I'm Not Sure What's Going On With Me

[ami27]

I have not felt 'right' since I gave birth to my second child 8 years ago last Sunday (12/17/98). I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when he was about 18 months old. I have gained weight and not been able to lose it no matter how hard I try even when my thryoid was under control. Then about 2 years ago I fell skating and broke my ankle, dislocated my elbow and shattered the radial head. I had to have a plate and 6 pins put in my ankle and a titanium spacer in my elbow. I have never broke a bone in my life! And I was barely even moving when I fell. Freak accident. I have always felt like food was making me sick, but couldn't pin point what it was. I had allergy tests (skin pricks) done and really the only thing that showed up was oats and a few spices (thyme & nutmeg). Back in July of this year I started having pain in my thumbs. The more I researched the more it seemed like arthritis. I was scared to mention it to my doctor. In September I did a 10 day fast (the master cleanse) and the pain in my thumbs had almost gone away completely by the 10th day. When I started eating food again it would come back. So I did a search on 'food allergy joint pain'. This lead me to celiac websites. The more I read the more it sounded like me.... thyroid problems, hair loss, fatigue, possibly the bone fractures were related. So I decided to go gluten free mid-November and see how I felt. I felt amazing!! I had all sorts of energy. Then on Thanksgiving I wanted to test it so I ate some pecan pie...I was sicker than a dog. Sick in the respect of being so tired I couldn't stay awake, almost a drunk feeling. Then next day it was a hung over feeling. It took me a couple of days to get over it. I have been gluten free since. Then early December I went to my doctor for my normal blood work for my thyroid. She always asks how I'm doing and if anything is new. I told her about my thumbs. She said it sounded like arthritis and said she could x-ray to determine. I was reluctant, but ended up telling her about my gluten suspicion. She tested me for it, but it came back negative. The tests were for IgG and IgA. IgA was .8 and IgG was .9. She did test me for b12 and that was low so I'm going in for 4 injections of b12 in as many weeks to try and bring that up. The x-ray showed that I have moderate arthritis in my thumbs. She said the cartlidge is worn and causing the bones to rub against each other. I have checked with my family and there is no family history of arthirtis. I'm taking glucosimin, chodroitin & msm to rebuild the cartlidge.

Because of the way I feel I believe this B12 deficiency is due to the malabsorption problems that come along with Celiac. I believe that's why I fractured my ankle and elbow the way I did. I also believe that is why I have the thyroid problem and fatigue that I have. I was just starting to have the gastrointestinal issues that I've read about. Possibly the arthritis is due to this as well?

I feel like a hypochodriac, because I've always thought something was wrong with me. But, now I really feel good and feel like this is what has plagued me for so long. But the tests came back negative and my doctor is done with that idea. So I'll continue to eat gluten free because it has made a huge difference. I hope eventually my thyroid will be back to normal amoung other things.

Ami

[GlutenWrangler]

Ami,

Your tests probably came back negative because you had been eating gluten-free. When a celiac goes gluten-free, the antibodies begin to subside, and with enough time they will not show up on a blood test. But the truth is that you don't need a doctor to tell you that you have celiac disease. The diet has proven that you absolutely cannot eat gluten. Celiac disease causes bone loss, which is probably why you were injured so badly skating. Celiac disease kicks in after traumatic event. In your case, it was most likely the birth of your child. It's great that you have figured it out for yourself. Don't worry about the negative results. If you need any help or have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Someone here will be able to help you. Good luck.

-Brian