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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
celiac ?worsening symptoms
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
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.
celiac ?worsening symptoms
by rosie16, Mar 14, 2009 10:34PM
IM A 22YR OLD FEMALE. I FOUND OUT I HAVE CELIAC DISEASE 2 1/2YRS AGO. IM ON A GLUTEN FREE DIET. BEFORE I CHANGED MY DIET THE MAIN SYMPTOM I HAD WERE MIGRAINES (WHICH IS AN ATYPICAL SYMPTOM I KNOW) WHICH STARTED AROUND PUBERTY. BEFORE MY DIET CHANGED MY MIGRAINES WERE 5-6DAYS A WK AND LASTED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME AND ONLY STOPPED WHEN I WENT TO SLEEP. WE THINK ITS GENETIC ON MY DADS SIDE OF THE FAMILY. MY FAMILYS PROBLEMS INCLUDE SEVERE OSTEOPROSIS(MALE AND FEMALE), DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS, SKIN RASH (I FORGOT THE NAME OF IT), MY GRANDMA SCHIZOPHRENIA/SYMPTOMS MAY ALSO BE RELATED,ECT..
WHEN I CHANGED MY DIET AFTER A FEW MONTHS MY MIGRAINES ALMOST ENTIRELY DISAPPEARED. EXCEPT FOR 1 RIGHT BEFORE MY PERIOD STARTS AND SHORT IN DURATION. SINCE JANUARY MY MIGRAINES HAVE BEEN INCREASING IN STRENGTH AND DURATION. AND HAVE BEEN MORE AND MORE OFTEN. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A PARTICULAR AREA THTA I GET THEM IT ALWAYS VARIES. THE ONLY OTHER MEDICAL PROBLEMS I HAVE ARE ACNE THAT IS WORSENING, AND PANIC ATTACKS. I ALSO HAVE HAD CHANGES IN MY MOODS SINCE NOVEMBER. I DONT THINK MY MIGRAINES ARE RELATED TO GLUTEN BECAUSE IM PRETTY CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I EAT.
BUT MY HX MAKES ME THINK IT IS RELEATED. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS TO HELP WITH MY MIGRAINES. DO YOU THINK THEY COULD BE RELATED TO CELIAC? OR ANY OF MY OTHER CONDTIONS?
SHOULD I USE TOLITREES THAT ARE GF TOO? COULD THAT BE IT? PLEASE HELP I CANT GET ANY FOR A COUPLE OF MOS TO SEE A DOC AND MY MIGRAINES ARE MAKING IT HARD TO WORK SINCE I LOOK AT A SCREEN ALL DAY DOING ULTRASOUNDS.
WHEN I CHANGED MY DIET AFTER A FEW MONTHS MY MIGRAINES ALMOST ENTIRELY DISAPPEARED. EXCEPT FOR 1 RIGHT BEFORE MY PERIOD STARTS AND SHORT IN DURATION. SINCE JANUARY MY MIGRAINES HAVE BEEN INCREASING IN STRENGTH AND DURATION. AND HAVE BEEN MORE AND MORE OFTEN. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A PARTICULAR AREA THTA I GET THEM IT ALWAYS VARIES. THE ONLY OTHER MEDICAL PROBLEMS I HAVE ARE ACNE THAT IS WORSENING, AND PANIC ATTACKS. I ALSO HAVE HAD CHANGES IN MY MOODS SINCE NOVEMBER. I DONT THINK MY MIGRAINES ARE RELATED TO GLUTEN BECAUSE IM PRETTY CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I EAT.
BUT MY HX MAKES ME THINK IT IS RELEATED. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS TO HELP WITH MY MIGRAINES. DO YOU THINK THEY COULD BE RELATED TO CELIAC? OR ANY OF MY OTHER CONDTIONS?
SHOULD I USE TOLITREES THAT ARE GF TOO? COULD THAT BE IT? PLEASE HELP I CANT GET ANY FOR A COUPLE OF MOS TO SEE A DOC AND MY MIGRAINES ARE MAKING IT HARD TO WORK SINCE I LOOK AT A SCREEN ALL DAY DOING ULTRASOUNDS.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Mar 15, 2009 08:58AM
, Mar 15, 2009 08:58AM
Migraines can be associated with celiac disease, and if so, better control of the celiac disease may help with the headaches.
That said, there are other methods to manage chronic migraines. A variety of triptan medications, as well as the anti-seizure medication Topamax, along with tricyclic medications, are all options.
A referral to a neurologist can be considered. Imaging the brain with a CT scan or MRI can also be considered to exclude other possibilities.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin Pho, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
www.twitter.com/kevinmd
That said, there are other methods to manage chronic migraines. A variety of triptan medications, as well as the anti-seizure medication Topamax, along with tricyclic medications, are all options.
A referral to a neurologist can be considered. Imaging the brain with a CT scan or MRI can also be considered to exclude other possibilities.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin Pho, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
www.twitter.com/kevinmd
