Rheumatoid Arthritis In 25 Year Old Celiac Female

[Peter15]

Apologies if there is already a posting on this...but I just wanted to see if anyone out here had any advice while I am awaiting diagnosis...

I'm 25 and was diagnosed with Celiac at age 12. Have been on a gluten-free diet strictly for 13 years and doing great. However, in the past few years, I've had flare-ups and swellings and pain in my finger joints, and for the past year, extremely stiff hips that are painful for hours in the morning.

I've just had some blood work for other autoimmune diseases like lupus and will have the results in a week, but in the meantime, I'm now worried about rheumatoid arthritis. My physio brought it up to me recently because she thinks that my stiffness is worrisome. I don't think that my doctor screened for arthritis, so I plan to ask him about that when I go back to see the other results. Does anyone out there have a similar experience of being Celiac first and then finding out that they may have other autoimmune disorders? I've read a lot online about arthritis patients exploring gluten-free diets for their treatment, but this is somewhat different since I haven't touched gluten in over a decade. I'm sick of feeling achy, tired, and unable to function physically like other people my age. I try to run, swim, and cycle, but it's often hard.

I'm also just a bit bummed out and afraid about having more disorders on my plate, since I thought I had dealt really well with my Celiac, so if anyone has any advice on how to stay calm while waiting, that would be great too!

[Crystalkd]

Because celiac disease is autoimmune you are at greater risk of other such disorders on of which is RA. I'm being checked for it agian as well. Look at it this way: If the tests show something at least you know what's causing your pain. I rather know that there is something causing my pain than feeling like I'm crazy.

[nasalady]

Apologies if there is already a posting on this...but I just wanted to see if anyone out here had any advice while I am awaiting diagnosis...

I'm 25 and was diagnosed with Celiac at age 12. Have been on a gluten-free diet strictly for 13 years and doing great. However, in the past few years, I've had flare-ups and swellings and pain in my finger joints, and for the past year, extremely stiff hips that are painful for hours in the morning.

I've just had some blood work for other autoimmune diseases like lupus and will have the results in a week, but in the meantime, I'm now worried about rheumatoid arthritis. My physio brought it up to me recently because she thinks that my stiffness is worrisome. I don't think that my doctor screened for arthritis, so I plan to ask him about that when I go back to see the other results. Does anyone out there have a similar experience of being Celiac first and then finding out that they may have other autoimmune disorders? I've read a lot online about arthritis patients exploring gluten-free diets for their treatment, but this is somewhat different since I haven't touched gluten in over a decade. I'm sick of feeling achy, tired, and unable to function physically like other people my age. I try to run, swim, and cycle, but it's often hard.

I'm also just a bit bummed out and afraid about having more disorders on my plate, since I thought I had dealt really well with my Celiac, so if anyone has any advice on how to stay calm while waiting, that would be great too!

I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through this at your age!

Unfortunately the latest research indicates that celiac disease can make it easier to develop other autoimmune diseases. I've probably had celiac disease most of my life (but was told it was IBS for decades); I started out with asthma, psoriasis, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and recently found out that I have now developed fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune hepatitis.

So I have a total of six autoimmune diseases plus fibro! But I've only recently started on the gluten free diet....many people have had their autoimmune diseases such as RA go into remission on the gluten free diet.

It is troubling that this is happening to you even though you are gluten free. I do know of several on this forum who have had to give up other foods in addition to gluten before feeling better: examples are corn, soy, dairy, nightshades (tomatoes, etc)...the list goes on and on. Is it possible you may have issues with other foods besides gluten?

If you want to know more about the connection between celiac disease and other autoimmune diseases, here are some links to medical journal articles on that topic:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Best wishes....

JoAnn

[Peter15]

Thanks to both of you for your responses! You're right--it does come with the territory, and it's good to know what is happening so I can get treatment if I need.

[Ahorsesoul]

Check out Karen Hurd's website. She can do phone appointments.:

www.karenhurd.com

[GottaSki]

So 3 months ago I had never heard of Celiac and have now been diagnosed and gluten-free for just about a month. My whole family has done pretty well transitioning to my new diet and except for a few blunders I think we know what I need to do to stay gluten-free.

