Struggling with Food-related Depression

[kristid4d]

Hi, all. I guess I'm just looking for someone who can tell me they understand and that I'm not alone in how I feel.

I was diagnosed a bit over a year ago after having pain in my chest and back for several months. I had no other symptoms other than constipation that I'd had all my life and more recent unexplained cavities (unexplained because I am hyper-vigilant about dental hygiene). When they ran a blood test, the Celiac marker (can't remember what it is called) came back as a 22 when the normal range is 3-4. I had two endoscopies to confirm, and both doctors said they were "consistent with Celiac disease". Apparently, the pain was related to inflammation from Celiac.

I used to love to bake homemade bread, not the bread machine kind... the beautiful, fluffy loaves that make the house smell wonderful. I baked cakes and cupcakes for parties. I was also a very good cook, always excited to feed guests and show off my culinary skills. Not anymore. Ever since I was diagnosed, I have no desire to cook. Nothing I make seems to come out right or taste good. There is no joy in it anymore. Frankly, I just don't care about food. It's just more trouble than it's worth. Honestly, if I didn't have a husband and family to cook for, I'd probably live off gluten-free shakes, if I even ate at all.

I also had Graves Disease over 20 years ago, and they killed off my thyroid completely, so I always struggle with my weight, and now after being off gluten, I've gained weight, even though I eat next to nothing. I'm chubby, but I get no benefit of at least enjoying food that makes me chubby! My husband and I used to love to go out for a nice dinner. It's one of his favorite things to do. Now I find myself telling him to take the kids and go without me, and that makes them feel bad. (Our kids are grown, but they come over almost every weekend, and they love to go out and eat with us.) It's just too much trouble. I hate having to tell the server about the condition because I know I sound like one of those self-righteous clean-eaters who make being gluten-free some sort of religion or act as if they've achieved a higher state of consciousness. Bleah.

Honestly, because my symptoms are so obscure that I have a hard time believing I even have it, especially when the doctors don't seem to really have a clue, either. The words "consistent with Celiac" don't convince me much. (I have had my blood tested since I went gluten-free, and now my markers are normal.) Still, I sure am discouraged and sad. I know there are far worse things than this, but I feel like such a drag, especially when it comes to family get-togethers. I'm always the I-can't-eat-that person, and I feel like I'm always having to explain, and I'm sick of explaining it. I'm sick of cooking. I'm just sick of food. And I swear, I am so sick of the G-word.  

Anyway, I just needed to vent. I feel very isolated sometimes. Food used to be such a fun way to bring family together. Now it's my enemy. Thanks for listening, y'all.

Kristi

 

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, kristid4d!

After reading your description of the testing and the doctor's remarks, there is no doubt in my mind that you are a celiac. "Consistent with celiac disease" communicates exactly what you would expect if the endoscopy showed blunted villi. You are making up any equivocation in that instance. And your serum antibody levels should return to normal if you are truly eating gluten free. That is expected. So congrats! You are doing a good job with that, apparently. 

Believe me, all of us who have celiac disease truly understand the social frustrations, self-consciousness and limitations you describe when eating out. And we all just want to be able to enjoy fresh bread and real pasta like normal people, like we used to. I remember how delicious it is and have this overpowering craving when I smell fresh bread baking. There is a sense of loss. 

But here is where you need to do some work: "Now I find myself telling him to take the kids and go without me, and that makes them feel bad. (Our kids are grown, but they come over almost every weekend, and they love to go out and eat with us.) It's just too much trouble. I hate having to tell the server about the condition because I know I sound like one of those self-righteous clean-eaters who make being gluten-free some sort of religion or act as if they've achieved a higher state of consciousness. Bleah." If you really want to go out with your husband and kids to eat, you need to become willing to do the work of taking more control of the situation rather than playing the victim and feeling sorry for yourself.

First, I would recommend taking control of the situation by developing a list of restaurants that are more likely to offer gluten free options than others. So when your family says, "Let's go out to eat," you can say, "Sounds wonderful. But can we got to X, Y, Z? Because I have better gluten free choices at those places. If your family cares about you and understands you have this medical issue, I would think they would be willing to comply with your request. I want to bring that up again later. Many large restaurant chains have gluten free sections in their menus now. And you can research that ahead of time online.

