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

Severe Sleeping Issues/depression?


Lycopene

Recommended Posts

Lycopene Rookie

A lot of stuff has happened since I've started gluten-free dieting. I was doing it on and off for roughly a year, but then about 1.5 months ago I ACTUALLY kicked gluten entirely. But at the EXACT same time my fiancee left me. I know that ridding yourself of gluten can be stressing.

But all this crap that's going on is seriously messing with me. I'm glad she's gone now (just a month and a half later) but I still miss the closeness and all. But then I'm incorporating gluten into that too. I miss the "closeness" of that as well.

Basically, I'm getting... 1~3 hours of sleep a night. I wake up constantly throughout and stay awake in a "trance" type thing for a while before actually getting back to sleep, and it's not restorative at all. I'm constantly tired and my dad is actually getting irritated at me for it. I'm... sort of at a loss about it. I'm seriously depressed and I dunno. I've NEVER been depressed before. I'm always a happy guy. ALWAYSSS. So this is just an odd feeling for me and I really don't know how to explain it.

I was with my fiancee for about 2.5 years. I loved her. I still do, but not in the same way. I'm happy she's gone but I'm not at the same time... bah. I just really want to stop feeling depressed. I know the whole gluten free thing isn't helping emotionally (while it is helping physically. Other than the depression and complete lack of energy, I've NEVER felt this healthy in my life) but I just want to know how long until it gets better?

If I wasn't doing this whole gluten-free diet, I know I wouldn't be as depressed about her. I'd be over it. But then you have to add my dad into the whole mix... he's trying to forcefully rush me into feeling better and it's just not working. Constantly getting angry with me because I'm so tired. Like, I didn't want to go shopping for pants today because I was too tired after a trip to Seattle. "You didn't wake up until noon!" Yeah well... not like that sleep helped at all.

And it definitely doesn't help when you take a trip to Uwajimaya with your gluten eating brother and sister and they get takoyaki and udon and all that other good stuff that I can't eat but oh so wish I could. I can basically taste with smells now... but it's not good enough. Sigh. Haha. Depressing not being able to eat my favorite foods.... ahhhhh. I LOVE Japanese food so much...

Anyway. I'm sorry this was so long. I just don't know who else to turn to. ): Sort of in a rut right now and I neeeeed out of it.

Thank you though, guys. (: That was my rant.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



mommida Enthusiast

Find some sublingual vitamin B12. Celiacs are notoriously lacking vitamin B 12. You can research Pernicious Anemia for more connection information.

There is a blood sugar link/issue with starting a gluten free diet. Whole grains in a diet are said to keep your blood sugar "stable", and that is exactly what gets cut when you start the diet.

There is a known "withdrawal" effect of starting a gluten free diet. For some individuals there is an opiate like reaction in the brain when they consume gluten.

The break up is just very insult to injury. You were engaged and this person should have been there to support you. If the relationship didn't last through this, it's a good thing it's over. (I'll tell you there are so many things that come along in life that are worse! This is just a big change. You will adjust to a new lifestyle.)

If there are foods that you like, you learn how to make them gluten free. :) Check past posts for products that people like and are gluten free.

You are going to be fine and everyone has to go through this "grieving" stage.

Lycopene Rookie

Yeah, she was a liar and it's a very good thing it's over. It's just the whole missing the closeness thing along with the gluten-free diet. Hmm. I will definitely look into some B12 though. Thank you. :)

I just hope the "grieving" stage ends soon. I've honestly never felt this way before and I don't like it. Bleh. I want to sleep but I just CAN'T.

tmbarke Apprentice

Yeah, she was a liar and it's a very good thing it's over. It's just the whole missing the closeness thing along with the gluten-free diet. Hmm. I will definitely look into some B12 though. Thank you. smile.gif

I just hope the "grieving" stage ends soon. I've honestly never felt this way before and I don't like it. Bleh. I want to sleep but I just CAN'T.

It is time to start living life on your own terms at this point. YOUR HEALTH!

After I went thru my withdrawls, I had sleep issues but in the way that I would sleep for 4 hours and be wide awake after that! I stopped drinking caffeine after 1pm - and had a drink or two after 6pm to help me sleep....then added some milk to settle things. I also went to a 1/2 pill of a PM formula aspirin....and I found it didn't hurt me to do so.

