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

Back Pain

Lwceliac

By Lwceliac
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

Lwceliac Newbie
Lwceliac
Posted

I have very severe back pain which is at it's worst when I first wake up (I can barely move) and improves throughout the day. Has anyone out there experienced this? Did you find improvement after going gluten free and how long did it take?

I have been gluten free for 6 weeks with very little change in my back pain (although I feel great otherwise!). The pain has been ongoing for about 5 months.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


rustycat Rookie
rustycat
Posted

My back pain didn't go away until I got rid of all grains, even the gluten free ones. I have been pretty much dairy free since I stopped the gluten.

It's been over 3 months and my back is about 95% better. It only got to about 50% without taking away all grains.

Everyone seems to have different reactions, so you might want to try an elimination diet or some testing to see if there are any other food sensitivities. Nightshades can often cause pain, too, but I don't seem to react to them much.

My back pain was worst in the morning or when I had been sitting for awhile.

Best wishes, I know how debilitating the back pain can be and I hope that you find what works for you.

  • 4 weeks later...
bincongo Contributor
bincongo
Posted

I have very severe back pain which is at it's worst when I first wake up (I can barely move) and improves throughout the day. Has anyone out there experienced this? Did you find improvement after going gluten free and how long did it take?

I have been gluten free for 6 weeks with very little change in my back pain (although I feel great otherwise!). The pain has been ongoing for about 5 months.

I don't know if you are a diagnosed Celiac. If you are then there are problems with absorbtion of vitamins and minerals that keep our bones strong. mainly calcium and vitamin D. On a gluten free diet a Celiac in time will start to absorb these better. A doctor a order a bone scan and xrays or MRI to see if this is one of your problems.

  • 1 month later...
ValeriaZ Rookie
ValeriaZ
Posted

Hello

Back pain - I know what it is!

(Suffered from back pains since 20 years...)

More particularily - for this issue - strong pains in the morning (with a very rigid body), getting better during the day - I had this several years ago. This is related to bad blood circulation during the night, making your back sort of "stagnation zone".

What helped me greatly at this time was Nishi goldfish exercise. Try to google. Explanations in English that I found are not perfect :(

Look here the extract

Exercise "Goldfish?

This exercise should perform as follows: lie down on a flat bed, face up or down, pull in the direction of the body's toes, put both hands under the neck, crossing them at fourth or fifth cervical vertebra. In this position the coil (vibrate), whole body movements, like fish in water. Doing this exercise 1 - 2 minutes each morning and evening.

What I can add to the instructions (that are not in English version :() - this vibrating movement should be initiated by your toes - they remain in place, but somehow pass the impulse to your entire body. The head is stable too, and most vibrations are for hips zone.

And you do it laying on your back!

You do it in a comfortable tempo for appr 2 mins.

I even woke up in the night to do this Nishi stuff - 2-3 times.

It really helped a lot.

Link with pics I found, hope you can find better: (it is ex. 3)

Open Original Shared Link

For other remedies - stretching is great. I do it daily in the morning, otherwise I am not alive during the day.

And - a month ago I started gluten-free - and surprise - my state improved drastically!!

Good luck

  • 2 months later...
Coolclimates Collaborator
Coolclimates
Posted

I also have been suffering from a lot of lower back pain, especially in the last couple of months. I've been on the gluten-free diet for over a year, but I got tested recently and my antibodies are still very high and I have a lot of inflamation of my intestines. I've been as strict as I can about the diet, yet I still just feel tired all the time. Additionally I have lost some weight, have bad acne, brain fog, insomnia, restless legs, some sinus/headache issues (possible allergies) and back pain. I'm wondering if my lower back pain is a symptom of my celiac disease or if it is something different all together. Regardless, it is distressing. I also get really bad lower back pain and cramps when I get my period, but the lower back pain is pretty much constant.

