What autoimmune diseases are associated with demyelinating conditions?

Have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia; am experi-
encing changes in ability to walk, which comes and goes,
also tremor, excessive weakness, difficulty with thought
processing which occurs with the weakness. Brain MRI
shows nonspecific pattern of demyelinization. Any clues?

[Celiac disease in adults revealed by sensory-motor neuropathy]


Viader F, Chapon F, Dao T, Rivrain Y, Lechevalier B.

Service de Neurologie, CHRU de Caen.

Central or peripheral nervous system complications are occasionally observed in adult patients with celiac disease. Several mechanisms have been proposed including vitamin deficiency, vascular inflammation and a direct effect of gluten intolerance. Typical nerve fiber damage due to demyelinization has been suggested. We observed a 65-year old woman with a right peroneal nerve palsy superimposed on a diffuse peripheral neuropathy who was found to have folic acid deficiency which in turn led to the diagnosis of adult celiac disease. Electrophysiological and histological studies demonstrated a predominantly demyelinating peripheral neuropathy which responded first to parenteral folic acid supplementation and second to a gluten-free diet. The mechanisms of peripheral nerve damage in adult celiac disease are briefly discussed and the possible role of folic acid deficiency is emphasized.

I'm not a medical expert and could be talking out my butt, but MS (multiple sclerosis) comes to mind. Although I think more characteristic of that is lesions on the brain.

Have you been tested for Systemic Lupus? It is an autoimmune disease that can effect anything within the body. (It can also be accompanied by RA and Fibromyalgia.)

An ANA (antinuclear antibody) test is usually the best way to diagnose Lupus.

It is certainly worth looking into. It can be a life threatening disease and if nothing else, the test would rule it out.

I have Systemic Lupus and I have had similar problems in the past. They never did an MRI - they just immediately attributed it to my Lupus and told me that my immune system was attacking my brain.

Good Luck!