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Neurology (Expert Forum)
on going problems for six months
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
on going problems for six months
by cjzabel, Jan 07, 2007 12:00AM
Thank you in advance for any advice. First of all I would like to mention I am a 27 year old female, with a diagnoses of Graves disease at the age of 17. I live in Kansas. My problems started in August of 2006. I went in for an upper GI, and colonoscopy for stomach pain, also had a CT scan at that time. I was pretty stressed out because of were the pain was, they thought it could be my pancreas. One week after all of these test I woke up and my calfs muscles were twitching. Throughout the course of two weeks the twitching spread over my entire body; face,stomach,legs,back,arms. Went to my general practitioner she tested my thyroid,free t4 was 2.7, so she dropped my dose thought that was the reason for the twitching. Two months later I was still twitching, she sent me to a Neurologist. He did an office exam and said everything looked good . He was not concerned with ALS because no atrophy. Anxiety got alot worse because the twitching was still very frequent so Neurologist ordered and EMG, it was normal. Started on Lexapro for anxiety. Twitching is mainly in calfs,but now having some buzzing in my feet, hypnic jerks at night,periodic limd movemnet, also burning in some of my muscles not constant, now kind of concered of MS because of the Graves disease. The other symptoms started after the Lexapro. My medical bills are getting high so I am trying not to go back to the Neurologist. Does this sound like MS or anything serious? I should mention also I have four young children, and I am a nursing student, stress could make a difference. Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Jan 27, 2007 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
The symptoms and story that you provide are concerning for Gluten Sensitivity Enteropathy (GSE)[also called celiac disease or sprue]. This is an autoimmune condition where your body produces antibodies against your stomach lining. GSE is much more common in patients with Graves disease, likely due to the HLA-B8 and HLA-DR3 genes of the immune system that predispose to these diseases (Graves disease is caused by antibodies your immune system makes against your thyroid). GSE causes stomach pain, bloating, Fasciculations (the twitches that you were describing), fatigue, muscle/joint pains, and sometimes visual disturbances. To test for this condition, IgG and IgA antibodies should be sent for gliadin, endomysial and reticulin. A total IgA level should also be sent, because some people with GSE also have IgA deficiency. Long term GSE can eventually lead to lymphoma if untreated. The treatment is a Gluten free diet, and you should consult a dietitian for details, but briefly gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. I do not think you symptoms are related to multiple sclerosis or stress.
I hope this has been helpful.
The symptoms and story that you provide are concerning for Gluten Sensitivity Enteropathy (GSE)[also called celiac disease or sprue]. This is an autoimmune condition where your body produces antibodies against your stomach lining. GSE is much more common in patients with Graves disease, likely due to the HLA-B8 and HLA-DR3 genes of the immune system that predispose to these diseases (Graves disease is caused by antibodies your immune system makes against your thyroid). GSE causes stomach pain, bloating, Fasciculations (the twitches that you were describing), fatigue, muscle/joint pains, and sometimes visual disturbances. To test for this condition, IgG and IgA antibodies should be sent for gliadin, endomysial and reticulin. A total IgA level should also be sent, because some people with GSE also have IgA deficiency. Long term GSE can eventually lead to lymphoma if untreated. The treatment is a Gluten free diet, and you should consult a dietitian for details, but briefly gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. I do not think you symptoms are related to multiple sclerosis or stress.
I hope this has been helpful.
Have you looked into a mag/cal or potassium supplementation?
Read up on these and see if they may be right for you. Of course, it is imperative to learn if they have any interactions with any medications you are taking or wouldn't be right for you due to a medical condition.
With anxiety comes muscle problems but it may not be the sole contributor.
Search around here:
http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/magnesium.asp
Best.