NeuroTalk Support Groups - View Single Post - I don't want to think it . . . but possible MS?

jccgf · 10-20-2009, 02:08 PM

Hi lefthanded~

Given your history of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease... please be absolutely sure to rule out B12 deficiency and Celiac Disease/ Gluten Sensitivity, as well. Some of the neurological symptoms associated with B12 deficiency are reversible, if it is identified and treated. You want a B12 in upper range, certainly well above 400. People can have neurological complications with low normal B12 levels, I did.

I strongly suspect you are B12 deficient based on your digestive disorders and neurological symptoms. I also suspect you have food sensitivity... gluten, casein, soy, and yeast are top offenders.

Both B12 deficiency and gluten sensitivity can mimick MS in symptoms, and can cause progressive and permanent neurological damage if not identified and treated.

Here are several pages of The Gluten File. Be sure to check out the B12 deficiency symptoms page...many symptoms you mention are similar to those I had when B12 deficient.

http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/diagnostictesting
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com...ationsofgluten
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com...ciencysymptoms
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/b12deficiency
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/multiplesclerosis
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/crohn's,ibd,ibs

Quote:

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and vitamin B12 deficiency share common inflammatory and neurodegenerative pathophysiological characteristics. Due to similarities in the clinical presentations and MRI findings, the differential diagnosis between vitamin B12 deficiency and MS may be difficult. Additionally, low or decreased levels of vitamin B12 have been demonstrated in MS patients. Moreover, recent studies suggest that vitamin B12, in addition to its known role as a co-factor in myelin formation, has important immunomodulatory and neurotrophic effects. These observations raise the questions of possible causal relationship between the two disorders, and suggest further studies of the need to close monitoring of vitamin B12 levels as well as the potential requirement for supplementation of vitamin B12 alone or in combination with the immunotherapies for MS patients.
Vitamin B12, demyelination, remyelination and repair in multiple sclerosis.
PMID: 15896807 May 2005

Quote:

Unfortunately the rate of misdiagnosis remains around 5%-10%, indicating that 1 in 20 patients thought to have MS has, instead, a condition resembling MS. Conditions often confused with MS may be inflammatory (systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, vasculitis, sarcoidosis, Behcet's disease), infectious (Lyme disease, syphilis, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, HTLV-1 infection, herpes zoster), genetic (lysosomal disorders, adrenoleukodystrophy, mitochondrial disorders, CADASIL), metabolic (vitamin B12 deficiency), neoplastic (CNS lymphoma) and spinal (degenerative and vascular malformations) diseases. The differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis: classification and clinical features of relapsing and progressive neurological syndromes.
PMID: 11794488 Nov 2001

Quote:

Neurological manifestations of gastrointestinal disorders are described, with particular reference to those resembling multiple sclerosis (MS) on clinical or MRI grounds. Patients with celiac disease can present cerebellar ataxia, progressive myoclonic ataxia, myelopathy, or cerebral, brainstem and peripheral nerve involvement. Antigliadin antibodies can be found in subjects with neurological dysfunction of unknown cause, particularly in sporadic cerebellar ataxia ("gluten ataxia").
Neurological manifestations of gastrointestinal disorders, with particular reference to the differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
PMID: 11794474 Nov 2001

Quote:

CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of celiac disease seems to be high among patients affected by CD, and this finding should be kept in mind at the time of the first diagnosis of CD; a gluten-free diet should be promptly started.
High prevalence of celiac disease among patients affected by Crohn's disease.PMID: 15973121 July 2005

Also, are you familiar with the Specific Carbohydrate Diet?
http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.i.../beginners.htm

It has worked miracles for some with Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Celiac Disease and other intestinal disease. Here are some testimonials:
http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.i...estimonies.htm