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

Day 5 Gluten Free And Anxiety/depression

kathleenp

By kathleenp
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

kathleenp Apprentice
kathleenp
Posted

Today is day 5 of going gluten free for me. The afternoon of the first day I had bad anxiety, but I took some meds and it stopped. The next several days I could tell a slight improvement in mood and thought things were going well. Then today has been a horrible, depressed/crying/anxious day. Is it normal to see improvement and then to have a really bad day?

I so want this to be the answer to my depression/anxiety/bipolar, but part of me thinks I am nuts to think it could be this simple. I haven't had any problems with the diet at all-have no desire to eat gluten, mostly becuase I am so sick to begin with. I really need to see some improvement.

How did it go for you when first going gluten free?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kathleenp Apprentice
kathleenp
Posted
  • Author

Also, yesterday morning I woke up with a bad stomach ache-I thought maybe I had food poisening, but my sister ate the same food that I did and she wasn't sick at all. Tonight I feel a little bit of a stomach ache. Is this a symptom of Gluten withdrawal? I have also been having head aches. I will say that my sleep has been amazingly deep. I don't think I have ever slept this well and I am alert during the day. I am really loving that. :D

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

You are probably going through gluten withdrawal, which is really common. Gluten acts as an opioid on the brain and the withdrawal can last up to a couple of weeks, including migraine-like headaches, depression, anxiety. If you have a scrip for a mood elevator try that, but otherwise I am afraid you just have to stick it out, like withdrawing from nicotine or drugs. But it is well worth it when you get through to the other side :)

kathleenp Apprentice
kathleenp
Posted
  • Author

Thanks Mushroom. I am actually feeling much better today, although I am not at work and I'm sure not having that added stress is also helping. You mentioned that gluten acts as an opioid on the brain. Is that only for people with celiac and gluten intolerance, or is that for anyone? It's been a rough ride so far, but I have no desire to go back to gluten, thankfully.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Sorry I didn't see this sooner. The first week I went off gluten, I had monster headaches. Not migraines. Not sinus. I found a little dark chocolate made them back down a bit. ( OK. Maybe a little more than a little. :ph34r:

kathleenp Apprentice
kathleenp
Posted
  • Author

Karen, my headaches are not migraine either. But they ARE persistent! :angry: I'll have to try the chocolate. ;) Did you have stomach pain or the anxiety/depression? I ahve been very weepy and spent a lot of time in the bathroom at work, trying to get a hold of myself and keep from crying in front of everyone. :o

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Karen, my headaches are not migraine either. But they ARE persistent! :angry: I'll have to try the chocolate. ;) Did you have stomach pain or the anxiety/depression? I ahve been very weepy and spent a lot of time in the bathroom at work, trying to get a hold of myself and keep from crying in front of everyone. :o

I was a bit weepy. I'm not generally a cryer. It is an emotional thing to be told you have a" chronic illness". Even a curable one. It's a lifestyle change. I felt bad that my kids might get it, etc. Getting healthy could effect your hormones, too. Try to find something funny, even Sponge Bob or Family Guy or a stupid joke website. Enjoy the chocolate.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


  • 1 month later...
vawksel Rookie
vawksel
Posted

Today is day 5 of going gluten free for me. The afternoon of the first day I had bad anxiety, but I took some meds and it stopped. The next several days I could tell a slight improvement in mood and thought things were going well. Then today has been a horrible, depressed/crying/anxious day. Is it normal to see improvement and then to have a really bad day?

I so want this to be the answer to my depression/anxiety/bipolar, but part of me thinks I am nuts to think it could be this simple. I haven't had any problems with the diet at all-have no desire to eat gluten, mostly becuase I am so sick to begin with. I really need to see some improvement.

How did it go for you when first going gluten free?

A couple things are probably happening, at the same time. One, is gluten withdrawl. You can get flu like symptoms for a few days after stopping eating it. This has something to do with the gluten binding to the opiate receptors in the brain (nasty stuff I think).

The second is if you are diagnosed bi-polar, you most likely have severe malnutrition issues. Do not be fooled if you are overweight or normal weight. If you are sensitive to gluten, your villa in your intestine are most likely destroyed.

You are most likely deficient in some or all of the following: magnesium, B6, B12, and more.

You need nutrition. You should probably take multi-vitamins, but make sure to check magnesium. Most multivitamins don't use enough, and magnesium is needed to process other vitamins, so just taking a multi-vitamin can cause some magnesium issues. I take a multi + separate magnesium supplement. Make sure to get vegan + gluten free supplements. I've seen so many that are made in factories processing wheat... bad stuff.

