Correlation Between Lupus And Celiac?

[smjohn]

Hello,

I am so glad I found this board!! I am 35 years old and was diagnosed this summer with SLE.

I have had a rough time but I am ever so slowly improving. I questioned having celiac a few years back. I had the tTg test this june and it was positive. Anything higher than 8 was considered positive and I was 19. My endoscopic biopsy was negative!! They said I may have had a positive reading due to all the "antibodies" floating around in my blood due to the lupus.

I had a very high sed rate (106), positive ANA 1:320 speckled pattern, low complement levels, positive double stranded DNA. I also tested for the HLA B27 gene and the HLA DRB1(DR4) gene. I was found to have brain calcifications in my cerebellum, thalami, and basal ganglia. No seizures. I had dizziness, brain fog, headaches, frequent yeast infections, dental enamel defects, diarrhea alternating with constipation, bloating, gassiness, foul smelling stool, and a dermatitis rash on my arms, legs and buttocks.

I have 4 kids ages 15,12,5, and 3. My 15 year old son is mildly autistic. He has VERY foul smelling stools and the same dermatitis rash as me. My 5 year old daughter has the same rash as well. My 15 year old son tested negative for tTg antibodies.

I am on cellcept and prednisone and plaquenil. I am wondering if I should have further testing for Celiac. Wouldn't the drugs I am on affect the test results?

I am thinking I should just trial the Celiac diet and see if I improve.

I am finding articles that link Lupus and Celiac together.

I am just overwhelmed cause the diet seems so complicated.

What is the best way to start? I am not the best cook(LOL).

[Jnkmnky]

The diet is pretty easy. Your autistic child may benefit as well. There are many sites on line that describe the Peptide reaction autistic children with leaky guts experience. I think the Gluten-free Casein-free autistic web site is the best at describing the peptide reaction.

I think it's helpful to understand gluten and the body, so I recommend the book, "Dangerous Grains" for strengthening your determination to remain gluten free.

The diet is getting better all the time. More companies are paying for the ink to write "gluten free" on their products. Here's my favorite bread company...

Open Original Shared Link

If you are rich, you can order Chebe and afford the shipping. I like Chebe for it's versatility.

Open Original Shared Link

Please look around this site for food lists. Many *including myself* have posted long gluten free shopping lists for gluten-free foods found in regular supermarkets.

Some include:

Classico Alfredo sauces

Oscar mayer bologna/hotdogs

Hormel salami/pepperoni

Hellman's mayo

Heinz Ketchup

Gulden's mustard

Post fruity pebbles/cocoa pebbles

Old el paso taco sauce *in a jar*

tacos

nachos

mission corn tortillas

sour cream

butter

eggs

Kraft velveeta cheese block

The list is long. Tinkyada pastas are the only gluten-free pasta we like. No other will compare.

Meals that are gluten-free

tacos

split pea soup

chk soup

lentil soup

beef stew

chili

stuffed peppers

You can do the diet. It's not that difficult. Bread from kinnikinnick is the best imo.

Please post any food questions you have. Also, visit web sites to confirm gluten free/full status. Kraft foods will boldy post gluten containing ingreds so as not to mislead the consumer with words such as "MODIFIED FOOD STARCH".

[pokerprincess]

Hello,

I am so glad I found this board!! I am 35 years old and was diagnosed this summer with SLE.

I have had a rough time but I am ever so slowly improving. I questioned having celiac a few years back. I had the tTg test this june and it was positive. Anything higher than 8 was considered positive and I was 19. My endoscopic biopsy was negative!! They said I may have had a positive reading due to all the "antibodies" floating around in my blood due to the lupus.

I had a very high sed rate (106), positive ANA 1:320 speckled pattern, low complement levels, positive double stranded DNA. I also tested for the HLA B27 gene and the HLA DRB1(DR4) gene. I was found to have brain calcifications in my cerebellum, thalami, and basal ganglia. No seizures. I had dizziness, brain fog, headaches, frequent yeast infections, dental enamel defects, diarrhea alternating with constipation, bloating, gassiness, foul smelling stool, and a dermatitis rash on my arms, legs and buttocks.

