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):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


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

For Those With Knowledge About Mental Health Dx's


mosaicmom

Recommended Posts

mosaicmom Rookie

If you've received a mental health diagnosis in the past, one that you could agree with in some ways and others around you might've agreed...

Did they go away upon gluten-free diet for significant periods of time?

Or does gluten damage receptors in the brain that cause the disease and no turning back?

Also have read selenium deficiencies in those with co occuring disorders of mental health issues and celiacs.

Big on fish oil in the house, didn't "cure" but didn't have dd on gluten-free diet yet.

Just hoping for a cure for the debilitating effects. She noticed clarity when going gluten-free for 2 weeks, so I'm hopeful... but we had to go back on gluten for the endoscopy, holding on for dear life til then.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



mftnchn Explorer

I don't personally have a diagnosis, but I do work in the field.

On this forum since I joined I have seen many who report resolution of such symptoms. Some after gluten-free, some after gluten-free plus some other restrictions that has worked for them.

Recently starting the specific carbohydrate diet, I've read of a whole number of other reports of resolution of symptoms which removal of any carbohydrates that have to be broken down. (Intestinal damage can lead to the inability to make the enzymes to break down carbs).

So hang in there.

ravenwoodglass Mentor

I suffered from severe cyclic bouts of depression and also had a sub-illeal seizure disorder that caused out of the blue, for no reason rages. I have also been formally diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, PTSD. The celiac diagnosis did away with the depression and the seizures. The only time I get the depression now is when glutened, it hits hard and heavy for 24 hours after I injest. Then it lifts. I haven't had a seizure now at all in years, even when glutened. The PTSD however is due to violent trauma both as a child and as an adult. That and the anxiety from it has not been relieved.

I hope the endo is close for you. Do get you DD back on the diet as soon as the endo is finished. I would also stay on the diet for at least a few months regardless of the biopsy report. It can take a while to heal neuro stuff and the least little bit of gluten for many causes things to reappear. My depressive symptoms combined with my DH were the biggest clues for me in the beginning that some gluten was sneaking in. Also with neuro symptoms we often have to avoid the gluten grain alcohols and vinegars. You should avoid and then challenge them before you accept the blanket promise that none of us react. Some of us definately do.

RiceGuy Collaborator

Something else to consider would be supplements. Vitamin B12, magnesium, iron, zinc, and others can be very helpful. Here's a link to some useful information on this: Open Original Shared Link

Sometimes just going gluten-free isn't enough. As was stated, other intolerances and sensitivities should be considered as well. Things like dairy, soy, corn, nuts, eggs, nightshades, and probably some others.

Hang in there!

mosaicmom Rookie
Something else to consider would be supplements. Vitamin B12, magnesium, iron, zinc, and others can be very helpful. Here's a link to some useful information on this: Open Original Shared Link

Sometimes just going gluten-free isn't enough. As was stated, other intolerances and sensitivities should be considered as well. Things like dairy, soy, corn, nuts, eggs, nightshades, and probably some others.

Hang in there!

She was on a vitamin regimen prior to this being looked at. I will have to try and force her back into it.

She was dx'd with Bipolar 1, which is worse than 2. She also has anxiety like no other. My husband has ptsd and anxiety- preexisting, but also before going to Iraq- so not totally a gluten issue for him. She- dd- believes it's schizophrenia whereas I do not- which I've read is of higher prevalence in those with Celiac. She didn't just read this and come up with it, she's been warning me for some time. By day for of the gluten-free diet, she came to me and said her "depersonalization" had gotten significantly better. We didn't attribute it to gluten-free b/c I hadn't started looking into it yet. I have alot of hope.

We need to get her appetite back though as the stomach issues are only allowing for at tops, 800-1000 calories a day to be ingested.

I've read a bit about the SCD, have it bookmarked. We'll start with gluten-free since it made the biggest difference in a short period of time, and then exclude from there when we have the tests finished.

If I hadn't found this site, I wouldn't have investigated her rash further, which is clearly not the atopic derm she's had all her life, it is most certainly the examples you see, but not extreme- just in small patches throughout her body.

feelingbetter Rookie

Hi- I had PTSD, Bipolar ll, chronic fatigue, fibro and severe migraines. One year ago I went off all meds and started taking high doses of vitamins and minerals. This helped quite alot once I got through the most hellish withdrawal period.

Six months ago I went gluten and dairy free. This took care of the migraines and all fibro problems. My mood was better but I still had strong bouts of anxiety and depression.

Four months ago I started the SCD and have noticed a huge improvement. My energy is coming back. I now believe that I cannot tolerate any grain products. When I cheat and eat rice pasta or rice I become very depressed. I still take lots of vitamins and minerals as well as a weekly b12 shot. I have never felt this well as I do now on this diet.

