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Old 09-13-2006, 12:06 AM #1
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Default Depression & Gluten Sensitivity: my story

From The Gluten File on Depression:

"It is possible for depression to be the only symptom of Celiac Disease. Because Celiac Disease is a disease of malabsorption, the depression is often a result of underlying nutritional deficiency, especially in vitamins B6 and B12."

I thought I'd share that depression was one of the few symptoms for me for gluten sensitivity, in addition to the GI stuff, which wasn't super obvious, and brain fog. Last September, I got serious about eliminating gluten out of my diet, along with dairy and corn for other health reasons. One of the things I noticed is that my thoughts of suicide cleared up. Now this might seem like a spooky thing to most of you, but the suicidal thoughts became a daily annoying occurance for me, and I learned to recognize them like you would clouds passing in the sky, abeit dark clouds. A B6 complex did help me with depression sometimes. I remember two years ago, I was feeling depressed even though I had no reason to be. My chiropractor put me back on the B vitamins, which I thought was strange at the time. I thought iodine or some thyroid supplement would be the answer, and these had helped me in the past.

In an effort to try to get my parents to do the genetic testing, I shared with them this fact that my suicidal thoughts that had plagued me a good part of my teen and adult years cleared up. That and trying to use the argument that my nephew has Asperger's syndrome and my aunt has Sjogren's syndrome and lupus weren't enough to convince my parents to do the genetic testing with Enterolab. I know that each of my parents has one copy of the DQ1 gene since I have two identical copies, but they didn't see the significance of it, even if they both have adult onset diabetes. I've since found out that my sister had her gallbladder removed, and I've read the links about CD with gallbladder problems on the BT1 forum. I don't think I have "celiac disease", but I guess I don't distinguish a lot between gluten sensitivity and our current definition of celiac disease.

I never took any prescription drugs for depression, although it certainly was offered to me by my doctors. I was determined to find a natural way to cure my depression. Not that I'm opposed to prescription drugs for depression, but the potential side effects for me were disconcerting. I never really linked the food sensitivities to my depression until I saw it clear up this past year. The B6 supplementation alone wasn't enough to clear up my symptoms. I was avoiding gluten, but certainly had not completely cut it out. I wasn't really depressed either, but just had these annoying thoughts of suicide that I learned not to take seriously. It's strange what the mind can do. Cutting these foods out of my diet really seemed to help with these disturbing thoughts. After taking Percocet for 24 hours following a surgery I had this April, I discovered how a substance can really alter the mind, as this drug caused heightened nightmares and disturbing thoughts. At least I was aware enough to know it was the drug and not me. A nurse at my hospital confirmed my side effects with other patients' experiences.

I hope my story is helpful to others seeking relief.

Claire

P.S. Thanks Cara again for The Gluten File. I'm always finding new stuff, and it's good to re-read the stuff I've already studied.
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Old 09-13-2006, 01:35 AM #2
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I think one of the more surprising effects of my gluten free life has been the lifting of my depression. I never knew that one could feel so happy. Most days I feel absolutely joyful. The only way I know to describe it is "music in my brain". I don't even get upset when other cars cut me off on the freeway

Claire - you put it so well. "I wasn't really depressed either, but just had these annoying thoughts of suicide that I learned not to take seriously. It's strange what the mind can do." That was me too. I never realized how depressed I was until I went GF. Maybe depressed is the wrong word. Maybe a better word is "sad" or "shy" or "withdrawn" Thoughts of suicide - I had these ever since I can remember, but never told anyone. It was not something that I ever acted upon. Somehow these thoughts would just happen. They disappeared 3 yrs ago with the start of my GF life

About a year before I discovered the gluten connection on BT, my doctors were prescribing antidepressants. Sadness and fatigue were taking over my life. Luckily I could not tolerate any of the pills they prescribed.

Sadness (but not thoughts of suicide) is a symptom of a gluten oops for me.

I too hope others will read our stories and see hope.
Anne

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Old 09-13-2006, 09:22 AM #3
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I can completely understand where you are coming from Claire. My family is exactly what you described!! It is very frustrating to me and I am sure it is to you too. I suppose persistence/patience will pay off for us if they start to listen though.

I have to agree with the depression thing as well. After a glutening I get depressed for about 2-3 days and then all is well again. I have never sought treatment for it, since it is only temporary. Oh, the brain fog too. Of course my DH would say that sometimes I don't need to the gluten to get that!
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[Celiac Disease]

Kara - Age 13 [ADD, Lactose Intolerance, Mild Hypertension, Fast heart beat] - Currently testing for Celiac
Michael - Age 6 [Gluten Intolerance, Gluten Ataxia, IgA Deficiency, DQ2, Asthma, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, GERD, CAPD]
Ellie - Age 4 - Celiac Disease
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Old 09-13-2006, 09:55 AM #4
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I disagree with one point about the depression being ONLY caused by the nutritional deficiencies associated with gluten problems. In Brain Allergies by Philpott and Kalita they say that brain inflammation can cause neurological problems. This inflammation can relate back to the nutritional deficiencies but I think it should be seen as a speratate issue.

I think malabsorption is not the only problem. Of course the infllammatory response may be mitigated by the right nutritional support, but that inflammation can cause problems in the brain. I am not sure what the difference in symptoms would be from having brain inflammation vs. having some vitamin b deficiencies.

But I think this problem is a bit more complex than just malabsorption starting the brain.

But taking just vitamin b6 is not enough for brain chemistry to imporve. Niacin is also needed to help improve serotonin levels.
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Old 09-13-2006, 10:17 AM #5
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Thank you for sharing this, Claire!! I'm so glad it's helped you so much!

