Questions About Aches And Pains

[tka]

Wanted to ask about the aches and pains associated with celiac.  My aches and pains are getting worse and I am worried I may have something else in addition to it and Hashimoto's.  Have always had general aches and pains (I call them zingers...the sharp pin prick type of pain) that I have associated with my celiac, but it has really gotten much worse lately, instead of better:

 

It started with much greater stiffness and aches in my hips and feet in the mornings for a longer period of time.  Then, my right elbow started aching and it is visibly inflamed.  Both thumbs ache and are stiff at times (I know it sounds crazy).  Now, the right forearm aches and feels tight...sometimes down into my wrist and the top of my hand can feel that way as well.  I've even had sharp joint/tendon pain where my leg attaches in the front, as well as almost daily headaches and neck stiffness.  I have had some facial tightness on my right side as well, although I am used to having this off and on with a migraine headache...you know, where you feel one side of you head is in a vise grip with tingling and numbness.  I'm used to pain in the right TM joint at times too, but it has been almost constant of late to some degree.  I seem to be retaining water as well, particularly in my hands.  I also have some dizziness and gait problems at times.

 

Does this sound normal for celiac, or should I start checking on other possibilities? 

[NoGlutenCooties]

I don't have any direct experience with what you describe, so hopefully someone else will chime in soon too... but if it were me I would start looking for another cause.  What you're describing sounds extreme to be just from Celiac.  But mostly I just wanted to say... you DO NOT SOUND CRAZY!!  Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!  You know better than anyone when something isn't right.  Just because they've never experienced it, or never heard of it before does not mean it's all in your head or that you're crazy. 

 

Good luck! 

[nvsmom]

I had some pretty serious arthritis from my undiagnosed celiac disease and hashi's. a few times a year, for months at a time, I would be unable to lift my arms above my shoulder, have a hard time holding a tooth brush, and feel weaker than an 80 year old... then it would pass. I was convinced that I must have Lupus but the rheumy said I was fine and I was negative for RA too, but I wondered because I STILL got flare-ups after going gluten-free. I had a really severe one after being gluten-free for 3 months that lasted 3 months. I recently had a very mild one that only lasted a few weeks. I'm hopeful that over time those episodes will disappear completely.

 

If you have only been gluten-free for a short time (less than 6 months) then it is likely still the celiac disease (I'm guessing). It could be that your hashi's is not treated optimally too,  but I think you should take it to the doctor anyways.  You are more likely to have other autoimmune disorders, since you already have a couple, so get it checked out and make sure it's not anything more sinister. KWIM?

 

Best wishes.