Link to Celiac Disease?

Greetings,

I just found this forum and was hoping to ask people here, draw on your experience to see if by chance anyone with Lupus also may have Celiac Disease.  I was DG with Celiac Disease 2 years ago, my antibody numbers are back down to normal, however I have had 2 major episodes in the past year that have started with what seemed to be a cold sore, turning in to almost total body rashes, flu-like symptoms (yet not the flu), overall extreme fatigue, and very bad joint pain.  It seems that most Celiac patients after going on gluten free diets seem to get quite better, but for me, it seems there is something else that is still not right.

I do have slight redness across nose and cheeks, but nothing compared to pics I have seen on web for Malar rash.

I am not searching for multiple illnesses here, I am just exasperated at not feeling well.

Any and all responses would be so much appreciated.  THX

REDRUBY

Hi Redruby, welcome to the boards! We know how frustrating it is to not feel well and not have any answers for it.

I too have celiac and lupus. I was dx with Celiac in Sept 2003 after suffering for over a year with nausea, uncontrollable diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping and weight loss (40lbs in 2 months). I started the gluten free diet immediately and within 3 days the abdominal pain disappeared but the diarrhea hung around. After months and months of this I wondered how long it was going to last. A couple of months later I got strep throat (jan 2004) OMG.... then the extreme fatigue hit and all of my other symptoms that were once bothersome (i.e joint pain, mouth sores,etc) were magnified 100%! Finally in May 2005 my 3rd rheumy dx me with lupus and suspected it attacked my GI tract. She decided to try me on Imuran and the positive results I had confirmed her suspicions. I don't ever cheat on my GF diet but my intestines are so sensitive I have to limit my dairy, fresh fruit and veggie intake.

Not everyone with lupus has the facial rash, I don't. It may be time to see a good rheumatologist, one that specializes in lupus. Take care and feel free to ask more questions. Keep up updated on how you are doing.

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Stacie
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding ~ Proverbs 3:5 ~

DX: Hashimoto's, Celiac Disease, Raynaud's, Lupus and Sjogrens
RX: Imuran, Plaquenil, Methotrexate, Flexeril, Piroxicam, Levoxyl, Folic Acid, Folgard OS (B12), Vitamin D-50,000 IU, Darvocet (as needed) and magic mouthwash (for mouth sores)

Redruby, I have lupus and am gluten intolerant. Don't have celiac but feel much better and many of my lupus symptoms improve when I'm gluten-free. By improve I mean my joint pain decreases, my fatigue decreases, and I feel better overall. I haven't yet figured out the magic combination to make me feel 100%, but better is better. The flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and fatigue you describe are exactly what I have. I also have redness across my cheeks and nose, and it gets redder when I flare, but like you, it's nothing like the pics I've seen on the web.

The first of February I am going to take a class on the body ecology diet. The instructor asked me to purchase the book and start eliminating sugar from my diet prior to the class starting. I haven't received the book yet so I'm not too knowledgeable about the diet, but it eliminates sugar, gluten, artificial sweeteners, and sodas (cokes, etc.) from the diet. She is going to have food prepared for us to eat at the classes.

My body, as is yours, is good about telling me that what I eat affects how I feel. For now, I'm simply trying to figure out what it is that I need to eliminate from my diet.

I'm with Stacie in recommending that you see a rheumatologist. From what I know, celiac and autoimmune diseases often go hand in hand and it sounds like you need to find out what's going on with your body. Keep us posted on any progress you make. This forum isn't just for folks who are diagnosed with lupus. Hanging around here can be helpful for people who have lupus like symptoms and want more information and support. Do let us know how you're doing.

Pat

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<sub>SLE, osteoarthritis, fibro, renauds, restless leg, hiatal hernia, double vision, migraines, costocondritis, gluten intolerance.

prednisone, plaquenil, arava, neurontin, synthroid, triamterene, actonel, tri-est, imitrex (for rare migraines), cymbalta, tricor, acifex, multivitamin, calcium w vit D, fish oil, aspirin</sub>