What autoimmune diseases cause neuropathy?

[dolby]

Yes, SFN is characterized by that burning sensation, right? I have Sjogren's and T2 diabetes. I thought my neuropathy was primarily from T2D but it seems I'm experiencing neuropathy even with fairly good BG control. It takes a lot of effort to control your BG and an autoimmune condition. I've gone completely gluten- and dairy-free and I've done some experiments bringing these items back. I can tell you, I definitely react to gluten and dairy: my eyes and throat dry out after 24 hours. These two are so clear cut: I react even to a tiny slice of cheese or butter.

At one point, I was also nightshade-/legume-/soy- and nut-free but that limited my food choices too much. But I never overeat these items - just a little bit of paprika and tomatoes here and there. I'm also fairly low carb (>100g) to control my BG.

One thing you can control is what you eat. It's a full time job but if you eat whole foods and stay away from processed garbage, artificial ingredients and other stuff you react to, your symptoms might improve. At least it seems to me for those who're recently diagnosed. You can read about Terry Wahls and her Minding Your Mitochondria: she was supposedly able to push her MS symptoms into remission by following a strict, wholefood diet.

Originally Posted by en bloc

You might want to exhaust natural options as well...like B12 supplements, R lipoic Acid, etc. Even Biofreeze for the burning might work for you.

[Patricia Cooney]

Hello I am new to this site but I wanted to answer your question as best as I can. My husband was just recently diagnosed with CIDP which does affect both CNS and PNS.

Originally Posted by Friedbrain

What are your symptoms? Definitely autoimmune disorders can cause neuropathy! The most common that I know of (tho I don't know numbers) would be multiple sclerosis. I'm here searching for information on Hashimoto's encephalopathy...... Any antibody that targets proteins in the brain could cause problems.

And yes, for whatever reason, my understanding is that people with autoantibodies are at higher risk of having other autoimmune problems. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's as a teenager. As an adult, I had a miscarriage and through subsequent research, discovered that I was at higher risk for autoimmune problems. I *forced* my doc to do testing, and sure enough, I had others including antiphospholipid antibodies, which can......drum roll.....cause miscarriages.

For what it's worth, about nine years ago, I had severe neurological problems that the docs were almost positive was due to MS (after ruling out antiphospholipid Ab-mediated stroke), but I never tested positive. So my neurological problems, including both central and peripheral symptoms, were caused by something but NOT MS. So don't be afraid of testing because if it *is* something serious, and you can be treated; if it's not MS, then you try to find the problem for treatment. Good luck!

[StormE1]

hi, I was referred to this thread by Darlene, because I have questions about Chronic Inflammation, which i have been told is an auto-immune disorder. It is characterized by a slight (3 degree) elevation in temp. for a year or more. I have had it for about 5 yrs.

I believe it led to weight gain and diabetes, and likely to an arterial condition which degrades the vascular system's ability to pass gasses, nutrients and wastes. As i gain control over the diabetes and slim down (from a BMI of 49 to 42), the temp also has dropped by about one degree.

Doc's all act like I'm an idiot for thinking a 3 degree temp means anything. Am I alone in my thoughts ? Does anyone know how i should approach research on this ?

Thanks,
StormE1

[ginnie]

I understand a bit about auto immune problems as I have a number of them. Presented when I was 29 and went to mayo clinic. That being said, I believe a 3 degree temp increase is considerable. That means your immune system is indeed fighting something. May I ask if you have had any tests? T & B lymphosyte tests are the ones I was given first. They are your fighting responces. Getting your weight down, all of that of course is great for you. I did the same thing and dropped 60 at one point. Have gained about 15 of that back and I struggle too. The American Journal of Medicine has many articles about auto immune problems. If you can access that through a local Teaching hospital, that is a good place to start research. I did that when I was in a trail study at the University of missouri medical Center. I at least found out what was wrong with me. An Endocranologist may be the field of medicine that you may want to investigate. Again I would recommend that you seek a teaching hospital as they do pretty good with DX. JAMA is another name for that particular journal, that gives alot of information regarding auto immune diseases. The Computer file can access articles according to symptoms, or DX. May I ask what your PCP doctor has said so far?. I will be thinking of you. ginnie

[Magirose]

I suffer from neuropathy as a result of Behcet's syndrome....auto-immune disorder. And also would say that yes, if you have one auto-immune disorder you are susceptible to getting others unfortunately.

[Magirose]

Ginnie, I couldn't agree more with what you say above. I would also stress that a lot of my symptoms with Behcet's are neuro type symptoms and I also suffer from arthralgia - joint pain which is caused by inflammation so no impact on the joints. I trailed around seeing rheumys and neurologists who were of no help to me whatsoever as there was nothing wrong with me in their eyes (they could not diagnose my illness and didn't even really understand it).

I got my diagnosis in the end, from an immunologist. It's important for anyone with these sorts of symptoms to look at other types of docs if they want to get help. You can get very ground down knocking on doors hoping the next neuro will have an answer for you and get totally dismissed because your bloodwork is clear. With Behcet's and some other auto-immune issues, no bloodwork will give you a diagnosis. I only ever have raised inflammatory markers and sometimes not even that.