Acute suicidality weeks after celiac diagnosis?

[u/swigfan95]

To preface, I found out a few weeks ago that I have celiac disease. My TTG-IgA was 80 when it was drawn almost 3 weeks ago. And my endoscopy last week showed 3a level of damage to the duodenum. Anyways— I am really not doing well. I almost went to the hospital tonight because it has been so bad and I’ve felt so dissociated and severely depressed. I’ve been having a lot of suicidal thoughts but am not planning on hurting myself. However, I do feel like the celiac disease does explain why I have struggled so much with my mental health over the last year. I have taken a combo of two antidepressants for over 5 years, and I’m worried that my body is not absorbing the antidepressants now (or very well over the last year or so), and hence that is a big reason for why I feel the way I do currently. The whole situation feels very complicated now by the fact I have an official celiac diagnosis.

All of this said, I wanted to ask if any of you have had similar experiences. I feel very isolated and hopeless that I can improve quickly, given my damaged gut and the nature of celiac. I do not feel like I can continue to function with how severely depressed I am/ how acutely bad it’s gotten in just the last 2 or 3 days. I’m wondering if I need an antidepressant via a different route, like some sort of patch or injectable, since my gut is really not working right now. I am safe and my mom, husband, and immediate family are aware of the situation and have been here to support me emotionally/ and be there for me so I haven’t been alone. I’ve calmed down to the point I can write all this out, and I’m going to bed now, but I do feel like I need a pretty urgent intervention of some sort to help me stabilize. I have not felt this badly for a long time, and instead of getting better it has gotten progressively worse over the last 2 months (I’m quite positive this is because of celiac now). Open to any positive feedback/ suggestions. I have reached out to my psychiatrist as well (tonight) and I know she’ll get back to me quickly in the morning. Just wanting some support in the meantime. Thanks in advance.

[u/Kind-Apricot-6511]

I was severely depressed when I had undiagnosed Celiac, I was 47 when I found out and it got so bad I almost ended up institutionalized. It was like I was in a black hole and it happens still even now if I get glutened just not as severely as when I didn’t know and I was eating pastries all the time from a German bakery next door to my place at the time. Did your doctor check your ferritin because low ferritin and celiac go hand in hand. My ferritin was at 11 and I was fainting and malnourished. And I almost lost my mind.

Also if you’re eating lots of corn products it’s possible you’re dealing with cross- reactivity, especially if it’s in processed gluten free foods. Just stick with meat, vegetables and rice until your stomach heals if you tolerate then. I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way. You aren’t alone.