I have been suffering from major depression. In Feb., I went to a partial hospitalization program. Getting some therapy in a group and indivdual setting has been great. But, none of the meds seem to do anything except create side effects. I have tried many meds in the last 4 years. Ironically, I was dx with celiac at the same time symptoms started and did not go gluten-free until recently (several attempts but nothing too long).

I read the post that it could take up to 2 years to feel better. That is what it took my mom too (she and my sister both have celiac and my mom was very sick).

So, besides going strictly gluten-free, is there anything else that is recommended? What is your take on homepathic type things (fish oil, etc.). Just looking to speed up the process. I have been out of work because of the depression and treatment since the end of Feb and hope to go back on Tuesday.

Missy

yes, damaged intestines can cause malabsorption of medication as well as food. celiac can cause depression all on its own as well, so that's a complicating factor.

besides pharmacological methods (even the homeophathic ones), a well balanced diet (not too high on the carbohydrates, but seriously balanced), exercise, plenty of sunlight, and a regular sleep schedule can help. oh, yes, I know that those things are next to impossible when you're dealing with depression (sigh... headshake... I wish it were easier...), but if you can get anyone to help you with it, or do anything to push you that way, it definitely can hellp.

I think I read that 75% of your seratonin is produced in your GI tract so hopefully the longer you are gluten-free the more "access" you will have to your Seratonin and everything will improve. I was undiagnosed ADD I know and I have so much more focus even without ever having taken meds since I went gluten-free in Feb. It's absolutely amazing the difference. Hang in there.

Missy,

Realizing everyone is different, I can only say that for me there has really been no problem with prescription medicines that I can tell. Pre-celiac, post-celiac all the same medicine wise. And I was diagnosed with severely damaged villa via biopsy.

Don't quite understand, you were diagnosed celiac four years ago but only recently went gluten-free. What's up with that? Seems pretty simple to me. Your sick. You find out what's wrong with you. Celiac. You go gluten-free. You get better. I started feeling better immediately, like a miracle. Of course it took a little while to get back to normal. But I have no doubt I would still be sick if I hadn't gone gluten-free.

I wouldn't worry how long it took your Mom or others to get better. Every single person is different. Just like everyones symptoms are different. I wouldn't bother with homeopathics, they're just extremely watered down medicines, too weak to be effective. Take good vitamins. Read the posts on vitamins B12 (the methylcobalamin form), Magnesium (the chelated non-oxide forms, asparate, citrate etc.) Calcium, Vitamin D, Potassium etc. I've noticed a distinct improvement since I switched over. You speed up the process by being extremely careful not to ingest any gluten. That's really all you have to do. If you do that, and still don't get better, then you might have other issues. But I'm sorry, "not very long attempts" aren't going to cut it.

No more attempts, just make the decision to do it and then do it. I can always tell when people are just fooling themselves about quitting smoking. They say "I'm quitting when I turn 40", or "I'm quitting after the first of the year", or "I'm quitting next month". Either they put it off or it lasts a week. If they were really serious about quitting they would just do it - now! That's what I did when I quit, after smoking for 31 years. Haven't had a smoke in 10 years. Never missed it. Haven't had a bite of gluten in 4 months. Yes miss it very much, but don't want to be sick either.

best regards, lm

Missy, gluten can really mess with your brain. It can cause severe depression, schizophrenia, bipolar, ADD, autism and other interesting things.

I would not bother with the antidepressants at this point, but just go 100% gluten-free, as that is all you may need.

Cod liver oil is a great idea, as it will provide you with Omega 3 fatty acids (very important for your whole body, but especially for the brain), vitamin D and vitamin A (which you are likely deficient in).

Fish oil has nothing to do with homeopathic medicines, as it is a supplement, not a medicine. But I disagree that homeopathic medicines don't work, they worked well for me whenever I needed them, without side effects like 'normal' medications.

You seriously need to have your levels of essential nutrients checked, as it is likely that you are deficient in a lot of them. Ask your doctor to test your levels of ferritin (iron), hemoglobin, vitamin D, vitamin B6 and B12, , calcium, magnesium, vitamin K and potassium. Then you know which ones need supplementation, and which ones you are seriously deficient in.

Also, have a bone density scan done, to make sure you don't have osteoporosis already (even children with celiac disease can have it).

Great advice so far, and I only have one thing to add: you may want to start taking digestive enzymes, or probiotics. Easily googled!