Achy Hands And Joints

[gheidie]

Hi, I have been gluten free since Aug 1st 2006 (took a good 6 months to achieve 100%) and I am feeling so much better. I know when I have gotten a hold of gluten, my symptoms come back quicker, and even just the slightest amount bugs me now.

This last week I have notices that my hands are achey and my joints... not sure what would bring this on, I plan on talking to my Dr about it but I thought I would see if anyone here has this symptom? And maybe what causes it it for them, if they have figured it out?

Thanks

Heidie

[cmom]

I'm not sure. My feet hurt daily, sometimes so much that it's painful to walk and I hurt alot for the first minute or so after getting up after I've been sitting for 20 minutes or so. I mentioned it to the doctor, but once again, got the condescending smile and that was it. I'm only 48 and wonder if I hurt this badly now, what will I feel like after 50. I have also been gluten free for several years.

[frec]

I have been gluten free for 6 years. In the past year I started having achy hands and feet, especially first thing in the morning and when getting up from sitting. My muscles are so stiff that my pelvis is unstable and I have pulled several ribs out doing PT. I had a lot of tests this spring (for lupus, RA, and spondylitis, among other things) and my rheumatologist decided I have fibromyalgia. I've probably had it for some time but I recently started menopause and the drop in hormones kind of unmasked things.

I've had lots of food testing and done all kinds of eliminations and challenges so I am pretty sure this is not another food allergy. My doctor is Lyme literate and we don't think it is Lyme. Fibromyalgia is a real disease but it is not a very helpful diagnosis. It is not degenerative or particularly scary, but it hurts. There is no consensus on treatment and no particular test for it, just symptoms that are not accounted for by anything else. My rheumatologist actually said there was no point in seeing her further as there was nothing she could do for me. (argh) She recommended I get more sleep and see my regular doctor for pain meds if necessary.

Sorry that this isn't more helpful. I am getting acupuncture, taking nutritional supplements from my naturopath and doing gentle exercises when I get up in the morning. All are helping. I am sorry you are hurting!

[mammajamma]

Sorry you are hurting... I have only been diagnosed officially for a month but have been well aware of celiac for quite a while, it's in the genes! I think sometimes that one of the things that makes this so hard to deal with (and made me put off being tested) is that all the symptoms can be attributed to something else. For myself, I have found that every time I get an ache or a twinge or a feeling ANYWHERE, I start over-analyzing and wondering if it's celiac related. I know exactly the feelings you are talking about because I dealt with that for the last few years and it was much better after I went gluten-free. However, I think I got glutened in the last couple of days because the painful ankles and hands are back, not to mention the stomach issues But what I am trying to say is... if you're pretty sure you haven't been consuming gluten, isn't it possible that this isn't even celiac related?? Lots of people start feeling arthritis symptoms at this age, and it isn't related to anything except getting older! In any case, I hope you feel better soon...