Jump to content

  • 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

Got Glutened And Now I'm Clinically Depressed

eyeaspire

By eyeaspire
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

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.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


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)

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


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..

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,563
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Bob Madden
    Newest Member
    Bob Madden
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      gluten-free Oatmeal

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Oats naturally contain a protein called avenin, which is similar to the gluten proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. While avenin is generally considered safe for most people with celiac disease, some individuals, around 5-10% of celiacs, may also have sensitivity to avenin, leading to symptoms similar to gluten exposure. You may fall into this category, and eliminating them is the best way to figure this out. Some people substitute gluten-free quinoa flakes for oats if they want a hot cereal substitute. If you are interested in summaries of scientific publications on the topic of oats and celiac disease, we have an entire category dedicated to it which is here: https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/oats-and-celiac-disease-are-they-gluten-free/   
    • knitty kitty
      My only proof

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Well said, @Mari!
    • knitty kitty
      Shingles - Could It Be Related to Gluten/ Celiac

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hi, @Ginger38, I've had shingles in the past.  I understand how miserable you're feeling.   Not only do i have the chickenpox virus lurking about, I also have the cold sore virus that occasionally flares with a huge cold sore on my lip when stressed or exposed to gluten.  The virus lives dormant in the nerves on the left side of my face.  It causes Bell's Palsy (resulting in drooling).  The cold sore virus is also in my eye.  My eye swells up and my vision is diminished permanently whenever I have a flare, so it's of the utmost importance to keep flares away and treat them immediately if they do happen so I don't lose any more vision.   I take the amino acid supplement L-Lysine.  Lysine messes with the replication of viruses, which helps the body fight them off.   I haven't had an outbreak for several years until this year when exceptionally stressed and contaminated, it flared up again. Lysine has been shown to be beneficial in suppression of viruses like the cold sore virus (a herpetic virus), the chickenpox virus (also a herpetic virus), as well as the HIV virus, and even the Covid virus.   I also take additional Thiamine in the form TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) because Thiamine has antiviral properties as well.   For pain, a combination of Thiamine (like TTFD or Benfotiamine or Thiamine Hydrochloride), with B12 Cobalamine, and Pyridoxine B6 have been shown to have analgesic properties which relieve pain and neuropathy.    The combination of Thiamine B1, Pyridoxine B6 and Cobalamine B12 really does work to relieve pain.  I take it for back pain from crushed vertebrae in my back.  This combination also works on other pain and neuropathy.   I usually buy a supplement that combines all three and also Riboflavin B2 called EXPLUS online.  However, it's made in Japan and the price with the tariffs added makes it really expensive now.  But the combination of Thiamine B1, Pyridoxine B6 and B12 Cobalamine (and Riboflavin B2) still work even if taken separately.   I can't take Tylenol or ibuprofen because of stomach upsets.  But I can take the vitamin combination without side effects.  However, you can take the three vitamins at the same time as other pain relievers for added benefit.  The vitamins help other pain relievers work better. I hope you will try it.  Hopeful you'll feel better quickly. Interesting Reading: Thiamine, cobalamin, locally injected alone or combination for herpetic itching: a single-center randomized controlled trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23887347/ Mechanisms of action of vitamin B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin) in pain: a narrative review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35156556/ Analgesic and analgesia-potentiating action of B vitamins https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12799982/ A Narrative Review of Alternative Symptomatic Treatments for Herpes Simplex Virus https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10301284/
    • Mari
      My only proof

      By Mari · Posted

      I think, after reading this, that you areso traumatized by not being able yo understand what your medical advisors have been  what medical conditions are that you would like to find a group of people who also feel traumatized who would agree with you and also support you. You are on a crusade much as the way the US Cabinet  official, the Health Director of our nation is in trying to change what he considers outdated and incorrect health advisories. He does not have the education, background or experience to be in the position he occupies and is not making beneficial decisions. That man suffered a terrible trauma early in his life when his father was assonated. We see now how he developed and worked himself into a powerful position.  Unless you are willing to take some advice or  are willing to use a few of the known methods of starting on a path to better health then not many of us on this Celiac Forum will be able to join you in a continuing series of complaints about medical advisors.    I am almost 90 years old. I am strictly gluten free. I use 2 herbs to help me stay as clear minded as possible. You are not wrong in complaining about medical practitioners. You might be more effective with a clearer mind, less anger and a more comfortable life if you would just try some of the suggestions offered by our fellow celiac volunteers.  
    • Jmartes71
      My only proof

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      Thus has got to STOP , medical bit believing us! I literally went through 31 years thinking it was just a food allergy as its downplayed by medical if THEY weren't the ones who diagnosed us! Im positive for HLA-DQ2 which is first celiac patient per Iran and Turkey. Here in the States especially in Cali its why do you feel that way? Why do you think your celiac? Your not eating gluten so its something else.Medical caused me depression. I thought I was safe with my former pcp for 25 years considering i thought everything I went through and going through will be available when I get fired again for health. Health not write-ups my health always come back when you're better.Im not and being tossed away at no fault to my own other than shitty genes.I was denied disability because person said he didn't know how to classify me! I said Im celiac, i have ibs, hernia, sciatica, high blood pressure, in constant pain have skin and eye issues and menopause intensified everything. With that my celiac nightmare began to reprove my disregarded disease to a bunch of clowns who think they are my careteam when they said I didn't have...I feel Im still breathing so I can fight this so no body else has to deal with this nightmare. Starting over with " new care team" and waisting more time on why I think I am when diagnosed in 1994 before food eliminated from my diet. P.s everything i went through I did write to medical board, so pretty sure I will continue to have a hard time.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.