Pain & Numbness on one side of body

[BNGed8]

Hello All,

I was recently diagnosed with Celiac a little over a month ago after losing 25 pounds, excruciating abdominal pains & extreme anxiety. In my blood work they also found a pretty bad Vitamin D deficiency (17, when the lowest normal level is 30). I am currently on a 50,000 IU/week pill for this. After about 3 weeks of a gluten free diet, the abdominal pains have pretty much subsided. However, it seems I have developed pain on the right side of my body only as well as other sensations such as pins & needles/numbness.

I was recently in the ER after I felt numbness down the whole right side of my body, but my brain CT & MRI came back normal. I am now scheduled to go the neurologist for a possible lumbar puncture & spinal MRI to try and rule out MS all together. I have been told that Celiac & Anxiety can cause weird pains and different for everyone. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced a one sided pain or sensations previously mentioned as I feel like I am going crazy.

Is there any other supplements people have taken to help as well. Any input will greatly be appreciated.

Thanks

[GFinDC]

1 hour ago, BNGed8 said:

Hello All,

I was recently diagnosed with Celiac a little over a month ago after losing 25 pounds, excruciating abdominal pains & extreme anxiety. In my blood work they also found a pretty bad Vitamin D deficiency (17, when the lowest normal level is 30). I am currently on a 50,000 IU/week pill for this. After about 3 weeks of a gluten free diet, the abdominal pains have pretty much subsided. However, it seems I have developed pain on the right side of my body only as well as other sensations such as pins & needles/numbness.

I was recently in the ER after I felt numbness down the whole right side of my body, but my brain CT & MRI came back normal. I am now scheduled to go the neurologist for a possible lumbar puncture & spinal MRI to try and rule out MS all together. I have been told that Celiac & Anxiety can cause weird pains and different for everyone. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced a one sided pain or sensations previously mentioned as I feel like I am going crazy.

Is there any other supplements people have taken to help as well. Any input will greatly be appreciated.

Thanks

Hi,

I took 50K IU of vitamin D also by RX.  The RX didn't seem to help my vitamin D deficiency much.  I switched to NutriGold vitamin D and also Nature Made vitamin D.  They did the trick.  So my thinking is don't trust the RX vitamin D to work.  Your body also needs boron to retain vitamin D.

B vitamins are important for nerve health.  Did the doctor find any problems in the B vitamin levels?

[BNGed8]

2 hours ago, GFinDC said:

Hi,

I took 50K IU of vitamin D also by RX.  The RX didn't seem to help my vitamin D deficiency much.  I switched to NutriGold vitamin D and also Nature Made vitamin D.  They did the trick.  So my thinking is don't trust the RX vitamin D to work.  Your body also needs boron to retain vitamin D.

B vitamins are important for nerve health.  Did the doctor find any problems in the B vitamin levels?

Hello,

Thank you for your reply. After reviewing my blood test, it does not seem like they tested my B vitamin levels. After researching, I did take it upon myself to get B12 vitamins (1,000 mcg) to see if it could help. It has only been like 2 weeks, so I assume it wouldn't help that quick. Would you recommend a higher dose or any other supplements?

I do have a neurologist appointment today as well as my primary Thursday. So I can also ask them if there is anything else they recommend. Just so tough with Anxiety when you google your symptoms and BAM! MS or ALS are the top results.

[Ivana]

Hello,

Please don't go down the google rabbit hole. I have been there with celiac, anxiety, and fears of neuro diseases too. But it is highly unlikely that you suddenly developed any of those diseases. What kind of pain are you experiencing? Nerve, muscle, tenison? You will soon see your doctor and in the meantime there really is no reason to worry so much. There are all sorts of aches and pains and most of them are not due to anything remotely sinister. Hang on in there!

[BNGed8]

5 minutes ago, Ivana said:

Hello,

Please don't go down the google rabbit hole. I have been there with celiac, anxiety, and fears of neuro diseases too. But it is highly unlikely that you suddenly developed any of those diseases. What kind of pain are you experiencing? Nerve, muscle, tenison? You will soon see your doctor and in the meantime there really is no reason to worry so much. There are all sorts of aches and pains and most of them are not due to anything remotely sinister. Hang on in there!