Second, I suggest you develop a lead in line to help restaurant personnel get on board with helping you to eat gluten-free. Something like, "I have a medical condition that requires me to avoid gluten. Can you help me pick some menu items that are safe for me?" And then ask questions like, "Can you ask the chef to boil that pasta in a clean pan that isn't being used to boil wheat pasta?" Or, "can you cook that burger in a clean fry pan?" You get my drift, I'm sure. You have to lead them by the hand. Along with that, tailor your orders such that your get things that are naturally gluten free or that would likely not come in contact with gluten food in the preparation, e.g., steamed broccoli, a hard boiled egg, a baked potato. 

Third, when you eat out, carry with you some product with you that breaks down gluten, like GliadinX. It won't allow you to disregard gluten free eating precautions but can protect you against minor amounts of gluten exposure such as happens with cross contamination.

In short, taking control means doing what you can do to make things work. If you can take control of the situation when you eat out by using a gracious approach to protect yourself then it will make everyone involved more comfortable.

I want to come back to the family support issue. Are your husband and kids dismissive of your need to eat gluten-free or are they understanding and supportive?

I hope I haven't come across as scolding you. I know you are looking for support. But the best support is helping people learn how to cope with difficult circumstances. 

[kristid4d]

No, I know you're not trying to scold me, Trents. I do know all these things, and I try to do them. It just gets a little exhausting. We live in tiny town that is at least an hour from any major city, so there are no places nearby that offer any sort of Celiac friendly option. Generally, when the family goes out to eat, it's at Braum's or the local burger joint or Taco Bell. There is literally zero option anywhere within an hour from us. There is a Mexican chain location about 40 minutes away that does offer gluten-free options, but they are only gluten-sensitive options, not truly gluten-free, and when I try to explain to them my situation, I think they believe I'm just being picky. This is Texas. We fry our bread here. haha

My family is VERY supportive, and my husband bends over backwards to get things for me from the store when he runs to the store to get something for a movie night, and he always makes sure I have the Cali Kitchen gluten-free pizzas for me in the fridge when they order pizza from the pizza place. I think he knows my physical symptoms are mild, so he doesn't understand that it is seriously damaging my gut if I continue to eat gluten. He has ordered all types of stuff off the internet, snack foods and crazy desserts that are specialty certified gluten-free things, but they are so fattening that I avoid them. He really does try, bless his heart. We've been married 24 years, and this is just a huge change from having almost a quarter of a century together living differently. Oh, and he did buy some GlutenX. He thinks that will solve all my problems. hehe

I do know all these things you told me. I was really just hoping someone could commiserate a little because I'm the only one I know who has it. I think the main thing is that I get so frustrated and feel deprived, and I feel like I should be THIN, and I'm not. I also read that after going gluten free, it's normal to gain some weight when your body starts properly absorbing nutrients again. ARGH! Food is my #1 enemy, and my body is my #2 enemy.

Anyway, thanks for the input. I'll get over it. 

[trents]

Yeah, I hear you about living in a small town. That certainly can be problematic for those needing to eat gluten free. We live in a town of about 15,000 and there are a few options that are somewhat celiac friendly. Most of our family is understanding. An exception might be my brother in law. I think the hardest thing for me is when people invite us over for a meal and we have to play food detective. My wife isn't a celiac but she is very aware of how gluten is hidden in processed foods and I can usually count on her to drill down with the host cook in time for either them to adjust the recipe or come up with alternatives. But mostly, we are the ones who invite others over so we can have control over the menu.

The wonderful smell of fresh baked sour dough bread calls to me more than anything else and it's then that I'm really tempted.

By the way, have any of you other family members been tested for celiac disease? Stats show that for those with active celiac disease, 44% of their first degree relatives will develop active celiac disease at some point.

Edited May 12, 2021 by trents

[cristiana]

Hi Krisiti

I really do commiserate with you.

My diagnosis followed a long period of weird and troubling symptoms.  My doctor even mentioned the word "cancer" at one point, so when she told me that it was coeliac disease, and I knew a little about it as I had a friend who had it, I nearly kissed her I was so relieved!  My friend had given up gluten and was bouncing back, and enjoying life again, so I thought the same would happen to me!  

