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

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Roda

By Roda
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted

I just found out that my RF is slightly elevated from my last labs done in June (I just got the results, another story ). I had a bunch of tests run back in Feb. by my PCP for other autoimmune issues and they were normal then. I'm unsure if a RF was done then. I thought is was peculiar that my endo asked me last week if I was seeing a rhuematologist. I had no idea why she asked until I left and looked at my labs. What has me worried is that maybe I'm not gluten free enough? I have not had my celiac labs drawn in a year either. I'm probably going to make an appointment with my PCP to see what she thinks. Could the RF be elevated and not have it? Anyone develop it after being diagnosed with celiac? It will be my 3 year anniversary of being gluen free the end of next month.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Reba32 Rookie
Reba32
Posted

unfortunately it is not at all unusual to develop more autoimmune diseases once one has been triggered. If your RF levels are high, it is very likely that you have rheumatoid arthritis as well as Celiac. You probably are "gluten free enough", there's just not much we can do about being susceptible to autoimmune diseases.

I'm waiting on test results to find out if I have Lupus now too. Not fun.

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

After my celiac diagnosis six months ago I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, both of which have caused me pain for years. Helpful to know what it is but I don't want either of 'em! :(

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted
  • Author

Ugg.. I have this mental image stuck in my head from when I was 5. It was 1978 and my great uncle had rheumatiod arthritis (he was elderly then) and his hands were all deformed and he hardly could get around. For some reason the thought of it scares me. I read some articles that RF can be elevated because of other AI diseases. So here is hoping.

Reba32 Rookie
Reba32
Posted

there are a lot more treatments now to reduce pain and bone deformity caused by RA than there was back then.

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted
  • Author

there are a lot more treatments now to reduce pain and bone deformity caused by RA than there was back then.

Thanks for the thoughts! Sometimes it's hard not to let that 5 year old imagination run wild sometimes. :lol: I am going today to my PCP to see if I need to have any further work up or not.

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted
:lol: :lol: although it's not really a funny subject. I had that same image from my childhood so when they told me RA (now psoriatic arthritis - a combination of the two for added joy, but with some slightly different characteristics) I hopped on the methotrexate bandwagon right away as I heard it would prevent the deformities. Well, I had to kiss quite a few medication frogs before one turned into a prince (Humira for me, your mileage may vary), but I have to say that I am pain free, deformity free (maybe some slightly chubby fingers and toes but no knobbiness or withered or distorted look :)) and no hideous psoriasis outbreaks :D So yes, they have come a long way since the days of our childhoods (and my childhood was a lot longer ago than yours so I probably have seen more :o ) Not that the meds don't have their problems, but you have to choose your poison :rolleyes:
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted
  • Author

:lol: :lol: although it's not really a funny subject. I had that same image from my childhood so when they told me RA (now psoriatic arthritis - a combination of the two for added joy, but with some slightly different characteristics) I hopped on the methotrexate bandwagon right away as I heard it would prevent the deformities. Well, I had to kiss quite a few medication frogs before one turned into a prince (Humira for me, your mileage may vary), but I have to say that I am pain free, deformity free (maybe some slightly chubby fingers and toes but no knobbiness or withered or distorted look :)) and no hideous psoriasis outbreaks :D So yes, they have come a long way since the days of our childhoods (and my childhood was a lot longer ago than yours so I probably have seen more :o ) Not that the meds don't have their problems, but you have to choose your poison :rolleyes:

I went today to see if I needed any further work up. Based on my lack of symptoms, normal sed rate and normal ANA and something else, I was told not to worry right now. I was told that I was at increased risk so it warrented watching. I'm going back in Feb. for repeat blood work.

NorthernElf Enthusiast
NorthernElf
Posted

Roda...you didn't mention symptoms of RA...do you have any ?

Curious....I've had symptoms since December & am still seeking a diagnosis - RF negative back then. I go in Friday for results after a big round of more blood tests, but honestly at this point it pretty much has to be RA. Maybe I'm just one of those with weird blood work (kinda like my celiac). I have a lot of pain, fatigue, and stiffness - way worse now than in December. It has really progressed and I think my hands are starting to morph.

Having said that, I have read a LOT - the meds they have now really do seem to halt a lot of the deformities in the joints, though it is important to be diagnosed ASAP and get on them. Ugh. I just finished a round of prednisone & anti inflammatories. It seemed to help but not get rid of pain. I took my last anti inlammatory yesterday morning and am pretty sore & stiff today. I wanted to be off them for my doc appointment Friday but not sure I will make it !

Good luck & keep on it. FWIW, you can be positive for the RF and not have rheumatoid arthritis.

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted
  • Author

I don't seem to have any symtoms of RA. I have been fatigued a lot, but that could be from a host of other things.

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

Also, FWIW, you can have forms of rheumatoid arthritis that are RF negative, like mine :( I did not develop the psoriasis to go with it until a year or two later.

Reba32 Rookie
Reba32
Posted

Psoriatic arthritis can deform the bones like RA can, but it will have a negative RF result.

If you have negative RF, but positive ANA, it could be any number of other auto-immunes such as lupus, sjogren's, systemic sclerosis etc etc etc...

ALL of the above can cause similar symptoms of all over pain, brain fog, and malaise, but each usually has their own singular markers/symptoms that a rheumatologist should be able to pin down.

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,901
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    tessycork47
    Newest Member
    tessycork47
    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

    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • 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.