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

Unfortunately I can also relate to severe chronic back pain. I was literally in bed for nearly two years with a back injury which caused muscle wasting, weight gain and numerous other issues. I thought it was all due to my injury BUT recently was diagnosed with fibromyalgia which exacerbates my back pain. FM can be linked to celiac disease, too. It can get unbearable and forces me to lie down frequently. Gentle massage helps (I go twice a week) as does acupuncture but those are only short-term fixes. So far no medications (and I've tried about 15) have even made a dent in the pain. Just like eating Smarties or something...

Kate79 Apprentice
Kate79
Posted

I've been experiencing back pain pretty often over the last year or two, always when I first wake up in the morning (or the middle of the night). It's bad enough to keep me awake, but it goes away quickly once I get out of bed. I haven't found that the gluten free diet has helped this issue, but I have found that I'm much less likely to have back pain on days I work out - especially if I've done a lot of stretching, so you may want to try that - or maybe some simple yoga.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Jenniferxgfx Contributor
Jenniferxgfx
Posted

Have you had an MRI to get it looked at? I've suffered with back pain for a long time and it took 10yrs before a doctor took me seriously enough to take a picture. I have arthritis in my spine, and spondylolisthesis with some bad discs... I just suffered with it as long as I could, but after developing fibromyalgia, it was all too much to keep working.

Now I see a connection between gluten and my pain levels, and to a certain extent my back pain improves with no gluten (currently still eating it for testing), but some stuff is just too broke to be affected by diet. So, yes, I've noticed gluten intake affects back pain for me, but it's not my only treatment. It mostly helps my muscle pains. I need to stretch and strengthen, take it easy, and take medication to live with my back.

How's your mattress? My back pain was definitely worse with bad mattresses, especially first thing in the morning. A good firm one is good for a bad back.

  • 3 months later...
Ashleyf Newbie
Ashleyf
Posted

I have very severe back pain which is at it's worst when I first wake up (I can barely move) and improves throughout the day. Has anyone out there experienced this? Did you find improvement after going gluten free and how long did it take?

I have been gluten free for 6 weeks with very little change in my back pain (although I feel great otherwise!). The pain has been ongoing for about 5 months.

I experienced exactly the same symptom (i.e. severe back pain in early morning) for the last year, but no other symptoms. I have no history of back injury and am a fit, healthy, 36yo male. I had all sorts of tests including Xray, MRI, CT scan, and bone scan, but no problem could be found. I then discovered that coeliac disease and gluten intolerance was rife in my family (father, aunties, uncles, cousins), so I decided to try a gluten-free diet. It took at least 2 months for the pain to decrease by 50%, and 4 months for the pain to disappear. Once I was pain-free, I 'tested' myself by eating bread and pizza in 5 consecutive meals. Back-pain returned after 3 days and lasted for about 2-4 weeks. Each time I accidentally eat gluten, I get back pain for 2-4 weeks. Thus, to achieve a pain-free lifestyle, I need a strict gluten-free diet. In your case, I suggest you go 6 months on a strict gluten-free diet, otherwise you will never know the answer. It worked for me. Good luck.

Coolclimates Collaborator
Coolclimates
Posted

about 2 weeks after I wrote my post, I got an MRI and it showed that I had a herniated disc in my lower back. The pain just kept getting worse and I was getting bad sciatica, too. I got an epidural and shortly after that, things improved a lot. I was on the mend and over a month later I started to get physical therapy. The first therapist was fine. The second one put me through boot camp and caused my disc to pop out again. I told her over and over that the exercises hurt and they were too hard, but she didn't listen. Then when I spoke to her on the phone and told her that she caused my disc to pop out again, she didn't even apologize. I filed a complaint. Shortly afterward, I got a 2nd epidural (I was just about to go on a 2 week trip, too). I'm finally doing better and have refused to ever see that "therapist" again.

Reba32 Rookie
Reba32
Posted

Wow, I hope someone pays attention to your complaint re: the therapist Coolclimates! That's just not right!

Looks like the OP hasn't been back to tell us how they're doing with their back pain, I wonder what happened?

I was just yesterday told I have severe OA in my spine and "morbid disk degeneration". I have had on-going back pain for several years, the last year or so has been really bad, and now I finally got something more than just "yeah, you probably have arthritis, take some ibuprofen". I also have noticeable arthritis in my hands, which causes me all sorts of problems as well. I keep dropping things.

