Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Arthritis Flare-Ups

nvsmom

By nvsmom
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

I had arthralgias for about 15 years when I was an undiagnosed celiac. It was caused by celiac disease.  It would begin with fatigue, flu-like symptoms, mouth sores, and then my hands, wrists, shoulders and elbows (all symmetrical) would get very sore to move, and weak.  Holding books hurt, brushing teeth was tricky, and getting my arm up to blow dry my hair was a problem.  It would last for a few weeks or months and then be gone. Poof!  It never left behind pain. Ever.  The worst I had was regaining my range of motion and strength after favoring it for weeks.  The joint was never left with damage

 

The arthritis I've had lately is not like that.  It leaves behind pain that doesn't go.  It's osetoarthritis but I want to know is this is how it usually goes with OA.  I'm only 41 with multiple AI problems so I want to hear from you all if this sounds about normal since I don't trust doctors much anymore.  LOL I want to make sure this is OA and not another AI issue.

 

I've complained about my hips to you all before.  About 2 years ago they stared to suddenly lock up and crack with a lot of pain.  It would hurt to get them going after sitting and rest, and when I moved wrong the shooting pain would sap the strength out of my legs and I would stumble.  It started out quite bad and then got a bit better when I went on corticosteroids for another issue.  I assumed it was getting better but when I stopped the steroids a year later it came roaring back.  I eventually got myself to the doctor and got x-rays done.  It is (mild) osteoarthritis with a normal spacing but the bone growths/spurs are there.

 

The hip pain will come and go somewhat. Every time it departs my hips are a bit worse.  I never seem to get back to where I was.  And now my knees have started up too....

 

I've never had great knees.  I blew the right one in my teens and had it reconstructed.  They've both been making griinding sounds since my 20's but they didn't hurt unless I did too much like run 20km or go up and down a mountain in a day; then they would swell for a day, ache and be a bit hot.  They got slowly a bit more symptomatic over time so they would swell after a 5 km run instead of 20km. I could still play some basketball and soccer, or go for a jog (when my hips were up to it).  

 

It changed dramatically just over a month ago.

 

I was gardening for a day - nothing too strenuous.  A few days later I was kneeling for an hour to help my son's with some history projects (which they won in the city - gotta slip in some bragging).  No biggie.  The next day (or 2-3 days later - can't quite remember) my knees were swollen and stiff.  A day or so later they became quite painful. Both of them.  They hurt to rest or to move after rest.  The pain would radiate up and down my leg on the outside, and it hurt on the inside when I lay on one side.  They've stayed swollen for a good month. although not always hot.

 

Then my left knee (the uninjured one) became worse after a few weeks.  It feels as though there are loose pieces floating in it and getting in the joint.  A lot of pain in the back of the knee and the outer side.  Ow.  It was very bad for about 2 weeks. The type of pain where you can't sit still with it, or it keeps you up at night, and I can usually sleep through migraines and labor. LOL If I moved the wrong way it would take my breath away and I could feel my blood pressure drop.  Super annoying and inconvenient because I was coaching two sports at the time.

 

The extreme pain has been subsiding for a week now but my knee feels MUCH worse than it used to.  It cracks and locks, and it feels like there is stuff floating in the joint.  Plus it is still a bit swollen - not usually noticeably so but it can be felt.  I had an x-ray done but haven't heard back yet.

 

So... is this normal arthritis?  Is this how knee arthritis, or hip arthritis, usually presents?  The arthralgias I had from celiac disease were so different from what I have now, and I have to admit that I'm worried about how fast this recent stuff is progressing.  Does it go from nothing to affecting walking, and getting up or down, so quickly?  All within months, or a year or so? I'd love to hear others' experiences - just rying to figure out where I stand in this.

 

Thanks all. :)

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


icelandgirl Proficient
icelandgirl
Posted

Gosh Nicole...I'm sorry. (((Hugs)))

I don't have any answers for you. Just wanted to say that you are not alone in having ongoing struggles. I hate going to Dr's as well. But I wonder to myself...is this celiac related, Hashis related or is there something ELSE wrong with me? Urgh!

