Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • 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):
    GliadinX



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):
    GliadinX


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

Did Anyone Need To Decrease Meds After Going gluten-free?


Guest BERNESES

Recommended Posts

Guest BERNESES

Hi Everyone- I'm wondering how many people if any, needed to cut down on depression meds (or any meds) after going gluten-free because their bodies actually started absorbing them? I'm on Celexa 60 mg and I was on 3 mg of klonopin for anxiety. Within a few months of going gluten-free I cut my klonopin down to 2 mg (very gradually). I've noticed that for the last six months or so I have been VERY VERY tired and I'm wondering if cutting down the klonopin a tad more is the answer. I've gained back all the weight I lost (20 pounds) so clearly I'm absorbing something. My doctor told me that if you're on too much it can have the effect of making you tired, depressed and irritable (which is why we initially dropped the dose slowly). Thanks much, B


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Food for Life
Little Northern Bakehouse



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):
Holidaily Brewing Co.


Rachel--24 Collaborator

I had to cut down my thyroid dose after going gluten-free. I am now taking only 1/3 of what I was taking previously...it seemed to me that I wasnt absorbing it until I started the diet.

Guest BERNESES

Rachel- Thanks- that's good to know. I'm thinking the reason I'm so tired might be that I'm overmedicated now that I'm actually absorbing something. It wouldn't be nice if I could go down on something for a change! Did your medication level change due to a blood test? Unfortunately, there's no test for klonopin levels but I can try and see how it goes. Tapering isn't fun, but in the long run, I might have more energy. Thanks for responding. B

Ann1231 Enthusiast

I'm having to lower several meds after being gluten free. I'm hoping to get completely off of them!

Guest nini

After going gluten-free, I was able to lower my Paxil then eventually got off of it for good and the 20 other odd medications I was taking, I was able to get off them completely. I'm still taking atenolol for blood pressure but am going to the Dr. tommorrow about weaning off of that, and I still take Tramadol for fibromyalgia pain... other than that, yeah, got off most of my meds!

Guest BERNESES

Nini- How did you figure out you needed to get off the Paxil (and 20 other meds- OMG!). I'm wondering becuase initially I had to lower my klonopin by 1 mg and I've stayed the same ever since but lately I've been more and more tired, irritable and mood swingy and I'm wondering if now that I'm absorbing things if I'm actually on too much and they're having the reverse effect.

I'm seeing a Celiac specialist on Wednesday so I'll ask her about it. Thanks, B

Ann- Your dad looks like a beautiful man. I'm sorry you lost him- I lost my mom April 8, 2003 to stomach cancer.

Guest nini

I started noticing that the borderline depression and anxiety that had always hung on despite taking Paxil and several other things that after being gluten free for a while I didn't notice ANY anxiety and depression. After being sent to a psych for an "eating disorder" and being told "why are you here?" I talked with my Dr. about lowering my meds and so thus began the process of weaning off of them. The depression and anxiety has NOT resurfaced! I no longer needed the antacids and anti diarrheals and anti nausea meds, no longer needed Diclofenac (a pretty strong anti inflammatory) shoot, I can't remember all the meds I used to take! Some of them were to treat the side effects of other meds! Crazy! Glad to be off them.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Tierra Farm
Food for Life



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):
Food for Life


minibabe Contributor

I was up to 13 medications a day at one point, but since I have been gluten free, for the most part I am off of all my medications. I was taking prevcid (60mg a day) and then I cut down to 30mg and now I am completly off of it. I would def. talk to your doctor if you think that you are being over medicated. Always go with your gut feeling, your body knows what is best for you. Good Luck.

Amanda NY B)

tiffjake Enthusiast

I, too, have been able to get off of all meds. I was on Celexa, Ativan, Xanax, Nexium, 800 mg Ibuprofin for headaches, BC pills, just to name the ones I took daily. I am down to NOTHING!!!! LOL It is a cool feeling to be off of everything. I was taking one to counter-act another. I don't recomend just getting off of everything. My doctor walked me through it. But turns out that most of my "problems" were gluten related somehow. Good luck to you!!! I hope that you are able to get off, or find lower levels that work for you!!

Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel- Thanks- that's good to know. I'm thinking the reason I'm so tired might be that I'm overmedicated now that I'm actually absorbing something. It wouldn't be nice if I could go down on something for a change! Did your medication level change due to a blood test? Unfortunately, there's no test for klonopin levels but I can try and see how it goes. Tapering isn't fun, but in the long run, I might have more energy. Thanks for responding. B

My blood tests were kind of unstable for 2 years before the diet. They were usually within the "normal" range but the range is big and I would go from one end to the next without changing doses. Regardless, I felt EXTREMELY hypothyroid. About 1 week into the diet that changed and I felt my body temp. go up and lots of other changes. No more dry, brittle hair either. About 1 month into the diet my lab tests were high so I lowered my dose.

I also took prescription pain meds every day for about a year. My doctor told me they were highly addictive and I'd have to be weaned off them. I stopped taking them the day I started the diet and havent taken once since. My doctor was surprised I had no withdrawl or problems getting off them. I think I probably wasnt absorbing them anyway. Suppossedely they were strong but I could pop 2 in at a time and feel nothing....some days it did help with headaches though.

nettiebeads Apprentice

I've been on 50 mg of zoloft for 5 yrs now. My dr and I are going to try weaning me starting this April or May. I had been glutening myself for a very long time (pesky malt) and when I finally cut that out (thanks to this board) I started feeling loads better. I did try on my own w/o success and confessed to my dr. He told me it was way too soon, gave me a six month script so we could try later after my body has completely healed from the gluten (neuralgia).

Nini - now I understand your statement regarding MD standing for More Drugs. You've come come a very long way!!!

Annette

Guest BERNESES

This is so encouraging to read! I started cutting down my klonopin this week. Only.25 mg but with benzos (as they are fondly known) you have to go quite slowly. I'm hoping this will help. I'm wondering how much of my problems are gluten related too and now that I've been free of the stuff (except for occasional accidents) I wonder how things have changed. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks for the good news! B

Nancym Enthusiast

I'm also finding I need less thyroid hormone. Still tweaking it to figure out the best combination of synthetic to natural. But it kind of seems like I'm utilizing the thyroid hormone better than before.

Rusla Enthusiast

I have had my Synthroid dropped by 50 micrograms since going gluten-free.

carriecraig Enthusiast

I haven't had to take my Claritin or Flonase for a while now (2+ months). It may be the colder weather, or it may be the gluten-free diet. I'm not sure, but I'm not complaining - they made me so thirsty!

jerseyangel Proficient

I have been able to stop my Claritin, too. I had been on it for about 12 years--used to get it by Rx. I haven't taken it since last summer. Same with the Flonase.

Guest BERNESES

OK- did my first "cut" over the last ten days- 10 mg on the Celexa and .25 mg on the klonopin and WOW what a difference it has made. I feel SO much better! No lie- much more motivated, energetic and happy! This is encouraging- it's like Nini says. MD=More drugs. I'm not looking to rock the boat here because I had problems with depression and anxiety long before the onset of my symptoms of Celiac's BUT any little bit I can cut down is a good bit. Thank you all for your input, B

nettiebeads Apprentice
OK- did my first "cut" over the last ten days- 10 mg on the Celexa and .25 mg on the klonopin and WOW what a difference it has made. I feel SO much better! No lie- much more motivated, energetic and happy! This is encouraging- it's like Nini says. MD=More drugs. I'm not looking to rock the boat here because I had problems with depression and anxiety long before the onset of my symptoms of Celiac's BUT any little bit I can cut down is a good bit. Thank you all for your input, B

Wonderful news! So glad to hear that you're doing so much better. For me, my depression started when I was 9. I'm sure Celiac just aggrevated the issue. I can't wait to start trying to cut back my Zoloft in April or May. And didn't I read on another of your posts that schizophrenia and celiac might be connected? My mother's brother had schizophrenia. And one of her aunts. I'm pretty definite that the celiac came from her side.

Guest BERNESES

Thanks nettiebeads. Yes, there is some correlation between celiac's and schizophrenia. I can't remember the title of the articlle- I think I was reading about autism and the gluten-free diet and it said that some types of schizophrenia are highly correlated with Celiac's and they are now (in a nother country, England maybe?) recommending that people diagnosed with schizophrenia also be tested with Celiac's.