For some time I was just so happy that I had that diagnosis I didn't mind about giving things up, but ... my recovery wasn't instant, I still continued to have some weird and concerning symptoms, and to top it all I found that there really wasn't much understanding amongst even the most well-meaning catering establishments and was constantly being glutened by mistake.  I could write a list. 

I live in a small country town and so I have no exclusive gluten-free cafe's to go to . But I have found other ways to cope and I hope perhaps some of these suggestions might help:

• I often take my own picnic with me when I go out (having first consulted with the restaurant that I have extreme reactions to gluten - when they hear that they rarely mind!).  
• If I do eat at a restaurant, it is usually one where I have established a connection with the staff and I've talked to them beforehand - as Trents suggests - and I then eat something that really has little chance of having any gluten in it.    For example, I frequent a pub which makes a mean jacket potato with cheese and that I will eat.  I know the staff, they are very kind, and really I know they can't go far wrong with such food. 
• If I go to tea rooms or a cafe which serves gluten free pre-packaged bakes I will ask the staff to show me the cake or cookie in its gluten free packaging,  This may seem extreme but my reaction to gluten is now so extreme and so quick that I cannot risk being glutened in a tea room (I think I'm unfortunate in this respect as my coeliac friend might just get a slightly upset stomach the next day).
• I eat before I go out - and something I really like so I don't feel cheated - and I take a bar of chocolate to eat with a posh coffee while I'm out with friends.
• I suggest a picnic where possible, then everyone can bring their own food anyway.

I really thought that having been through such a horrid time prior to diagnosis I'd never be upset by these dietary constraints, I was just so relieved to know what was wrong with me and that I could feel better again "just" by being gluten free.   

But there have been times when I have felt so sad about it, and isolated, too.  It does sound trite but at those times my husband encourages me to try to focus on what I can eat, and that does help.  

Cristiana

 

 

 

 

[kristid4d]

d

13 hours ago, trents said:

By the way, have any of you other family members been tested for celiac disease? Stats show that for those with active celiac disease, 44% of their first degree relatives will develop active celiac disease at some point.

Yes, Trents, my sister has it. I think my mom had it as well, based on her crazy sprints to the bathroom, but I don't think they knew anything about it back then. My mom passed away in 2013, so I'll never be sure. My sister is an alcoholic, so I can't talk to her about anything important. 

Man, I LOVE sourdough bread. I miss it. I really enjoy baking, though, and I'm thinking I'm just going to enjoy doing it and giving it to my family or others. I actually baked over 200 loaves and sold them to fund my daughter's mission trip to Brazil, but that was long before my diagnosis.

 

[kristid4d]

Cristiana, thank you! Those are excellent tips. Our small town has 1412 people in it, and the closest bigger town which is 14 miles away has no decent restaurants in it other than a burger joint.

I have thought about packing a lunch to go with my family. I just haven't had the guts to do it yet. haha (no pun intended)

As much as I hate to wish this on anyone else, it helps to know that I'm not the only one who struggles with these problems. 

[Scott Adams]

Hi Kristi and welcome to the forum!

I have a few thoughts that may be helpful. One is that I take GliadinX enzymes (disclosure, they are a sponsor of this site) before I eat out, just in case there is cross-contamination. I still do the things that @trents mentioned, like talking to the wait staff or sometimes the chef, but after I started with this approach I probably communicate less often with them as I should, mainly because I just stopped having the issues that I had when eating out. This is not to encourage you in any way to consume gluten, but only to let you know that if you are only eating out once in a while with your family, and it's an important part of your life, this approach might be helpful to you. I am with you on this, I love to eat out, and I still do this mostly without issues.

Also, if that approach doesn't seem like a good idea, rather than not going at all, perhaps just eat beforehand, and still go out and have iced tea or something to drink, so you can still socialize with your family.

The last recommendation is to become a good gluten-free chef/baker. Perhaps you can host these family dinners safely at home, and eat even better food? I'm totally spoiled, as my wife is from Taiwan and is an excellent chef who makes all sorts of gluten-free dishes for our family. Of course this is a lot more work, but we now include the kids in all this work, so we share work preparing our dinners, cleaning up, etc. You can still bake great things for you and your family, and there are tons of healthy gluten-free baking mixes, flours, recipes, etc. on the Internet, so keep baking!

[kristid4d]

Hi, Scott! Thank you for the input!

