Hand Swelling And Constipation!

[Tiff]

Hello Everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone could offer me some advice. Sometimes my hands swell at night. And when I wake up the swelling goes down. Most of the time it only happens in one hand per night. I never had problems with my hands until the initial onset of crazy symptoms came on. Although I have not officially been diagnosed with Celiac (I had a blood test last week still waiting for results) I have been on a gluten free diet for approx. 2 weeks now and I feel somewhat better. But I am also going on a detox program which was recommended by my doc. I occasionally still have the hand swelling thing.

I also wanted to know if anyone else has had problems with constipation. I occasionally get diaherra, but I also get constipated. And I've noticed that most people in this forum has said abnormally large stools. Does anyone have small stools? I realized this is getting into some personal stuff but I really could use the advice. These are not the only symptoms I have. I also have: Chest pain (diagnosed as costochondtritis), irregular heartbeat, ringing in the ears, itchy hands and feet, eye floaters, pain in my throat, severe dandruff, headaches, abdominal pain, pain in my lower back on the right side, joint pain/muscle pain, bloated feetling, mentrual cramping, swollen lymph nodes, neck pain, upper back pain, insomnia, breast pain, and I also need to mention that I have lost 18 lbs. I am only 30 years old and I have a 19 month old daughter. All of these symptoms started approx. 2 weeks after I stopped breast feeding. The doctor initially thought it was hormone related, but he tested all of my hormones at they are at normal levels. I did have a vitamin D deficiency (Test Level= 6) I was on 50,000 icu of vitamin D for 3 months and my vitamin D level is up to 44. I do feel better, but I still have symptoms. It probably takes a few months for all of the gluten to get out of your system correct? Will a detox help flush it out sooner?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Mother of Jibril]

Just my personal perspective...

A lot of the symptoms you mentioned will probably get better as you go along on the gluten-free diet. In addition to vitamin D (which I'm still taking), I also added some sublingual B-12, selenium (by eating one brazil nut each day), and zinc for a few months. A zinc deficiency, for example, can cause dandruff and those white flecks under your fingernails. Low potassium can cause swelling... you can counter that by reducing your sodium intake and eating lots of fresh foods with potassium (bananas, spinach, potatoes with the skin, almonds, etc...).

BUT... you might find after several months that some of your symptoms are not going away. People with one autoimmune disorder (like celiac disease) are suspectible to others Swelling in your hands could be a sign of lupus, hypothyroidism, angioedema, a kidney disorder... You might want to keep a diary of your symptoms. Try to find a balance between patience and looking for answers I know you probably want answers NOW (I did)... it just takes time to figure everything out.

[Tiff]

Thank you so much for the advice Mother of Jibril.

You always have such wonderful advice to share with everyone and I am so greatful that you offered me the advice that you did.

Thank you

[Tiff]

I want to thank you for your info again? I am new to this forum. You'll have to forgive me but I tried to send you a personal message "Mother of Jibril" but unfortunately I can't figure it out.

Well I was just wondering what type of Vitamin D you are taking. I was taking 50,ooo icu of Vitamin D. But I am currently seeing a doctor who is a doctor who can prescribe regular prescription or natural remedies. He informed me that Vitamin D3 is the best version to take daily. He is recommending 10,000 icu a day while I'm going through a detox.

I also have Hashimotos Thyroid disease and was wondering what your opinion on Armour vs. Synthroid ? I am currently taking Levoxyl, and I have since the age of 14, I am now 30 and my doctor would like to change me to armour. I am extremely hesitant because I have been on Levoxyl so long I really don't want to change? But I have read alot about it and people seem to go both ways on the idea.

If you could offer some advice that would be wonderful!!

Thank you

[Mother of Jibril]

Hi Tiff,

My pleasure! Other people on this forum have helped me so much... it's nice being able to return the favor.

For Vitamin D I've been taking "Carlson Labs Solar D Gems" which delivers 2000iu of D3 in a lemon-flavored soft gel (you can actually chew them like gummy candy... surprisingly tasty). It also gives you a little dose of Omega 3s from cod liver oil.

It's seems like everyone has their opinion on Armour vs. Synthroid Personally, I've been taking 100mcg of Synthroid each day and I feel pretty good about it. My numbers are back to normal and my symptoms have eased up. Some people swear by Armour, but I'm hesistant to try it for religious reasons because it's made from the thyroid glands of pigs. Have you done all the tests for thyroid disorders? TSH, free T4/T3, thyroid ultrasound, etc...? Looking back at your symptoms, some of them could be thyroid-related (pain in your throat, joint pain, menstrual pain), so it's possible that changing your medication could help. I would just be cautious about it.

[Tiff]

Yes, the endocronologist I was seeing checked my thyroid levels every 3 months. Unfortunately we have moved and I am adjusting to all new doctors. My new doctor recently took new labs of my Throid checking the T3 and T4 and everything checked out normal. I am on this crazy detox program for a month. I am only into day 3 of it and it sucks. I'm taking alot of supplements and changing my diet drastically. But I'm willing to do anything to go back to the way I felt before. I am also super duper scared because I tested positive for the SCL-70 anitbody. And although that doesn't mean I have scleroderma (Only 40% of people who test positive for it actually have it) I am totally scared that this may be what is going on. I just hope for the best and keep my fingers crossed. I have been chatting with alot of people on the scleroderma forums and I have even talked with a few over the phone. They are all very supportive, but they say scleroderma is really hard to diagnose sometimes. And until you have clear-cut physical signs a doctor will not diagnose it. I just hope it is celiac and I hope my symptoms go away soon. I'm just really really scared!!!

These autoimmune disease seem to cluster in everyone that I have met, and I'm afraid that is what is going on with me.

By the way how did you know that you have the gene for Celiac? Did you get it tested through your doctor or somewhere else?

Thanks again for your advice!!!

[Mother of Jibril]

It's actually quite easy to learn your HLA-DQ genes. There's a company called "Enterolab" that will send your cheek swab to the Red Cross for testing... you don't need a doctor's permission (although I doubt your insurance will pay). When I did it last year it was $174. Although it can't give you a diagnosis, it does help you understand your risk for celiac disease and some other autoimmune disorders.

I'm sorry you tested positive for another antibody In addition to Hashimoto's and celiac disease, my immune system is making antibodies to my own mast cells, which causes episodes of anaphylaxis... it sucks being allergic to yourself. The gluten-free diet helped a LOT, but I'm still under investigation for ongoing abdominal pain (I had an endoscopy last week), a rash that comes and goes (probably related to the mast cell disorder), and abnormal levels of protein and blood in my urine (IgA nephropathy? SLE?).

At this point, I'm taking things one day at a time. I'm alive My kids are beautiful. My herb garden is growing like crazy with all the rain. I have a job and plenty of yummy food to eat. I figure the best thing I can do is take care of myself and be persistent. I'm getting quite the medical education!

BTW... autoimmune disorders are more common in women than men. Hormonal changes (like puberty, pregnancy, weaning, menopause... even the menstrual cycle) are common triggers for the onset of new symptoms and flares.