Bizarro Things Going On

[penguin]

Alright, to recap: I'm on a gluten challenge for a biopsy Aug 20th. Previously, I was gluten-free 4 months, and had inconclusive bloodwork.

Anyhoo.

Does anyone experience a lot of pain when poked or scratched in some places? Like, if my husband scratches my back (average pressure), it kills me! It's an intense sore pain that feels like it's going to bruise but doesn't. The same thing happens if my calves slide against the edge of the mattress when I get out of bed in the morning. It seems to be worse at night and in the early morning. I can't tolerate massages because they hurt! It seems like my back, upper arms, and legs are affected most.

I was breaking out into hives constantly, but switched detergent and it's not as bad. I still break out into a rash that doesn't necessarily itch, but it still raised and bumpy but not red on my outer thigh. It comes and goes. Don't know what that's about. My scalp also itches like crazy.

None of my personal care products have gluten.

My joints pop but don't hurt. I'm also extraordinarily tired no matter how much I sleep, but that may be gluten related. Hell if I know.

Um, anyone know what any of that is about?

[DingoGirl]

Sorry Chelsea, you got me. Except for the extraordinary tiredness - - I think that is most definitely from gluten. The other stuff sounds neurological and I recommend you PM Lynne (Tired of Doctors) as she could probably be reallly helpful wtih that.

BTW how long has this weird pain been going on? just since the gluten challenge?

[penguin]

I've had the wierd pain for a few years. I just never thought of it as abnormal.

The rash thing has been since the gluten, so who knows. It's not DH.

[Jestgar]

I think that one of the effects of gluten is to accentuate things that you already have. Mild sensitivities become more pronounced. Mild allergies become more obvious. If you've had these things for years, maybe they are just more painful or more itchy now and that's why they're bugging you.

[Guhlia]

The skin sensitivity (like when DH scratches your back) sounds like some sort of neuropathy. I used to have that same reaction for years prior to diagnosis. It flares up now whenever I get glutened. I would say that it is very probably related to gluten. It took about a year for all of that to begin to subside for me. Cold things used to make me feel like I was being burned, like when someone would brush a soda can against my leg or arm. It literally felt like I was on fire where they touched me. I'm assuming this is similar to what you're describing. I would definitely address it with your doctor, just in case it's a sign of a deeper problem.

[plantime]

I have the same sensitivity with being touched. I just can't stand to have people touch me, it hurts so much! The funny thing is, I can touch others without pain, as in I can lean back against a wall, but don't try to rub my back! My mom once commented that even as a baby, I did not like to be touched. I guess I will mention it to my doc. I just never thought it was weird!

[mamaw]

Have you had a dermatologist look at your skin? My Dad was like that & he had psorasis. Plus I'm gluten intolerant and I itched like crazy before going gluten-free.I also got hives all the time.I felt like a dog with fleas!!!!!!I ended up taking Atarax so I didn't itch but now I don't have that problem unless wheat & gluten hunts me down!!!

mamaw

also Rosy ola (I know it isn't spelled right) can cause a rash and Give you the sensations you speak of too.

[ravenwoodglass]

Alright, to recap: I'm on a gluten challenge for a biopsy Aug 20th. Previously, I was gluten-free 4 months, and had inconclusive bloodwork.

Anyhoo.

Does anyone experience a lot of pain when poked or scratched in some places? Like, if my husband scratches my back (average pressure), it kills me! It's an intense sore pain that feels like it's going to bruise but doesn't. The same thing happens if my calves slide against the edge of the mattress when I get out of bed in the morning. It seems to be worse at night and in the early morning. I can't tolerate massages because they hurt! It seems like my back, upper arms, and legs are affected most.

I was breaking out into hives constantly, but switched detergent and it's not as bad. I still break out into a rash that doesn't necessarily itch, but it still raised and bumpy but not red on my outer thigh. It comes and goes. Don't know what that's about. My scalp also itches like crazy.

None of my personal care products have gluten.

My joints pop but don't hurt. I'm also extraordinarily tired no matter how much I sleep, but that may be gluten related. Hell if I know.

Um, anyone know what any of that is about?

This sounds very familiar to me. I was told at one point it was fibro and to learn to live with it. I did get some relief from acupuncture treatments but gluten free the pain is gone. I believe it comes from inflammation in the muscles from the gluten in the bloodstream. I would also suspect your rash is also from gluten as I get pressure urticara and dematographia when glutened. Someone just stroking my arm would cause a welts that would last for days to say nothing of the torture of waistbands. The scalp itch for me would turn into blisters and I also lost a great deal of hair that has thankfully grown back. I hope your challenge is over soon, once you get off the gluten these problems may very well resolve.

[jenvan]

I've had the wierd pain for a few years. I just never thought of it as abnormal.

The rash thing has been since the gluten, so who knows. It's not DH.

I don't know if its the same as me...but this reminds me of my fibro symptoms. Bascially all over muscle pain, fascial adhesions, but with a lot of specific areas, points that are extra tender, and will send me through the roof when poked, bumped etc. These are all over, but my hips are one of the worst spots. ie. If my cat steps on my hip when I'm laying on the couch--ouch! My chronic muscle pain has been improving...and I hope will one day disappear...but can't be sure. This fibro pain is definitely a 'relative' of celiac in my case.