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

Please Help, Celiac Symptoms Plus Other Autoimmune Disease?

serine

By serine
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

serine Newbie
serine
Posted

Hi,

I am new to this site and was diagnosed with celiac's disease almost three years ago. Am wondering if I developed another autoimmune disease within the 9 years I thought it was just IBS... because even on the diet I am feeling very sick almost every day. Please help...

I felt much much better when I started the diet, felt like I had a lot of energy, no more constant infections, no more rash, started to have restful sleep, etc. But a few months later I caught EBV. I had mono for two years and had to go on antivirals because my IgM was positive for a long long time (should only be two weeks!), was diagnosed with chronic EBV, but antivirals brought virus down to a low level and I don't think that is causing current symptoms. (I had some of the kidney symptoms well before I had the virus, and I had flare-ups of symptoms while on antivirals) so the symptoms are:

FEVERS, swollen lymph nodes in the back of my neck, tingly/malaise/sick feeling in my whole body, dark urine, blood in urine, burning to pee, increased urine frequency, kidney pain in front under ribs on either side, flank kidney pain which makes me feel nauseous, MUSCLE WEAKNESS, pain in muscles but mainly with pressure/ not always with use, pain and stiffness in joints, joint stiffness, (hard to unlock door, start car from pain), skin hurts to touch, RAVENOUS HUNGER to the point where I can't get a good nights sleep and am constantly waking up with hunger pains, fatigue.

these symptoms flare up with stress or exercise (with no abdominal symptoms), or after eating gluten...usually a few days after I have "the poops". The symptoms bother me almost every day in a year because flare-ups can be months long. Tests have shown ketones in urine, scaring in kidneys, high CPK, weird test results that say I'm having rhabdomyolysis and dehydration when I look them up...of course doctors have been horrible and no help, and my ANA is negative so they ignore that I may have another autoimmune issue.

It's been really hard mentally since I can't exercise.. the last time I was feeling better I went to yoga, but woke up with really weak muscles, a high fever, and swollen lymphs nodes the next day. Kidney and urine symptoms followed these. Same happened after a night of dancing once. . Joint/muslce pain with pressure just started up this year, and the kidney/muscle weakness issues have been bothering me for 6 years.

does anyone deal with similar issues? and what is it? am starting to think I have polymyositis :( or something similar and scary. Or does this sound like celiac symptoms of someone who is super sensitive? please help!! thanks and Merry Christmas :)

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


shadowicewolf Proficient
shadowicewolf
Posted

Some of those sound like classic UTI infections (burning, dark coloring, frequency). :(

I can't remember how many doctors it took for them to figure out my gallbladder problem. Just keep with it, you'll find one that can help ya, i'm sure.

jebby Enthusiast
jebby
Posted

Hi, I had a neighbor who was diagnosed with porphyria and had a lot of the same symptoms as you. I no longer live near her but she had some other autoimmune issues too. It is a rare condition but it effected many of her organ systems including her kidneys and I remember her saying that it took years for her to get the right diagnosis.

mommida Enthusiast
mommida
Posted

I don't think your symptoms are from Celiac. (everyone can have individual reactions, but this is not common amongst the chatters here)

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,898
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    MLucia
    Newest Member
    MLucia
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • 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.