My doctor put me on B-Complex vitamins and 1000IU of Vitamin D with a multi vitamin. No gluten.

It took me a while to understand it, but I went for the whole foods first. (Learn to cook Lycopene) and I'll bet no one will be able to tell the difference!

I made Chicken and wild rice soup at first with salads (Herb-ox bouillon and Bolthouse dressings)

Then I marinated chicken for the grilled chicken caesars with LaChoy soy sauce, oil,lime and italian seasoning (McCormick)

I then added gluten-free pasta with Classico pasta sauces.

You will also find your appettite diminishing and your mental state clearer!

It DOES get better and before you know it, You'll be back on a positive (I can do anything) track!

I even get very picky about relationships now!

Accept it or see ya!

But in the same aspect, if they don't want to be healthy with me for the benefit of their health, then it's SEE YA!

My health and life is tough enough to deal with - don't need someone long term working against me either!

Empower yourself and I'll bet soon enough, you'll be better than before!

Hugs and Love!

Tena

Lycopene Rookie

Yeah, I definitely know how to cook, which is a good thing lol. I'd be doomed otherwise. :P

I do need to start taking vitamins though. Ahhh... I'm just getting annoyed. I'm depressed and I know it. I hate that. My dad keeps getting mad at me and he's not understanding about this at all. Sigh. =.=

miaryan Apprentice

hi,

my husbands favorite saying is "don't let it bother you" i hate when he says it to me. my mother-in-law and my parents are always on my back of this gluten free living cause i haven't been diagnosed fully and they think it's all in my head but i feel a little better on this diet.

so as my husband would say to me "don't let it bother you"

i try so you should try to and it's really hard i know but try it's all we can do. from reading on here it will get better. they promise. lol

mia :)

Reba32 Rookie

Lycopene, it's only been a month and a half since you went completely gluten free, so you're still healing, and that's going to take a while. Perhaps months even. But every day you will feel better. A little bit.

One thing to keep in mind is you may want to just stay away from packaged and manufactured foods entirely for a few months at least. Whole, natural foods are best for while your body is healing. They will also help you deal with the stress of your break-up (believe me I understand that, my divorce was just final last week, and I'm stuck still living with my ex until I can move back home!)

Also, take some vitimin and mineral supplements. Someone already suggesed the B12, which will help with the stress. But find a good quality mega-dose gluten free multi-vitimin. That will also help.

Don't be afraid to see a doctor if the depression and insomnia continues. Insomnia will only add to your stress, both physical and emotional. There are natural remedies for sleep, (valerian, malatonin, VitD, are a few) but if they don't work, maybe a short term prescription could help.

I know it's hard, and all of it all at once makes it harder. But it'll get better every day.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



kaki-clam Enthusiast

I read your post, and I was like, OMG...did I write that????? It is exactly my story!!!! My boyfriend couldn't stand my being sick all the time, the relationship wasn't about him anymore, so he cheated first, then left :( I cried for two weeks straight....didn't go to work, didn't eat....lost 35 pounds.....in retrospect..only some of the grieving was for him, most of it was for the Olive Garden, and how I can't eat there anymore :( My mom came to visit, cleaned my apartment, took me shopping for a gluten free cookbook and groceries, we cooked, we stocked the freezer, I got a dog.....(no one likes sleeping alone)..and now, six months later...I look great....I feel great....and life is only getting better each day!

Lycopene Rookie

@Reba32

Yeah, I agree. I've been having some packaged manufactured foods... but I need to cut back on those. While I feel healthy, I think I've been glutened a few times. I need to look into it more and figure out a diet plan. Now I'm just winging it and eating what I can when I can heh.

I'm sorry to hear about your divorce though... I really hope you can move back home soon. =/

About vitamins. Do you, or anyone else, have any recommendations on a gluten free multivitamin? I really need to start those and keep on it. I've been bad with vitamins in the past, but I have to make a whole lifestyle change and fix it.

Thank you very much, Reba!

@kaki_clam

I'm so sorry to hear that. x_x That must have been horrible. D: But yeah, I know what you mean. I was sick for the entirety of our relationship. Right as soon as I start to get better she decides to leave me. Greeeat. Just not helping.