The past weeks have increased the pain/stiffness in all of my joints. Where I used to get sore/bloated in the afternoon/evening and have arthritis pain mostly very early in the morning...I have been in pain for nearly a week solid.

A day ago I had no idea what a nightshade vegetable was. There seems to be quite a lot of internet info on how tomatoes, peppers, POTATOES, etc. adversely affect arthritis. My consumption of all these has gone up since going gluten-free.

Anyone else show a drastic change for the worse in their joints upon going gluten-free?

Thanks

[lonewolf]

Has your intake of soy or dairy increased? These are just as bad as gluten for some people who have arthritis. Nightshades are also problematic for some with arthritis.

I have to be gluten-free, dairy free and soy free in order to keep the arthritis (that once had me basically crippled) away.

[GottaSki]

Dairy has not increased...although still in my diet. Soy probably the same. Not sure if it is better to cut all these out and then add back. Had been thinking I'd start by removing the gluten, then removing other things if my health doesn't improve.

Thanks for the note...have a wonderful weekend.

-Lisa

[Tallforagirl]

My younger sister was diagnosed with RA at around 25 years of age too, and because of that they screened for other autoimmune conditions including celiac disease, which she tested positive for.

She says the gluten-free diet hasn't really helped with the RA, but I know in the past she has been less than strict with it.

The good thing about YS being diagnosed is that now my older sister and I have been tested and diagnosed too, which we definitely wouldn't have without YS being diagnosed first.

My physiotherapist told me she was trained to be aware of possible link between inflamed/sore joints and celiac disease.

[mushroom]

My RA is no better, no worse after going gluten free, now soy free and nightshade free. It's a bit disappointing, really.

[GottaSki]

My RA is no better, no worse after going gluten free, now soy free and nightshade free. It's a bit disappointing, really.

That is tough...if I may ask -- how long have you been gluten, soy and nightshade free?

many thanks

[lonewolf]

My RA is no better, no worse after going gluten free, now soy free and nightshade free. It's a bit disappointing, really.

So sorry that you haven't gotten any relief.

This might sound weird, but I'm remembering that I did this at first when I wasn't really sure if food was the problem with my arthritis. No doctor told me to do this, it was just my own idea. I fasted for 36 hours - water only, to see if I would feel any better. I stopped eating after dinner one night, drank nothing but water the next day and then started eating at breakfast the following morning. My thought was, "If it's really food that is causing this pain, not eating anything should show me something." I was markedly less sore when I woke up the morning after fasting, so I was sure that it was something I was eating - I just didn't know what it was, which is why I had the testing done.

It seems like if you fasted and still had the same level of pain, it might tell you that it's not food related. But if you feel even a little better it's probably something you're eating. Like I said, no doctor told me to do this so there isn't any science behind it.

[mushroom]

So sorry that you haven't gotten any relief.

This might sound weird, but I'm remembering that I did this at first when I wasn't really sure if food was the problem with my arthritis. No doctor told me to do this, it was just my own idea. I fasted for 36 hours - water only, to see if I would feel any better. I stopped eating after dinner one night, drank nothing but water the next day and then started eating at breakfast the following morning. My thought was, "If it's really food that is causing this pain, not eating anything should show me something." I was markedly less sore when I woke up the morning after fasting, so I was sure that it was something I was eating - I just didn't know what it was, which is why I had the testing done.

It seems like if you fasted and still had the same level of pain, it might tell you that it's not food related. But if you feel even a little better it's probably something you're eating. Like I said, no doctor told me to do this so there isn't any science behind it.

Thanks for your post. No one told me to go gluten free, either. It just made sense. The soy removal was forced upon me by intense itching (OMG, thought I had eaten some yesterday, woke up in middle of night and almost scratched myself raw--gone this morning), and the nightshade departure came from learning they cause inflammation.

But don't feel bad about pain, I do have relief, just not from my food. I started taking Humira three mos ago and it is kicking in; even my psoriasis doesn't itch so bad. Whoopee! Hope no nasty side effects occur. So anyway, don't think trying fasting at this point would prove anything because my last major flare subsided and the low level is much ameliorated now. Have to come back over in June to refill Rx; not funded here but covered by my Medicare Just have to fight with customs on getting it through, but think I have that sussed after talking with such a nice man Isn't that rare in a bureaucrat??