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

Celiac And Psychological Effects

mandigirl1

Recommended Posts

mandigirl1 Enthusiast
mandigirl1
Posted

first of all, thank you to everyone that responded to my message about eating the same food over and over.....its great to have a website like this so one celiac can help another celiac. Thanks for the great advice and general support.

I have another topic to mention and this concerns celiac and depression. Ever since diagnosed with celiac, I was never the same. My whole life changed. I went through the anger, the poor me phase, to binge eating. I have been obssessing about food and my weight since the day I started the gluten-free diet. :angry:

I started to get depressed right after being diagnosed. I felt at times so overwhelmed with anxiety. My doctor put me on Prozac and Wellbutrin. It saved my life! It allowed me to get through the day. I am a 4th grade teacher and as you can imagine have lots of stress. In the beginning (of being diagnosed) I used to cry in the morning on my way to work and ask myself, how am I going to get through the day???? The pills worked wonders. It helped me to deal with my lifestyle change and I was really happy! :P

I take Wellbutrin to counterreact the sexual side effects of the Prozac (loss of libido in particular). Its a great mix!!!! Ive been on it about 6 years......maxed out on doses.....dont get that"high" happy feeling anymore, or silly giddiness and hyperactive behavior. Now its just part of my daily routine/diet. It just helps me to "be" and relax more. Along with Celiac and depression came anxiety, binge eating, excessive exercising in the gym to "erase" consuming a ton of calories, and obsessing about food every single day:

Not a day goes by, where I do not ask myself: What am I going to eat today?

I lost alot of my desire to enjoy food. Now I basically eat because I HAVE to. Usually my mom or boyfriend....yes boyfriend!!!!! will prepare meals/cook for me or get me to eat healthy. If it were up to me I would just eat peanut M&Ms all day. I would just eat a non-filling/unhealthy/"quick fix food (popcorn, rice cakes with peanut butter was a serious addiction, rice pudding, almonds, sugar pops cereal, just to name a few). and a TON of it too!!!!!!! :o

I still get into "moods", and experience brain "fog" without eating gluten, and the feeling of being tired all the time. Yes I am a teacher (in a good NYC public school) and its normal to be tired. However, even not at work, on vacations or now, during summer without the responsibilities, I am TIRED ALL THE TIME. And usually have unrestful sleep at night. :(

Do other celiacs feel this way?

Is anyone else on anti-depressants?

Any advice or suggestions?

I really appreciate it!!!!!!!! (I just joined this site) :rolleyes:

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


celiac3270 Collaborator
celiac3270
Posted

Hey, I live in NYC, also! I'm only 14, but I feel like I have a handle on this diet and I'd love to help you, as well. If you give me a slightly more specific location (neighborhood) I can help you a little more. There are some AMAZING gluten-free bakeries and restaurants downtown (most exclusively or nearly exclusively gluten-free) and there's a restaurant on the Upper West Side just started its gluten-free menu, including maybe ten pasta dishes, homemade bread, brownies, etc. I live on the Upper East Side, so I know most of the health food stores in the area (and the owners, lol :lol: ). There are numerous Whole Foods spread out and some have a gluten-free bakery inside. If you want help with any product replacements (i.e. a good gluten-free pizza or bagel, etc.) ask away here or e-mail me...

Oh, about those restaurants, lol...they're with the GFRAP ( Open Original Shared Link ) and are now catering to the celiacs as a result of the hard work of those people--the list constantly updates, so it's good to have. And here's a post I made on gluten-free in NYC:

Open Original Shared Link

and some more on it...

Open Original Shared Link

I'm not advocating that you eat out, every meal :lol: ...quite the opposite. But if you find that you're eating m&ms and rice cakes, but you just have no idea what to eat, there are options in NY and we should take advantage of them when necessary. Like I said, e-mail if you need anything--support, product recommendations, help specifically w/ gluten-free in nyc...

