Connection Between Celiac & Scleroderma?

[gf-cheryl]

Do any of you know anything about a possible connection between Scleroderma and Celiac? I just read a little bit about it on the Scleroderma.org site, and I had no clue that undiagnosed Celiac could cause Scleroderma. My mom was diagnosed with Scleroderma several months ago and we're just now realizing that her bloating after eating certain foods, like granola, could be an indication that she may have Celiac. I mean, she's lived with arthritis & psoriasis for years. They come and go. So I told my mom to lay off of the gluten for a while to see if her hands (tight and puffy fingers) get better. I am gluten intolerant (undiagnosed celiac disease) and I also have 2 boys with Type 1 diabetes (autoimmune disorder).

Have any of you heard of this?

Thanks!

--

Cheryl

[Mother of Jibril]

Hi Cheryl,

I don't know much about scleroderma, but I do know that reactions to gluten (and sometimes other foods like dairy and soy) can set off all kinds of autoimmune disorders. They run in my family too.

I found a good book about this... "The Autoimmune Connection" by Rita Baron-Faust and Jill Buyon. It isn't so explicit about the gluten issue, but it does a great job of explaining how autoimmune conditions "cluster" and why.

[Mother of Jibril]

ps - In case you didn't know, celiac is also considered an autoimmune disorder.

[gf-cheryl]

Hi Mother of Jibril!

Thank you for your reply! Yes, I know Celiac is an autoimmune condition. I wasn't really surpised that I got it with all of the autoimmune disorders in my family. It's funny that you mentioned that book because I've been looking at it on Amazon for a while now thinking that I may order it. Thanks for that suggestion.

Blessings...

Cheryl

Hi Cheryl,

I don't know much about scleroderma, but I do know that reactions to gluten (and sometimes other foods like dairy and soy) can set off all kinds of autoimmune disorders. They run in my family too.

I found a good book about this... "The Autoimmune Connection" by Rita Baron-Faust and Jill Buyon. It isn't so explicit about the gluten issue, but it does a great job of explaining how autoimmune conditions "cluster" and why.

[Mother of Jibril]

Hi Cheryl,

No problem! I recommended that book to my mom too.

I have learned SO much about autoimmune disorders in the last couple of months, ever since I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. With all of the health problems in my extended family (diabetes, arthritis, anemia, lupus, etc...) I can't believe nobody had realized that these might be connected... they're all autoimmune. Based on my diagnosis, my parents asked to have their thyroids tested... my dad turned out to have exactly the same problem as I do. Thank God for the Internet.

Welcome to the group! I hope your mom has good results going off gluten.