It's kind of odd but it makes me think about the whole salem Witchcraft hysteria and how there is one theory that exists that something happened to the rye crop that year that made everyone paranoid and delusional. It's just a theory buit it's an interesting one.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
Hi Everyone- I'm wondering how many people if any, needed to cut down on depression meds (or any meds) after going gluten-free because their bodies actually started absorbing them? I'm on Celexa 60 mg and I was on 3 mg of klonopin for anxiety. Within a few months of going gluten-free I cut my klonopin down to 2 mg (very gradually). I've noticed that for the last six months or so I have been VERY VERY tired and I'm wondering if cutting down the klonopin a tad more is the answer. I've gained back all the weight I lost (20 pounds) so clearly I'm absorbing something. My doctor told me that if you're on too much it can have the effect of making you tired, depressed and irritable (which is why we initially dropped the dose slowly). Thanks much, B

When I went on my elimination diet I went off all my meds (5 different scripts), I told my doctor first and we had one that was an anticholorgenic mixed with valium that I had to decrease gradually. I have never had to go back on anything. It took a little while )1 month) for the joint pain and fibro to resolve but gluten free it was bearable. Interestingly enough I found later that 3 of my scripts contained gluten so if I hadn't quit them I might never have know gluten was the problem.

I'm not looking to rock the boat here because I had problems with depression and anxiety long before the onset of my symptoms of Celiac's

I am one of the believers that celiac is the cause of much of the depression and anxiety and other neurological problems that we see. In many it is the first symptom and for some the only one for years. In my family depression was the first symptom along with learning problems. In one family member it is their main symptom, we all now see a strong corelation between glutening and depressive episodes. I just wish when kids get depressed they would check for that first before trying meds. Meds are quite effective for many, but for some young people with celiac they can be deadly.

Guest BERNESES

Ravenwoodglass- Thanks for your reply. I did another cut last night. I'm going to have to go slowly because my body has really strong reactions. But, I think you are right about the neurological symptoms of Celiaac's. I think for some people it's the first symptom (and for some the ONLY symptom). It's so strange because my husband was like, "You've been gluten-free and you haven't reevaluated your medication in months." At first I was really resistant to decreasing, but then I thought about it and I thought, you know, he's right. If depression was one of the symptoms and now that I've been gluten-free for a year, maybe things are different. So, I'm going to see what happens slowly.

It amazes me to think that it's quite possible I have been sick for over 20 years.

Guest nini
It amazes me to think that it's quite possible I have been sick for over 20 years.

I know what you mean... after I was able to go off the Paxil, my mom commented that wouldn't it be interesting if that is why I was so depressed as a preteen and teenager (DUH!!!!!) And to think, they just kept drugging me and sending me to shrinks... sheesh... no wonder I rebelled...

Guest BERNESES

Hi Nini- I know it's so strange because back then (1987- when I first started showing gastro symptoms like random acts of vomiting) I would never have thought the two were related. I was an EXTREMELY anxious kid - just all kinds of bizarre fears and phobias. As time went on in my twenties, my therapist was basically like "You are the most clear-cut poster child for a biological depression." She was right, we just didn't know why back then.

Thanks for being supportive about all this, Beverly

Guest nini
Hi Nini- I know it's so strange because back then (1987- when I first started showing gastro symptoms like random acts of vomiting) I would never have thought the two were related. I was an EXTREMELY anxious kid - just all kinds of bizarre fears and phobias. As time went on in my twenties, my therapist was basically like "You are the most clear-cut poster child for a biological depression." She was right, we just didn't know why back then.

Thanks for being supportive about all this, Beverly

shoot, I just thought all those symptoms were NORMAL! my Dr.s and my family just kept telling me, oh you have a nervous stomach (?!!!!???) yeah ok, so what do I have to be nervous about???

jerseyangel Proficient

I'm right there with ya B and Nini. I was always told I had a nervous stomach and that I was just "sensitive". I used to get stomaches quite often as a kid, and it was always somehow my fault--either too sensitive, ate too much, etc. No one seemed to take it seriously, I think that's why, as an adult I tended to live with it--even after I began having panic attacks in my 30's. I never linked the 2 things and never talked about the panic attacks or the anxiety I always had. I thought it was something I could get through if I relaxed. I slowly began to shy away from doing many things--it was gradual and at the time, I couldn't see it was becoming a pattern. My boys were small, I was home with them and we lived in a different state than the rest of our families. It was pretty easy to keep to the small world I was creating for myself. The gluten-free diet had helped, but I still have feelings of anxiety about going out sometimes.