Diosa Apprentice
Diosa
Posted

It's hard *not* to be food obsessed when first diagnosed. I know I am to a certain degree (diagnosed a few weeks ago). I know that feeling of your world crashing around you, the whole how #$%@@#$ unfair it is, and the what do I do now and how do I eat. You are not alone. :)

I cope by making a meal plan for the week, and just making that. It's simple foods really, stuff that I found in my old WW and low carb cookbooks, and some stuff found online. I'm trying not to obsess so much with food, but try to enjoy what I make. I basically eat meats and veggies, but am trying to get some semblence of fruit back in my diet (even though I hate the stuff) just for the variety.

If you ever want to talk, PM me or any of the greeat people on here. They all understand. Also, check around here, because there are lots of gluten-free recipes posted on here. :) Down in the recipe section tarnelberry posted some amazing ones!! *hugs* (if you want them)

watkinson Apprentice
watkinson
Posted

Hi mandigirl1,

I would thouroughly, completely, absolutely encourage you to try taking daily omega 3 fatty acids. You can eat salmon or tuna several times a week and add flax meal to gluten-free breads, cereals, or yogurt (if you can eat dairy) Or you can take it in pill form. Whole foods sells a good gluten-free kind.

Why do this? There is tremendous data available on why our bodies deperalty need it. You can google it or check out different books. (the omega 3 connection is brilliant) Studies show that our bodies are meant to have a balance between the good fats and bad fats. about a 6 to 6 ratio. But that our society is raging with so many bad fats and almost no good fats that we now have a ratio of about 22 to 1. <_<:(

Studies also show that getting these fats back on line can improve all the workings of our bodies including the brain. Making problems like bi-polar disease, ADHD, and depression improve so drastically that some people are cured.

My daughter is bi-polar. She started taking high levels of omega 3 about a month ago through her docotr. She (and the rest of the family) have already seen improvement! :) She says she can tell she feels better. :)

Let us know if it works, it may take a few months,

Wendy

celiachap Apprentice
celiachap
Posted
Hi mandigirl1,

I would thouroughly, completely, absolutely encourage you to try taking daily omega 3 fatty acids......

Very informative posting, Wendy.

Since I rarely eat fish, I take Nordic Naturals Omega 3 - their "Ultimate Omega" capsules. I only take one a day, rather than the recommeded two, becuase they are very potent. They are available in Vitaminshoppe's stores and website.

Open Original Shared Link

Studies of how Omega 3 can benefit children with various difficulties:

Open Original Shared Link

I also eat a lot of Mary's Gone Crackers (original) which contain organic flax seeds that are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids.

skbird Contributor
skbird
Posted

Oh, I love Mary's Gone Crackers originals!!! Those are DELICIOUS! I got a non-gluten-free friend hooked on them this past weekend...

Omega 3s is a great idea. Helps me a lot. I take fish oil, flax oil, and flax meal on a daily basis. I also eat salmon at least weekly and usually wild caught Pacific salmon. I have noticed a lot of improvements in my mood and how I"m feeling.

Stephanie

beelzebubble Contributor
beelzebubble
Posted

it always makes me sad when i see these kinds of posts. i DO have issues with food obsession. you can't help it when you have to scrutinize everything you eat. but, i have no problem with food choices or variety. food can be fun-even gluten free food :). you just have to open your mind about what you eat. AND...most importantly...you have to learn to cook. i can tell you that being diagnosed with celiac changed my life in a really positive way, if only because i now make cooking a priority. my advice is eat easy and yummy things for breakfast and lunch (i eat lots of salads, fruits, veggies, nut thins and cheese) and wander into the land of ethnic foods for dinner. it's really hard to feel deprived when you are eating dishes that blow other peoples' out of the water.

here are some things i've eaten over the last few days:

cold avocado gazpacho

black bean and corn salad over fried cotija cheese

jambalaya with rice and a side salad

yogurt marinated lamb with a greek salad

shrimp, orange roughy, and langostine ceviche with tortilla chips

garlic shrimp with coconut curried rice and sauteed peppers

barbecued chicken legs marinated in a mix of wheat free soy sauce (tamari, actually), sweet chili sauce, sesame oil and rice vinegar

with a side salad

you get the idea. be adventurous. food can be fun, even when you can't eat gluten. i just plan my meals and make almost all the components from scratch, even my salad dressings. i would be happy to share my recipes with you, if you like.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Merika Contributor
Merika
Posted

Hi,

I go to www.savingdinner.com - an inexpensive subscription site - recommended by www.flylady.net . Saving Dinner sends weekly menus and grocery lists, and you have a choice of menu (reg, veggie, low-carb, frugal, etc.). They are easily convertible to gluten-free, and most are tasty.

