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

Medications For Depression And Anxiety

GFreeMO

By GFreeMO
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

GFreeMO Proficient
GFreeMO
Posted

I have just started taking a medication for depression called Sertraline. I just took the first pill a few minutes ago. My doctor thinks that they will help me deal with celiac disease better. He said that celiacs can be depressed because serotonin is produced in the intestines and since ours are horribly damaged, this might help.

I found this online:

Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Biochemically derived from tryptophan, serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system of animals including humans.

I guess his thinking may be spot on. I am just a little bit ashamed to be taking these. I am not sure why. I just have always considered myself to be a strong person and now I feel like I am not.

Does anyone have experience with these?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

Hi there,

I've been on antidepressants and anxiety meds for about fifteen years. Don't be ashamed. Some people use them short time and some long term. If this one doesn't work for you, there are many different options. I would suggest however that you see a counselor. There is also programs that teach CBT, Cognitive Behavior Therepy. I went through the program and it changed my life.

My issues are a bit different than yours and that is why I still take meds.

Good luck to you.

Colleen

anabananakins Explorer
anabananakins
Posted

I take Zoloft which is also sertraline. I have suffered from depression and anxiety for most of my life and I have found Zoloft has really helped me. I was always really against the idea of taking antidepressants (they seemed so scary) and now I only wish I hadn't wasted so many years with that attitude. It is amazing not feeling anxious all the time. I have non-Celiac gluten intolerance and while my anxiety did dissipitate a bit over 2.5 years gluten free, it was only after a month or so on Zoloft that I felt so much better.

Don't feel ashamed to be taking them. I can relate to how you feel and I do keep it a secret from most people, but I would be honest if anyone asked me outright. I see it as a medical treatment for a real condition, depression and anxiety aren't personal failings or weaknesses.

I second the suggestion to see a counsellor. My GP said that treatment of depression with a combination of therapy and medication shows the most success and I see a clinical psychologist weekly and that has really helped too. I tried therapy in the past without medication and that didn't work for me - I think I was so depressed I couldn't take it in. But having the depression lifted by the medication and then starting therapy was a great combo.

It can be hard adjusting to SSRIs initially. In the first week I had insomnia, I kept clenching my jaw and I could not stop jittering. But those passed and googling my symptoms to read about how other people felt the same really helped me. It's also extremely important to wean off them very slowly, if you decide not to take them anymore. Stopping suddenly can (very likely) have severe side effects.

All the best to you. I hope you feel a lot better soon.

Kathi Jones Newbie
Kathi Jones
Posted

I take sertraline or Zoloft also. It helps with depression. I have been taking it long before i was diagnosed with celiacs but to me it has helped. I hope that you dont feel bad about taking it. I think that was kinda long ago when antidepressents werent commonly used. I mean i think that taking one is a sign that you are taking charge of your disease. Hope it goes well.

Kathi from KC

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

I take Rodiola Rosea sometimes. It is a natural herb that helps um, er, things. It makes me feel more like doing things. I took it every day for a while but ended up not being able to sleep well. I recently started taking it again but not every day. Low thyroid can also make people feel tired and depressed. Being sick most of the time can also occasionally make a person a teensy tad depressed. Hard to figure out why. After all, what's depressing about being sick? All those ding bat healthy people all smiling all the time for one thing. :)

GFreeMO Proficient
GFreeMO
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for responding. It's nice to know that I am not suffering with this anxiety/depression alone. I didn't realize how common it was to take these meds. Hopefully in time, things will straighten out. :)

frieze Community Regular
frieze
Posted

I have just started taking a medication for depression called Sertraline. I just took the first pill a few minutes ago. My doctor thinks that they will help me deal with celiac disease better. He said that celiacs can be depressed because serotonin is produced in the intestines and since ours are horribly damaged, this might help.

I found this online:

Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Biochemically derived from tryptophan, serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system of animals including humans.

I guess his thinking may be spot on. I am just a little bit ashamed to be taking these. I am not sure why. I just have always considered myself to be a strong person and now I feel like I am not.

Does anyone have experience with these?

most likely this is a chemical imbalance problem, would you be ashamed to take insulin? You can not "gut" (pun intended) your way out of either one.
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


quincy Contributor
quincy
Posted

My first celiac support meeting was enlightening because just about everyone was comparing which ssri they were taking and which ones did not agree with them. That was when it clicked that all us with celiac have a very common challenge with low serotonin levels due to gut damage. It is very likely that many of us require something to increase our serotonin levels

I had a very hard time with most of the newer ssri's but had almost no breaking-in period with prozac. It was a perfect fit for me and much needed relief from the terrible worry/anxiety/depression that I was constantly fighting. I hope that zoloft is that way for you.

FYI, for some of us that cannot tolerate any ssri's, some have found success with the natural supplement 5HTP, which is a serotonin precursor. Vitamin B6 in the form of P5P is also a good one for neurotransmitter health. Taken together improves chances it will have a beneficial effect.

