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

Spondyloarthropathy And Celiac Disease

grizelda

By grizelda
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

grizelda Newbie
grizelda
Posted

:o I'M SHOCKED! hi everyone...i am just getting around to registering here, although i have been a lurker for awhile. i was diagnosed with celiac disease three years ago. for the first year and a half i was religious about remaining gluten free....100%.....then i would slip every now and then, without much obvious consequence...just some constipation and a bit of stomach distress. i never had any of the classic symptoms of celiac...none at all. matter of fact, i only had the small intestine biopsy because the doc wanted to see if i had the bacteria that can cause the ulcers i had. i went to see this doc because of trouble swallowing and pain.....he was shocked too when the results came back positive for celiac.....he didn't believe it at all. thought it was a mistake. then we did the blood work and sure enough, it was a match to the diagnosis.

i've had alot of surgeries, the necessity for which was suddenly explained when i ended up in a rheumatologists office three years ago at the suggestion of a podiatrist when my foot just wouldn't heal after foot surgery. months were ticking by and the inflammation was still severe...i required another procedure just to drain the fluid. the rheum doc diagnosed spondyloarthropathy, an inflammatory soft tissue disease.....the diagnosis explained my entire lifetime of pain. i was diagnosed with fibromyalgia many years ago, and myofascial pain syndrome. she put me on sulfasalazine and i now also use bextra.....and it is only now, after shoulder surgery two months ago and inflammation that will not resolve, mostlikely meaning that i will need an arthroscopic procedure to "clean things up", but we won't know for sure til i finish the prednisone pack (5 days)(i'm really babbling here aren't i?)that the rheum doc has started to connect celiac with spondyloarthropathy, saying that they are definitely linked....and that if i eat even one gram of gluten i am causing inflammation throughout my entire system, not just my small intestine.

needless to say, i'm a bit taken aback by this news.....not that i am stupid and don't realize that everything is connected, so to speak.....but she seems to be indicating that the celiac caused the spondyloarthropathy situation. anyone out there have any ideas on this issue? thanks in advance. :o

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Guest jhmom
Guest jhmom
Posted

and that if i eat even one gram of gluten i am causing inflammation throughout my entire system, not just my small intestine.

Very interesting, I never thought of it that way and it does make a lot of sense.

My late mother-in-law had rheum arthiritis and after reading about celiac disease I suspect she probably had it too and didn't know it. I was very sick for over a year, she was very worried about me and was there for every test I went through. I didn't know enough about celiac disease before to educate her on it and she passed away before I got my diagnosis.

dhickey Newbie
dhickey
Posted

:angry: Hi, I am so frustrated!! To say the least... I was diagnosed with Celiac Sprue a week ago via blood test. For 15 years I have been running around with this thinking I had IBS (irritable bowel Syn) nobody took the time to have me tested. I also have been tested positive for RA and I have panic attacks. As well as alot of other symtoms of CS. I am going to meet with a Dietician but that is not until Jan 22. So you can see I am scared I do know that this Disease can be life threatening can someone help me with what I can eat and what I can't eat..

Thanks

wolos Newbie
wolos
Posted

Hello, dhickey- I know you feel frightened and confused right now. It's very normal considering most of the easily available foods are laced with gluten. Remember that you can eat rice, corn, potato and tapioca, and a whole host of other foods. If you begin by eating as though you live in the 1800's- cook everything yourself; avoid pre-packaged foods, stay away from restaurants for the short-term. Read package ingredients diligently!! Learn the hidden glutens. Contact companies when you have any questions about their ingredient list. There are some very good cookbooks out there and some decent gluten free packaged foods at the health food store.

My 4 year old daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease 8 mos ago. She has insulin dependent diabetes (type 1, diagnosed at 10 mos. old) and her doctors test her for related diseases/disorders annually. She was seemingly symptom free and they said she had celiac disease. I didn't believe this- eventually we followed up with a biopsy and she really does have celiac disease. Since being Gluten Free, her diabetes is more easily managed--- so her crazy rollercoaster blood sugars were her celiac disease symptom, which makes sense now, considering it is a disease of malabsorption.

Anyway, our favorite breads are Rice Almond or Rice Pecan made by "Food For Life", found in the freezer section of your health food store. My Shoprite supermarket is now carrying this and other gluten-free items! We think the best rice pasta is make by Tinkyada. Follow package directions closely. Eating rice pasta takes a little getting used to- but we really like it. Lifestream makes Buckwheat wildberry toaster waffles that are really delicious. Van's makes several gluten-free waffles too. Kashi makes a gluten-free cereal called Cranberry Promise that's yummy. Envirokids makes several cereals: Gorilla munch and Panda Puffs are good. My daughter lives on corn tortillas with black beans and cheese, chick peas, brown rice, peanuts, cashews, fruit, popcorn. She doesn't eat meat. If you do, there are more choices out there.

Good luck. Remember that this learning curve time is difficult, but will only last a little while. And remember that it will pay off and you will be feeling so much better soon.

Is there anyone out there who has diabetes and celiac?

tammy Community Regular
tammy
Posted

Hi Grizelda,

I see why you might babble on a bit. Multiple, Chronic diseases can do that to people. :unsure: Yet, I hope that you find the support you want here. I strongly suggest that you visit two websites. Sorry, I don't have the exact address but just do a search for Symbiotics. Also try another search for Moducare and Polysaccharides and autoimmune diseases. These are excellent immune supports for people with multiple disease symptoms.

If you choose not to do the search, I trust that you will be good to yourself and here's a hug from me to you.

Take Care of yourself.

Tammy

  • 3 months later...
tweener Newbie
tweener
Posted

grizelda,

I'm not sure if I have the same problem or not. I have been having problems for years with scar tissue causing problems. I had 3 surgeries in the last 2 years on my right ankle and leg and 2 have been because scar tissue has come back worse each time causing a great deal of problems. I had a torn peroneal tendon in my ankle and which my doctor went in an repaired. Six months later I had to have surgery to partially remove the sural nerve in the left ankle and foot because I had so much pain from scar tissue. My doctor said the scar tissue had everything a mess. Within 6 months after the second surgery, I had a terrible time with the scar tissue again causing me to tear the same tendon but in a different location. The MRI show that both tendons were fully torn, but actually when my doctor went it to operate she found 1 fully torn and the other tendon was stretched out so bad and intertwined in scar tissue it made it hard to determine what was the tendon and what was scar tissue. She currently feels that the scar tissue is back once again even though I was exercising the ankle within 1 1/2 weeks after surgery trying to prevent scar tissue from coming back.

I have also had terrible problems with adhessions and abdominal surgeries that has caused a lot of problems. None of my doctors can tell me what has caused any of these problems and they all say there is no cure in the near future for scar tissue.

I also have ankylosing spondalytis along with other health problems. I don't know what Spondyloarthropathy, so I'm not sure it there is any relationship your problem and mine.

Good Luck with everything,

Tweener

plantime Contributor
plantime
Posted

Hey, Tweener, My mom had the same problem with scar tissue growing haywire. My son was a toddler when he had to have an itty bitty cut on his face lasered because the scar tissue grew everywhere but across. The dermatologist that did my son said it is a genetic condition, and we would have to keep an eye on all of our children and me, since it came from my mom. Make sure you see your doctor for regular checkups on it, and ask if there is any technique, like the lasering done on my son, that can stop the excess growth. The dermatologist told me that if the doctor knows about the problem, there are treatments and methods that make it not a problem. Maybe your doctor needs to study up on it more!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,548
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Lunaluv
    Newest Member
    Lunaluv
    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.