I have 4 kids ages 15,12,5, and 3. My 15 year old son is mildly autistic. He has VERY foul smelling stools and the same dermatitis rash as me. My 5 year old daughter has the same rash as well. My 15 year old son tested negative for tTg antibodies.

If you want to start with something you are more familiar with; start with

meat, fruits and veggies. I don't even bother with the boxed gluten free stuff.

I have found that I feel 150% better by doing this (I also have 4 kids almost exactly the

same ages of yours. Must Have Energy!) I feel like food that still contains all of their original,

oxygen, moisture, and antioxidiants just makes sense. I have an incredible amount of

energy and unbelieavable skin. I have also wondered if there is a correlation between

lupus and celiac. I know that at times when I was first getting sicking I had bruised, sore

areas all over my body. My legs ached on daily basis. sometimes I would almost felt like

crying when I looked out over the hotel/casino marble lobby that I had to cross at the end

of a day.

Here is a recipe that I love as well as everyone eles.

Spagetti Squash ( you can find at any major grocer in the produce dept.

It is bright yellow in color and slightly oblong)

Simply put the squash in the oven for about 1 hr at 350 degr.

For the sauce you will need:

1cup of dry roasted peanuts (not the walmart brand.Gluten in them)

1 cup of water

6 or 7 roma tomatoes

1/2 cup of virgin olive oil

Blend these ingredients in a blender until you have

a nice smooth creamy consitency. Add water gradually.

A dash to taste of each spice added to the veggies

Basil

cumin

oregano

salt

Pepper

2 cloves of fresh garlic

1Bell pepper

1 onions (unless your kids hate onions the way that mine do)

1 1/2 cups of sliced mushrooms

1/4 cup of virgin olive oil

Saute these ingredients for about 10 min. sometimes I like to saute a tomatoe or

two with the veggies. It hads more taste.

Pour the sauce over the veggies and simmer for another 10 to 15 min.

Your spagetti squash should be ready by now. Remove from the oven. Slice

open long way and gently, with a fork pull the spagetti strands away from

the sides. Toss in a bowel with a little olive oil. Serve just like spagetti with

the sauce. You may add meat if you like. I have never tried it being that I

am a veggie.

Enjoy and wow your family!

I am on cellcept and prednisone and plaquenil. I am wondering if I should have further testing for Celiac. Wouldn't the drugs I am on affect the test results?

I am thinking I should just trial the Celiac diet and see if I improve.

I am finding articles that link Lupus and Celiac together.

I am just overwhelmed cause the diet seems so complicated.

What is the best way to start? I am not the best cook(LOL).

[pokerprincess]

Hi SMJohn,

I had a celiac moment and accidently added to your message. I

apologize for confusing anyone. I was also in the middle

of getting the kid off to school. (to much multi-tasking)

My original message:

If you want to start with something you are more familiar with; start with

meat, fruits and veggies. I don't even bother with the boxed gluten free stuff.

I have found that I feel 150% better by doing this (I also have 4 kids almost exactly the

same ages of yours. Must Have Energy!) I feel like food that still contains all of their original,

oxygen, moisture, and antioxidiants just makes sense. I have an incredible amount of

energy and unbelieavable skin.

I have also wondered if there is a correlation between

lupus and celiac. I know that at times when I was first getting sicking I had bruised, sore

areas all over my body. My legs ached on daily basis. sometimes I would almost felt like

crying when I looked out over the hotel/casino marble lobby that I had to cross at the end

of a day.

Here is a recipe that I love as well as everyone eles.

Spagetti Squash ( you can find at any major grocer in the produce dept.

It is bright yellow in color and slightly oblong)

Simply put the squash in the oven for about 1 hr at 350 degr.

For the sauce you will need:

1cup of dry roasted peanuts (not the walmart brand.Gluten in them)

1 cup of water

6 or 7 roma tomatoes

1/2 cup of virgin olive oil

Blend these ingredients in a blender until you have

a nice smooth creamy consitency. Add water gradually.

