The Mayo Clinic has published numerous articles on SYMPTOMATIC MYOCLONUS, a/k/a SECONDARY MYOCLONUS. A CNN article discussing these Mayo Clinic studies is available to everyone at this address: http://cgi.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00754.html.


In summary, Parkinson’s Disease is a SYMPTOMATIC MYOCLONUS. And, according to the CNN article, and the Mayo Clinic studies, so is the SECONDARY MYOCLONUS related to Celiac Disease.

According to the Google dictionary, myoclonus is roughly and non-medically defined as, “a clonic spasm of a muscle or muscle group.”


Although Parkinson’s Disease and the SECONDARY MYOCLONUS related to Celiac Disease are both Symptomatic Myoclonus, they have different causes. Research scientists still do not know what causes Parkinson’s Disease. According to the Mayo studies, the Secondary Myoclonus related to Celiac Disease is caused by improper nutrition, a common problem with Celiac Disease, because of damage to the villi in the small intestine, caused by exposure to gluten. This is why those with Celiac Disease remove gluten from their diet, so that their small intestines and the villi within, may heal. There are many secondary medical conditions related to damaged small intestines. But my post is only about the Secondary Myoclonus related to Celiac Disease.

So, the good news is that Secondary Myoclonus related to Celiac Disease may not get any worse (worse tremors) once gluten is removed from the diet. (Some damage may not ever heal though) The bad news, is that with Parkinson’s Disease, we don’t have a lot of answers yet. Also, it is difficult to find a neurologist that has sufficient knowledge to differentiate between the Secondary Myoclonus types, unless they have intimate knowledge of Celiac Disease. I know several people, with Celiac Disease, who have been misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. They are all now under the care of qualified neurologists with an understanding of Celiac Disease; however, they don’t often require the medical care of neurologists anymore now that they are on gluten-free diets. One, previously and wrongly medicated for Parkinson’s Disease, no longer takes meds.

On a personal note please trust your instincts and your own heart. Doctors can't always get it right it isn't statistically even possible, as we with Celiac Disease already know. Most of us could make A LOT of money on the misdiagnoses doctors have thus-far made on us. Which is why I can't understand why doctors aren't picking up on the 1/132 is it? 10 years ago in med school some were told it was 1/2000. Seems to me this is something they should pick up on faster, given the potential for getting sued. Anywho...

Hi everyone,
I have been experiencing some mild myoclonus in my hands mostly. I have been trying a variety of supplements, which in some ways have helped, but never really stopped my myoclonus. Recently, I read two things that do seem to make a big difference. First, is what you are discussing, the connection of celiacs and myclonus. The days I intentionally remove wheat products from my diet, I essentially have no problems. Additionally, many of my symptoms were similar to a magnesium deficiency. I have been taking a magnesium supplement and that also seems to help significantly.

Best of luck.