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Got Glutened And Now I'm Clinically Depressed

eyeaspire

By eyeaspire
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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eyeaspire Newbie
eyeaspire
Posted

Last Sunday night I ate a kale salad with blue cheese. The next day I drank some Floradix, forgetting that one of their varieties has gluten in it. On top of that, it turns out my lipstick has wheat germ in it. Sigh.

First day of symptoms I felt like I was coming down with the flu, had a puffy face, circles under my eyes, and neuropathy in my left hand - nothing out of the ordinary for a reaction. But as the days went by my mood plummeted to a point where I was having suicidal ideation and anxiety attacks. Before I figured out my gluten intolerance/Celiac (never officially diagnosed, but might as well be considering how horribly I react), I was diagnosed with bipolar. Taking gluten out solved that problem. Anyway, I have meds left over, so I've been taking Zoloft and Ativan, which are helping. I also went to the gym and did a bunch of aerobic exercise to help with the anxiety.

Question: am I the only one who responds this badly? How long does it last?

I've been gluten-free and mostly soy and dairy free since March. I know that reactions can get worse as time goes by, but it has only been six months!

Surely I will get hit with this again and I'm scared to death. I've put a call into my shrink to work out a game plan that doesn't include checking me into a hospital.

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Crimson Rookie
Crimson
Posted

First off: If you're having suicidal thoughts, you need to talk to someone around you. Find some support. I know that sometimes when you're in that mind frame, you feel no one will understand or be supportive, but it's better than sitting around and listening to those types of thoughts going on and on.

Sometimes writing in a journal helps me sort it out. Because if I'm forced to look at that type of thought, I get annoyed with myself for thinking it. It usually helps me refocus my thoughts and emotions.

I remember when I first went wheat free. Before I realized I had a gluten issue too. I ate cookies that were whole wheat. It was right about christmas time. I spent three days laying on the couch crying for no apparent reason. It really sucked. But I was able to equate it to the wheat.

I would have been diagnosed bi polar as well before I started eliminating certain foods.

I think it helps to know it's the gluten effect and not who I or you really are. It will pass! Find something that helps to calm you through this.

Feel better!

dilettantesteph Collaborator
dilettantesteph
Posted

I used to regularly feel suicidal when I got glutened. This last two times, my stomach swelled up like I was 5 months pregnant, and I was a bit extra teary with emotional stuff, but no suicidal thoughts! It's been two years gluten free Maybe it is a matter of healing, maybe it is figuring out what I can really eat. I'm not sure, but it is sure nice not to feel like offing myself.

tmbarke Apprentice
tmbarke
Posted

For years I was feeling this way until recently this year I went to the med center thinking I was having the onset of an asthma attack - and they found nothing......but my throat was still swelling up and then my tongue - and then my ankles..........2 weeks ago during my physical, I was put on a gluten free diet......talk about depressing!

As I struggled, I started feeling like a new person! I was energetic, beginning to focus my eyes better, concentrating and smiling!

The other nite I had a mixed drink - rum and cola........woke with a swollen throat and angry! Like it started all over again. 'JUST SHOOT ME!'

The depression now comes from the battle of finding gluten free foods with gluten hidden in some form on the label and I cry! How horrible to have to do this! I might as well be vegan!

I came home and unloaded my anger at my brother for being at the store for 3-1/2 hrs to buy a cart of food!

I so need a support group cuz if I have to do this alone, I'll never pull out of this depression.

Then I found this site.

It helps to be able to relate and talk or share with someone.

I'm not sure if it's the depression of dealing with gluten-free, or the results of being glutened.....but having someone to talk to helps you to be understood, like a warm hug from a close friend.

momxyz Contributor
momxyz
Posted

although going gluten free did not eliminate my daughter's anxiety, it did help wih her depression and moodiness. In the first month of the diet he got glutened 2 times - and the change in her mood was noticeable each time. There is a definite relationship between gluten intolerance and depression.

But I agree with Crimson, don't go it alone! I am glad you are going to call your psychiatrist.

DaisyJane Newbie
DaisyJane
Posted

Aww, I totally sympathize. I feel COMPLETELY CRAZY from gluten: feelings of hopelessness, paranoia, crazy round-in-circles thought patterns - HORRIBLE. All of that can easily lead me to suicidal feelings. At the back of my mind I know it's only food affecting my mood, but when I'm in a spin, it's virtually impossible to detach from my thoughts.

Hang in there :)

  • 3 months later...
BlakeMichael Newbie
BlakeMichael
Posted

Aww, I totally sympathize. I feel COMPLETELY CRAZY from gluten: feelings of hopelessness, paranoia, crazy round-in-circles thought patterns - HORRIBLE. All of that can easily lead me to suicidal feelings. At the back of my mind I know it's only food affecting my mood, but when I'm in a spin, it's virtually impossible to detach from my thoughts.

Hang in there :)

Ya, that sounds familiar. The absolute WORST time for me was before I even suspected that I even had a gluten intolerance. I had eaten a chicken pot pie for lunch from Giant Eagle. Next thing I know I could barely get a full breath or talk, my heart was fluttering, and the room felt like it was shrinking. Sprinkle in a little paranoia and a massive amount of anxiety (was an anxiety attack in the first place) in and thats about how i felt. After the worst of it was over I still had that circular thinking problem you talked about that is nearly impossible to break. The following month and a half of being gluten ignorant was a living nightmare, anxiety attacks and depression were a daily struggle. I am undiagnosed, but I dont want to get glutened just to show up positive. I actually just got glutened the other day and i just now broke through my severe depression and anxiety. Xanax helps a lot too (generic mylan xanax,gluten-free)

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Laura Wesson Apprentice
Laura Wesson
Posted

I used to feel suicidal a lot. Not planning it, but crying and thinking, "is it ever going to get any better", and feeling like I might as well kill myself.

It stopped, not after I quit gluten, but after I quit eating many, many other foods that I'd developed reactions to. I'm much more cheerful, emotionally stable and less anxious than I used to be.

Other things that have helped me have been a high-carb starch-based diet - which raises your serotonin level - and omega-3 supplements.

Laura

katinagj Apprentice
katinagj
Posted

Growing up I had times where I was suicidal. It's funny because it all makes so much sense now that I am almost 100% positive I have celiac disease/gluten intolerance. I had something yesterday from a fast food restaurant that like most wouldn't be careful about possible cross contamination. I think I got glutened, because I have a headache and I've been depressed all morning for absolutely no reason. No throat swelling, however my mought is very dry..

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