Possible Muscle Atrophy - Has Anyone Recovered From This?

[DistantShores]

I'm looking for some encouragement. In the last few months my health has taken a bit of a nosedive due to what I suspect may be a major gluten exposure along with a bout with COVID. Through all that I've been working and not exactly been the most active in the longest time. Recovery has been up and down, but through this process I've found alignment issues in my hips and legs. Most notably hip pain on my right. In addition, I'm spotting what may potentially be signs of muscle atrophy on my left feet and legs, but not sure whether to mention this to the doctors yet. I have an EMG scheduled next month. 

In the meantime, I'm looking for some encouragement. I was first diagnosed in 2019 and have lost and gained weight since then. I'm back in the process of losing weight that may be related to cleaning up my diet again, even though I haven't been physically active at all. Trying really hard not to get ahead of myself and assume worst case scenarios. My neurologist has not noted anything alarming. So I'm hopeful and also wondering if there is anything I can do to heal this (along with the diet). Currently seeing a chiropractor and massage therapist to work out the kinks and knots. 

[1desperateladysaved]

Before I got my diagnosis, I had a chiropractor tell me that it appeared as if I had suddenly lost all muscle tone and she didn't know why.  I wonder if that is the sort of thing that you experienced?  I recall Aching which began with my feet and worked all of the way up the back of my legs and finally I couldn't bring my leg up to march position.  (I was in my 40's)  Although, I had been very flexible, I began to get stiff.  Fast forward to now I am back to my flexible self and have had opportunity to work on weight machines and am very strong.  There were many complications to figuring out the whole solution for me; It was worth it!  Chiropractic, nutrition, supplements, allergy discoveries have been huge for me.  I hope that you will find things huge for you!

The gluten free diet is a huge help and for people super-sensitive or with celiac, there is no choice to but to be very scrupulous with one's diet.  Celebrations, Potlucks, and restaurants must be carefully analyzed if engaged in at all.  I hope that you have family support.  I found local friends eventually that shared my struggles and it helps so much to have someone that "gets it" when life gets hard.

Sorry, to hear of the Covid.  I had Epstein-Barr virus and one can use nutrients and supplements to begin to go after the viruses that stay in your systems like that.  The sooner is the better.  Take care of yourself!

[DistantShores]

59 minutes ago, 1desperateladysaved said:

Before I got my diagnosis, I had a chiropractor tell me that it appeared as if I had suddenly lost all muscle tone and she didn't know why.  I wonder if that is the sort of thing that you experienced?  I recall Aching which began with my feet and worked all of the way up the back of my legs and finally I couldn't bring my leg up to march position.  (I was in my 40's)  Although, I had been very flexible, I began to get stiff.  Fast forward to now I am back to my flexible self and have had opportunity to work on weight machines and am very strong.  There were many complications to figuring out the whole solution for me; It was worth it!  Chiropractic, nutrition, supplements, allergy discoveries have been huge for me.  I hope that you will find things huge for you!

The gluten free diet is a huge help and for people super-sensitive or with celiac, there is no choice to but to be very scrupulous with one's diet.  Celebrations, Potlucks, and restaurants must be carefully analyzed if engaged in at all.  I hope that you have family support.  I found local friends eventually that shared my struggles and it helps so much to have someone that "gets it" when life gets hard.

Sorry, to hear of the Covid.  I had Epstein-Barr virus and one can use nutrients and supplements to begin to go after the viruses that stay in your systems like that.  The sooner is the better.  Take care of yourself!

My chiropractor has yet to mention anything about muscle tone, however, he has noted weakness in my feet as well as located a lot of tender spots from head to toe. I do not doubt the loss of muscle tone due to a long time of inactivity on my part, which I've avoided due to pain. Yes, it has primarily been in my legs and feet as well. 

I'm very happy to hear about your recovery. I'm approaching a very similar journey with exploring new avenues for healing alongside the gluten-free diet. This last episode has severely humbled me as I adhered to the diet, but was still pretty laidback with eating out. Never again. Currently looking into the AIP diet and changing my lifestyle habits, as well as keeping my doctor in the loop. 

Thank you for sharing your story and encouragement. 

[Scott Adams]

One of the worst symptoms I had, which took many years to go away, was severe muscle knots in my neck and shoulders which caused me to have stiff necks often...really bad ones. Proper supplementation is essential to recovery, so be sure that you are taking a good, gluten-free multivitamin with minerals. Taking magnesium citrate, vitamin D, and extra B12 helped me finally overcome this.

Also, regular exercise is always a good thing, so consider a treadmill or stationary bike, just something you can do every day.

[DistantShores]

On 2/1/2022 at 4:22 PM, Scott Adams said:

One of the worst symptoms I had, which took many years to go away, was severe muscle knots in my neck and shoulders which caused me to have stiff necks often...really bad ones. Proper supplementation is essential to recovery, so be sure that you are taking a good, gluten-free multivitamin with minerals. Taking magnesium citrate, vitamin D, and extra B12 helped me finally overcome this.

Also, regular exercise is always a good thing, so consider a treadmill or stationary bike, just something you can do every day.

Thank you for the suggestions Scott! I'm already taking a multivitamin but unsure if it is enough. I have also started a light exercise regime until I can build up some strength. 

[Scott Adams]

Consider the Benfotiamine version of thiamine, as it is one of the key B vitamins that many celiacs need, and this is a fat soluble version so it gets absorbed better.

[Scott Adams]

Take a look through this thread if you have time:

 

[knitty kitty]

In addition to a multivitamin, consider a B Complex vitamin and additional thiamine.  

Including nutrient dense foods like liver will help you get all those B vitamins and minerals.