Recent diagnoses

[Lauraclay]

Hi all, yesterday I was diagnosed with celiac, I've had diarrhea and stomach pain for 3 weeks, I also have been very tired, dizzy and feeling like my head is moving by itself, really weird feeling, just looking of anyone else can relate to this at all please

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, Lauraclay!

All of the symptoms you describe are very common to the celiac population. Some of what you describe we refer to as "brain fog." Not every celiac has all of the symptoms you describe but they are all common to the celiac community as a whole.

[Scott Adams]

Yes, welcome! The 2nd worse symptom to my diarrhea was vertigo, or the feeling like things were spinning or I was falling, which also caused me to have panic attacks. The good news is that going gluten-free should fairly quickly resolve your symptoms, but be sure you fully understand the gluten-free diet. This article might help:

 

[cristiana]

Yes, me too.  The dizziness is something that still comes back when I get gluten in my system.  

[Scott Adams]

I think this symptom, and the brain fog, are possible reasons why so many doctors try to prescribe anti-anxiety, anti-depressants, etc., and try to explain gluten sensitivity away as a psychological issue.

[Kate333]

On 7/21/2021 at 3:19 PM, Scott Adams said:

I think this symptom, and the brain fog, are possible reasons why so many doctors try to prescribe anti-anxiety, anti-depressants, etc., and try to explain gluten sensitivity away as a psychological issue.

Dear Scott,

I think it a bit simplistic and unfair to imply that doctors who consider MH conditions in making diagnoses or prescribe anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds are just dismissive psych pill peddlers with little concern for their patients or making an accurate diagnosis.  Perhaps I've just been lucky, but I think most doctors genuinely care about their patients and are genuinely interested in making an accurate diagnoses and prescribing effective treatments.   

While it's certainly the case that many GP/PCP docs are not yet well-versed in celiac disease (or "gluten insensitivity" which is still not even formally recognized by most GI docs), many MH conditions present with the SAME symptoms as celiac disease, and many celiac disease patients also present with co-morbidities (both celiac disease + depression/anxiety).  So why would it not be in patients' best interest to be screened or treated for BOTH conditions?    

Do I wish my celiac disease had been diagnosed earlier?   Of course!   But I also wish my lifelong depression/anxiety conditions had been taken seriously, diagnosed, and properly treated much earlier, in childhood.   But those were the days of deep shame/stigma surrounding mental health issues, so few of us were taken seriously, let alone properly treated back then.  Had things been different, I could have avoided not just decades of suffering with depression/anxiety, but also possibly even full blown celiac disease, because emotional stress is also reportedly a triggering factor in celiac disease gene carriers.   

So please don't disparage anti-depressants/anti-anxiety meds or doctors who consider MH diagnoses or meds.  They have been a godsend for many of us!

[Scott Adams]

I fully agree with your assessment of the mental health issues you’ve addressed, and my comments weren’t meant in any way to disparage anyone in the mental health community, or those who legitimately need medications for mental health issues.

That said I’ve heard too many stories over the years of non-mental health experts—GP doctors—writing off those with undiagnosed celiac disease and/or gluten sensitivity as hypochondriacs who need mental health treatment. This forum is just full of examples of such doctors. I’ve also seen many so called “mental issues” disappear once a proper gluten sensitivity diagnosis was made and the patient finally went gluten-free. At one point my own GP discussed anti-anxiety meds with me before I was diagnosed due to panic attacks and vertigo, which went away after going gluten-free.

[Kate333]

Point well taken.  The thorny issue with both celiac disease and MH issues is the frequent overlap of symptoms for both conditions. 

I am happy your issues resolved with time by simply adopting a gluten-free diet.  That's not the case for many of us, so no harm in considering other root causes besides G exposure.   But I agree that the best doctors are the ones who consider ALL potential causes of illness.  Fortunately, my doctors have always done that, and I have never been the least bit offended when they discuss MH issues.

The mind is far more powerful than we realize.  And for all the strides already made, MH research is probably still in its infancy.  What many used to label "hypochondria" is now recognized as a real condition (called "health anxiety" now).  And it's easy to see how it can develop or worsen in folks already struggling with chronic, physical illnesses, esp. in the computer age which allows such easy, 24/7 access to stories about illness, symptoms.  Some info. is a always a good thing, but too much info. or constant focus on illness can often lead to...well...too much worry and stress...:).  

Hopefully, the passage of time and more medical understanding, advances will lead to better, more effective treatments (and perhaps even cures) for both celiac disease and depression/anxiety.    

[Flash1970]

The first month after I was diagnosed with celiac was horrible.  I felt worse than I ever felt before my diagnosis.  After following the diet for maybe a month maybe 2, I began to notice lessening symptoms. At month 4, I woke up one morning and felt good.  My inflammation and stomach issues were not there.  I actually felt good.  So keep to the diet, don't cheat at all and it will get better. Just no shortcuts.   Also don't eat a lot of processed gluten free food.  Try to eat as clean as possible.  I gave up all grains and that made the ultimate difference.