Hello,

As of right now, its like a severe upper back and neck soreness I would describe it as. The occasional arm, chest & leg pain does occur. The only thing that gets me anxious is that it is only on the right side. What put me into the ER last week was pins and needles that turned into my whole right side from neck to my toes to feel numb. I was still able to use all affected muscles/limbs though. After the numbness went away after about 10 minutes, I felt a light burning sensation for awhile. This has since went away and now only have the soreness mentioned prior with some pains that I have had during my original Celiac diagnosis. I do get twitching in the calves, but that only seems to happen when I think about it or stare at it for awhile. It is just hard to feel this way at the age of 26 (male) that used to workout all the time. I keep trying to tell myself it is my Celiac/Deficiencies amplified by Anxiety. But as we all know, anxiety isn't the easiest to turn off.

Thank you for your reply.

[Ivana]

Twitching is very common for anxiety and I would assume some deficiencies. I had it a lot in my calves at the peak of my anxiety. I also have a tight sore back and chest, on both sides, but a stich kind of feeling below my ribs only on the right side. I also occasionally feel that my left leg is weaker (but it is not in reality.) Once we are afraid of something, our brain remembers it and keeps messing with us. Your MRI was already clear and you are very young. I know it is hard to turn off anxiety. What helps me is the thought that at this very moment I am OK (albeit with some aches) and there is no use in worrying about all the IFs. Also keeping busy.

[Scott Adams]

Since you were recently diagnosed with celiac disease and Vitamin D deficiency, it's likely that you have other vitamin and mineral deficiencies as well. It seems like a good multivitamin & mineral supplement would be a good start, and you likely need additional individual supplements like B12. Recovery can take time, and it's important that your diet is 100% gluten-free.

[MADMOM]

6 hours ago, BNGed8 said:

Hello All,

I was recently diagnosed with Celiac a little over a month ago after losing 25 pounds, excruciating abdominal pains & extreme anxiety. In my blood work they also found a pretty bad Vitamin D deficiency (17, when the lowest normal level is 30). I am currently on a 50,000 IU/week pill for this. After about 3 weeks of a gluten free diet, the abdominal pains have pretty much subsided. However, it seems I have developed pain on the right side of my body only as well as other sensations such as pins & needles/numbness.

I was recently in the ER after I felt numbness down the whole right side of my body, but my brain CT & MRI came back normal. I am now scheduled to go the neurologist for a possible lumbar puncture & spinal MRI to try and rule out MS all together. I have been told that Celiac & Anxiety can cause weird pains and different for everyone. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced a one sided pain or sensations previously mentioned as I feel like I am going crazy.

Is there any other supplements people have taken to help as well. Any input will greatly be appreciated.

Thanks

i have had pins and needle pains and weird odd feelings and pain here and there and still do after 6 months of eating gluten free - they do subside though i take vitamin d vitamin b 12 magnesium and iron plus a probiotic - give it some time and don’t panic - they do generally subside by eating clean but if it becomes worse see a dr 

[MADMOM]

1 hour ago, Ivana said:

Twitching is very common for anxiety and I would assume some deficiencies. I had it a lot in my calves at the peak of my anxiety. I also have a tight sore back and chest, on both sides, but a stich kind of feeling below my ribs only on the right side. I also occasionally feel that my left leg is weaker (but it is not in reality.) Once we are afraid of something, our brain remembers it and keeps messing with us. Your MRI was already clear and you are very young. I know it is hard to turn off anxiety. What helps me is the thought that at this very moment I am OK (albeit with some aches) and there is no use in worrying about all the IFs. Also keeping busy.

i’ve had flank pain on both sides shoulder pain and neck pain - got x-rays taken and were normal - once i began eating gluten free it all went away - i think a few days ago i accidentally got contaminated with something in a plate of pasta i ate - i have a bad pinchy feeling in both my ribs sore like  and i feel twitching pain in my back along with headache - i know it’s from whatever i ate so i’m trying to flush out of my system.. try to b patient it will subside 

[BNGed8]

Thank you all for contributing, it does help with the anxiety knowing I am not alone. Also since I am fairly new to the diet, I know it can take some time to get on track and recover. The neurologist wants me to get a MRI of my cervical spine to rule out any major things due to my pain (waiting on insurance to approve it). I am sure once this comes back clear, the anxiety will start to get better as well. Also will follow up with my primary about any other possible deficiencies I may have, but will definitely start taking supplements in the meantime!

