Polyneuropathy/Celiac Disease

[notagain072138]

If any one knows more info, I have experienced severe lower leg and feet and hand pain and persistent muscle tightening, hyperreflexia, IBS, ringing in my ears, and constant leg jerking, both morning and night, since 2008 after a C-spine surgery.  My current neurologist, 3rd one, is looking into polyneuropathy.  I had looked up some symptoms and see that I fit the bill 100% but I am really feeling ill from being tired, and light headed that this may be due to Celiac Disease.  I see my doctor this week and hope to be tested.  My folate is low and had low B-12 in the beginning of this onset and took injections for 6 months.  I feel like if this is due to Celiac it may have progressed and I am frightened of the outcome of not being treated all this time.  Can Celiac Disease cause polyneuropathy that is irreversible?  What else can I ask my doctor to do for me since I feel like my nutrition is depleting and my body and  concentration feel awful?
Thank you.

[ZeeIn]

I also have Peripheral Polyneuropathy. Mine is from unknown origin, but it most commonly comes from Diabeties which I don't have.  Not sure the two are related unless it's all Autoimmune oriented. I can't remember if Celiac is Autoimmune disease.  I'm being tested for that, as well.  Funny my appt just got rescheduled for that.

Anyway, the only way to diagnose Neuropathy or Polyneuropathy is via the lovely EMG/NCS.  If you have nerve damage, it is a very unpleasant test. If you do not, it won't hurt at all.  My neurologist just recently wanted to do the test again, but I begged him not to.  We know the Polyneuropathy is worse, I said let's leave it at that.

I have multiple Autoimmune problems and it would be interesting if these two could fit in that catagory.  That would explain a lot more.  Once you have one Autoimmune Disease, you are at risk of having many and some have all.  I'm working on the later unintentionally.  Good Luck.

[ZeeIn]

PS... The ringing in my ears is driving me crazy.  Never stops.  As for the RLS or leg jerking, have your Iron levels checked. I was diagnosed with Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome (which is cousin to RLS) and was given Mirapex for it.  I went to see my Pulmonologist, of all people, and he tested my Iron levels and they were really low. He told me to stop taking the Mirapex and take Iron instead. Now, everytime my legs start bothering me, I know my Iron is low.  

The meds they usually give you for Polyneuropathy is Neurontin or Lyrica.  I don't like either of them myself.  I now take Nortriptyline a night and it helps prevent the walking on needles or glass feeling in the morning.

Hope this helps.  

[notagain072138]

Thank you for your comments, I hope they check me for Celiac because I feel so list and light headed as well as numbness in feet and hands, balance problesm and I really think from malabsorbtion I am not getting any nutrients.  I am on Tramadol for the leg spasticity pain and folic acid which was low, but not having a diagnosis is awful in it's self.
Thanks again.

[ZeeIn]

Gee how I know how that feels. I know when I got my first diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis, I was so releived to have a name, any name that would explain my symptoms.  Unfortunately, it didn't stop there and I keep collecting more diagnosis's monthly.  I'm just waiting for them to say that it altogether is called "....".  However, it has not happened.  
I took Tramadol for a bit, but it didn't help me much. Nortriptyline seems to cut down on a good portion of the needle pricking pain in my legs.

Please keep us informed of what you find out.  I will as well.
Good Luck!!