Overlap in Fibromyalgia and Celiac Disease Symptoms
Fibromyalgia isn’t considered an intestinal illness, although many with fibromyalgia do also have digestive symptoms or irritable bowel syndrome and some have been diagnosed with other digestive disorders. However, the overlaop in fibromyalgia and celiac disease symptoms goes way beyond just gastro-intestinal symptoms.
A July, 2014 by García‑Leiva, Carrasco, Slim, and Calandre shows an overlap in Fibromyalgia and Celiac disease symptoms. While Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a co-morbid disorder with Fibromyalgia, and the gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms of IBS do overlap those of Celiac, this study looked at more than just the GI symptoms.
Not all symptoms of Celiac disease are digestive
While Celiac disease typically presents in childhood with GI symptoms, it often present in adulthood with many non-GI symptoms, including mental fog, skin rash, joint/muscle pain, headache, fatigue, and behavior changes. Many of these symptoms are also typical of Fibromyalgia (and many other disorders).
To look at this overlap the researchers compared a group of 178 Fibromyalgia patients to a control group of 131 healthy participants. The data from the Fibromyalgia group was then compared to data in the literature about Celiac patients. The Fibromyalgia group was also compared to reported data for patients with non-Celiac gluten-sensitivity.
Celiac Symptoms
The following symptoms of Celiac were assessed: Tiredness/fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Sleep problems, Memory loss, Abdominal pain, Bloating, Diarrhea/constipation, Weight loss or gain, Lactose intolerance, Nausea and/or vomiting, indigestion, Alteration in the liver function, heartburn, fatty stools, Paresthesias, Cutaneous lesions, Ankle swelling, and Reproductive disorders (PMS, sexual disorders, excessive menstrual bleeding).
Overlap Between Fibromyalgia and Celiac
The comparison showed that those with Fibromyalgia do have a higher incidence of fatigue, depression, and memory loss (typical symptoms of Fibromyalgia), as well as cutaneous lesions, than has been shown for Celiac patients. However, there was little difference in the other symptoms, between the Celiac patients and Fibromyalgia. The only exception being anemia, which is higher in Celiac. The differences between Fibromyalgia and non-Celiac gluten sensitivity were similar. However, Fibromyalgia patients exhibited more GI symptoms, with the exception of abdominal pain, and there was no difference in anemia levels between groups. When compared to the control group, Fibromyalgia patients exhibited every symptom at a significantly higher level, with the exception of anemia.
So, basically, while a few of the symptoms are typical Fibro symptoms (fatigue, memory issues, depression), and many of the symptoms are typical IBS symptoms (which is a common co-morbid condition with Fibromyalgia), some of these symptoms are not typical of either, but are typical of a food sensitivity / allergy. This suggests that such a food sensitivity may be a cause or contributing factor to a large portion of the symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia.
Recent study suggests food intolerance could be a primary cause of Fibromyalgia Share on XFrom my experience I have found that removing gluten has greatly improved my Fibromyalgia symptoms (fatigue, chronic pain).
However, it has not really altered the symptoms commonly associated with IBS, Celiac, or non-Celiac gluten sensitivity. I continue to suffer from a great amount of constipation / diarrhea, abdominal pain, indigestion, nausea, heartburn, and fatty stools. I also suffer from “reproductive disorders” but I believe those can be attributed to Endometriosis.
The incidence of Endometriosis in Fibromyalgia (or the overlap in symptoms) is another topic worth looking at closer. I personally believe that a large portion of female Fibromyalgia patients likely suffer from Endometriosis (often undiagnosed).
What are your thoughts? How many of these Celiac symptoms do you suffer from along with fibromyalgia? Have you been attributing them (or has your doctor) to “just Fibro”? Have you tried removing gluten from your diet and seen any improvement? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Related Posts:
- Connection between TMJ and fibromyalgia
- Generalized hyper-vigilance and fibromyalgia
- Fibromyalgia nerve pain: there might be more to it than you think
- Celiac disease is not the only reason people react to wheat
Reference:
García-Leiva, J., Carrasco, J., Slim, M., & Calandre, E. (2014). Celiac symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia: a cross-sectional study. Rheumatology International.
Cathy says
I eliminated sugar and gluten via doing the Keto eating plan for many months. Although I only lost about 3 kilos due to having so many pills contributing to the carb factor, I felt and looked so much better. My flares are mostly caused by sugar and gluten/wheat products. After trying to reintroduce these after coming off Keto food, I really noticed the reaction to it. Fatigue and stomach pains were the biggest factors. I would encourage anyone with Fibro to try either an elimination diet or Keto to see what food when reintroduced you react too. I too continue to have flares, but no where near what they were (unless I overdo it by pushing myself). Thanks for sharing this story, it has helped me realise I am not going crazy!
Julie says
I agree completely that anyone dealing with this needs to at least try an elimination diet. For me gluten is a big culprit. I know others who have found different food causes, but an elimination diet isn’t permanent and will help you determine which foods (if any) are making you feel worse.
Monica says
I have severe depression & moderate anxiety (w/ 3 teenagers!). Major sleep issues.
Celiacs-which went undiagnosed for several decades, so I have a lot of GI damage.
I’m often told ‘you CAN’T have depression-you look fine’ or ‘wow! I wish I had celiac! You’re so skinny’ (after being able to gain 10 lbs!)
as well as other ridiculous comments.
Do I qualify as a spoonie?
Thank you!!
Julie says
I believe that you do. Have you read the Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino? It was originally written to help explain Lupus but it’s really been adopted by pretty much all of us who have invisible illness and extremely unpredictable energy levels. I’m so sorry you are dealing with so much. People can be so stupid sometimes.
Rebecca says
I got diagnosed with a wheat allergy soon after my fibromyalgia diagnosis a few months ago. Removing the gluten has thus far helped considerably with the fibromyalgia symptoms but hasn’t totally eliminated them.
Julie says
Same here on reducing but not eliminating. It’s pretty much eliminated the major flares, but I still have pain or fatigue at times, just not nearly to the level it used to be. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your story 🙂
Donna Grant says
I really, really hoped that cutting out gluten would ‘solve’ my fibromyalgia and that all along I had coeliacs. I have been previously tested for it, which came back as negative but those tests aren’t always accurate. After a couple of months of no gluten, I’ve seen no improvement with regards to my pain or energy levels (and having tried re-introducing some gluten products, I’ve seen no deterioration either). It seems like I am the opposite of you though as I did see improvements with my digestion- I stopped bloating up and my stomach shrunk considerably. It didn’t stop me from experiencing pain in my abdomen though (however, I don’t know if the supplements I was taking was contributing to that). I think it’s definitely a good thing to cut out- that and sugar. I’ve found some great gluten-free alternatives (pastas, wraps etc) so I avoid it as far as possible but don’t give myself grief if I do eat some.
Julie says
I’ve talked to some people who have found that gluten itself doesn’t bother them but processed foods (the MSG or other preservatives) do. It ends up being trial and error for all of us, and we are all different.