[Ivana]

23 minutes ago, MADMOM said:

i’ve had flank pain on both sides shoulder pain and neck pain - got x-rays taken and were normal - once i began eating gluten free it all went away - i think a few days ago i accidentally got contaminated with something in a plate of pasta i ate - i have a bad pinchy feeling in both my ribs sore like  and i feel twitching pain in my back along with headache - i know it’s from whatever i ate so i’m trying to flush out of my system.. try to b patient it will subside 

Hello, 

I don't think mine has to do with gluten. It started when I was very very anxious and feels like muscle tension. I have been gluten free for a year and I still have it. I feel I am still very anxious. Would be great if it was "just" gluten, but I can't imagine it going away just like that.

Just now, Ivana said:

Hello, 

I don't think mine has to do with gluten. It started when I was very very anxious and feels like muscle tension. I have been gluten free for a year and I still have it. I feel I am still very anxious. Would be great if it was "just" gluten, but I can't imagine it going away just like that.

Oh and it's gone when I completely relax. 

[MADMOM]

just muscle pain then due to anxiety 

[Ivana]

2 minutes ago, MADMOM said:

just muscle pain then due to anxiety 

Yes it seems so, but so hard to overcome. I did get used to it a bit and don't panic about it anymore. A year ago I had the same worries as BNGed8.

[MADMOM]

i still do like this week i have sharp pains under my ribs - i haven’t felt that in months / so i know i got contaminated but i’m trying to stay positive and know it will subside - i’ve gotten so much energy back and don’t feel as sluggish and tired as i used to 

[Ivana]

23 minutes ago, MADMOM said:

i still do like this week i have sharp pains under my ribs - i haven’t felt that in months / so i know i got contaminated but i’m trying to stay positive and know it will subside - i’ve gotten so much energy back and don’t feel as sluggish and tired as i used to 

Of course it will subside! 😎

[GFinDC]

8 hours ago, BNGed8 said:

Hello,

Thank you for your reply. After reviewing my blood test, it does not seem like they tested my B vitamin levels. After researching, I did take it upon myself to get B12 vitamins (1,000 mcg) to see if it could help. It has only been like 2 weeks, so I assume it wouldn't help that quick. Would you recommend a higher dose or any other supplements?

I do have a neurologist appointment today as well as my primary Thursday. So I can also ask them if there is anything else they recommend. Just so tough with Anxiety when you google your symptoms and BAM! MS or ALS are the top results.

Hi,

B-12 is good to take, but a B complex is also a good idea.  The damage to our small intestine lining is what causes the deficiencies.  That damage takes time to heal, possibly months or more.  So absorption of nutrients should improve but not be back to normal for a while.

You can also get good amounts of vitamin D from oily fish like salmon, mackeral, sardines and tuna.  Caffeine may play a role in your muscle issues.  So it might help to reduce or eliminate caffeine for now.

Betaine HCL and digestive enzymes may improve your digestion efficiency also.

I suggest you concentrate on improving your gluten-free diet instead of thinking about ALS or MS possibilities.  Celiac disease is something you can take action on (the gluten-free diet) without any doctor input.  And the gluten-free diet can vastly improve your health over time. 

[MADMOM]

i agree - 👍🏼

[knitty kitty]

It's magnesium deficiency!

"7 Signs and Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency"

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/magnesium-deficiency-symptoms

Muscle twitches and cramps as well as heart palpitations and anxiety are all symptoms of magnesium deficiency.  

I have experienced this myself.  I've been in the emergency room throwing PCVs, anxiety, paresthesia up to my hips, neuropathy in my arms, foot drop, muscle weakness....

Take a B-Complex with meals, magnesium, and extra thiamine (because magnesium needs thiamine to work properly).

 

[ButWhatCanIEat]

I came after reading the topic to advise going to the ER, but reading the post I see you were there already. The first thing you'd want to do of course is rule out a stroke.

That being said, I have had chronic migraines, very severe, my entire life, long before my celiac diagnosis. I had MRIs which also found nothing. They are probably gluten triggered. Sometimes they do cause that kind of tingling sensation. I call them body migraines. As you continue gluten free they may abate. But did they not refer you to a neurologist? It seems this would be a good step for you.

