to sleep and crap at being awake as anger confusion and desperation was my life.
I discovered 2 things which have significantly improved my life and helped me control PTSD to the extent that I now, at last have a normal life.

I married Tanya Dowey and this amazing girl accepted me when I was broken, knowing all my strange past and has supported me without question helping me find my way through the darkness.

I gave up eating gluten and this has had a dramatic affect on every aspect of my physical and mental health.
I sleep without nightmares without flashbacks. The constant pain in my joints/muscles has decreased. My mind is clear and I can think again. I can venture out into the world and meet people again. I lost 45 kg in weight.

This is a quick version of how Gluten free living and the love of an amazing girl has helped me.

10363652_759084460778343_8438195253002686061_n.webp

17352507_165329760651788_622529351776081100_n.webp

  • 11 months later...
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Scott Adams Grand Master
Scott Adams
Posted

This is an amazing story--congratulations on your road to recovery!

Unfortunately the majority of those with celiac disease are still undiagnosed, even though the devastating effects on the nervous system in many gluten sensitive individuals are now well known.

The saddest part of the story is that it took so long for you to figure it out, but better late than never!

  • 8 months later...
Awol cast iron stomach Experienced
Awol cast iron stomach
Posted
On 2/25/2018 at 6:54 AM, Gluten.Solutions said:

PTSD AND GLUTEN

I was labelled with PTSD early 2006 after living with many traumas in my life. In 1969 age 14 my father took over the family shop in Tigers Bay Belfast when "The Troubles" actually meant real violence. I saw and experienced human suffering and death by soldiers and communities, hearing and watching glowing tracer bullets screaming overhead as I choked on the diluted cloud of CS gas was the least of it, this left a lasting impression on my soul. I married and began 25 years of violence, mental and physical, at the hands of my partner who was diagnosed as bi-polar spending extended periods in a secure unit. My eldest son was knocked down aged 7 and left seriously brain damaged. My mind dissolved now that I was nursing 2 very ill family members and I was now a private detective dealing with the worst underbelly of society. Now escapism presented itself in crime which resulted in 2 years in prison. I divorced and went on a 5 year cocaine filled adventure and becoming quite famous and in the media very often, google me!! This led to the wrong people noticing me and trying to kill me several times after beating me with guns, baseball bats etc.
I ran away to a weird existence in London then came back to Belfast to be with my family but sadly my disabled son passed with a grand mal seizure. 
I was prescribed all the anti depressants, pain killers, sleepers bla bla, did the CBT, lived in the dark jumping at every little sound unable to sleep and crap at being awake as anger confusion and desperation was my life.
I discovered 2 things which have significantly improved my life and helped me control PTSD to the extent that I now, at last have a normal life.

I married Tanya Dowey and this amazing girl accepted me when I was broken, knowing all my strange past and has supported me without question helping me find my way through the darkness.

I gave up eating gluten and this has had a dramatic affect on every aspect of my physical and mental health.
I sleep without nightmares without flashbacks. The constant pain in my joints/muscles has decreased. My mind is clear and I can think again. I can venture out into the world and meet people again. I lost 45 kg in weight.

This is a quick version of how Gluten free living and the love of an amazing girl has helped me.

10363652_759084460778343_8438195253002686061_n.webp

17352507_165329760651788_622529351776081100_n.webp

What a great love story. 

Awol cast iron stomach Experienced
Awol cast iron stomach
Posted

I know this is an old thread and clearly the author experienced trauma. I am glad he has a wonderful life now and gluten-free has improved it.

I do want to add, I hope researchers will in time (as Scott/ admin points out) look into the effect celiac/ NCGS gluten has on the nervous system of those with the conditions .

In my opinion, it is possible some people may be misdiagnosed for trauma related or mood disorders when in actuality they are undiagnosed Celiac's or NCGS with autonomic dysfunctions occuring due to immune system attacking the nervous system, leading to further delay of the primary cause and potentially more damage occuring to the cns- particularly ans.

Neurological issues maybe occuring due to a viscous trifecta of inflammation in the brain, attacks of the immune system on the nerves/ans, and the gi lining that when healthy provides serotonin when damaged does not.

This is not meant to minimize or upset people who have experienced trauma or have Co morbid conditions. I also do not wish to insult mental health care workers and researchers.

I truly hope to request researchers, neurologists, and psychology field members to not overlook the role gluten/celiac may play.

As treatment for trauma may help in the short term to alleviate symptoms, the long term effects of not testing for gluten's damage to the cns- ans is a high price to pay if delayed or not discovered at all.

 

 

 

 

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

More research would be great AWOL-CIS.  There is a great opportunity IMHO for researchers to learn more about vitamin/mineral effects in the human body by studying celiacs.  Another aspect of nerve damage besides immune attack is lack of B vitamins and trace minerals.  But you are right, a lot more could be learned about it all.

Awol cast iron stomach Experienced
Awol cast iron stomach
Posted
13 hours ago, GFinDC said:

More research would be great AWOL-CIS.  There is a great opportunity IMHO for researchers to learn more about vitamin/mineral effects in the human body by studying celiacs.  Another aspect of nerve damage besides immune attack is lack of B vitamins and trace minerals.  But you are right, a lot more could be learned about it all.

I whole heartily agree, and watch my b's too. 

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