When I was first diagnosed a year ago, I got some of that gluten-free Jules flour mix, and I tried to make my homemade bread. HOLY COW! The only thing it was good for was pounding the dents out of a car. haha I need to try some more recipes. The gluten-free flour is so expensive that I hesitate trying recipes because I'm so afraid it will be a waste. I did have success with my own banana bread recipe, but I had to adjust the amount of flour because gluten-free flour is so dense. It was good, though! I've also had success with my cornbread, and thank the Lord, too... because you know cornbread is a staple in Texas, especially for cornbread dressing over the holidays. 

I would like to find a really good cream of mushroom soup and cream of chicken soup recipe because those soups are so good when making dressing and certain casseroles, but as you know, they are NOT gluten-free, at least not the Campbell's brand. I tried the Walmart gluten-free soups, and bleah... not a fan.

I do love the Schar ciabatta. Those are so good, especially grilled.

[Scott Adams]

Bob's Red Mill makes some good mixes, as does Authentic Foods. Also, we have an extensive recipe section here:

https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/gluten-free-recipes/ 

[kristid4d]

23 minutes ago, Scott Adams said:

Bob's Red Mill makes some good mixes, as does Authentic Foods. Also, we have an extensive recipe section here:

https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/gluten-free-recipes/ 

Thank you, Scott! I'm also going to get some of that gliadinx.

[Amanda-Magdalena]

I had a similar issue regarding baking/cooking and weight loss. To sum it up, we went Paleo to be healthier and stopped eating wheat as part of that. After a few months, I tried reintroducing gluten and discovered that it made my stomach feel like it had a lead ball in it for about a week afterward. Thankfully for me, I was already learning to cook and bake without grains. It will take time to get used to, but I promise it can still be just as good if not better. People who eat "normal" standard American diets always rave about my food.

So my recommendation is to get yourself some Paleo cookbooks, there are some really great ones out there, and learn to cook with alternative flours. Staples in my kitchen are almond, arrowroot/tapioca are exchangeable (use these to thicken your cream soups! Make the same roux as you would with flour and it tastes more neutral), coconut (this one is tricky as it absorbs lots of moisture). Clean eating with a dirty mind is a book I HIGHLY recommend.

You may also look into eating low carb if weight loss is a concern. Many people do not lose weight after going off gluten because they just exchange wheat for rice and other carbs. There are so many great keto sites out there, many make copy cat recipes for favorite foods. Gnom-gnom.com and ketoinpearls come to mind.

You have a lot of options, but it's going to take time to relearn cooking and baking if you previously relied heavily on flour. It's going to take time, but learn to love cheese and meat and veggies more than bread. In my mind, the bread was just a carrier for the "good stuff" anyway. Enjoy the process, try new recipes and techniques. Also, if it's available in your area, Canyon Bakehouse makes a really decent gluten free bread, their bagels are good too.

May God bless you and grant you the strength to overcome this struggle ❤️☦️

 

[GodsGal]

On 5/11/2021 at 7:49 PM, kristid4d said:

Hi, all. I guess I'm just looking for someone who can tell me they understand and that I'm not alone in how I feel.

I was diagnosed a bit over a year ago after having pain in my chest and back for several months. I had no other symptoms other than constipation that I'd had all my life and more recent unexplained cavities (unexplained because I am hyper-vigilant about dental hygiene). When they ran a blood test, the Celiac marker (can't remember what it is called) came back as a 22 when the normal range is 3-4. I had two endoscopies to confirm, and both doctors said they were "consistent with Celiac disease". Apparently, the pain was related to inflammation from Celiac.

I used to love to bake homemade bread, not the bread machine kind... the beautiful, fluffy loaves that make the house smell wonderful. I baked cakes and cupcakes for parties. I was also a very good cook, always excited to feed guests and show off my culinary skills. Not anymore. Ever since I was diagnosed, I have no desire to cook. Nothing I make seems to come out right or taste good. There is no joy in it anymore. Frankly, I just don't care about food. It's just more trouble than it's worth. Honestly, if I didn't have a husband and family to cook for, I'd probably live off gluten-free shakes, if I even ate at all.

