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Neurological Conditions


Kylie

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Kylie Explorer

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone else who had celiac had any other sort of neurological disorder. I have, well it has many names, RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or Reflex Neurovascular Dystrophy) also known as CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome). RSD is a neurological condition that makes the body unable to interpret signals and so the body feels nothing but pain. It started in my leg, but has spread to my entire body. I also have it internally in my stomach, probably from celiac pain. I was diagnosed with celiac in 2005 and my life has never been the same. Now I have the diagnosis of RSD and have been the sickest I have ever been. I have spent the last year in and out of the hospital with my RSD and every time I have an RSD attack my celiac gets really bad too. I can


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BRUMI1968 Collaborator

I've not heard of RSD - it sounds quite disturbing, and I can see why a person would get PTSD from such a thing.

All I can think of on the neuro bit I imagine has been checked for. B12, since celiac sufferers don't absorb it well; heavy metal poisoning/toxicity; complete eletrolyte imbalance (inverted sodium potassium ratio, etc. - good idea to check out if it's "electrical" in nature, or if they think it might be). Boy, it's a tough one, and I can't say I have any experience with it. My only neuro symptoms are dizziness, and that could well just be BPPV (benign vertigo) which is not typically related to gluten at all. If your B12 is even low normal, they should check your homosystein levels too, or MME or something like that, to double check it, since high folate count can falsely elevate your B12. My folic acid was high last check, and my B12 barely made it into the 'normal' - by like one point.

Hope you feel better, and I hope folks here can help you. I know lots of folks here have had interesting issues with their celiac disease and other peripheral stuff - someone surely will know something.

Take care.

-Sherri

Lizz7711 Apprentice

Can't speak to that directly, but i've been studying alot about mercury from amalgam fillings and the myriad of damage in our bodies it can do, including neurologically. If I were you, if you have amalgam fillings, i'd look into finding a biological dentist who will work with you to have them safely removed (check out wwwdot iaomt dot org for more info) as this could be an underlying cause of your issues. My dad had shingles a year and a half ago and still has terrible nerve pain in his left arm to the point he can't wear a shirt or expose his arm to outside elements like wind...i'm convinced part of the issue for him too is mercuy...plus he has gold and mercury, and that causes galvanic reactions in the mouth.

just something to consider, hope you feel better soon,

Liz

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone else who had celiac had any other sort of neurological disorder. I have, well it has many names, RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or Reflex Neurovascular Dystrophy) also known as CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome). RSD is a neurological condition that makes the body unable to interpret signals and so the body feels nothing but pain. It started in my leg, but has spread to my entire body. I also have it internally in my stomach, probably from celiac pain. I was diagnosed with celiac in 2005 and my life has never been the same. Now I have the diagnosis of RSD and have been the sickest I have ever been. I have spent the last year in and out of the hospital with my RSD and every time I have an RSD attack my celiac gets really bad too. I can

ShayFL Enthusiast

A device called a "Rebuilder" really helped the nerves in my feet and hands for neuropathy. Dont know if it would work for your condition though.

I would have B12 & MMA tested plus Ferritin as B12 and iron levels can affect neurological function.

ravenwoodglass Mentor

I have had RSD. It happened after I had surgery on my knee to repair the meniscus. When they removed the stitches a few days later I had lost all muscle from where they put the tourniqet down. The doctor was almost as horrified as I was. It is extremely painful. One thing they gave me that helped was amitriplymine at a very low dose at bed time. I don't know if your doctor has tried that but it is a common treatment. Physical therapy was also helpful but mine was no where near as all inclusive as yours.

Something that helped me a lot even preceliac diagnosis was sublingual B12. You may want to add it to your daily routine for a while and see if it helps. Make sure it is sublingual though and make sure to let your doctor know you are taking it if he tests your B12 levels.

One thing I am going to ask is if you take any meds or supplements and if you do have you been rigorous about checking their gluten statis? If you take generics you need to recheck those ideally at each refill as the binders can be changed at will.

Many times those of us with strong neuro features tend to be a bit more sensitive. Make sure you are eliminating gluten from all toiletries, pet foods and litters, if you craft or do home improvement stuff many glues, paints, wallpaper pastes, clays, drywall compound etc are not safe. Is your significant other a gluten eater or do they drink gluten beverages like beer? If so they can CC you with a kiss. Brushing teeth will take care of that issue.

Another thing you may want to consider is an appointment with a pain management clinic if there is one near you. As far as the PTSD goes, well I suffer from that also and fighting it is hard. I try to do little steps and have been taking a supplement called Stress Assist that seems to help a bit. Sometimes the best treatment for that is counseling with a good psychologist. They can be helpful in teaching ways for overcoming it once you find one you can work with well.