My only remaining problem is some anxiety. I will travel to the U.S next year to the Pfeiffer Center in Illinois as I have been reading alot about pyroluria. I sense this is what I have.

My prayers are with you. I understand your suffering.

AliB Enthusiast

My daughter has suffered with quite severe anxiety, panic and depression - I had her down as Bipolar at one point & she was even suicidal at times - in the pit one minute, bouncing off the walls at the next.

She has, within the last year gone back on to St John's Wort on a pretty permanent basis. It deals with her problems a lot better and less drastically than the drugs do and is keeping her on a fairly level field at the moment, however I am convinced that she would not need them at all if she were on the SCD.

I keep chipping away at the resistance and hopefully I will get through eventually! Both her little boys have issues linked to GI and poor gut flora so it would not do any of them (or my husband either) any harm to join me on the SCD. We would all be a lot better for it.

My daughter, I think, is waiting to see how I fare on it. My health is slowly improving, but not quick enough to spur her into it. Unless she gets into it now, by the time my healing has completed she and the boys will have lost the time in between and possibly deteriorated even further.

We don't necessarily link what happens in the brain to what is happening in the gut, but it is all connected. 2,500 years ago Hippocrates said that all disease begins in the gut. Wise Man.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



feelingbetter Rookie

This is just my opinion but I think most mental illness is the result of a vitamin and mineral deficiency. I really think it is at the root of the problem. If there is intestinal damage then there will be nutritional deficiency. If there is pyroluria there is a severe zinc and b6 deficiency. My oldest daughter presents with clear signs of bipolar ll. When she takes her vitamins she is a different person. Just like I am a different person when I take my supplements.

If anyone is interested The Mood Cure by Julia Ross is loaded with information and proper dosing of vitamins and minerals.

I eat a very healthy diet loaded with raw fruit and vegetables but I doubt I will ever be able to stop taking the vitamins and minerals. I really don't think the SCD will be enough by itself to keep the bipolar under control.

mosaicmom Rookie

AliB

Yes, he was a wise man. Now I know who I'm quoting when I told my husband to shut up and drink the aloe vera juice we had... "death begins in the gut", I kept telling him. He felt better while I had him on it. He's not the on with C issues that I can tell so far.

