Pseudogout

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deltawolf
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Pseudogout

Post by deltawolf »

Currently I am the only in the family that has LC/Celiac Disease. I have always thought that either of my Grandmothers might have had undiagnosed issues along the same lines. Now I am growing more concerned about my Mother as well. She was tested (blood) for Celiac Disease as recommended by my GI when I was diagnosed, but it was negative. She continues to have weird issues. Just was just diagnosed with pseudogout again, as well as having asthma attacks (1st time in 10years and never diagnosed with Asthma)

I did find a site that mentioned the pseudogout and gluten intolerance.

Has anyone else here had pseudogout. Any aid going GF?

Thanks
Amy
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tex
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Post by tex »

Amy,

I've never had it, (to the best of my knowledge), but I'm pretty sure that my brother has it. He's never been diagnosed, but about once a year, one of his knees will become severely inflamed and swollen, and he always winds up going to the doctor, (after it gets so bad that it prevents him from working). His doctor treats it by withdrawing fluid, and injecting a corticosteroid, of course. I'm pretty sure that he's gluten-sensitive, since one of his daughters had to adopt a GF diet, to eliminate her celiac-like symptoms, and, of course, I'm GS, but like most relatives, he's a hard sell, on the GF diet. :lol:

I had never heard of it until you mentioned it, so I looked it up. Apparently, "pseudogout" is just a short alternative name for the disease, which is properly called "calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate disease", (CPPD), and it's a condition that's characterized by the accumulation of crystals of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate in connective tissues.

Excessive calcium, (due to inadequate availability of magnesium), may be a contributing factor, since magnesium supplementation often reduces or eliminates the symptoms. I'm going to remind my brother again about taking a magnesium supplement. I've mentioned that to him before, (because it has other benefits), but I doubt that he ever took any action. He had another episode of pseudogout about 2 weeks ago. :roll:

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. With those symptoms, I'll bet a GF cookie that your mother is gluten-sensitive, as well.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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deltawolf
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Post by deltawolf »

Thanks Tex. I will see if I can get my Mom to take some magnesium. She is on some anti inflammitory as well as pain meds. She can barely walk and we leave in the morning for a 12 hour car ride to the beach. She just got the meds today and I am hoping they kick in quickly as my 2 kids are looking forward to hanging with her at the beach and pool for the next week. She won't listen to me however regarding the GF mostly because she will say she can't afford it. I know I have trouble myself at times but if I get better then it is worth it.


Well anyways thanks for looking into it a little. If I can get her to take the magnesium I will let you know how it goes.
Amy
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sarkin
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Post by sarkin »

Amy,

I hope your mother feels better quickly, and your beach trip is a delight for all generations. I do think that people are sold a bill of goods, that they have to buy lots of expensive GF products... when, of course, potato chips are GF (label-reading, of course, is recommended!). I had chicken, sweet potatoes and a small salad for dinner, all of which would probably have been on my menu before MC. I might also have had some sort of bread - but it was no big effort or expense not to do that.

My father had regular-old gout - though not the same, both are just incredibly painful, and my heart goes out to her. If Tex is right (and... I would never bet a GF cookie *against* his thinking!), then her anti-inflammatory will have to compete with the additional inflammation of additional gluten-eating... but maybe you can redirect, in a subtle way, during this vacation, by having lots of GF options available, and minimal additional provocation.

It can only be good for your kids, as well, if they take some time off from gluten. Hope they never absolutely have to.

Wishing all your generations all the best,

Sara
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tex
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Post by tex »

Amy,

I convinced my brother to try some magnesium, also, so we'll see how he does with it.

She probably is aware of this, but be sure to point out that magnesium is a laxative, if too much of it is taken. I don't have any problem taking around 300 mp per day, but I've heard of other members on the board who had D, if they tried 500 mg. The normal RDA for her would be 320 mg. Here's a list of the magnesium content of foods that contain significant amounts of magnesium:

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/magnesium/

Halibut, nuts, and spinach, for example, contain a lot of it, so she might be able to get enough from her diet, and magnesium that comes in food will not cause D, even if a lot of it is consumed that way.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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deltawolf
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Post by deltawolf »

Well I can't get her to do much at this time, but the anti inflamitory is working for the time being. But we did get to talking and she does have sarcoidosis that was diagnosed in the 80's. We did a little research and think this and possibly some other issues she had with her skin a few years ago may have been flare ups. She has never done anything about it since the 80's So I at least talked her into talking to her GP about it. Small steps.

Vacation for the family is going fairly well. I however have had some flare ups myself that are rather annoying. I did eat something by mistake, but we havent even eaten out. Tonight we are though and I hope that goes well.

Thanks
Amy
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sarkin
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Post by sarkin »

Amy,

Fingers crossed you have a lovely dinner out - and also for a flare-free remainder of your vacation! And I do hope your mother is slowly but surely taking in what you're saying...

Wishing you well,
Sara
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deltawolf
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Post by deltawolf »

Thanks Sara, we did have a fine dinner out. Just had a plain hamburger no bun of course and a small salad and plain baked potato. I am at least feeling better today, no more tummy pain or major bloating. I just have an ear infection now I believe, but that is much better then the tummy pain.
Amy
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Sharaine
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Post by Sharaine »

Amy,

I hope your vacation continues to go well and that your mother heeds your suggestions once vacation is over.

Your earache doesn't sound like fun.

Good luck!
Sharaine
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deltawolf
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Post by deltawolf »

Well we are back home. My friend told me about a drop of rubbing alcohol in the ear and it worked, I am glad as I have to travel by plane on Wed to Atlanta for work. We will see what my mom has to say over time. Hopefully she will listen or at least give some things a try. She is just so concerned with me since I am not in remission yet and is so worried that I do not have many food choices. I just keep telling her if it makes me feel better then it is worth it.

Thanks all for the well wishes. Now back to doing a clean up at home, as the neighbor boys took care of our kittens while we were gone, and they are not used to cats. But at least the cats did not destroy the house, just a little messy.
Amy
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sarkin
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Post by sarkin »

Amy,

Welcome back from your time away... sorry about the kitty "oops" (we know it well).

I've had a lot of ear infections, and am convinced it's all connected - in fact, had my best "ear year" ever this year, probably because I got so sick and locked my diet down, a few months before my bad ear season kicked in.

If you don't have rubbing alcohol, but there's hydrogen peroxide on hand - go for it. A little white vinegar can help, too. Both are less painful than plain alcohol. For a while, I was using a 50-50 mix of white vinegar and alcohol, recommended by an emergency doc in a little vacation beach town. (Somehow, each made the other smell even worse.)

However - hope it never happens again!

It is the classic stance of the loving mother to be more worried about you and your health, than listening to your wise counsel. Time will tell... I know the remission you're working toward will happen, and I hope it's soon.

Love,
Sara
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