I hope you get some relief soon.

  • 1 year later...
janetcanhelp Newbie

Hi Kylie,

Wow, I have had all the same things, and more: Celiac, RSD, Asperger;s, Adrenal Fatigue. I take a B Complex combo (high dosage), Celexa, no wheat,oak,rye,barley products; Synthroid for HypoThyroid. I take a multi vit, Co EnzymeQ10, GABA and 5HTP. I have 1/2 Ambian to sleep. We who are highly sensitive have a job to do: stay calm! My nervous system went bonkers. Now, I pray, keep things in perspective, ice anything down & take hydrocodone if I sprain an ankle, etc (to offset any RSD trying to begin, and believe me, it works!) Do what you love, breathe, remove anything (or anyone) who tries to make you crazy. This is your life, and when you are happy, things get better.

Hugs, Janet

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone else who had celiac had any other sort of neurological disorder. I have, well it has many names, RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or Reflex Neurovascular Dystrophy) also known as CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome). RSD is a neurological condition that makes the body unable to interpret signals and so the body feels nothing but pain. It started in my leg, but has spread to my entire body. I also have it internally in my stomach, probably from celiac pain. I was diagnosed with celiac in 2005 and my life has never been the same. Now I have the diagnosis of RSD and have been the sickest I have ever been. I have spent the last year in and out of the hospital with my RSD and every time I have an RSD attack my celiac gets really bad too. I can

BramelyHall Newbie

My neuropathy went away when I stopped taking too many B vitamins. B6 will really make your nerves burn.


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    • catnapt
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    • trents
      Welcome, @catnapt! The most recent guidelines are the daily consumption of a minimum of 10g of gluten (about the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for a minimum of two weeks. But if possible stretching that out even more would enhance the chances of getting valid test results. These guidelines are for those who have been eating gluten free for a significant amount of time. It's called the "gluten challenge".  Yes, you can develop celiac disease at any stage of life. There is a genetic component but also a stress trigger that is needed to activate the celiac genes. About 30-40% of the general population possesses the genetic potential to develop celiac disease but only about 1% of the general population actually develop celiac disease. For most with the potential, the triggering stress event doesn't happen. It can be many things but often it is a viral infection. Having said that, it is also the case that many, many people who eventually are diagnosed with celiac disease probably experienced the actual onset years before. Many celiacs are of the "silent" type, meaning that symptoms are largely missing or very minor and get overlooked until damage to the small bowel lining becomes advanced or they develop iron deficiency anemia or some other medical problem associated with celiac disease. Many, many are never diagnosed or are diagnosed later in life because they did not experience classic symptoms. And many physicians are only looking for classic symptoms. We now know that there are over 200 symptoms/medical problems associated with celiac disease but many docs are only looking for things like boating, gas, diarrhea. I certainly understand your concerns about not wanting to damage your body by taking on a gluten challenge. Your other option is to totally commit to gluten free eating and see if your symptoms improve. It can take two years or more for complete healing of the small bowel lining once going gluten free but usually people experience significant improvement well before then. If their is significant improvement in your symptoms when going seriously gluten free, then you likely have your answer. You would either have celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity).
    • catnapt
      after several years of issues with a para-gland issue, my endo has decided it's a good idea for me to be tested for celiac disease. I am 70 yrs old and stunned to learn that you can get celiac this late in life. I have just gradually stopped eating most foods that contain gluten over the past several years- they just make me feel ill- although I attributed it to other things like bread spiking blood sugar- or to the things I ate *with* the bread or crackers etc   I went to a party in Nov and ate a LOT of a vegan roast made with vital wheat gluten- as well as stuffing, rolls and pie crust... and OMG I was so sick! the pain, the bloating, the gas, the nausea... I didn't think it would ever end (but it did) and I was ready to go the ER but it finally subsided.   I mentioned this to my endo and now she wants me to be tested for celiac after 2 weeks of being on gluten foods. She has kind of flip flopped on how much gluten I should eat, telling me that if the symptoms are severe I can stop. I am eating 2-3 thin slices of bread per day (or english muffins) and wow- it does make me feel awful. But not as bad as when I ate that massive amnt of vital wheat gluten. so I will continue on if I have to... but what bothers me is - if it IS celiac, it seems stupid for lack of a better word, to intentionally cause more damage to my body... but I am also worried, on the other hand, that this is not a long enough challenge to make the blood work results valid.   can you give me any insight into this please?   thank you
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