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      127,858
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Terin83
    Newest Member
    Terin83
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121k
    • Total Posts
      70.5k
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Opinions on my test results/symptoms

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Villi damage is caused by celiac disease, which does not happen in NCGS, although some people with NCGS do have elevated antibody levels. Some people with NCGS who have the genes for celiac disease may end up developing celiac disease, so in some people NCGS may be a precursor to celiac disease, but more research needs to be done on NCGS. Both low iron and vitamin D are common symptoms of celiac disease. Also, regarding beer:  
    • Scott Adams
      Vaccines

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It’s true that some vaccines contain small amounts of preservatives, stabilizers, or adjuvants to ensure their safety and effectiveness. For example: Thimerosal: A preservative that contains ethylmercury (not to be confused with methylmercury, which is toxic). Most routine vaccines no longer contain thimerosal, except for some flu vaccines in multi-dose vials. Aluminum: Used in very small amounts as an adjuvant to boost the immune response. The amount is far below levels considered harmful, but if you suspect an aluminum allergy, it’s worth discussing with your doctor. Sugar alcohols: These are sometimes used as stabilizers, but they are generally well-tolerated. If you have a known intolerance, you can ask about specific ingredients in each vaccine. Since you mentioned an intolerance to metals and jewelry, it’s a good idea to follow up with allergy testing, as you planned. This can help identify specific metals (e.g., nickel, aluminum) to avoid. Your doctor can then guide you on whether any vaccine ingredients might be a concern. Since the Mayo Clinic has already identified potential allergies, it might be helpful to consult an allergist or immunologist. They can review your medical history, perform tests, and provide personalized advice on vaccines and their ingredients. While it’s important to address your intolerances, it’s also worth considering the risks of not being vaccinated. Many vaccine-preventable diseases can have serious consequences, especially for those with underlying health conditions. 
    • knitty kitty
      Hidden Gluten in distilled vinegar

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Manaan2, I was on Miralax for several months after I crushed three vertebrae and fractured my hip.  The compression fractures of my vertebrae affected the Vagus nerve that stimulates digestion and intestinal movement, peristalsis. Miralax just didn't relieve the constipation I was experiencing at all.  Nothing budged.  I tried Milk of Magnesia (magnesium oxide) which pulls water into the digestive tract, and found that rather harsh and dehydrating.   Bad idea. I was already taking thiamine in various forms, Benfotiamine, TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl  disulfude), Lipothiamine and Allithiamine.  Click on my name, then Activities in the pull down menu to get to my blog to learn more about my journey with thiamine.   Since we need more thiamine when we are physically ill and emotionally stressed, I decided to focus on TTFD,  Benfotiamine, and magnesium l-threonate.  Within a week of increasing my doses a bit, my constipation was gone.  It took several more months to heal the compressed nerve damage.  For pain, I take a combination of TTFD, Pyridoxine B 6, and  Cobalamine B12 which together have an analgesic effect.  I can't function with pharmaceutical pain killers, besides they cause constipation.   Mechanisms of action of vitamin B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin) in pain: a narrative review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35156556/ Yes, I did just stop the Miralax, but I wasn't on it as long as your daughter.  Yes, there's a difference between adults and children.  Yes, my circumstances were different than your daughter's, but thiamine deficiency does affect the nerves and the brain.  A twenty percent increase in dietary thiamine causes an eighty percent increase in brain function (which activates the Vagus nerve and controls digestion).   I recommend you visit Dr. Chandler Marrs' website, hormonesmatter.com.  Dr. Marrs worked with Dr. Derrick Longsdale, a pioneer in thiamine research, specifically with children and autism spectrum disorders.  She has been very helpful to me when I reached out to her.  She would be better able to guide you about your daughter's care. https://hormonesmatter.com/sibo-ibs-constipation-thiamine-deficiency/#google_vignette Do stay in touch, please.  You can start another thread or personal message me any time.  My heart goes out to you, your husband, and especially your daughter.   Namaste
    • Manaan2
      Hidden Gluten in distilled vinegar

      By Manaan2 · Posted

      @knitty kitty  The information you've provided is invaluable!  I have a lot more homework to do before we make the official switch but you have significantly increased my hope that we can get her off Miralax (she started at 3 years old and is almost 8!).  This weekend my husband and I plan to solidify all the details for a start point, then adjust as we go along.  I realize that everyone's body is different, then there's also the fact that she's a child but just out of curiosity if you don't mind sharing and if you'd rather not, no problem at all-how long did you take Miralax before switching and when you switched, did you just completely stop the Miralax or was there a period where you did Miralax and the supplements?  I plan to research that piece this weekend but just curious what you did.  
    • BIg Nodge
      Opinions on my test results/symptoms

      By BIg Nodge · Posted

      Scott, thanks so much for the thoughtful replies. My doctor did actually just re-order thyroid labs to see what is going on with my TPOs. I agree that will be interesting information.  I think I know the answer to this, but as far as the biopsy . . .. that would be quite conclusive as far as celiac goes, but a negative result would not rule out NCGS, correct? Does NCGS also cause damage to the lower intestine/leaky gut?  I appreciate the thought that I should be open-minded to other causes. I did not have dysautonomia on my radar, so I will look into that. From a quick scan at the potential symptoms it seems like almost anyone could convince themselves they have it, very broad! I can see why that is a tricky one to diagnose. I did also show low vitamin D, I'm in New England so that is somewhat common. I have a memory of low iron on some lab result as well but I can't find it, so I'll look into that. My cholesterol is high too, so working on that.  While the initial adjustment was tough, I have actually adapted fairly well to going gluten-free at home. The tough part for me is I love eating out and traveling, so that has been a challenge. I suppose if the answer ends up being NCGS then I could maintain a mostly gluten-free diet but also experiment with the occasional splurges. Snowboarding just doesn't feel right without a beer in the lodge . . ... cider is just not the same!  Thanks again.  
×
×
  • Create New...