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Celiac And Arthritis


riemad

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riemad Newbie

Just wondering if anyone has issues with arthritis that has been diagnosed with celiac? I am fairly new to the celiac, but the arthritis has become a bigger issue since being gluten free for several months. I am going to be tested for rhematoid arthritis next week, but in the meantime I can barely move my hands, fingers are extremenly swollen and sore. Also, since starting gluten free I have gone from one extreme to the other in the bathroom, couldn't stop going to now cannot go. Any advice on either subject? Thanks in advance.


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nvsmom Community Regular

There are many of of around here with arthralgias caused by celiac disease. It's an annoying yet pretty common symptom, and sadly is often one of the last to improve on a gluten-free diet.. Rheumatoid arthritis can co-occur with celiac disease as they are both genetically linked autoimmune diseases. I have a cousin with celiac disease and her brother has RA, and I was pretty convinced that I had celiac disease and lupus or RA because of my pain... You'll hear more stories like that.

 

You probably need to give your symptoms more time to resolve. It can take a few months to a couple of years.  Hang in there, and welcome to the board.

exseitanist Rookie

A diagnosis of osteoarthritis in my neck was made a few years ago, providing a physical cause for decades of crippling migraines.  My celiac diagnosis came 2 years after the arthritis diagnosis and I imagine the celiac-related digestive problems contributed to the arthritis development.

cristiana Veteran

The bathroom problem: a common problem post recovery it seems.  The advice I have been given is to drink more liquids, eat more fruit and vegetables and exercise more.   I guess the next bit of advice might be worth checking with your pharmacist or health care provider but I found that the magnesium supplements I took post-recovery helped things.  I wasn't aware of this until I stopped taking them! If the C. is severe despite these measures it might be worth checking with the doctor that something else isn't amiss. 

IrishHeart Veteran

I was DXed with osteoarthritis (1999) long before celiac (2010). Unfortunately, autoimmune diseases often  travel in packs.

 

Make sure you are getting enough fiber to keep things moving and try to walk and keep your joints mobile by exercising. Yoga is great for arthritis as are pool exercises. 

 

 

Try mixing  aTBLS of flaxseed meal in 16 oz. of water every day, take probiotics and eat more fiber like quinoa, brown rice, dark green leafy veggies.

 

If the chronic constipation comes with other symptoms (fatigue, puffy face, serious fatigue) make sure you have your thyroid checked.

 

Hang in there, healing takes time. Let us know how the testing turns out.

gilligan Enthusiast

Just wondering if anyone has issues with arthritis that has been diagnosed with celiac? I am fairly new to the celiac, but the arthritis has become a bigger issue since being gluten free for several months. I am going to be tested for rhematoid arthritis next week, but in the meantime I can barely move my hands, fingers are extremenly swollen and sore. Also, since starting gluten free I have gone from one extreme to the other in the bathroom, couldn't stop going to now cannot go. Any advice on either subject? Thanks in advance.

My hands are swollen and hurt, also!  I realize this is an older thread, but I have the same question as the original poster. So, this is a celiac symptom?  This has only been a problem with me for the last few months.  I was diagnosed last Aug. and it has not been an awful year, but after two rounds of meds for SIBO, I have to say that things are turning around rapidly for me, except that now my hands ache. Can expect this to go away, or does it resemble RA more?  I don't have a gi appt. again until mid July, so any help would be appreciated. 

SoLacey Newbie

My hands were swollen and hurting too but I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel and thoracic outlet syndrome not arthritis.  My hands hurt so much for a while that I couldn't address an envelope.  It seems to cause an inflammatory response that could explain a lot of different aches and pains. 


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