This past week I have been experiencing twitching and minor spasms in my legs. This morning I noticed the muscle spasms increasing in both frequency and strength. One hour ago I had this severe twitching in my left leg that felt like live electricity running through my leg. I tried to walk, but I couldn’t. It wasn’t a cramp, yet it kept me incapacitated for several minutes.

Please tell me this is not another symptom and side effect of Celiac.

Has anyone else get these?

I'm hoping it is just the fact that I have reduced my fluid intake!

Thanks,

Joe

I had a dreadful time with this and I believe it was related to a magnesium deficiency because once I started taking magnesium supplements regularly it all went away. Fluid intake (i.e. not enough water) could also affect things, but I've read that magnesium deficiency is a huge problem in this country. I posted a long article about it (magnesium) in another thread in this section.

I use to be a fitness instructor so I have seen a lot of people with muscle issues. First thing you can try is drinking a lot of water to loosen the muscle. It can take about two days but hopefully you should see in one.

I would second the water and magnesium. I take magnesium three times a week.

For those of us with neuro features this can be a sign of CC. I see this in my DH when he is CC'd. He will twitch for up to two weeks after accidental gluten injestion. In additon to increasing your water intake and adding magnesium be sure to check for possible sources of CC.

Be careful with magnesium though, too much causes diarrhea, so if you feel better and get diarrhea, back off a little on the magnesuim. This was how my mom's doctor told her to adjust her magnesuim intake, by trial and error.

Joe,

It could definitely be a lack of fluid or a magnesium deficiency. My fingers twitch when I'm low in magnesium. Please be careful if you plan to take magnesium supplements. You don't want to take too much. I was told to take magnesium supplements by my doctor, but at the time, I was also taking a lot of Mylanta, which has magnesium in it. The result was a dangerous level of magnesium in my body which caused heart palpitations and difficulty breathing. But you definitely want to make sure your fluid and electrolyte levels are in balance. The body doesn't work too well when your electrolytes are out of whack.
The other possibility is cross contamination. Celiac Disease causes neurological manifestations in many people, and it might also be the case with you. Make sure you're not consuming hidden gluten. But if you are 100% sure that you're not, then it is definitely a water/electrolyte problem. I hope it goes away soon. Good luck!

-Brian

Had the same problem Joe, so much so that they thought it is Parkinsons are started me on a different med before the celiac was diagnosed. It was from the gluten and went away when I was totally gluten-free. They said it was from the lack of hormones. I spent a month where I could only walk with a cane -- when I could walk at all from it.
It took almost a year before I regained muscle mass and was able to climb around the mountains here.
Ken

Also review your Vitamin B intake (you may need supplements).
My husband has Restless Leg and it can cause some daytime twitching too. But again, he has neurological issues from the misdiagosed celiac.

Magnesium sulfate is what they give pregnant women to stop labor. I'd try supplements, making sure not to get too much as people have indicated. It can also cause diarrhea, so be careful.

If you haven't already started sub-lingual B-12 vitamins, you should. I know of no side-effects (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Put one pill under your tongue each morning.

I found that since I'm gluten-free I crave water. I've never liked drinking water but now I do. Getting low on water gives me a headache.

Good luck, Joe. You need a few symptom-free days!

~Laura

How much magneisum is too much to supplement. For the last two days i have had muscle twitching in my thigh, yesterday i had thought it was an twitch in my blood vessels but today i had hubby feel them and he said no they are muscle spasms, boy did that make me feel better.

I am glad to see that others have this porblem, i thought i was all alone in this.

I also take epson salt baths so i dont want to take too much magnesium to become toxic fom it.


paula

This could also be due to a Vitamin D and C deficiency. That is my problem. Have these levels tested.

Have you tried eating bananas? My mother, my husband and myself frequently get horrible cramps in our feet. It's a very simple and easy solution for us.

Our motto, "A banana a day keeps the cramps away."

I know that bananas have potassium, B6 and vitamin C. I'm not sure which of these helps the cramps but, they've never failed me.

Hope this helps!