I'm soon to be tested for gluten intolerance thanks to my GPs initiative. I was diagnosed with arthritis, most likely psoriatic type, seronegative, last June. What I am trying to understand is whether the two coexist for me or is one diagnosis going to cancel out the other.
What's the difference? Both can cause degeneration of joints but obviously, celiac is just related to gluten consumption.
My main reason for asking is that I have been off work for 3 months with a flare and depression due in part to work stress. I went back 3 weeks ago and they were willing to make reasonable adjustments but yesterday I mentioned to my manager that I am being tested for gluten intolerance and her response rather threw me. She wants to hold off ordering a chair (on loan) in case it is just gluten intolerance. I said that I don't know whether it would be a misdiagnosis of arthritis or that I have both.
I'm a bit angry because I am uncomfortable on the current chair and I spend most of my day sitting. Now I have to wait until I have eaten enough gluten to do the test and wait to find out if cutting out the gluten gets rid of the pain too. Am I being unreasonable?
I just feel like my work think I am a big joke and they can't be bothered to make any changes unless they are required by law.
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It's my understanding that those if us with psoriatic arthritis also have a good chance of getting bowel issues on top. I was tested for coeliacs, and inflammatory bowel disease, but in fact only have IBS. I can manage this with diet.
Hopefully all will be Ok for you. You can have both issues together, or one or the other. Certainly coeliacs can cause joint pain. You would also feel terrible with sore stomach, diarrhoea and weight loss. Inflammatory bowel disease can also make you feel pretty awful.
Yes I have RA and coeliac too. But fudge always cheers me up.lol Weirdly despite all the posts that giving up gluten helps in my experiance it don't. The only thing that helps is medication. I had the blood test etc but actually had no symptoms just a sort of funny tummy. It shocked me to find out going GF was the future.
Some people don't understand Coeliac or even IBS. It's not due to their ignorance, simply they've never had problems they wouldn't know the impact!
I was Seropositive since October 2016, I had suffered with IBS for many years but just got on with it. Last year thought had flare up of diverticulitis given antibiotics still felt unwell, gp thought was rather invasive to have endoscopy and colonospoy that she said to see how I get on. Bearing in mind this gp did not know me
(old gp surgery was with 34 years had now closed otherwise would had both tests as before without any problems)
I decided go privately had tests done last October was the best. Being diagnosed with Coeliac since then been referred to dietician who has helped tremendously not only with Coeliac diet also with IBS I'm now following FODMAP diet as Coeliac diet alone did not work with both now feeling much better happier and new lease of life. Of course still weary as had IBS many years.
FODMAP diet you follow strictly for 2 weeks of following both is extremely strict you must stick to Very rigid !!!!! If you slip up it puts you back a week every time (as I discovered on few occasions) theres no room for cheating. It takes 1 week to get previous foods clear from your system !
After week 2 you then incorporate certain foods - this you follow for further 6-8 weeks which then you'll find out what has been contributing to IBS. After 6-8 weeks all going well will only need follow Coeliac eating!
Believe me I'm still in process coming towards end 2nd week what a difference I've seen only 2nd week. So many foods cannot eat it is basic meat , fish , eggs - only lactose free milk and certain limited vegetables - but worth persevering !!!
Thanks Pamela, sorry I have only just seen all these great messages from everyone!
The gluten intolerance test came back negative so I went for an elimination diet.
I started on a Functional medicine diet, excluding gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, caffeine, alcohol, processed sugar and corn. I am eating only grass-fed lamb, organic chicken, turkey and fish (wild caught keta). I'm also eating a really diverse range of fruit and vegetables. Carbs are all low GI (sweet potato, brown rice, quinoa, amaranth) I buy organic if it is on the dirty dozen list. The idea is to reduce the toxic load on the body to improve it's ability to cope as well as elimination of the top food suspects. In just 4 weeks, I have noticed a massive difference. I am now off the Sulfasalazine...we will see how long that lasts. Regardless of whether this is a long term solution, I feel so much better about what I am eating and I am making some changes for life.
It is very hard work, especially with 2 toddlers and working every day. I have to cook everything from scratch and eat 5 times a day.
Feeling better and although I still have ups and downs, I am optimistic!
I have noticed that when I eat certain things like whole wheat bread or pasta my pain increases dramatically. I was tested for celiacs and it was negative. I think I just have an intolerance to wheat or gluten or something in wheat products. It makes the arthritis pain worse but isn’t a cause of it.
Only just seen these posts. I’m sero positive RA with diagnosed coeliac disease. The rule of thumb is that if you have one autoimmune disease you may well get later diagnosed with one or two more. .. oh the joys! TT x
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