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

Numbness In Hands

mark5767

Recommended Posts

mark5767 Newbie
mark5767
Posted

I was diagnosed about 3 weeks ago so I am pretty new to a strict gluten free diet, although I started cutting way back on gluten after it was "probable" I had an issue around 2 months ago.

Anyway, my major issue is middlish right side abdominal pain which can be severe at times. It kind of cycles up and down, the doctor thinks it's due to pretty severe sprue in the upper intestine (the villi or whatever they are called are all gone).

When the pain gets really bad it's accompanied by a lot of belching which seems to relieve the pain for the moment. And also some flatulence, but not that bad.

Recently the pain returned and I noticed it's now accompanied by feeling worse emotionally (very short temper), fatigue and also tingling/numbness in my hands. I assume this could be a nutritional deficiency but my blood tests showed pretty normal for most things tested (which was quite a few)including vitamin B12.

I am thinking of taking a B12 supplement just to see if it helps. I am also thinking I need another visit with the GI doctor, since I was feeling better for a bit but last week started to feel pretty bad again. The numbness thing is a little freaky so I just thought I would see if anyone has thoughts on that. B12 seems to be one possible explanation, are there others? Thanks!

Mark

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Melody02 Newbie
Melody02
Posted

numbing in the hands/ fingers seems to be a common side effect, one which visits me frequently. The better I am with being strict on the no gluten, the less and less my (ring and pinky) fingers fall asleep.

Just be sure to read every lable on the foods you eat. If you are not sure, just google *the food name* and *gluten free*. We are so blessed to have such redily available information. I do not know how folks with Celiac Sprue ate before so much info was available on the internet!

Cara in Boston Enthusiast
Cara in Boston
Posted

Make sure your B12 is gluten free - I made that mistake and seriously thought I had been misdiagnosed because all my symptoms came suddenly back.

I have numbness in my hands and feet. I have been gluten-free for a year now and this is still an issue for me . . . much less frequently, but it still happens - unlike my other symptoms that are gone completely. I think I read somewhere that some neuropathy can be permanent. At least now I know the cause, so it no longer concerns me (like when I thought I must have a brain tumor or something) it is just annoying.

cara

mark5767 Newbie
mark5767
Posted
  • Author

Thank you for your repsonses, good advice to be careful to select a gluten free vitamin, that could be a couple steps back instead of forward!

cavernio Enthusiast
cavernio
Posted

I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, which was tingling and eventually pain in my hands, feet and around my mouth, years before my celiac diagnosis. It was among one of the many symptoms that eventually led me to ask to be tested for celiac disease.

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,905
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    klmgarland
    Newest Member
    klmgarland
    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

    • Xravith
      Taking Probiotics but Still Getting Sick After Gluten – Advice?

      By Xravith · Posted

      Yes, you are right. Indeed, I’ve been feeling anemic since the beginning of this week, and today I felt horrible during a lecture at the university, I was trembling a lot and felt all my body incredibly heavy, so I had to come back home. I’ll do a blood test tomorrow, but I’m just worried about the possibility of it coming back negative. I’ve been eating two cookies in the morning as my only source of gluten over the past two weeks—could that affect the final result?
    • 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.
×
×
  • 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.