While conditions like Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may have varying underlying pathologies, some patients find the food they eat is the enemy. Studies have shown that Fibromyalgia and IBS often co-exist, and that IBS may very well be undiagnosed Celiac Disease or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity. Although gluten is a top food offender, other foods may be problematic as well. Celiac Disease can also masquerade as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
PubMed Abstracts
In the FM group, 13 patients had raised gastroduodenal permeability and 15 patients had raised small intestinal permeability, but only one volunteer had increased gastroduodenal permeability (P < 0.0001, chi-square test for the three groups). The IP values were significantly increased in the patient groups (P < 0.0003 for all comparisons, one-way analysis of variance).
PMID: 18540025 June 2008
Patients with fibromyalgia (FM) frequently have gastrointestinal symptoms and signs. This article critically reviews the available literature and concludes the following: evidence that inflammatory bowel disease is associated with FM is contradictory, but should be looked for in patients taking concomitant steroids; patients diagnosed with celiac disease often have a history of FM or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) that may or may not be present; reflux, nonulcer dyspepsia, and noncardiac chest pain are common in FM patients; medications used to manage pain, inflammation, and gastrointestinal complaints confound the management of FM; and IBS affects smooth muscles and the parasympathetic nervous system, while FM patients have complaints of striated muscles and dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system. Of those patients with FM, 30% to 70% have concurrent IBS.
Fibromyalgia: the gastrointestinal link. PMID: 15361320 Oct 2004
In the initial survey (N = 1032 respondents), the median age at onset was 46 years, and the diagnosis of adult celiac disease was often delayed (median 12 months, with 21% delayed over 10 years). Only 32% of adults were underweight, and only about 50% reported frequent diarrhea and weight loss. A second survey documented that common presenting symptoms were fatigue (82%), abdominal pain (77%), bloating or gas (73%), and anemia (63%). Initial physician diagnoses were often irritable bowel syndrome (37%), psychological disorders (29%), and fibromyalgia (9%)
Presentations of adult celiac disease in a nationwide patient support group. PMID: 12741468
Results indicate that 70% (14/20) of the PFM patients had IBS and 65% (13/20) of the IBS patients had PFM. In conclusion, these results indicate that PFM and IBS frequently coexist. A common pathogenetic mechanism for both conditions is therefore suggested.
Primary fibromyalgia and the irritable bowel syndrome: different expressions of a common pathogenetic process. PMID: 2049586
An association between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has been found.
A link between irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia may be related to findings on lactulose breath testing. PMID: 15020342
This dietary intervention shows that many fibromyalgia subjects can be helped by a mostly raw vegetarian diet.
Fibromyalgia syndrome improved using a mostly raw vegetarian diet: an observational study PMID: 11602026
The elimination of MSG and other excitotoxins from the diets of patients with fibromyalgia offers a benign treatment option that has the potential for dramatic results in a subset of patients.
Relief of fibromyalgia symptoms following discontinuation of dietary excitotoxins. PMID: 11408989
Growing evidence suggests that autoantibodies to neuronal or endothelial targets in psychiatric disorders exist and may be pathogenic. This review describes and discusses the possible role of autoantibodies related to the psychiatric manifestations in autoimmune diseases, autoantibodies related to the psychiatric disorders present in post-streptococcal diseases, celiac disease, chronic fatigue syndrome and substance abuse, and autoantibodies related to schizophrenia and autism, disorders now considered of autoimmune origin.
Autoantibodies associated with psychiatric disorders.
PMID: 16719797 May 2006
Chronic fatigue.
PMID: 16908908 Aug 2006 Full text
High prevalence of serum markers of coeliac disease in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. PMID: 11304857
Finally, recent evidence suggests celiac disease can present with neurological symptoms in the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms; therefore, celiac disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of CFS.
Chronic fatigue syndrome: oxidative stress and dietary modifications. PMID: 11703165
Coeliac disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. PMID: 11219326
Celiac disease or chronic fatigue syndrome--can the current CDC working case definition discriminate? PMID: 9688026
41-year-old patient with long-term chronic fatigue. Celiac disease. PMID: 12705185