I had that bad of a Vit D deficiency a few years back too, only a mild one now. It does get better.

[BNGed8]

Hello Everyone,

So I just got back my Vitamin bloodwork back, and seems like my only deficiency is Vitamin D. Magnesium, B12 & iron are all good. They are all either mid range to higher levels within range. I was honestly hoping for the Magnesium deficiency to explain the muscle twitching. As mentioned prior, I do have a very low Vitamin D could this possibly lead to twitching? Does constant twitching also usually lead to sore muscles, because my calves and knees feel (more so back of knee) on fire today?

I feel like its really down to Vitamin D, Anxiety or lack of sleep (just prescribed Trazodone to help sleep). Seeing a clean test is definitely going to strike up my Anxiety, thinking it could be more serious.

Thanks again for any input. 

[Ivana]

5 minutes ago, BNGed8 said:

Hello Everyone,

So I just got back my Vitamin bloodwork back, and seems like my only deficiency is Vitamin D. Magnesium, B12 & iron are all good. They are all either mid range to higher levels within range. I was honestly hoping for the Magnesium deficiency to explain the muscle twitching. As mentioned prior, I do have a very low Vitamin D could this possibly lead to twitching? Does constant twitching also usually lead to sore muscles, because my calves and knees feel (more so back of knee) on fire today?

I feel like its really down to Vitamin D, Anxiety or lack of sleep (just prescribed Trazodone to help sleep). Seeing a clean test is definitely going to strike up my Anxiety, thinking it could be more serious.

Thanks again for any input. 

Hello again 🙂,

I will share my twitching experience with you, which might make you feel a little better. 

When I was unexpectedly diagnosed,  I think I was a bit shocked by the news (having already been quite anxious prior). Like you, I started sleeping only 3 hours a night (always woke up at around 3 am), my calves started twitching, and I also got that hypnotic jerk every time I started falling asleep (could be like 10 times before I actually fell asleep). I even started experiencing non existant water drops on my skin. The sleep thing lasted for some 3 months, the twitching started appearing all over, and was exacerbated by every doctor visit. 

Now I sleep fine (no meds), there are no water drops, and the twitching only appears in places where my muscles are tight (so when I sneeze  for example, I will get a few in my back.) I do still feel that my muscles are pulsating slightly sometimes here and there. 

I went to see a neurologist, did all the tests, nothing much was found. At the time of diagnosis, I was anaemic and otherwise only had vitamin D slightly below range. As I was anaemic for years, I think I also had celiac for years. But these neuro sympotms literally appeared 2 days after diagnosis. Which makes me think it's anxiety. Perhaps I also get them more easily due to some undiscovered deficiencies, who knows? I do not want to suggest that it is all anxiety for everyone, of course. This is my personal experience, and I still do wonder sometimes. But if you go to anxiety groups, twitching is one of the most often mentioned symptom and also the cause of great worries, as you know. Perhaps all these people also have deficiencies or other minor causes? Not likely, but who knows. But in any case, it really isn't something to worry about so much. I myself tried taking magnesium and b complex but I didn't feel much improvement. Perhaps I will try again, for muscle tension, as twitching doesn't bother me anymore.

Perhaps you can check out the website anxiety centre. They explain the relationship between anxiety and twitching well and it might ease your mind in case further tests also don't reveal anything. (I am not sure about the link with thyroid and meds for it. Is it also a possibility according to your doctors?)

[BNGed8]

20 minutes ago, Ivana said:

Hello again 🙂,

I will share my twitching experience with you, which might make you feel a little better. 

When I was unexpectedly diagnosed,  I think I was a bit shocked by the news (having already been quite anxious prior). Like you, I started sleeping only 3 hours a night (always woke up at around 3 am), my calves started twitching, and I also got that hypnotic jerk every time I started falling asleep (could be like 10 times before I actually fell asleep). I even started experiencing non existant water drops on my skin. The sleep thing lasted for some 3 months, the twitching started appearing all over, and was exacerbated by every doctor visit. 

Now I sleep fine (no meds), there are no water drops, and the twitching only appears in places where my muscles are tight (so when I sneeze  for example, I will get a few in my back.) I do still feel that my muscles are pulsating slightly sometimes here and there. 