Hang in there...I hope you get some answers. (((Hugs)))

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted
  • Author

Gosh Nicole...I'm sorry. (((Hugs)))

I don't have any answers for you. Just wanted to say that you are not alone in having ongoing struggles. I hate going to Dr's as well. But I wonder to myself...is this celiac related, Hashis related or is there something ELSE wrong with me? Urgh!

Hang in there...I hope you get some answers. (((Hugs)))

 

Thanks.  :)  You're a sweetheart.

 

I wish I knew if it was AI linked too.  My hip looks like OA but it's odd how it came on so fast, or I'm much wimpier than I thought I was... I don't think so though.  

 

It could be Hashi's doing it, but I've never had spikes in my TPO Ab or big flares of thyroid changes.  It just seemed to slowly stop working.   :rolleyes:   I sort of doubt it is Hashi's but who knows.

 

I suppose it could be a left over problem from celiac disease, one of those things that won't improve, but I don't really believe that.  My hip problems started after I had been gluten-free for about 6 or 9 months.  This knee thing popped up after being gluten-free for 3 years so a celiac cause is becoming less likely as time goes by.

 

Hopefully I injured them both, at the same time and without noticing it  :huh:, and my knees will get back to where it was - very mild OA without a lot of pain yet.

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

I can not recall, but has RA been ruled out? You seem so young for OA!

bartfull Rising Star
bartfull
Posted

I'm so sorry to hear this. :( You really are to young for osteo. I'm wondering if it's Lyme or maybe one of theother tick-borne diseases. Maybe you should see a doctor?

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted
  • Author

I can not recall, but has RA been ruled out? You seem so young for OA!

 

They checked me pretty thoroughly for RA and lupus about 2 years ago.  Everything was nice and negative, even my ANA.

 

I think I'm too young for OA too!  LOL ;)

 

 

I'm so sorry to hear this. :( You really are to young for osteo. I'm wondering if it's Lyme or maybe one of theother tick-borne diseases. Maybe you should see a doctor?

 

I saw a doctor about my hips and it definitely was OA.  

 

I saw a doctor about a week ago.  I am getting some blood tests done, and had an X-ray for my knees.  The doctor already called me about coming in over the Xray results so I know they found something - my guess is OA since they did the same thing with my hips.  I haven't gone in yet because my blood tests aren't done.  

 

My husband commented that my knees must really be bothering me if I actually made a doctor appointment.  LOL

 

I never thought of Lyme disease.  There aren't many ticks around here that carry Lyme disease. We get the Rocky Mountain ticks but usually not the other ones (black-legged ticks?).

GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

I hope you get some good options at the Doc appointment.  Sometimes I wish there was a Parts Department for Humans.  Just fill out a requisition and pop in a new knee or what have you.   :D

 

Colleen

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


beth01 Enthusiast
beth01
Posted

Hugs to you Nicole, arthritis is a b%$@#.  I have it pretty bad in my spine and my hips and knees have been getting progressively worse the last few years.  I hope they get it all figured out for you and can get you on something so you're not in so much pain!

 

Colleen, I think we all need gene therapy to go along with the parts department, something to get rid of all these nasty genes we have.

GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

Oh gosh, Beth.  I hear ya!  I saw this article the other day and it was about the first Head Transplant to be attempted in around 2 years from now.  A man has volunteered to do it.  He has a destructive disease that is destroying his body.  Guys got some guts!  At any rate, Options like that start to look attractive as more stuff happens to us....lol.

 

Colleen

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted
  • Author

I know!  We joke about the full body transplant quite frequently.  I would love to trade this body in for a younger model... about 30 lbs lighter.

GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

Reminds me of how I would pop barbie's heads off and try to change it up.  I think tape came into play.

 

When do you see the Doc next Nicole?

 

Colleen

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted
  • Author

Do you think duct tape would do the trick?

 

I haven't made an appointment yet.  Probably in about a week or so.

GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

A LOT of duct tape.  :P

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,546
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    KimberlyAnne76
    Newest Member
    KimberlyAnne76
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Taken Seriously

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      Looking for a gluten-free roomie in Denver CO

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Allergy medication: cetirizine by the HealthA2Z is it gluten free?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      Protein or fat?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      Diagnosed celiac for 1-2 months ago and everything makes me bloated.

      By Beverage · Posted

      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.