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

about 2 weeks after I wrote my post, I got an MRI and it showed that I had a herniated disc in my lower back. The pain just kept getting worse and I was getting bad sciatica, too. I got an epidural and shortly after that, things improved a lot. I was on the mend and over a month later I started to get physical therapy. The first therapist was fine. The second one put me through boot camp and caused my disc to pop out again. I told her over and over that the exercises hurt and they were too hard, but she didn't listen. Then when I spoke to her on the phone and told her that she caused my disc to pop out again, she didn't even apologize. I filed a complaint. Shortly afterward, I got a 2nd epidural (I was just about to go on a 2 week trip, too). I'm finally doing better and have refused to ever see that "therapist" again.

Glad the epi helped you. I have three herniated discs and degenerative disc disease and have had so many treatments by so many therapists it is not even funny. My pain is anywhere from moderate to excruciating on a daily basis for nearly four years and I am frankly quite sick of it! :(

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Paulaannefthimiou's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      2

      Bob red mill gluten free oats

      Oats naturally contain a protein called avenin, which is similar to the gluten proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. While avenin is generally considered safe for most people with celiac disease, some individuals, around 5-10% of celiacs, may also have sensitivity to avenin, leading to symptoms similar to gluten exposure. You may fall into this...
    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to SamAlvi's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      6

      High TTG-IgG and Normal TTG-IgA

      @SamAlvi, It's common with anemia to have a lower tTg IgA antibodies than DGP IgG ones, but your high DGP IgG scores still point to Celiac disease. Since a gluten challenge would pose further health damage, you may want to ask for a DNA test to see if you have any of the commonly known genes for Celiac disease. Though having the genes for Celiac...
    3. trents
      - trents replied to SamAlvi's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      6

      High TTG-IgG and Normal TTG-IgA

      Currently, there are no tests for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out and we do have testing for celiac disease. There are two primary test modalities for diagnosing celiac disease. One involves checking for antibodies in the blood. For the person with celiac disease, when gluten is ingested, it produces an autoimmune response in the lining...
    4. SamAlvi
      - SamAlvi replied to SamAlvi's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      6

      High TTG-IgG and Normal TTG-IgA

      Thank you for the clarification and for taking the time to explain the terminology so clearly. I really appreciate your insight, especially the distinction between celiac disease and NCGS and how anemia can point more toward celiac. This was very helpful for me.
    5. Jsingh
      - Jsingh replied to lizzie42's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      Son's legs shaking

      Hi, My 7 year daughter has complained of this in the past, which I thought were part of her glutening symptom, but more recently I have come to figure out it's part of her histamine overload symptom. This one symptom was part of her broader profile, which included irritability, extreme hunger, confusion, post-nasal drip. You might want to look up "histamine...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,868
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    LMGarrison
    Newest Member
    LMGarrison
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Bob red mill gluten free oats

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Oats naturally contain a protein called avenin, which is similar to the gluten proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. While avenin is generally considered safe for most people with celiac disease, some individuals, around 5-10% of celiacs, may also have sensitivity to avenin, leading to symptoms similar to gluten exposure. You may fall into this category, and eliminating them is the best way to figure this out. Some people substitute gluten-free quinoa flakes for oats if they want a hot cereal substitute. If you are interested in summaries of scientific publications on the topic of oats and celiac disease, we have an entire category dedicated to it which is here: https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/oats-and-celiac-disease-are-they-gluten-free/   
    • knitty kitty
      High TTG-IgG and Normal TTG-IgA

