Joint inflammation and gluten?!?!

I am hoping to get some input from you all! I have read several posts and have found them helpful. Here is my story...
I am 25 years old. I have had joint pains for about 9 months now and the originally thought it was sure to systemic strep so I had my tonsils removed, that did not help! Now I have gone to see a rheumatologist and all of my blood work came back great with the only thing being a slightly elevated CRP. So he tells me I have some inflammation in my joints. Don't know the cause or anything. I was put on 5 mg prednisone for 3 weeks and since that was helping ( mostly, I have some days where it does not seem to help). Now I am being put on Plaquenil. I understand this medicine is relatively safe, and I need an eye exam. I am just wondering of anyone has been on Plaquenil for a really really long time. I'm just thinking ahead for my future since I am only 25 and having these issues early.

I am also wondering after reading about gluten if it may have an effect on joint inflammation as many things I read say that it does. Have any of you seen a difference with cutting out gluten? I just hate to go on meds so early and eagerly if I am going to have this issue for ever.

I also feel like I do not have as much energy, I'm shedding like a dog, joint pain, occasional stomach pains, but they are usually just an annoyance so I have never really though me of it being a gluten thing.

I feel I have something going on with my joints but as of yet have nothing to call it other than inflammation.

Sorry for all of my rambling!! Help!! :)

Michaela
Back to Top

I have RA and Sjogrens and at first before I got on meds, I noticed that gluten would worsen my arthritis, so I cut it out. I am now able to add it back without as many problems. I still don't eat as much wheat as I once did. Don't give up and if your Dr. thinks you have inflammatory arthritis, stay on the plaquenil so you don't get more damage. I went off for 3 years and now I have damage. My x rays were positive for RA in the past few months. However, I'd been suffering from symptoms for a long time along with a negative rheumatoid factor. I had a high sed rate, crp and ANA. So, be cautious, you are young, you want to postpone any damage. Also, it takes 3 months for the plaquenil to get to peak concentration. The eye problems with plaq. are rare but get your eyes examined every year.