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      127,836
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    RyanOB
    Newest Member
    RyanOB
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121k
    • Total Posts
      70.4k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      @Manaan2,  I'm so happy to hear you're going to try thiamine and magnesium!  Do let us know the results!   You may want to add a B 50 Complex with two meals of the day to help boost absorption.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins which are all water soluble.   When supplementing magnesium, make sure to get sufficient calcium.  Calcium and magnesium need to be kept in balance.  If you choose a calcium supplement, take two hours apart from magnesium as they compete for absorption.  Take Calcium with Vitamin D.  Vitamin D helps calm the immune system.   For pain, I use a combination of thiamine, B12 Cobalamine, and Pyridoxine B6.  These three vitamins together have analgesic effects.  My preferred brand is "GSG 12X Takeda ALINAMIN EX Plus Vitamin B1 B6 B12 Health Supplementary from Japan 120 Tablets".  Alinamin is another form of thiamine.  It really is excellent at relieving my back pain from crushed vertebrae without side effects and no grogginess.   Look into the low histamine version of the Autoimmune Protocol Duet (Dr. Sarah Ballentyne, a Celiac herself, developed it.)  It really helps heal the intestines, too.  It's like a vacation for the digestive system.  Add foods back gradually over several weeks after feeling better.   I'm so happy to have pointed the way on your journey!  Let us know how the journey progresses! P. S. Add a Potassium supplement, too.  Potassium is another electrolyte, like magnessium, that we need.
    • Manaan2
      @knitty kitty I can't thank you enough!  My husband and I already started looking into those supplements.  We definitely plan to give it a try.  We've been against the Miralax since it was originally advised by PCP, but because of the level of pain she experienced on a daily basis, we decided to try it.  We've made many attempts to gradually decrease but due to her pain and related symptoms, we've kept her on it while trying all sorts of other dietary adjustments pre and post diagnosis specific to food; so far none of those efforts have made a significant difference.  I will definitely share how she's doing along the way!
    • BIg Nodge
      Hi, I have recently embarked on the gluten-free journey. I have what to me seems like a somewhat confusing set of test results and symptoms. I have been impressed by the accumulated knowledge and thoughtfulness as I browse this forum, so I figured I'd make a post to see if anyone can offer any insight. I know there are many posts like this from new users, so I have tried to do my baseline research first and not ask super obvious questions.  I'm 43, overall very healthy. No history of gluten sensitivity or really any of the classic GI symptoms. About three years ago I started to experience intermittent bouts of fatigue, chills/cold intolerance, and shortness of breath/air hunger (sometimes feels like a hollowness in my chest, hard to describe). The symptoms over time have become fairly significant, though not debilitating, I am able to exercise regularly and am fairly physically active, continue to perform well at work. But for example I have gone from someone who consistently ran hot, was always cranking the a/c, to someone who wears a down vest inside at work in winter and get chills if the a/c even blows on me in summer. I get tired and lose energy even when getting decent amounts of sleep, and have to have my wife take over on long drives that I could previously handle with no problems. More generally when I am experiencing these symptoms they seem to crowd out space in my mind for focusing on my family, my hobbies/activities etc, I sort of withdraw into myself.   I happened to be experiencing these symptoms during an annual physical with my PCP a few years ago, he observed post nasal drip and suggested it was allergies and that I treat it with claritin. At first it seemed to respond to claritin (though not zyrtex), but over time I became unsatisfied with that answer. There didn't seem to be any seasonal rhyme or reason to my symptoms, and I felt like I was on an endless loop of taking claritin, then stopping, not being sure if it was even making a difference. I did eventually get allergy tests and found modest allergies to dust and pollen, which didn't feel like a smoking gun.  I then started seeing a natural medicine doctor who was much more willing to explore my symptoms via testing. The first thing that came back abnormal was elevated thyroid peroxidase antibodies/TPOs, 137 IU/mL vs a reference range of <9. At the same time my thyroid panel showed normal thyroid hormone levels. So it appears my immune system is attacking my thyroid even though it is working fine. I got a thyroid ultrasound at the time, it was clear, but with some abnormalities such that they suggested I get is scanned again in a year. These are certainly risk factors for a thyroid autoimmune disease, though my thyroid seems to be working fine for now.  From here my doctor considered celiac due to the murky thyroid/celiac links, so we did a panel. Results were as follows: TT IGA <1 U/ml, TT IGG <1 U/ml, deamidated gliadin IGA 24.6 U/ml, deamidated gliadin IGG <1 U/ml, IGAs 170 mg/dL. Readings greater than 15 considered high by my lab for the first four, my IGAs are within reference range. So basically just the deamidated IGA popped, but my IGAs are normal. I also notice on the tests that my thyroglobulin was high, 86.7 ng/ml vs a range of 2.8 - 40.9.  My doctor suggested that it certainly wasn't conclusive for celiac, but it was possible, and likely that I have some sort of gluten sensitivity. She suggested going gluten free and seeing how I felt as opposed to doing a biopsy. The best theory I can come up with is perhaps I am a silent celiac or just have a gluten sensitivity that doesn't produce immediate GI symptoms, but is still doing damage and over time has caused leaky gut. So now gluten is getting into my blood, and my immune system is attacking it but also mistakingly attacking my thyroid.  So that's what I did, went gluten free in October. It's been about four months, and I am really not feeling any difference. I still get the same symptoms that come and go. My bowel movements may be a bit more regular, but it was never a major issue before so I would consider that a minor improvement. I know that it can take a while to see improvements, and I am going to remain gluten-free and see how I feel. But I am definitely questioning whether I really understand what is going on, and am open to any thoughts or suggestions from the forum. Sometimes I wish I just went ahead with the biopsy before going gluten-free. While I would certainly be down to start drinking IPAs again ahead of a biopsy, you know, for science, I feel like at this point I would be throwing away four months of work and am better off staying the course and seeing what happens. But I'm really not sure.  I know there is a lot of thyroid knowledge on these boards, along with the celiac expertise, so I'm curious if this resonates with anyone's experience. And I'm interested in what sort of timelines people have experienced in terms of feeling improvements for some of these non-GI symptoms like chills, SOB, brain fog etc. Thanks in advance. 
    • cameo674
      Does it taste like black licorice?  It said it was chewable.  I do not like that flavor.     Since the burn at the back of my throat is there everyday, I usually only take something when it is unbearable and keeping me from ADL especially sleep.  
    • Scott Adams
      Your concerns about Nando's cross-contamination practices are valid and important for the celiac community. It's disappointing that Nando's does not have stricter protocols for children's portions, especially given the risk of cross-contact with gluten-containing items like garlic bread. Cooking gluten-free items on shared surfaces, even if cleaned, is not safe for individuals with celiac disease, as even trace amounts of gluten can cause harm. While the adult butterfly chicken may be a safer option, the inconsistency in practices for children's meals is concerning. It's frustrating that Nando's headquarters did not take responsibility, but sharing your experience raises awareness and may encourage them to improve their protocols. Consider reaching out to celiac advocacy organizations to amplify your concerns and push for better standards. Always double-check with staff and emphasize the importance of avoiding cross-contamination when dining out.
×
×
  • Create New...