To clarify, I didn't mean that going off gluten will help everyone with depression/anxiety issues; I am not one of those "it worked for me, so it must be good for EVERYONE!!!" evangelists.

But it was apparently a cause, for *me*, of gut issues, and fixing the gut issues seems to have had a beneficial effect on my depression. I think for people who don't have an issue with gluten, then cutting it out would do no good, because it's not causing any problems.

(I have a friend who's a recent Paleo convert, and he will not shut UP about it, and how everyone should eat that way, and it fixed XYZ for him, so everyone should do it, etc. And I just don't want to be That Guy, because That Guy is annoying. And also incorrect; just because something worked for one person doesn't mean it'll work for someone else.)

I remember someone (Billytea?) posting that far more of the cells in our body were bacterial than human, and that most of them were in the lower digestive tract. We're just starting to understand the relationship between bacteria and our bodies. While I've seen more about poop transplants affecting IBS and obesity, I'm not entirely surprised that there are other potential applications.

I did a lot of repressing and withdrawing today and I think my body is pissed off at me.

There was a guy there who was overcome with sorrow and doubled over sobbing and wailing during the funeral and I feel like if I let go I will be like that for two weeks straight.

Diane, my meds manager y person, briefly asked me about IBS symptoms (they often go with Interstistial Cystits) and I think she's going to want me to try gluten free at some point.

She did "prescribe" probiotics which I've been taking and I've noticed some small differences but nothing huge. Of course i've only been taking them for a little while.

At first when she mentioned the gluten free I mentally protested, my diet is restricted enough. But I thought about and realized that, you know, giving up food and feeling better is what I want more than to eat foods that make me feel bad. It might not work but I'd be willing to give it a try. And then Kristen (therapist) did remind me that if I took that route I could always make decisions to eat something knowing there'd be consequences. I do that with the IC.

I've been slipping a bit with comfort foods lately but I know there's going to be pain and I'm willing to accept that. And sometimes I think "I want chocolate/Diet Coke" and I decide the risk of pain isn't enough.

I also realized that Seroquel was giving me low level cravings for sweets that didn't register as cravings. But I couldn't be in a check out line and not grab a candy bar (or two depending on the speical) or some cookies and then eat everything. It didn't happen right away, but I gradually noticed that I would think "oh I want a Mars bar today" as I was going in the store or getting close to check out and the next thing I'd be in my car and not have bought anything. Not saying I never buy candy bars but it's a craving that I'm aware of rather than it being rote.

Thank you, Steph. Post marked. My sister had a lot of ear infections as a kid and was on a lot of antibiotics. She's had IBS and colitis and while she's in remission for that now, it could be worth exploring.

Nora, I'm equalling dreading/looking forward to some kind of cathartic breakdown. I'm so glad we were there together. I don't think I could have taken much on my own.

Thank you, Steph. Post marked. My sister had a lot of ear infections as a kid and was on a lot of antibiotics. She's had IBS and colitis and while she's in remission for that now, it could be worth exploring.

I hope it can help. I'll let you know if my cousin comes up with any other well-researched sources.

Well, this is some bullshit: New Orleans Venue Drops Burlesque Performer Due to Her Size. Burlesque Community Erupts.

First off, I haven't read the articles, but is this essentially saying that one person's shit can change the way another person's brain works?

Truly, we live in a golden age.

That burlesque performer is gorgeous. Are they mad.

I went off the weight-loss med about a month ago, and while I've definitely been eating more comfort food since then, I haven't gained back any of the weight I lost. Not sure why. Maybe it's the Fitbit, but I haven't really made any effort to walk more. Personally, with no science to back me up at all, I think my body's "weight set point" got fubared by the antidepressants I was on for so long, and maybe it'll take something like that drug to knock it back down. I don't know anymore. After 25 years of dieting and not-dieting and gaining and losing weight and ending up fatter than I was when I first panicked about my weight gain, my body and the weight it chooses to be is an entire mystery to me. The only thing I know for sure is, I need more exercise, whether it makes me lose weight or not, so that's what I'm concentrating on now.

That is some for real bullshit. Glad to hear Bella stood up for her; she (Bella) is a great performer and producer and I've heard good things about her from other performers. The fb post tha Lucky Pierre's responded with was asinine to the extreme.

Zen, bodies are weird. Glad you are focusing on being healthy.

Nora, smonster, I may have said this before, but I love that you are within arm's reach of each other when the rest of us cannot be.