Primary vs Secondary autoimmune

[kimtg68]

In my recent research I've become confused as to which road to take. I purchased a book, "Living Well With Autoimmune Disease" and found similiar symptoms to many of the different autoimmune diseases. I'm not sure which one I should go after! Does anyone else have suggestions or perhaps in the same boat at some time? I seem to be predominant in Mixed Connective Tissue, Sjogren's Syndrom and Schcleroderma. Geez....how confusing! I already know I have Raynaud's and tested high on the normal side of Rheumatiod and tested positive for MC. I wonder if it's necessary to go further in testing or just find out what my food sensitivities are and avoid them and see what happens. Any advice?????

[tex]

Kim,

Many of us have found that using the GF diet to resolve our MC issues, brings the additional benefits of also resolving many, (and in some cases, all), of the symptoms of our other autoimmune diseases, as well. Gluten-sensitivity is at the core of many, (possibly all), autoimmune issues. Of course, in addition to gluten, certain other food intolerances are possible in the case of MC, and possibly with other autoimmune diseases. In my case, for example, the GF diet also resolved arthritis, and TMJ issues.

Who should be screened for gluten sensitivity? Certainly family members of celiacs or gluten sensitive people being at the highest genetic risk. For the most part, all of the following patient groups have been shown to be at higher risk than normal for gluten sensitivity: Chronic diarrhea; microscopic colitis; dermatitis herpetiformis; diabetes mellitus; any autoimmune syndrome (of which there is an almost end-less number like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, dermatomyositis, psoriasis, thyroiditis, alopecia areata, hepatitis, etc.); Hepatitis C; asthma; chronic liver disease; osteoporosis; iron deficiency anemia; short stature in children; Down’s syndrome; female infertility; peripheral neuropathy, seizures, and other neurologic syndromes; depression and other psychiatric syndromes; irritable bowel syndrome; Crohn’s Disease; and people with severe gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). Autism and possibly the attention deficit disorders are emerging as syndromes that may improve with a gluten- free (and additionally casein-free) diet.

http://www.celiac.com/articles/759/1/Ea ... Page1.html

Tex

[kimtg68]

Tex, I just don't know what we would do without you! You are an arson of knowledge. Thank you so much for all that you do to help us all.

[mbeezie]

Here is what Dr. Fasano said about leaky gut and autoimmune disease:

In the past nine years my colleagues and I
have learned that unusual intestinal permeability
also appears to participate in CD and other
autoimmune diseases. Indeed, a growing body
of evidence suggests that virtually the same trio
of factors underpins most, and perhaps all, autoimmune
diseases: an environmental substance
that is presented to the body, a genetically based
tendency of the immune system to overreact to
the substance and an unusually permeable gut.

This was from an article in Scientific American last year.
http://somvweb.som.umaryland.edu/absolu ... 8.2009.pdf

Dr. Fasano and Dr. Cordain are definitely on the right path in looking at leaky gut and offending proteins (mainly gluten) in the development of AI diseases. Although I don't know for sure, I believe my mast cell disease is autoimmune, and I have seen great improvement in symptoms with gut healing. Like Tex, the begininnings of osteoarthritis also disappeared. The two tests that helped me identify my food sensitivities were Enterolab stool tests and Mediator Release testing from Signet lab. Finding food sensitivities is the key to feeling better.

Mary Beth

[kimtg68]

Thank you Mbeezie! I'm trying hard to figure all this out. Some of it seems complex. But it seems finding my food intollerances will be the first and foremost step in dealing with the majority of this. I'm about to take a dream vacation to Hawaii this week and will definitely check into the testing when I return. Thanks again.