Look into things like this: http://www.(Company Name Removed - They Spammed This Forum and are Banned)/Ultimate-Life-Meal-1200-powder/dp/B00013YYR6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307578401&sr=8-1

It's a super-foods meal in a fruit blend shake. Read the reviews, people are recovering from mental disorders using this stuff. I think because they are finally getting all the nutrients their bodies need. I personally love it.

Try to treat your body like it's very sick, because it is. Give it the best foods, drink water, go on some walks. But you gotta find out if you are deficient and take care of yourself.

I'm not a doctor, and if anything sounds like advise, please research for yourself and consult your own doctor :)

vawksel Rookie
vawksel
Posted

I was a bit weepy. I'm not generally a cryer. It is an emotional thing to be told you have a" chronic illness". Even a curable one. It's a lifestyle change. I felt bad that my kids might get it, etc. Getting healthy could effect your hormones, too. Try to find something funny, even Sponge Bob or Family Guy or a stupid joke website. Enjoy the chocolate.

Chocolate really makes sense if you are magnesium deficient. Dark chocolate is high in Magnesium. I read many reviews on Amazon about people treating their migranes with magnesium. Having celiacs would make you easily deficient in something like magnesium. Magnesium is one of the harder to get minerals. Vitamin manufactures don't put much in their pills because its a heavy bulky mineral.

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,860
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Rena Celiac
    Newest Member
    Rena Celiac
    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

    • Rogol72
      Ibuprofen

      By Rogol72 · Posted

      Some interesting articles regarding the use of Zinc Carnosine to help heal gastric ulcers, gastritis and intestinal permeability. I would consult a medical professional about it's use. https://www.nature.com/articles/ncpgasthep0778 https://www.rupahealth.com/post/clinical-applications-of-zinc-carnosine---evidence-review https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7146259/ https://www.fallbrookmedicalcenter.com/zinc-l-carnosine-benefits-dosage-and-safety/
    • Jillian83
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By Jillian83 · Posted

      He is. Which makes everything even more difficult. I’m not a believer in “staying for the kids” but I have nowhere to go and it’s not just me, it’s me plus my babies. We live in a beautiful place, lots of land in the country and me and the kids love the place we’ve called home for their entire lives. But Im seeing that he’ll never change, that my kids deserve a happy healthy Momma, and that staying in this as is will be the early death of me. Then I look at the scars covering my entire body…this disease and the chronic stress I’ve been enduring for years that tell me I’m no longer beautiful and no one will ever look at me with interest again. I try self care, try to give myself grace so I can just start loving myself enough to gain strength but the slightest sparkle in my eye and skip in my step attracts his wrath and it all comes crashing ten fold. Life is just absolutely railing me from every single direction leaving me wanting to wave that white flag bc I don’t feel like there’s much hope no matter what happens. 
    • trents
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By trents · Posted

      Is this man the father of your children?
    • Jillian83
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By Jillian83 · Posted