I also had Graves Disease over 20 years ago, and they killed off my thyroid completely, so I always struggle with my weight, and now after being off gluten, I've gained weight, even though I eat next to nothing. I'm chubby, but I get no benefit of at least enjoying food that makes me chubby! My husband and I used to love to go out for a nice dinner. It's one of his favorite things to do. Now I find myself telling him to take the kids and go without me, and that makes them feel bad. (Our kids are grown, but they come over almost every weekend, and they love to go out and eat with us.) It's just too much trouble. I hate having to tell the server about the condition because I know I sound like one of those self-righteous clean-eaters who make being gluten-free some sort of religion or act as if they've achieved a higher state of consciousness. Bleah.

Honestly, because my symptoms are so obscure that I have a hard time believing I even have it, especially when the doctors don't seem to really have a clue, either. The words "consistent with Celiac" don't convince me much. (I have had my blood tested since I went gluten-free, and now my markers are normal.) Still, I sure am discouraged and sad. I know there are far worse things than this, but I feel like such a drag, especially when it comes to family get-togethers. I'm always the I-can't-eat-that person, and I feel like I'm always having to explain, and I'm sick of explaining it. I'm sick of cooking. I'm just sick of food. And I swear, I am so sick of the G-word.  

Anyway, I just needed to vent. I feel very isolated sometimes. Food used to be such a fun way to bring family together. Now it's my enemy. Thanks for listening, y'all.

Kristi

 

Hi Kristi!

Thanks for sharing. I have also struggled with feelings of depression and isolation. We have had a significant loss. Celiac disease was not on my radar until I got tested for it. And it threw me for a tailspin. I have been able to speak to a counselor, and that has helped a lot. Is there a counselor in your area that you can talk to? It sounds like you probably live in a pretty rural area. Do you know any other people in your area who have celiac? 

I miss things like sharing food at family meals, eating my mom's and my sister's homemade bread, my mom's doughnuts. It really is hard.

Restaurants can be a challenge. I usually call ahead of time to see if they can help me. And I always tell them that I have celiac disease. Sometimes they ask me, "What is that?" Another person I know brings their own food to the restaurant.

Yes, it can be very awkward. And it is hard. You are not alone.There are many people who are walking this path. 

I have not really tried it yet, but America's Test Kitchen has put out a gluten free cookbook. I've heard good things about it. 

You can do it, my friend! We are all rooting for you!

[GodsGal]

4 minutes ago, GodsGal said:

Hi Kristi!

Thanks for sharing. I have also struggled with feelings of depression and isolation. We have had a significant loss. Celiac disease was not on my radar until I got tested for it. And it threw me for a tailspin. I have been able to speak to a counselor, and that has helped a lot. Is there a counselor in your area that you can talk to? It sounds like you probably live in a pretty rural area. Do you know any other people in your area who have celiac? 

I miss things like sharing food at family meals, eating my mom's and my sister's homemade bread, my mom's doughnuts. It really is hard.

Restaurants can be a challenge. I usually call ahead of time to see if they can help me. And I always tell them that I have celiac disease. Sometimes they ask me, "What is that?" Another person I know brings their own food to the restaurant.

Yes, it can be very awkward. And it is hard. You are not alone.There are many people who are walking this path. 

I have not really tried it yet, but America's Test Kitchen has put out a gluten free cookbook. I've heard good things about it. 

You can do it, my friend! We are all rooting for you!

Another thing that I have read is that when you are substituting gluten free flour for regular flour, you should use a kitchen scale and substitute by ounce/gram instead of cup for cup.

[GFinDC]

Hi Kristi,

There are plenty of people with celiac disease around who have had emotional/mental type symptoms.  There is a thread topic on "Anger, quick temper, depression" on the forum from years ago and similar threads pop up fairly regularly..

Some things that can affect mood are vitamin/mineral deficiencies.  Vitamin D is one possibility but there are others.  Another possible issue is the thyroid replacement hormone levels you are taking may be off.  Thyroid hormone being low could lead to weight gain and depression.  So maybe something to get checked out.

You could get a multi-mineral and multi-vitamin to deal with deficiencies.  But it's best to get a doctor to check your levels first.

It does take time to adapt to eating gluten-free though.

 

[GF-Cate]

Hi Kristi,

One thing I have found with gluten-free baking is that I have the most success using recipes with weight measurements (I use grams). It makes the baking recipe much more consistent and is a very quick way to measure ingredients as well. 

