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Gastroenterology  (Expert Forum)
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numbness and tingling in hands, feet, arms, and legs
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.

numbness and tingling in hands, feet, arms, and legs

by twingirl, Feb 11, 2002 12:00AM
I have had severe bowel problems for ten years. I have been having tingling and numbness in my legs, feet, arms and hands.  I was just wondering if Colitis and ileitis could cause any of these problems.  I have been to a Neurologist for and EMG, but carpal tunnel was the only explantion in my hands.  There was not an explanation for my feet or legs.  I also get lower back pain and my stomach is bloated almost all the time.  I know this probably seems like a question for a neurologist, but I have asked my neurologist, and she doesn't seem to know.  I guess I'm just trying to find answers to these annoying problems.  It doesn't hurt to ask.  I would appreciate any information that you can give me.  Thank you.  Cheryl
Member Comments (23)

by Wilson, Feb 11, 2002 12:00AM
Have you been tested for celiac disease or other malabsorption syndromes? These can sometimes cause the symptoms you describe.

by Concerned lady, Feb 12, 2002 12:00AM
I agree with Wilson, about checking into Celiac Disease (a gluten intolerance), which can cause "malabsorption" syndromes!



Also, if you are (or were) on any ACID BLOCKING MEDS, these cause Vitamin B12 (and other vitamins & minerals) to NOT get absorbed in the small intestines, and this results in NERVE DAMAGE (Peripheral Neuropathy) that includes numbness, tingling, pain, etc.



To find out more about Peripheral Neuropathy (PN), go over to http://www.braintalk.org  and go to the "Peripheral Neuropathy" forum there.



That website has many neurological forums, and can give you much info. Also, post your question there, AND on the neuro forum here at med help!



In case you might have Celiac Disease, try avoiding "gluten" containing foods for several months. This means avoiding WHEAT, RYE, OATS, BARLEY & BUCKWHEAT. Spelt is a form of wheat, and has gluten in it. Triticale has gluten.



Brown rice is gluten free, and nourishing. But some Celiac patients do better, by first avoiding ALL grains. Corn is gluten free, but is very "allergenic", so avoid it. Millet may or may not agree with Celiac patients, so avoid it.



Also, avoid milk products, in case you have a lactose intolerance (can occur due to Celiac Disease). Later on, Celiacs may produce lactase enzymes again, when their small intestines heal, and the microscopic finger-like projections called "villi" re-grow. (Gluten DESTROYS the vital "villi"!)



There is also lactase enzyme, like "Lactaid" in pill or liquid form, if someone wants to use milk products, but is lactose (milk sugar) intolerant.



Digestive enzymes and "probiotics" (like acidophilus & bifidus) are usually very helpful for Celiac patients. So are vitamin and mineral supplements, and very nutritious foods.



You should check neurological forums, in case something else is going on, instead of, or in addition to, digestive problems.



Good luck to you. I hope others give you their opinions, too.



Sincerely, Concerned lady



http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

***@****

by Concerned lady, Feb 12, 2002 12:00AM
Oops, I meant LACTOSE INTOLERANT. Lactose is milk sugar, and Lactase is the digestive enzyme that breaks down lactose.

by twingirl, Feb 12, 2002 12:00AM
To: concerned lady
Thank you for your response.  I have been checked for celiac disease.  Tests show that I do not have the disease.  I also have been checked for B12 defeciency, and everything was normal.  I do have some autoimmune problems which some say it is Lupus, others say it is not.  Very frustrating so I am seeking answers from maybe someone out there mentions somehthing that the doctors haven't.  Who knows, maybe I will find the answer.  Thanks again.

by twingirl, Feb 12, 2002 12:00AM
To: wilson
Thank you for your response.  I have been checked for Celiac, but the tests show negative results. Thanks again.

by rthornton, Feb 13, 2002 12:00AM
I have recently by diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (autoimmune liver disease) and I also have this numbness and tingling.  I have a peripheral neuropathy in my right leg...had it for years...cause unknown.  I haven't been tested for celiac disease, but will look into it.  I am going through exactly the same thing...general blood tests don't point to anything specific.  Just wanted you to know you are not alone!  Let me know if you find anything out...I will do the same!

by twingirl, Feb 13, 2002 12:00AM
To: rthorton
I am so sorry about your diagnoses.  How long did it take for them to make this diagnoses?  What kind of test did you have?  What does this mean for you?  The doctor's said this is what was causing your numbness?  Any autoimmune is so horrible.  It just never goes away.  What are the doctor's doing for you?  Please let me know how you are doing.  Take care!

by rthornton, Feb 13, 2002 12:00AM
To: twingirl
Thanks for your kind words!  Autoimmune disease is a bit scary.  The prognosis is unpredictable for my particular problem.  I am currently taking Prednisone and Imuran,  one is an anti-inflammatory and the other an immunosuppresant.  The goal is to control the progress of the disease by suppressing my immune system to keep it from damaging my liver too much.  I will probably be on and off these drugs for the rest of my life.  They do have some potentially serious side effects, so they try to keep as low dose as possible to control damage.  Not the best thing in the world...but better than a liver transplant!  I have been responding to treatment well so far...but have only been on them two months.



They haven't really said this is the cause of the tingling...but it sounds like autoimmune disease in general may cause this (Lupus does, I think).  I have never seen a specific reference to my particular disorder.  My fear is that autoimmune problems often come in groups...and I am worried I may have more than one.  So far, I don't have any really severe symptoms to point towards anything.  I know Multiple Sclerosis can cause the tingling, and that is my biggest fear.



My diagnosis came quickly...I luckily found great doctors.  My liver enzymes were elevated, they did ultrasound and then a liver biopsy...after testing for other possible causes of liver inflammation...and were able to give a pretty definite diagnosis right away.  Autoimmune disease is very hard to diagnose...it is not an exact science.



Good luck to you and I will keep you posted on the "paresthesias"...the medical term for the "pins and needles" sensations we have!

by ruthy, Feb 14, 2002 12:00AM
To: twingirl
I have had some of your problems.  You mentioned carpal tunnel.  When my problems started I was doing 4 hour stints on the computer, tensing up my body and I developed all sorts of sensations, deep left groin pain, lower back pain, tingling numbness in my legs, etc.  A lot of it may stem from sitting at the computer too long.  Get up and move around every 15 minutes.  Also I just read over the internet and it was verified that aspertim, equal and all those other "sugarless" sugars turns to wood alcohol in the brain and causes symptoms of lupus, ms, alzheimer's and that other "shaking" disease.  Do you drink diet coke or pepsi or take equal or other such products?  I want to suggest that perhaps you should rule all that out before you start worrying about serious stuff.

by twingirl, Feb 15, 2002 12:00AM
To: Ruthy
Thanks so much for your input.  I am maybe on the computer an hour, two hours at the most a day.  I don't  drink cola's or any other kind of pop except a juice glass of Pepsi when I have pizza which is rarely.  I don't use any artificial sweeteners.  I use sugar in tea.  I don't drink coffee.  I have a twin who also experiences the same problems.  Now my 10 year old who has been sick off and on with bowel