I finally told my dad how I'm feeling, he just said "Well I told you to stop being depressed, but you didn't listen to me!"

Like I can just turn it off... sigh. It's just annoying. I'm moving though. Thankfully. I'm 20 years old, going to be 21 in September, I don't need to deal with his crap if he's going to be like that. Bah!

sandsurfgirl Collaborator

Oh honey, you need to give yourself time to grieve. That's a huge breakup, even if it is for the best. My first husband was an abusive maniac, but I still felt like I was losing my right arm when I divorced him after 3 years of marriage. It was the best thing for me but it still hurt like hell.

You are also so new to the diet and that grieving takes time too. Honor your grieving process for both things and you'll process it better.

When I get glutened I get depressed. I hate it.

I have insomnia too. Benadryl helps me sleep, although it's midnight and I'm posting here because it hasn't kicked in yet.

My best friend dumped me after my diagnosis. She just didn't want to deal with all of the grief and sadness so she blew me off and dumped me as a friend. That really made recovery so much harder.

Lycopene Rookie

Ugh... That is SO TERRIBLE! I can't believe your friend would do that... unbelievable!

I'm moving to Georgia to be with a friend... he's SO nice. He's really caring and kind. Glad to finally be around that.

I'm glad to hear that you got out of that relationship though. Sigh, some people are just messed up.

Medicines don't usually help me. I dunno. I might have to get a prescription something if it continues. I've been laying in bed for about 3 hours... no sleep. Going on 2 hours now. So weird. I hope it kicks in for you soon though and you can get some sleep! Sleep well when you do.

Thank you though, for all the kind words. I'll keep trying. (= It'll get better with every passing day, I'm sure.

  • 1 month later...
CeliBelli Newbie

Ugh... That is SO TERRIBLE! I can't believe your friend would do that... unbelievable!

I'm moving to Georgia to be with a friend... he's SO nice. He's really caring and kind. Glad to finally be around that.

I'm glad to hear that you got out of that relationship though. Sigh, some people are just messed up.

Medicines don't usually help me. I dunno. I might have to get a prescription something if it continues. I've been laying in bed for about 3 hours... no sleep. Going on 2 hours now. So weird. I hope it kicks in for you soon though and you can get some sleep! Sleep well when you do.

Thank you though, for all the kind words. I'll keep trying. (= It'll get better with every passing day, I'm sure.

Lycopene,

It's been a month since you started this thread, so don't know if your insomnia has resolved or not. I had increasingly severe problems with it until I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease two years ago. At the time, the doctor who diagnosed me made several recommendations to address it. First, no caffeine, at all. Second, nutrient deficiency messes up everything in your body, including sleep regulators. My doctor recommended taking calcium+magnesium supplements a few hours before bedtime. You will also want to pair that with Vitamin D to help absorb the calcium. She also recommended having a cup of camomile tea an hour before bedtime, too.

Another thing I did that made a significant difference immediately was to download all episodes of "The Meditation Podcast" from iTunes onto my iPod. It is guided visualization with binaural beats, so you must wear headphones. Several episodes are outstanding, but my favorite is "Falling Asleep." The binaural beats underneath the meditation and music bring your brainwaves into sleep mode. The first time I tried it, I was out like a light. It is only 20 minutes long, but it was weeks before found out how the meditation ends. This was an invaluable bridge to use until my body began to heal and my body chemistry began to normalize. I still keep my iPod by my bed so I can plug in on those nights when I can't sleep. They also do some excellent episodes on healing.

Good luck, and hang in! Things will get better.

SwimmingUpstream Newbie

I read your post, and I was like, OMG...did I write that????? It is exactly my story!!!! My boyfriend couldn't stand my being sick all the time, the relationship wasn't about him anymore, so he cheated first, then left :( I cried for two weeks straight....didn't go to work, didn't eat....lost 35 pounds.....in retrospect..only some of the grieving was for him, most of it was for the Olive Garden, and how I can't eat there anymore :( My mom came to visit, cleaned my apartment, took me shopping for a gluten free cookbook and groceries, we cooked, we stocked the freezer, I got a dog.....(no one likes sleeping alone)..and now, six months later...I look great....I feel great....and life is only getting better each day!

Wow, what a great Mom!

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,549
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Blough
    Newest Member
    Blough
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • 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.