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Old 09-13-2006, 10:20 AM #6
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Sugar malabsorption can also lead to depression.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...=pubmed_docsum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...=pubmed_docsum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...=pubmed_docsum
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Old 09-13-2006, 01:11 PM #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by orthomolecular View Post
I disagree with one point about the depression being ONLY caused by the nutritional deficiencies associated with gluten problems. In Brain Allergies by Philpott and Kalita they say that brain inflammation can cause neurological problems. This inflammation can relate back to the nutritional deficiencies but I think it should be seen as a speratate issue.

I think malabsorption is not the only problem. Of course the infllammatory response may be mitigated by the right nutritional support, but that inflammation can cause problems in the brain. I am not sure what the difference in symptoms would be from having brain inflammation vs. having some vitamin b deficiencies.
Ortho, I agree with you. I have the book Brain Allergies at home, too. There are other studies that show an alteration in brain waves in gluten sensitivite people that revert to normal off gluten, and abnormal again when adding gluten back in. And of course, there are seizures... both nutritional and immunological factors there, too.

Almost everything to do with Celiac Disease/Gluten Sensitivity may have both an immunological and nutritional basis. The ADHD and Migraine pages also have interesting info on how gluten affects the brain~

Cara

Here are a few of the other abstracts included on the Depression page, in addition to the ones suggesting "often" a result of underlying nutritional deficiency, especially in vitamins B6 and B12"... not only~

Neurological and psychiatric disorders occur in approximately 10% of patients with celiac disease. There is evidence of regional cerebral blood flow alteration in untreated celiac patients
Regional cerebral hypoperfusion in patients with celiac disease. PMID: 14984816

We describe three adult patients with undiagnosed or untreated celiac disease without particular intestinal signs, causing persistent depressive symptoms in three of the parents of our pediatric patients. In all three patients, the depressive symptoms improved quickly with a gluten-free diet.
Depression in adult untreated celiac subjects: diagnosis by the pediatrician PMID: 10086676

She suddenly experienced some esthesic hallucinations, depression, anorexia, affective flattening and autistic behavior. After 12 months of gluten-free diet a spectacular and lasting improvement of both psychotic and depressive symptoms was obtained.
Psychosis revealing a silent celiac disease in a young women with trisomy 21 PMID: 12422480

There are several case reports of coexistence of coeliac sprue and depression, schizophrenia and anxiety. Coeliac disease should be taken into consideration in patients with psychiatric disorders, particularly if they are not responsive to psychopharmacological therapy, because withdrawal of gluten from the diet usually results in disappearance of symptoms.
Psychiatric symptoms and coeliac disease PMID: 12298186
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Old 09-13-2006, 01:22 PM #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jccglutenfree View Post
There are other studies that show an alteration in brain waves in gluten sensitivite people that revert to normal off gluten, and abnormal again when adding gluten back in. And of course, there are seizures... both nutritional and immunological factors there, too.
Right, and what I also bet is that folks who aren't gluten sensitive would also have changes in brain waves. And why is that, because of gluten derived opoids that affect the digestive system and possibly the brain.

Mike
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Old 09-13-2006, 05:31 PM #9
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Claire,

Thanks for being so open. You sound like such a down to earth solid person. Who else could say that suicidal thoughts were "annoying". I was definitely depressed during my worst years, although that seemed secondary to the fact that I was having a hard time instructing my body to fold the laundry or walk across the room. Like you, I never went on antidepressants. I had this strong feeling that I would never get my "balance" back if I went on drugs. I really just wanted my body to work like it used to. Fortunately, those days are long gone. I feel unbelievably great mentally now.


I really think that double DQ1 is a bad combination. I am DQ1 DQ2 and I attribute my worst symptoms to the DQ1. My nephew who is double DQ1 seems to have a double dose of my worst symptoms. I find it interesting that many people tie the aspergers issues to DQ1 as well. I wonder if that analysis has ever been done?

I think you will be amazed at how much more you will improve over the next couple years. I had no idea how debilitated I had become. It was so slow and insidious.

Grace
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Old 02-03-2007, 10:16 AM #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by orthomolecular View Post
I disagree with one point about the depression being ONLY caused by the nutritional deficiencies associated with gluten problems.
I just want to point out, for anyone new, that I think Claire was pointing out was that it is POSSIBLE that the only symptom of gs MIGHT be depression.

It's a great point and a great post for new people who come here, so that they can consider the possibility that diet intervention is worth a try. Shoot! If it works for some people (and it does), it's such a thrill to not need meds anymore (or not so many meds - depending upon the case). And they may even be clearing up issues that they didn't realize they had... until the issues remit. We had that with ear wax... weird.

Quote:
This inflammation can relate back to the nutritional deficiencies but I think it should be seen as a speratate issue.

I think malabsorption is not the only problem. Of course the infllammatory response may be mitigated by the right nutritional support, but that inflammation can cause problems in the brain. I am not sure what the difference in symptoms would be from having brain inflammation vs. having some vitamin b deficiencies.

But I think this problem is a bit more complex than just malabsorption starting the brain.

But taking just vitamin b6 is not enough for brain chemistry to imporve. Niacin is also needed to help improve serotonin levels.
These are all great points to consider also though and I don't want to detract from their validity either.

I must say that when we supplemented B6 (while making our house gf, of course), that was one of our biggest leaps forward. We did add niacin later but did not experience any forward motion in moods but did have other signs that maybe we were short in niacin.

Everybody's chemistry is a little different, so it's important to tailor things to yourself. There's not really a textbook answer, but everyone here has given some great tips on where to start and what to think about.
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01/02/2002 Even Small Amounts of Gluten Cause Relapse in Children With Celiac Disease (Docguide.com) 12/20/2002 The symptomatic and histologic response to a gf diet with borderline enteropathy (Docguide.com)

Last edited by KimS; 02-03-2007 at 10:22 AM.
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