Celiac related issues

[Tarp]

I am at a loss with spine issues. I have had 4 spine surgeries.  These were=all before my celiac diagnosis.  Currently I am dealing with chest pain arm pain and burning with increased weakness in my legs.  I have had bowel incontinence for 6 months.  I had a nuclear stress test and heart issues were ruled out.  I can not get a doctor to listen to me and diagnose me.  I am afraid I will end paralyzed. I had a question of celiac 11 years ago and then was told I did not have it.  Last month it was finally confirmed by biopsy.  

[trents]

Welcome to the forum @Tarp!

Some more information would be helpful.

What is your age? What led you to investigate celiac diagnosis 11 years ago? What were your symptoms then?

Do you have osteoporosis/osteopenia?

What areas of the spine have been involved with your four surgeries? 

As you probably know, celiac disease damages the lining of the small bowel which typically results in malabsorption of vitamins and minerals. This, in turn, can result in bone demineralization and as well as neurological disorders. Because of your spinal surgeries, it might be difficult to sort out what is causing what. Are there nutrient deficiency related neurological problems going on? Are there nerve impingement problems going on from the surgeries? Both?

Having said that, it's a pretty safe bet that you would do well to invest in some high potency vitamin and mineral supplementation to address the malabsorption problem. We routinely recommend a high potency B-complex, magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate (not magnesium oxide), D3 (5000 IU daily) and zinc. Most of these in this list are vital to neurological health. Make sure all are gluten free. Costco's Nature Made and Kirkland Signature products are a good choice and reasonably priced.

[Tarp]

I am 64.   I have struggled with a combination of diarrhea and constipation most of my life. Yes I have osteoporosis.  I have been taken magnesium citrate with calcium and d 3 and zinc.  I take b12 and my latest blood work showed it to be high 2000. My other blood work showed low rbc, hemacrit, hemoglobin and Ferrin.  My gastroentologist didn’t say anything just told me to go gluten free and check blood in 3 months.

I have had 2 lumbar disc surgeries and 2 cervical spine surgeries
 

 

[Tarp]

I thought I had osteoprosis but did not find it on my record.  I know I have stenosisof the spine.  I also have Sarcoidosis and diabetes.

[trents]

Diabetes type 1 or type 2? Type 2 diabetes has a statistical correlation with celiac disease. 

The B vitamins work in synergy with one another so I still would recommend a B-complex. This may also help your anemia which is evident from your low ferritin, hematocrit and hemoglobin. 

Your "chest pain arm pain and burning with increased weakness in my legs" would seem to correspond to the areas of your spine where you have had surgeries. My observation is that spinal surgeries seldom prove to be successful in the long term as they don't address underlying degenerative problems. 

I will attach embed an article which may be helpful to you in eliminating gluten from your life. There is usually a real learning curve involved in achieving gluten free eating habits on a consistent basis as gluten is hidden in so many food products where you would never expect to find it and can be masked by terminology such "food starch". Eating out is the number one way to sabotage your efforts to eat gluten free as even when you order things that are naturally gluten free they often become cross contaminated with wheat back in the kitchen by being prepared and handled along with wheat containing foods.

Another factoid that you need to be aware of is that for mature adults, it typically takes 2-3 years after achieving a consistently gluten free diet for the mucosa of the small bowel to experience complete healing. However, considerable improvement in symptoms usually occurs in a matter or weeks or months.

 

Edited January 19 by trents

[trents]

Your chest pain could be related to the Sarcoidosis.

"When it affects the lungs, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain may occur."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcoidosis

 

The bowel incontinence could be caused by surgical damage (or scar tissue) to the cauda equina nerve bundle in the lumbar area of the spine. Or, it could be related to unintentional gluten exposure.

Edited January 19 by trents