I like King Arthur's CGF measure for measure flour best (they have a table that will tell you the correct weight equivalents for cup/volume measurements). They also have lots of baking mixes, pie crust mix, bread & pizza dough flour.

https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/about/products/gluten-free

It does take some time and trial and error to find recipes that fit the bill in terms of taste, but keep trying! Quick breads (zucchini, pumpkin, banana) are some of the easiest to replicate with a gluten-free one-for-one flour substitute.

There are some companies making really great CGF breads. My new favorite is BFree. The rolls were so good right out of the package (not something I have found with other packaged gluten-free breads - usually I find them most palatable toasted or grilled).  Their products can be ordered online.

https://bfreefoods.us/

There is a company in San Francisco that makes CGF & top 8 allergen free sourdough bread. I have not yet tried it, but it is on my list (pricey, but maybe worth it on occasion?).

https://breadsrsly.com/

It probably took me a good 2 years before I found enough recipes & meal ideas to really be in a groove, but I definitely get sick of my own cooking. I really miss the ease and convenience of being able to order a pizza or stop in a cafe for lunch  I am still grieving that. I also miss the luxury of not having to think about food or ingredients or cross- contamination all the time. You are definitely not alone! 

Cate

[kristid4d]

Y'all are amazing!!!!! 

I am so grateful that you all responded. I never thought about weight measuring in these recipes, but that makes so much sense because gluten-free flours are so much denser.

Also, the vitamin D thing... I know that has to be an issue. I wear so much sunscreen working on our little farm, and my vitamin D has been in the toilet several times. It might be again.

My go-to is corn tortillas... probably doesn't help my backside. 🤣 I will get a paleo cookbook and the Eating Clean with a Dirty Mind. Haha

Y'all are so sweet and helpful, and I thank you for speaking the positive into my life. 💖

[kristid4d]

On 5/13/2021 at 8:19 PM, GodsGal said:

Another thing that I have read is that when you are substituting gluten free flour for regular flour, you should use a kitchen scale and substitute by ounce/gram instead of cup for cup.

Thank you so much! ❤️

On 5/14/2021 at 12:37 AM, GFinDC said:

Hi Kristi,

There are plenty of people with celiac disease around who have had emotional/mental type symptoms.  There is a thread topic on "Anger, quick temper, depression" on the forum from years ago and similar threads pop up fairly regularly..

 

I do find a get brain fog... but I'm not sure if that's because I'm constantly doing some project and having 15+ things going at once or because of gluten... or because I'm getting old. haha

 

[kristid4d]

5 hours ago, GF_Cate said:

Hi Kristi,

One thing I have found with gluten-free baking is that I have the most success using recipes with weight measurements (I use grams). It makes the baking recipe much more consistent and is a very quick way to measure ingredients as well. 

I like King Arthur's CGF measure for measure flour best (they have a table that will tell you the correct weight equivalents for cup/volume measurements). They also have lots of baking mixes, pie crust mix, bread & pizza dough flour.

https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/about/products/gluten-free

It does take some time and trial and error to find recipes that fit the bill in terms of taste, but keep trying! Quick breads (zucchini, pumpkin, banana) are some of the easiest to replicate with a gluten-free one-for-one flour substitute.

There are some companies making really great CGF breads. My new favorite is BFree. The rolls were so good right out of the package (not something I have found with other packaged gluten-free breads - usually I find them most palatable toasted or grilled).  Their products can be ordered online.

https://bfreefoods.us/

There is a company in San Francisco that makes CGF & top 8 allergen free sourdough bread. I have not yet tried it, but it is on my list (pricey, but maybe worth it on occasion?).

https://breadsrsly.com/

It probably took me a good 2 years before I found enough recipes & meal ideas to really be in a groove, but I definitely get sick of my own cooking. I really miss the ease and convenience of being able to order a pizza or stop in a cafe for lunch  I am still grieving that. I also miss the luxury of not having to think about food or ingredients or cross- contamination all the time. You are definitely not alone! 

Cate

This is come great info, Cate. Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I'm going to look at all these sites. gluten-free sourdough?? I'd be willing to try it. I DO miss that so much.

[kristid4d]

On 5/13/2021 at 8:12 PM, GodsGal said:

Hi Kristi!