The nice thing about it is you don't have to think or plan much for the week. It comes every Wednesday to your email and off you go on Thurs to shop. Cooking directions are simple.

From your email it sounds like you've been gluten-free for 6 years? I can't give you great advice, I've only been gluten-free for 1 1/2 yrs. It IS hard at first. Family support was a lifesaver for me too.

I'm not on medication. I admit I'm generally scared of all western medication, as I've had some really bad reactions to it.

It sounds strange, but the flylady link above may help your depression. Check it out :)

Merika

2old4 Rookie
2old4
Posted

Mandigirl1-

Hi, I am a 34 year old, wife, mother of a 3 year old, manage a busy retail store and I also take an anti-depressant. I've only been gluten-free for 6 weeks and I think my body is still recovering. But I have also noticed that I feel much better when I am eating whole meals instead of my "quick fix" of Lays & Reeses. I tend to be really tired alot if I don't eat properly. I also have started taking gluten-free vitamins (Pioneer) and am noticing a difference in my energy levels. Treat yourself well-

Patty

watkinson Apprentice
watkinson
Posted

Hi mandigirl,

Another thing you may want to investigate is, are the meds your on gluten-free. Ask your pharmasist. If they don't know ask who is the manufacturer and give that company a call. If they ar not gluten-free that may be the reason for the depression.

Wendy

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,186
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Kris46
    Newest Member
    Kris46
    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

    • Ginger38
      Food Allergies

      By Ginger38 · Posted

      So I recently had allergy testing for IGE antibodies in response to foods. My test results came back positive to corn, white potatoes, egg whites. Tomatoes, almonds and peanuts to name a few.  I have had obvious reactions to a few of these - particularly tomatoes and corn- both GI issues. I don’t really understand all this allergy versus celiac stuff. If the food allergies are mild do I have to avoid these foods entirely? I don’t know what I will eat if I can’t  have corn based gluten free products 
    • Kris2093u4
      Bread choice for a newbie

      By Kris2093u4 · Posted

      Geography makes a difference.  I'm in the West and Trader Joe's gluten-free bread tastes great and is a better price than most gluten-free breads sold elsewhere in my area.  
    • JForman
      7yo struggling!

      By JForman · Posted

      We have four children (7-14 yo), and our 7 year old was diagnosed with NCGS (though all Celiac labs were positive, her scope at 4 years old was negative so docs in the US won't call it celiac). We have started her on a Gluten Free diet after 3 years of major digestive issues and ruling out just about everything under the sun. Our home and kitchen and myself are all gluten-free. But I have not asked my husband/her dad or her other siblings to go completely gluten-free with us. They are at home, but not out of the home. This has led to situations when we are eating out where she has to consistently see others eating things she can't have and she has begun to say "Well, I can't have <fill in the blank>...stupid gluten."  How have you supported your gluten-free kiddos in the mental health space of this journey, especially young ones like her. I know it's hard for me as an adult sometimes to miss out, so I can't imagine being 7 and dealing with it! Any tips or ideas to help with this? 
    • Jane878
      My mo,ther married a bread making when I was 4

