Depressed

[paulwwww]

I found out I was a Celiac about a half a year ago. It was nice finally figuring out what was going on. My energy dropped to zero although I continued to eat like crazy. My doctor had me taking Celexa (antidepressant) prior to being diagnosed with celiac disease. Once I was diagnosed I figured I probably wouldn't need Celexa anymore, plus I did not like the mild side effects. Things seem to get gradually better as I became gluten-free however in the last month or two I have had no desire to do anything. Of course this is killing me in my high pressure job and active family life. I generally have a lot of ambition but now can't seem to motivate.

I was considering St. Johns Wort as a possible solution. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

PW

[MySuicidalTurtle]

For me, I found therapy to be good. I did it for many months after diagnosis and go back when I feel I need it. It helped me out a lot and they can prescribe something if you need medication or someting alternitive if you want.

[pwalasik]

Hi PW,

First of all, remember you have been through a lot, medically speaking, and feeling good/ motivated may take awhile physically & emotionally. Maybe you should try going back on your medication. Possibly a combined med/ therapy, may prove to be most effective. I am sorry you are having a problem with motivation. Maybe it is unrealed to celiac... my daughter has celiac disease and an undiagnosed blood sugar level problem. I really have to watch her sugar spikes and dips. I try to equal the amount of protein versus carbs/ sugar..etc. If I don't, it's like dealing with Jekel vs Hyde. Good Luck and please post on this message board when you need support. You ARE going through a tough time and we are here to help.. Good Luck

[ianm]

Welcome aboard. Six months may not be enough time for you to really be fully healthy. Are you lacking in energy or is it just motivation? I have a very demanding job also and once I started to get healthy for the first time in 36 years I found that I wasn't as motivated in some areas as I was before. I had more energy than ever had before but for me it was a case of wanting to do the things that my disease just wouldn't allow me to do. I never had any problems with serious depression requireing medication so I can't be of much help there. There are a lot of great people in this group and a lot of good information. It is going to take some more time and things will get better.

Ianm

[Canadian Karen]

Hi PW,

I have struggled with mild to moderate depression for many years. I have been on anti-depressants for about 10 years now. I have absolutely no qualms about taking them. The way I look at it, my body doesn't produce enough seratonin which requires me to take medication to correct that, the EXACT same way that I take thyroid medication because my body doesn't produce enough iodine. I don't see any difference between the two.

Also, have you ever heard of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)? I am prone to that. From November to February is brutal for me, and then in March I start to pull myself out of the rut. Even Christmas is not great for me, my husband calls me Scrooge (Bah Humbug!!!). Christmas carols make me cry, etc..... I find that the more light I expose myself to, the more it alleviates it.......

I think you should re-consider your decision to go off the medication. Or perhaps be pre-emptive, and take the meds only from November to March when the liklihood of the depression is highest.....

Also, have you had your thyroid checked? The reason I found out about my hypothryoidism was because I went to the doctor with the "post-wedding blues", feeling very depressed (a few months after my wedding), and a thyroid test revealed my hypothyroidism. Depression is a symptom of thyroid disease.....

Good Luck, and hope your spirits pick up soon!

Karen

[plantime]

Your need for the antidepressant could very well be unrelated to celiac disease. I need Lexapro to help me cope with the changing hormones that come with menopause. I have weaned off of it, and I feel the loss of it! Try using sunshine to cope with depression. If you are just not motivated to work, maybe you need a new job? Or an added challenge, to spice it up a bit?

[mommida]

New studies say, exercise was better than drugs for depression. AS little as 10 minutes a day. Go back to the doctor before you stop taking any antidepressant. Have you made sure that prescription was being taken for best results? i.e. empty stomache, with food, best time of day? What is the length of time the drug is in your system?

Just a few things to think about.

Laura

[lovegrov]

I know people with mild to moderate depression who say St. John's Wort is great. I'm nopt sure studies really support it, but it might be worth a try. If you're taking any other medications, you need to make sure the St. John's won't cause problems. Remeber, I am not a doctor or medical person. Please look into this carefully yourself.

Exercise is indeed ALWAYS a good suggestion but there are some types of depression and some situations you can't just exercise your way out of.

richard

[Guest BellyTimber]

Hi, your story sounds like mine except I'm not a family man & I've been bumping along somehow without antidepressants.

I tried St Johns Wort several years ago and, having been prewarned about possible effects on the eyes, decided after a little while that it didn't suit my eyes. I think that's the main thing to "watch" out for with that remedy.

If you have the space, explore having a lightbox. Some people need to switch it on the evening, some in the morning, some people find it helps a lot, others not much or not at all. Do you have a support group for SAD or light box users?

When I can I walk around with my spectacles off (windows & specs get in the way) - the sunlight can get to the areas somewhere near the eyes that regulate this sort of thing - be sure to not look anywhere near the sun though!

Depression can be a symptom of this condition, can be a reaction to discovering we have the condition, a reaction to the people we have to deal with because of the condition (doctors?), and stem from other things ... (quite likely all of these at the same time).

I am at crunch point and probably need to do some baking this weekend (an unusual activity for me), for me that is an initiative issue.

This forum is the right place to raise that anyway.

All the very best,

Michael