Thanks for sharing. I have also struggled with feelings of depression and isolation. We have had a significant loss. Celiac disease was not on my radar until I got tested for it. And it threw me for a tailspin. I have been able to speak to a counselor, and that has helped a lot. Is there a counselor in your area that you can talk to? It sounds like you probably live in a pretty rural area. Do you know any other people in your area who have celiac? 

I miss things like sharing food at family meals, eating my mom's and my sister's homemade bread, my mom's doughnuts. It really is hard.

Restaurants can be a challenge. I usually call ahead of time to see if they can help me. And I always tell them that I have celiac disease. Sometimes they ask me, "What is that?" Another person I know brings their own food to the restaurant.

Yes, it can be very awkward. And it is hard. You are not alone.There are many people who are walking this path. 

I have not really tried it yet, but America's Test Kitchen has put out a gluten free cookbook. I've heard good things about it. 

You can do it, my friend! We are all rooting for you!

I am the only one I know in my area who is a Celiac sufferer (or at least the only one diagnosed). My daughter is gluten-sensitive; the doctor said she doesn't have an allergy, but she has the exact same trouble I've always had. I never get diarrhea... just constant constipation and bloating. I wonder if she might need to go back and see a real gastroenterologist and not just a family physician. 

I find myself apologizing when I go to restaurants because I am afraid they think I'm just being picky. Ugh.

Thank you for the cheer. ❤️

[Posterboy]

4 hours ago, kristid4d said:

Also, the vitamin D thing... I know that has to be an issue. I wear so much sunscreen working on our little farm, and my vitamin D has been in the toilet several times. It might be again.

Kristid4d,

Try taking you some Magnesium.....Vitamin D needs Magnesium as a Co-Factor to be used in the body properly.  Magnesium also helps depression!

Don't take the Vitamin D by itself if you can help it.....I have made this mistake.

Try taking it (Vitamin D) in combination with either Vitamin K or Vitamin A.

Here is a couple articles on how Magnesium is important for our body to utilize Vitamin D properly.

Entitled "Role of Magnesium in Vitamin D Activation and Function"

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29480918/

And this one

Entitled "Magnesium Supplementation in Vitamin D Deficiency"

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28471760/

Here is how Vitamin A and K work can help protect us from taking high dose Vitamin D triggering toxicity in extremely high amounts.

Ironically taking extremely High doses of Vitamin D can deplete our Magnesium levels...

Where they note quoting

"Mg is essential in the metabolism of vitamin D, and taking large doses of vitamin D can induce severe depletion of Mg. Adequate magnesium supplementation should be considered as an important aspect of vitamin D therapy."

Entitled "Vitamin D toxicity redefined: vitamin K and the molecular mechanism"

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17145139/

Also read this thread that has a lot helpful hints on how to fight depression....

Your brain fog can be Low Thiamine levels...

Read this nice article on it....but be sure to read the comments by Knitty Kitty at the end of the article....where she explains how Magnesium and Thiamine can work together to help fight brain fog symptom's.

Like Vitamin D and Magnesium.....Thiamine needs Magnesium to be converted to its active form in the body!

When ever you get low in Magnesium and Thiamine HORRIBLE Fatigue follows!

Because we can't make energy without them and since your brain needs a lot of energy to function properly taking both Magnesium (best as Glycinate or Citrate)  and Thiamine together (In its Fat Soluble forms) usually helps brain fog!  And since the Fat Soluble B-1 needs food to aid absorption.....always take your Magnesium and Thiamine with food!  The most common and easiest form of Fat Soluble B-1 to find is Benfotiamine......but Allithiamine or Lipothiamine might help your brain fog more than Benfotiamine alone because they cross the Blood Brain Barrier (which Benfotiamine) is thought not to do!

There is technical reasons for this the hormones matter link below will explain in detail.

See this articles on Thiamine supplements that explain it in more detail.

https://www.hormonesmatter.com/navigating-thiamine-supplements/

I also recommend this great thread on Thiamine started my Knitty Kitty

Only scan it (Knitty Kittys' thread on Thiamine) for now....and go back and read it in more detail when you have time.

I have given you enough information for now to get you started on your journey to helping your "Brain Fog" issues...

I hope this is helpful it is not medical advice.

