Eating Disorder

[Sweetsoonergirl]

I was diagnosed with celiac in Dec. 2021 and still struggle with temptations of eating regular food (though the food in my home is gluten free). I feel so OCD about having to pay attention to every ingredient and think I may have an eating disorder. I feel like a recovering alcoholic where everyone is able to drink except for me. It's very isolating when there's goodies at work that I cannot safely have or food is being catered and there's vegetarian options but not gluten free [even when I specifically explain what celiac disease is, how it essentially leads to food poisoning (that's how I compare being glutened) and how it's different than just a food preference]. When I'm told to "just bring (my) own food" and I feel so isolated and want to quit. 

I have a history of "dieting" on and off since I was 12 years old. I suspect I may have a history of binge eating disorder. Though, before getting my celiac diagnosis, I was finally getting to a mental place of neutralizing food. What led to my diagnosis was my platelets were elevated 2 years in a row. I was sent to a blood specialist and found out I was slightly anemic. Then I was sent to GI and had an upper and lower scope done. Biopsies indicated celiac disease. I was in shock, to say the least, because there's no known history of celiac disease in my family and I didn't have the typical GI symptoms. Of course, looking back now, the excessive bloating, fatigue and scalp rashes as well as the wonky labs point to celiac disease. I even had 4 different patients over a 2-year period ask when my baby was due. I've never been pregnant. 😒 

After getting diagnosed with celiac disease, I went gluten free in January 2022 (it was really hard to initially go completely gluten-free right around the holidays). Though, I did "cheat" when it was my anniversary that year and I wasn't super careful on vacations. Though, my exposure to gluten is becoming more noticeable, especially if I accidentally eat a whole serving of gluten. I recently learned that kellogg's rice crispies have malt in them. I didn't have a meal that day because I also care for my mom and had to take her to the ER.. 

I feel safest eating at home in my own kitchen but that's not always feasible. I feel like I'm mentally going crazy and am about to have a breakdown paying attention to every single detail when I'm away from home. I hate having to be so aware of cross contamination (though, so far, I don't have any noticeable symptoms with cross contamination, but I still try to avoid when possible because I know it could damage my health in the long-term). 

Also, going strictly gluten free hasn't removed my fatigue, GI bloating, constipation and scalp rashes. I feel my very best following the autoimmune protocol (AIP). But I find it extremely challenging to have to cook and prepare all of my food with my hectic work schedule. It's a vicious cycle. 

Having food restrictions makes me feel like I'm on a continuous fad diet (even though this is a lifestyle instead of a fad). I worked with a registered dietician when I was first diagnosed (who also lived with celiac disease) and she recommended that I get behavioral help since I was struggling with accepting my diagnosis. I do have a psychiatrist and work with a counselor on a weekly basis. I really wish I wasn't tempted by food. 

 

[knitty kitty]

Welcome to the forum, @Sweetsoonergirl!

You may feel better if you supplement with vitamins and minerals.  The gluten free diet can be low in the B vitamins and minerals like magnesium that our bodies and minds need to function.  Anxiety is improved with a higher B Complex vitamin intake and Vitamin D intake.  

B vitamins are required by law to be added to gluten based foods, but there's no such requirements for gluten free processed foods.  

Taking a B Complex and high dose Thiamine really helped alleviate my anxiety and OCD concerns.  Read my blog for more information.

Subclinical deficiencies in the B vitamins affect the brain, causing anxiety, depression, and irritability.  Because the B vitamins are water soluble and nontoxic, supplementing and looking for improvement is an easy test.  Blood tests for vitamin deficiencies are not accurate.  

References:

Nutritional Imbalances in Adult Celiac Patients Following a Gluten-Free Diet

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8398893/

Dietary intake of B vitamins and their association with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms: A cross-sectional, population-based survey

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33848753/

Hiding in Plain Sight: Modern Thiamine Deficiency

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8533683/

Thiamine deficiency disorders: a clinical perspective

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8451766/

Hope this helps!

[Scott Adams]

Celiac.com has published a book on our site by Jean Duane PhD called Gluten-Centric Culture, which covers many of the social aspects of having celiac disease:

This chapter in particular covers issues around eating with family and others - Gluten-Centric Culture: Chapter 5 - Grabbing A Bite Together:

 

 

 

[Sweetsoonergirl]

Thank You for the suggestions on B vitamin deficiencies. I had my B12 vitamin level checked with my hematologist and was told that my B12 level was high. I will look into taking a B vitamin complex. I thought I was just losing my mind due to my history of dieting and feeling so restricted because regular gluten food is everywhere and a constant temptation. 

When there are social events at work, I'm often left out. This happened today when I was told pizza would be ordered and I requested to have gluten free shortly after receiving the notification. Then, I was told that the pizza was already ordered and gluten free wasn't available. I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up. I'm looking foward to reading the book.