Depression

[Gamecreature]

I've only been gluten-free for about a month now but one of the symptoms that cleared up right away was a depression that had been following me around for quite some time. So four weeks without depression has been great. But now, for no good reason, it's back again. So which is the fluke, the past four weeks or the way I'm feeling now? This is hitting me pretty hard.

[zakismom]

I still get bouts of depression every now and then. As soon as I went glutenfree I felt like an anvil was lifted off my head and I was able to be happy for the first time in a long time. Now it could be any number of "regular" things that give you the blues. Not enough sunshine, sleep etc. Canadian Karen's new hair style just gave me a good lift Or you could try to treat yourself. Hope it passes quickly!

[Guest Norah022]

I was in the best mood of my life this summer once going gluten-free but as soon as my situation changed and i went away to school depression definitely sunk in. It comes and goes depending on how the people areound me treat me with my Celiac's

[DingoGirl]

Six days after removing gluten, I emerged from the deepest fog....depression lifted...and then I plummetted again in 3 - 4 weeks. Came back up for several months - then back down deeply for about a month. Doing well again......and I hope it stays. I think there can be many ups and downs the first year or two gluten-free....just hang in there!

blessings -

[taz sharratt]

I've only been gluten-free for about a month now but one of the symptoms that cleared up right away was a depression that had been following me around for quite some time. So four weeks without depression has been great. But now, for no good reason, it's back again. So which is the fluke, the past four weeks or the way I'm feeling now? This is hitting me pretty hard.

i also was depressed for a long time, being diagnosed with severe depression and PTSD. been gluten-free since may this year and altho i feel way better i still get days that are bad, for me its about getting use to feeling ok withself and my new situation with my diet. plus it can make you feel really crappy just about your lack of diet never mind anything else. hope you feel better soon. lol taz.

[jebus]

Dear Gamecreature,

I'm new to the board and newly diagnosed, too, but have already gotten some wonderful help here. Just a quick thought - since both conditions are autoimmune in nature and co-exist in many patients (like me), have you been checked for an underactive thyroid? This causes depression until you're on proper medication. Something worth looking into - good luck.

Jebus

[daffadilly]

Are you taking a B12 every day?

Also, are you eating any gluten-free grains in gluten-free goodies, I think that the tiny amount of cross contamination in them is enough to cause depression. Just my opinion...

[jknnej]

I got depressed after going gluten free. Never had depression a day in my 30 years before that. Now my stomach is all better but I'm on anti-depressants to help the depression.

I tried everything; vitamins, natural suuplements, exercise-well I already exercise quite a bit so I just kept that the same. Nothing worked.

I had the prescription for anti-depressants at home for 2 months before I would take one; I saw it as the ultimate failure and I didn't want to do it....finally I realized through my husband how depressed I really was; I would barely leave the house at all and was having morbid, terrible thoughts.

Right away the anti-depressant helped. After 6 months, I went off to see how I was. Unfortunately, the depression came right back. So, now I have accepted taking the anti-depressant which is actually OK because I feel good, and am taking good care of myself while on it.

[Gamecreature]

I'm new to the board and newly diagnosed, too, but have already gotten some wonderful help here. Just a quick thought - since both conditions are autoimmune in nature and co-exist in many patients (like me), have you been checked for an underactive thyroid? This causes depression until you're on proper medication. Something worth looking into - good luck.

I have not gotten any information on my thyroid. It's interesting that you should bring it up because my neck has been aching (just below the ear) every time I have a pain in my gut. Also, my older brother has had thyroid problems. I just don't know how much is enough to get it looked into.

Are you taking a B12 every day?

I'm taking a B12 supplement, but I have no idea how much of it is getting absorbed. Yesterday I had a case of steatorrhea and my extremeties are freezing, so I wonder if I need to do more. I don't want to run to the doctor for every little twinge or ache and pain, but I do want to at least prevent my hair from falling out! But if it's something I can live with, I'm hoping I can let it run its course.

Yesterday's depression seems to have lifted. It was very strange since it seemed so irrational and how quickly it came over me. If I can have more "normal" days than sick ones, that will be enough for me.

[GFBetsy]

I think that occasional depression is also a result of the diagnosis of celiac. Any life changing diagnosis can send you into a tailspin with all of the "stages of grief" included. (Denial, anger, depression, and acceptance are the main ones). And they tend to come and go. Sometimes the diagnosis is fine and doesn't bother you and then, suddenly, it's the worst thing in the world, and how will you survive without Twinkies!!!!!?????!!!!!

So sometimes you've just got to ride it out for a day or so. On the other hand, ask someone close to you (a spouse or sibling or someone) to keep an eye on you, just in case you get worse.

Glad to hear you're feeling better today!

[Gamecreature]

Thanks for the suggestions. The depression certainly wasn't the worst I'd ever suffered, and even more bizarre how it "came out of the blue." My hope is that it will become less frequent as my intestine heals and I start getting more of the right chemicals in me. My fear was that the last few weeks were a fluke and I was going to have to deal with more days "down" than "up." Right now my concern is over whether or not I should get some extra help with my body chemistry levels (see above). Can anybody offer any insight?

[almostnrn]

Thanks for the suggestions. The depression certainly wasn't the worst I'd ever suffered, and even more bizarre how it "came out of the blue." My hope is that it will become less frequent as my intestine heals and I start getting more of the right chemicals in me. My fear was that the last few weeks were a fluke and I was going to have to deal with more days "down" than "up." Right now my concern is over whether or not I should get some extra help with my body chemistry levels (see above). Can anybody offer any insight?

Definately get your thyroid tested. Its easy...just a little blood test. My thyroid crashed and I was exhausted, depressed and in a nutshell a mess. I'm not sure about the pain you mentioned as I didn't have that but I'm wondering if maybe there is a link between the lymph node there and getting glutened. It would make sense that there would be an inflammitory response in the lymph node from all of the crazy antibodies running around in your system. The thyroid test may come back normal and then at least you have eliminated one of the questions and will be able to focus on the depression. I hope your days continue to be sunny!

[Gamecreature]

Okay. Does anyone have any suggestions about the supplements. Do I need to worry about them not being absorbed properly?

[Aerin328]

Depression/ brain fog come and go! As the antibodies stay in the system for at least 1 year I think the body continues to react to them and it comes in waves. Hang in there!