Posterboy,

[kristid4d]

1 hour ago, Posterboy said:

Kristid4d,

Try taking you some Magnesium.....Vitamin D needs Magnesium as a Co-Factor to be used in the body properly.  Magnesium also helps depression!

Don't take the Vitamin D by itself if you can help it.....I have made this mistake.

Try taking it (Vitamin D) in combination with either Vitamin K or Vitamin A.

Here is a couple articles on how Magnesium is important for our body to utilize Vitamin D properly.

Entitled "Role of Magnesium in Vitamin D Activation and Function"

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29480918/

And this one

Entitled "Magnesium Supplementation in Vitamin D Deficiency"

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28471760/

Here is how Vitamin A and K work can help protect us from taking high dose Vitamin D triggering toxicity in extremely high amounts.

Ironically taking extremely High doses of Vitamin D can deplete our Magnesium levels...

Where they note quoting

"Mg is essential in the metabolism of vitamin D, and taking large doses of vitamin D can induce severe depletion of Mg. Adequate magnesium supplementation should be considered as an important aspect of vitamin D therapy."

Entitled "Vitamin D toxicity redefined: vitamin K and the molecular mechanism"

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17145139/

Also read this thread that has a lot helpful hints on how to fight depression....

Your brain fog can be Low Thiamine levels...

Read this nice article on it....but be sure to read the comments by Knitty Kitty at the end of the article....where she explains how Magnesium and Thiamine can work together to help fight brain fog symptom's.

Like Vitamin D and Magnesium.....Thiamine needs Magnesium to be converted to its active form in the body!

When ever you get low in Magnesium and Thiamine HORRIBLE Fatigue follows!

Because we can't make energy without them and since your brain needs a lot of energy to function properly taking both Magnesium (best as Glycinate or Citrate)  and Thiamine together (In its Fat Soluble forms) usually helps brain fog!  And since the Fat Soluble B-1 needs food to aid absorption.....always take your Magnesium and Thiamine with food!  The most common and easiest form of Fat Soluble B-1 to find is Benfotiamine......but Allithiamine or Lipothiamine might help your brain fog more than Benfotiamine alone because they cross the Blood Brain Barrier (which Benfotiamine) is thought not to do!

There is technical reasons for this the hormones matter link below will explain in detail.

See this articles on Thiamine supplements that explain it in more detail.

https://www.hormonesmatter.com/navigating-thiamine-supplements/

I also recommend this great thread on Thiamine started my Knitty Kitty

Only scan it (Knitty Kittys' thread on Thiamine) for now....and go back and read it in more detail when you have time.

I have given you enough information for now to get you started on your journey to helping your "Brain Fog" issues...

I hope this is helpful it is not medical advice.

Posterboy,

Wow! What a great post. I had no idea there was an issue with vitamin D and magnesium. I've been given prescriptions of vitamin D several times, and I had no idea. What's pretty amazing. I will read over this. I admit that since I got diagnosed, my eating habits have been rather terrible. I get so frustrated with food, I skip a TON of meals. I'm probably all upside down.

Thank you!!

 

[GodsGal]

3 hours ago, kristid4d said:

I am the only one I know in my area who is a Celiac sufferer (or at least the only one diagnosed). My daughter is gluten-sensitive; the doctor said she doesn't have an allergy, but she has the exact same trouble I've always had. I never get diarrhea... just constant constipation and bloating. I wonder if she might need to go back and see a real gastroenterologist and not just a family physician. 

I find myself apologizing when I go to restaurants because I am afraid they think I'm just being picky. Ugh.

Thank you for the cheer. ❤️

I would recommend that your daughter see a GI specialist. 

I know that it can be awkward at restaurants. We get to be ambassadors for celiac disease. That's not an easy job. But you can do it!

[trents]

kristd4d, has your daughter actually been tested for celiac disease/gluten sensitivity by your doctor or is this just his opinion? Also, gluten sensitivity and celiac disease are not food allergies. They are autoimmune conditions. Allergy testing would not detect them as they involve a completely different immune system pathway. Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity are diagnosed through a blood antibody test panel.

Edited May 16, 2021 by trents

[Rebmes]

Don't give up.

One day, your view of food will have shifted and solidified into a new normal.

You'll look back and wonder why you ever loved that poison (gluten) so much anyway.

It's lame to not be able to eat hardly anywhere, but that's also an excuse to invite more 🙂