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @SamAlvi, It's common with anemia to have a lower tTg IgA antibodies than DGP IgG ones, but your high DGP IgG scores still point to Celiac disease.   Since a gluten challenge would pose further health damage, you may want to ask for a DNA test to see if you have any of the commonly known genes for Celiac disease.  Though having the genes for Celiac is not diagnostic in and of itself, taken with the antibody tests, the anemia and your reaction to gluten, it may be a confirmation you have Celiac disease.   Do discuss Gastrointestinal Beriberi with your doctors.  In Celiac disease, Gastrointestinal Beriberi is frequently overlooked by doctors.  The digestive system can be affected by localized Thiamine deficiency which causes symptoms consistent with yours.  Correction of nutritional deficiencies quickly is beneficial.  Benfotiamine, a form of thiamine, helps improve intestinal health.  All eight B vitamins, including Thiamine (Benfotiamine), should be supplemented because they all work together.   The B vitamins are needed in addition to iron to correct anemia.   Hope this helps!  Keep us posted on your progress!
    • trents
      High TTG-IgG and Normal TTG-IgA

      By trents · Posted

      Currently, there are no tests for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out and we do have testing for celiac disease. There are two primary test modalities for diagnosing celiac disease. One involves checking for antibodies in the blood. For the person with celiac disease, when gluten is ingested, it produces an autoimmune response in the lining of the small bowel which generates specific kinds of antibodies. Some people are IGA deficient and such that the IGA antibody tests done for celiac disease will have skewed results and cannot be trusted. In that case, there are IGG tests that can be ordered though, they aren't quite as specific for celiac disease as the IGA tests. But the possibility of IGA deficiency is why a "total IGA" test should always be ordered along with the TTG-IGA. The other modality is an endoscopy (scoping of the upper GI track) with a biopsy of the small bowel lining. The aforementioned autoimmune response produces inflammation in the small bowel lining which, over time, damages the structure of the lining. The biopsy is sent to a lab and microscopically analyzed for signs of this damage. If the damage is severe enough, it can often be spotted during the scoping itself. The endoscopy/biopsy is used as confirmation when the antibody results are positive, since there is a small chance that elevated antibody test scores can be caused by things other than celiac disease, particularly when the antibody test numbers are not particularly high. If the antibody test numbers are 10x normal or higher, physicians will sometimes declare an official diagnosis of celiac disease without an endoscopy/biopsy, particularly in the U.K. Some practitioners use stool tests to detect celiac disease but this modality is not widely recognized in the medical community as valid. Both celiac testing modalities outlined above require that you have been consuming generous amounts of gluten for weeks/months ahead of time. Many people make the mistake of experimenting with the gluten free diet or even reducing their gluten intake prior to testing. By doing so, they invalidate the testing because antibodies stop being produced, disappear from the blood and the lining of the small bowel begins to heal. So, then they are stuck in no man's land, wondering if they have celiac disease or NCGS. To resume gluten consumption, i.e., to undertake a "gluten challenge" is out of the question because their reaction to gluten is so strong that it would endanger their health. The lining of the small bowel is the place where all of the nutrition in the food we consume is absorbed. This lining is made up of billions of microscopically tiny fingerlike projections that create a tremendous nutrient absorption surface area. The inflammation caused by celiac disease wears down these fingers and greatly reduces the surface area needed for nutrient absorption. Thus, people with celiac disease often develop iron deficiency anemia and a host of other vitamin and mineral deficiencies. It is likely that many more people who have issues with gluten suffer from NCGS than from celiac disease. We actually know much more about the mechanism of celiac disease than we do about NCGS but some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease.
    • SamAlvi
      High TTG-IgG and Normal TTG-IgA

      By SamAlvi · Posted

      Thank you for the clarification and for taking the time to explain the terminology so clearly. I really appreciate your insight, especially the distinction between celiac disease and NCGS and how anemia can point more toward celiac. This was very helpful for me.
    • Jsingh
      Son's legs shaking

      By Jsingh · Posted

      Hi,  My 7 year daughter has complained of this in the past, which I thought were part of her glutening symptom, but more recently I have come to figure out it's part of her histamine overload symptom. This one symptom was part of her broader profile, which included irritability, extreme hunger, confusion, post-nasal drip. You might want to look up "histamine intolerance". I wish I had known of this at the time of her diagnosis, life would have been much easier.  I hope you are able to figure out. 
×
×
  • 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.