      By Jane878 · Posted

      By the time I was 5 I had my first auto0immune disorder, Migraine headaches, with auras to blind me, and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound. I was 5 years old, and my stepfather would have pizza night, milling his own flour, making thick cheesy gluten pizza, that I would eat and the next day, I would have serious migraines, and my mother & stepfather did nothing about my medical problems. When I was 17 in my first year at college, I was diagnosed with my 2nd known auto-immune disorder, Meniere's disease. I was a elite athlete, a swimmer, and soccer player. And once again my parents didn't think anything of understanding why I had a disorder only older people get. Now after my mother passed from Alzheimer's disease she also suffered with living with gluten. She had a rash for 30 years that nobody could diagnose. She was itchy for 45 years total. My brother had a encapsulated virus explodes in his spleen and when this happened his entire intestines were covered with adhesions, scar tissue and he almost lost his life. He has 5 daughters, and when I finally was diagnosed after being pregnant and my body went into a cytokine storm, I lost my chance to have children, I ended up having Hashimoto's disease, Degenerative Disc disease, and my body started to shut down during my first trimester. I am 6ft tall and got down to 119lbs. My husband and I went to a special immunologist in Terrace, California. They took 17 vials of blood as we flew there for a day and returned home that evening. In 3 weeks, we had the answer, I have Celiac disease. Once this was known, only my father and husband made efforts to change their way of feeding me. At the family cabin, my stepfather & mother were more worried that I would ruin Thanksgiving Dinner. It wasn't until one of my cousins was diagnosed with Celiac disease. They finally looked into getting Gluten Free flour and taking measures to limit "gluten" in meals. He did nothing but ask for me to pay for my own food and wi-fi when I came to the cabin to stay after our house burned down. When he informed my mother, they proceeding to get into a physical fight and she ended up with a black eye. The is just more trauma for me. Sam had no interest in telling the truth about what he wanted. He lied to my mother that he had asked my husband if I could pay for "food" when he asked Geoffrey if I had money to pay for my wi-fi. My mother hates when he spends so much time on the computer so he lied and said I could pay for my own food. I will remind you I weighed 119lbs at this time. (At 6ft) that is a very sick looking person. Neither parent was worried about my weight, they just fought about how cheap my stepfather was. As my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2014. He had her sign over the will to a trust and added his children. He had no testimonial capacity at the time, so she signed without proper papers. Making this Trust null and void. When I gave my brother my childhood home, my mother stated I would be getting an equal part of inheritance to the house on Race. It currently worth 2.0 million $. I got nothing, and my stepfather has since disowned me b/c of my claim and he knows that my mother would never have left it uneven between my biological brother and myself. She sat me and my husband down, as we lived at the Race Street house and treated and took care of it as our own. My brother took over b/c he was going through a horrific divorce and needed a home so he could get a better custody deal with his soon to be ex-wife who was a Assist DA for Denver. She used the girls against him, and he & I were the primary caregivers. We, Judd and I spent the most time with them pre the divorce. Once Judd moved into the house, he threw all of my mother, grandmother and my family heirlooms out to the Goodwill. Nobody told my mother about this as she was going through cancer treatment and had Alzheimer's disease in her mother and her sister. My stepfather and biological brother took advantage of this matter, as I called a "family council" that my brother just never could make it to at the last moment. All of the furnishing, kitchen ware, everything was in the house my brother just moved into. He had had 2 weddings, I chose to elope b/c my stepfather ruined my brother's first wedding by talking about his relationship with my brother in front of my dad and his entire family, insulting him and having my grandfather leave the ceremony. It was a disaster. My stepfather just plays dumb and blames my father for the slight. I was the only child not to have a wedding. So, my mother and stepfather never had to pay for a thing. My mother had had an agreement with my father he'd pay for college and all medical issues with their kids, myself and Judd. So truly my mother never had to pay for anything big for me in her entire life. I am looking for anyone that has had a similar story, where they grew up in a household that had a baker that regularly milled flour and ate gluten. What happened to you? DId you suffer from different auto-immune diseases b/c of living with a baker using "gluten" Please let me know. I have been looking into legal ways to get my stepfather to give me what my mother had promised, and he erased. Thank you for listening to my story. Jane Donnelly  
    • trents
      Blood results

      By trents · Posted

      Possibly gluten withdrawal. Lot's of info on the internet about it. Somewhat controversial but apparently gluten plugs into the same neuro sensors as opiates do and some people get a similar type withdrawal as they do when quitting opiates. Another issue is that gluten-free facsimile flours are not fortified with vitamins and minerals as is wheat flour (in the U.S. at least) so when the switch is made to gluten-free facsimile foods, especially if a lot of processed gluten-free foods are being used as substitutes, vitamin and mineral deficiencies can result. There is also the possibility that she has picked up a virus or some but that is totally unrelated to going gluten-free.
×
×
  • Create New...