I suffered terrible OCD from age 4-27, once diagnosed and I did ERP it finally eased off, rarely have episodes today… around the same time I got iBS following antibiotic treatment (circa 2011) - guts are never the same since. The last two years I’ve felt intense fatigue and depression - the gradual onset left me thinking I was “getting old” at 38(!)
NOW, almost by luck I was off 2 weeks with bad IBS and finally got referred to specialist who was almost certain I have celiac(!?). Gastroscopy and colonoscopy confirm this last week. I’ve been off gluten almost a month and am DESPERATE for recovery.
Work is humiliating when I battle to focus 2/47, a physical head pain whenever I’m interrupted or have to guess what a customer wants. Home life is a battle just to deal with bills, finance decisions repairs etc because I can’t focus. Simple decisions are like algebra problems :(
I’m trying to take a needed vacation next month and can barely focus enough to plan it.
some folks have no digestive issues but diagnosis comes after purely mental symptoms
Sorry for the long post and scrambled ideas, it’s hard to put everything in the right order or even remember things right at the moment. I wonder if anyone else has a gut- brain illness connection they weren’t aware of until later?
No need for apology! In fact, it seems gut microbiome may be related to a number of brain or mental health issues. I’m especially interested in Alzheimer’s—there’s some evidence of a relationship, although exactly what seems very fuzzy and (as yet) ill-defined. I know that when I’m having digestive issues, I am definitely out if left field.
I wish it was better understood. For me it’s damage to surface of intestine that means I can’t get iron to my muscles and brain, boy do I need those nutrients.
Wow, that all sounds really rough. I hope you make a full recovery!
Thanks, I probably will. Every thought I have is filtered through a weak mind that doesn’t have proper nutrients and iron But when it does recover I will see clearly … I hope 🤞
Yes, i can back this up. I had undiagnosed celiac for decades and during that time I experienced all sorts of MH symptoms - depression, difficulty concentrating, and ADHD and OCD-like effects. They 95% evaporated when I was finally diagnosed and went GF.
It’s good to hear from other sufferers (that recover!). At the moment I’m super hungry … potentially a good sign. Trying to eat until body feels full whatever time if day - damn the expenses of gluten free food in stores I just need to feel better asap. (of course preparing cheap simple meals when I have the energy and brain function at home)