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):
    Food for Life



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,186
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Jackie49
    Newest Member
    Jackie49
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
    GliadinX


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):
    GliadinX




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):
    Food for Life



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      First, welcome to the forum, @boy-wonder! Second, a little clarification in terminology is in order. Granted, inconsistency is rampant when it comes to the terminology associated with gluten disorders, but it has more or less become settled in this fashion: "Gluten intolerance" is a general term that car refer to either celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity). "Gluten Sensitivity" is the shortened version of NCGS. Third, Celiac disease is not an allergy to gluten. It is an autoimmune disorder characterized by gluten ingestion causing the immunes system to attack the lining of the small bowel, causing damage to it over time due to the constant inflammation that wears down the "villi" (mucosal finger-like projections that make up the lining). Over a significant period of time as gluten continues to be consumed, this generally results in impaired nutrient absorption. There are specific blood antibody tests available to check for celiac disease but the testing will not be valid while on a reduced gluten diet or a gluten free diet. Those already having having begun a gluten free diet must go back to consuming generous amounts of gluten for a period of weeks if they wish to pursue testing for celiac disease. Fourth, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms of celiac disease but does not damage the lining of the small bowel as does celiac disease. There is no test for it. A diagnosis for NCGS depends on first ruling out celiac disease. It is 10x more common than celiac disease. Some experts feel it can be a precursor to the development of celiac disease. Eliminating gluten from your life is the antidote for both. Fifth, you state that you are convince you don't have celiac disease by are just "gluten intolerant" (aka, gluten sensitive). How do you know that? It seems to me you are making a dangerous assumption here. I suggest you consider getting formally tested for celiac disease.
    • AllyJR
      Has anyone found a gluten free parakeet seed mix? I can't find a single one! My doctor wants me to make sure all pet food in the house is gluten free but I'm not sure if that's even possible with parakeets. We love our birds so much! I'm wondering if anyone has ever made their own bird seed mix if gluten free ones are not available. 
    • boy-wonder
      Hi, new member. About me, I had been suffering with weight gain, bloating and irregular and extreme bowel habits for a year or so. For example, I went on holiday in 2023, then again I  2024 at the same time of year and every shirt I wore in 2023 didn't fit anymore, couldn't even do the buttons up. Being in my mid 50s I put it down to age and middle aged spread. I'd been lucky all my life having good metabolism and being able to eat anything and as much as I like without putting on any weight, it drove my other half mad. Over a conversation with a friend health and age Related stuff came up and he mentioned someone he knew who had recently found out they were gluten intolerant,  I looked it up and had every one of 8 or so symptoms listed. Bloating,  weight gain,  headaches, brain fog,  constipation, etc etc. I took the decision to give going gluten free a try. Within 1 week I had lost 4 lb, now 7 weeks in I've lost 13 lb. I feel much better in general,  the bloating has severely subsided, it used to keep me awake at night as I felt so uncomfortable.  So pretty much a success story, as everyone here knows,  going gluten free isn't always easy, and eating out can be awkward,  but I consider myself lucky that I appear to have an intolerance rather than an allergy or being celiac.  I can deal with most of the gluten free options at the supermarket but, the big one for me is bread, I love bread, and the gluten free options I've tried are pretty poor. I was at a posh black tie event last night and chose all the food options I thought would be gluten free,  however,  there was bread on the table and I couldn't resist it, I had I small piece of bread,  god it was good, I wanted more but I resisted. Today I feel a bit dodgy, my stomach is churning, and I generally feel a bit urgh.  So here's the question, is that really down to 1 small piece of bread or is it coincidence?  I'd be interested in hearing how other people have reacted to a similar situation,  as I was considering having a day off every now and then and enjoying some lovely fresh bread.
    • ValerieC
      Does anybody know of a guide that ranks reevaluates universities and colleges in terms of their accommodation of celiac disease or food allergies?   Thanks in advance for any leads! Valerie 
    • thejayland10
      thank you, i have been doing that the last few weeks and will continue to do so. I had not had my ttg iga checked since I was diagnosed 14 yrs ago so I am not sure if they ever dropped below the 15-20 range.    all my other labs are completely normal but I am concerned that this may be signs of refractor celiac or something else since I'm so careful with gluten-free diet 
×
×
  • Create New...