      Hi, I was recently diagnosed with Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis after years of suffering without answers. I lost my mind. I lost my job. I lost so much time. I lost Me. Conventional doctors are opulent come near me and the one who did sat across the room, misdiagnosed me, pumped me full of steroids which collapsed my entire hip for 6 months. So without answers I began my holistic journey. Fast forward a couple of years and still struggling with a mysterious whole body itchy, crawling “skin hell”, perfect teeth now deteriorating, thick hair now thinning rapidly and no more than a day or 2 at most relief….An acquaintance opened up a functional medicine practice. Cash only, I found a way. Within a month tests clearly showing my off the charts gluten allergy/sensitivity as well as the depletion of vital nutrients due to leaky gut and intestinal damage. dermatitis herpetiformis was more than likely what I was experiencing with my skin. I was happy. I thought this is easy, eat healthy Whole Foods, follow the diet restrictions and I finally get to heal and feel confident and like myself again very soon! 😔 Supplements are very pricey but I got them and began my healing. Which leads to the other major issue: not working, stay at home Mom of young kids, entirely financially dependent on my man of 7 plus years. He’s never been supportive of anything I’ve ever done or been thru. He controls everything. I’m not given much money ever at a time and when he does leave money it’s only enough to possibly get gas. His excuse is that I’ll spend it on other things. So my “allowance” is inconsistent and has conditions. He withholds money from me as punishment for anything he wants. Since being diagnosed, he’s gained a new control tactic to use as punishment. He now is in control of when I get to eat. He asked for proof of my diagnosis and diet bc he said I made it up just to be able to eat expensive organic foods. Then after I sent him my file from my doctor he then said she wasn’t a real doctor. 😡. I go days upon days starving, sometimes breaking down and eating things I shouldn’t bc I’m so sick then I pay horribly while he gets annoyed and angry bc I’m not keeping up with all the duties I’m supposed to be doing. His abuse turns full on when I’m down and it’s in these desperate times when I need his support and care the most that I’m punished with silence, being starved, ignored, belittled. He will create more of a mess just bc I’m unable to get up and clean so that when I am better, I’m so overwhelmed with chores to catch up that the stress causes me to go right back into a flare from hell and the cycle repeats. I’m punished for being sick. I’m belittled for starving and asking for healthy clean water. I’m purposely left out of his life. He won’t even tell me he’s going to the grocery or to get dinner bc he doesn’t want me to ask him for anything. I have no one. I have nothing. Im not better. My supplements ran out and I desperately need Vitamin D3 and a methylated B complex at the very minimal just to function….he stares at me blankly…no, a slight smirk, no words. He’s happiest when im miserable and I am miserable.  this is so long and im condensing as much as I can but this situation is so complicated and disgusting. And it’s currently my life. The “IT” girl, the healthy, beautiful, perfect skin, perfect teeth, thick and curly locks for days, creative and talented IT girl….now I won’t even leave this house bc Im ashamed of what this has dont to my body, my skin. Im disgusted. The stress is keeping me from healing and I think he knows that and that’s why he continues to keep me in that state. He doesn’t want me confident or successful. He doesn’t want me healed and healthy bc then how would he put the blame of all his problems on me? This journey has been hell and I’ve been in Hell before. I’ve been killed by an ex, I’ve been raped, robbed, held hostage, abused beyond nightmares but the cruelty I’ve experienced from him bc of this disease is the coldest I’ve ever experienced. I’ve wanted to give up. Starving and in tears, desperate…I found a local food pantry in our small town so I reached out just saying I had Celiac and was on hard times. This woman is blessing me daily with prepared gluten free meals, donations, educational info, people who know this disease and how they manage life and the blessings just keep coming. But it’s overwhelming and I feel like I don’t deserve it at all. He just glared and I know he’s going to sabotage it somehow. I don’t even know what to do anymore. I’m so broken and just want peace and healing. 
    • cristiana
      Ibuprofen

      By cristiana · Posted

      @Colleen H   I am just curious,  when you were tested for coeliac disease, did the doctors find out if you had any deficiencies? Sometimes muscle pain can be caused by certain deficiencies, for example, magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.   Might be worth looking into having some more tests.  Pins and needles can be neuropathy, again caused by deficiencies, such as iron and B12,  which can be reversed if these deficiencies are addressed. In the UK where I live we are usually only tested for iron, B12 and vitamin D deficiencies at diagnosis.   I was very iron anemic and supplementation made a big difference.  B12 was low normal, but in other countries the UK's low normal would be considered a deficiency.  My vitamin D was low normal, and I've been supplementing ever since (when I remember to take it!) My pins and needles definitely started to improve when my known deficiencies were addressed.  My nutritionist also gave me a broad spectrum supplement which really helped, because I suspect I wasn't just deficient in what I mention above but in many other vitamins and minerals.  But a word of warning, don't take iron unless blood tests reveal you actually need it, and if you are taking it your levels must be regularly monitored because too much can make you ill.  (And if you are currently taking iron, that might actually be making your stomach sore - it did mine, so my GP changed my iron supplementation to a gentler form, ferrous gluconate). Lastly, have you been trying to take anything to lessen the pain in your gut?  I get a sore stomach periodically, usually when I've had too much rich food, or when I have had to take an aspirin or certain antibiotics, or after glutening.  When this happens, I take for just a few days a small daily dose of OTC omeprazole.  I also follow a reflux or gastritis diet. There are lots online but the common denominators to these diets is you need to cut out caffeine, alcohol, rich, spicy, acidic food etc and eat small regularly spaced meals.   When I get a sore stomach, I also find it helpful to drink lots of water.  I also find hot water with a few slices of ginger very soothing to sip, or camomile tea.  A wedge pillow at night is good for reflux. Also,  best not to eat a meal 2-3 hours before going to bed. If the stomach pain is getting worse, though, it would be wise to see the doctor again. I hope some of this helps. Cristiana    
×
×
  • 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.