A dash to taste of each spice added to the veggies

Basil

cumin

oregano

salt

Pepper

2 cloves of fresh garlic

1Bell pepper

1 onions (unless your kids hate onions the way that mine do)

1 1/2 cups of sliced mushrooms

1/4 cup of virgin olive oil

Saute these ingredients for about 10 min. sometimes I like to saute a tomatoe or

two with the veggies. It adds more flavor.

Pour the sauce over the veggies and simmer for another 10 to 15 min.

Your spagetti squash should be ready by now. Remove from the oven. Slice

open long way and gently, with a fork, pull the spagetti strands away from

the sides. Toss in a bowel with a little olive oil. Serve just like spagetti with

the sauce. You may add meat if you like. I have never tried it being that I

am a veggie.

Enjoy and wow your family!

[mytummyhurts]

I don't claim to be an expert on these. But they are both autoimmune disorders and once you have one autoimmune disorder you are more likely to have another. I have celiac disease and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease.

[CMCM]

In the book "Dangerous Grains" they discuss a Dr. Reading who, in the late 80's, had a group of about 100 people who had what was assumed to be lupus, and they had all the lupus symptoms. Dr. Reading completely eliminated all grains from their diet (except rice and corn), and he also eliminated milk and alll dairy as well. They were all CURED of their lupus, and I think at the point where the book was written in 2002 their blood tests had been clear for over 5 years. Doctors in the U.S. seem to still think such a thing is impossible and aren't aware of Dr. Reading's success. If you're interested, this info and more is in the foreword of the book, which is well worth purchasing because it has a wealth of information in it.

You never know...your own case of lupus might possibly be resolved thru a careful, gluten free diet. It would certainly be worth a try!

[Dixie Gal]

Hi! Your story sounds much like mine including chasing the doctors for years about symptoms and ideas until I was diagnosed with MS Multiple Sclerosis in 1996. Spent 8 years taking multiple prescriptions for the symptoms, now have an MD who has found the gluten and yeast link. Feeling much better and no more drugs going through my liver.

Your idea to follow the diet is good; you'll probably find much improvement regardless of lab tests. I especially note your yeast link. Elimination of sugar (I use Stevia and a little saccharin) is important. Also an antifungal if your MD will prescribe. Nystatin is inexpensive and harmless, does not affect the liver. Then include good probiotics (easy to find on internet or health food store - be sure refrigerated during delivery). There are also good herbals like olive leaf, grapefruit seed extract - ask your MD.

As I understand it, past antibiotics kill off intestinal flora, leading to yeast, which bore into intestine to allow molecules in the blood that then trigger autoimmunity.like lupus and MS besides excema, psoriasis etc. A broad range of intestinal problems goes with it. If you can kill the yeast (fungus) and build up good flora (probiotics), and quit feeding sugar & gluten, the gut can heal. Beneficial effect is better absorbtion of nutrients and gradual resolution of dairy intolerance. Children are especially susceptible to the damage after antibiotics at a young age.

Hope this helps. Wishing you & your kids good health!

[Guest jhmom]

Hi SmJohn,

I was dx with Celiac in Sept 2003 and immediately started the gluten free diet and while I noticed "some" improvement I still wasn't 100%. So after continuing to have problems I went back to my GI doctor and he decided to run some more tests. To make a VERY long story short I was dx with Lupus in May 2005 and was told that is what was causing me to have GI probs despite being gluten-free as Lupus attacks my GI tract. Some doctors think it is very rare, so you have to have a good rheumy that is up to date on medical information. So the point of all this is to say, if you try the gluten-free diet and it doesn't work you may want to discuss other possibilities with your rheumy.

On a positive note, my doctor started me on Imuran for my SLE along with Plaquenil and the Imuran has worked wonders for me, I could tell a difference the first day, after 3 months of Immodium every morning I didn't have to take it anymore

I hope this helps.

[Lovinglife]

I HIGHLY suggest you try the gluten-free diet. It can possibly do wonders for your situation and that of your son. Begin first with the basics: Meats, fresh fruits, vegetables, pure fruit juices. Then begin to layer on other things like potatoes, substitue pastas (that are, of course, gluten-free). Keep researching. Good luck!

We're in this together,

Florence