I went to see a neurologist, did all the tests, nothing much was found. At the time of diagnosis, I was anaemic and otherwise only had vitamin D slightly below range. As I was anaemic for years, I think I also had celiac for years. But these neuro sympotms literally appeared 2 days after diagnosis. Which makes me think it's anxiety. Perhaps I also get them more easily due to some undiscovered deficiencies, who knows? I do not want to suggest that it is all anxiety for everyone, of course. This is my personal experience, and I still do wonder sometimes. But if you go to anxiety groups, twitching is one of the most often mentioned symptom and also the cause of great worries, as you know. Perhaps all these people also have deficiencies or other minor causes? Not likely, but who knows. But in any case, it really isn't something to worry about so much. I myself tried taking magnesium and b complex but I didn't feel much improvement. Perhaps I will try again, for muscle tension, as twitching doesn't bother me anymore.

Perhaps you can check out the website anxiety centre. They explain the relationship between anxiety and twitching well and it might ease your mind in case further tests also don't reveal anything. (I am not sure about the link with thyroid and meds for it. Is it also a possibility according to your doctors?)

Hello,

Thank you for your response! Did you ever feel pain or soreness in the spots your muscles were twitching the following day? I know Vitamin D deficiency can cause pain in bone/muscle, and anxiety can cause me to tense up. But just having the pains in those areas the next day makes my anxiety even worse.

[Ivana]

4 minutes ago, BNGed8 said:

Hello,

Thank you for your response! Did you ever feel pain or soreness in the spots your muscles were twitching the following day? I know Vitamin D deficiency can cause pain in bone/muscle, and anxiety can cause me to tense up. But just having the pains in those areas the next day makes my anxiety even worse.

I had all sorts of things. Feeling that the soles of my feet and calves are tight, feeling like there is a plastic wrapper around my knees, feeling that there is nerve pain in my heels, and also a few nights, feeling like my muscles (thighs and calves) are burning. I think twitching comes from both the tension and nervous system in overdrive. And in general all sorts of muscle issues are related to being overly anxious, tension, pain, burning, twitching... 

You have only been diagnosed for a month, give it some to let it all sink in. Things will improve, you will see.

Oh, and I am sorry for the thyroid comment. I think that was another poster who had celiac, anxiety, twitching, but also thyroid. 

Also, what calmed me those nights when I would wake up at 3 am were videos on anxiety by Improvement Path on youtube. Again, I know not everything is just anxiety but I did recognise myself in a lot of the content and you know, whatever works, right?

[knitty kitty]

13 hours ago, BNGed8 said:

Hello Everyone,

So I just got back my Vitamin bloodwork back, and seems like my only deficiency is Vitamin D. Magnesium, B12 & iron are all good. They are all either mid range to higher levels within range. I was honestly hoping for the Magnesium deficiency to explain the muscle twitching. As mentioned prior, I do have a very low Vitamin D could this possibly lead to twitching? Does constant twitching also usually lead to sore muscles, because my calves and knees feel (more so back of knee) on fire today?

I feel like its really down to Vitamin D, Anxiety or lack of sleep (just prescribed Trazodone to help sleep). Seeing a clean test is definitely going to strike up my Anxiety, thinking it could be more serious.

Thanks again for any input. 

I'm glad your blood work came back without deficiencies, however I must point out that B12, iron and Vitamin D can be stored for long periods of time.  Magnesium is stored in bones for long periods, too.  

There are Eight different vitamins in the group of B vitamins.  Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, and folate are not stored in the body for long.  These are water soluble and can easily be lost when you have diarrhea, fever, or emotional stress.  The erythrocyte transketolase test is the most accurate for thiamine deficiency.  Blood tests don't accurately reflect deficiencies.  

Thiamine and magnesium work together.  Thiamine supplementation will help with the muscle twitches and insomnia.

For insomnia, I took L-Theanine, L-Tryptophan, L-Lysine, Pyridoxine B6, and magnesium.  I slept like a rock.  

Vitamin D2 is synthetic.  You will do better taking a Vitamin D3 supplement.  I was very deficient in Vitamin D.  D2 didn't agree with me, but when I switched to D3, I noticed improvements rapidly.

Hope this helps! 

[knitty kitty]

Forgot this....

https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/disorders-of-nutrition/vitamins/thiamin-deficiency