<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

  A few more responses to my posting titled random itching/skin  
pricks...

 From what I understand, that's sensory neuropathy (also called  
paresthesia, I believe).  It doesn't sound like celiac-related  
neuropathy, however, if she's been gluten free for a while and her  
regular blood work shows that she doesn't have any elevated levels  
indicating that she's actually still getting gluten somehow. I had  
similar issues (but add burning pain to it) for over 6 months before I  
went to see my doctor, who sent me for a neuropschych appointment.  
Needless to say, I didn't go back to that doctor. Instead, I  
researched the symptoms online and realized that it was either  
dermatologic or neurologic. Of course, I first went to my celiac  
doctor, who told me that it wasn't the celiac neuropathy since I'm  
adhering to a strict gluten free diet and bloodwork is OK.  Then I  
went to the dermatologist was much more palatable to me at the time,  
so that's where I went first. The dermatologist sent me to a  
neurologist, who finally just figured out (almost 3 years later) that  
I have a neurological autoimmune disease.

I certainly hope that's not what your friend has, and from what I have  
read menopause or peri-menopause can trigger this type of neuropathy.

I strongly recommend going straight to a neurologist. From what I  
understand from my neurologist, the burning, pins and needles,  
itching, electric shocks, etc. are the very, very beginning signs of  
sensory nerve issues, so catch it now before something else happens  
like the failure of motor nerves!
I hope everything goes well for your friend. Pre-celiac diagnosis I  
had horrible itching, but it went away with the gluten free diet (a  
minor miracle). I'm now on medication to reduce the other neurological  
symptoms. I can personally attest to the fact that it's no fun at all  
having any of these
symptoms. I'll keep her in my thoughts!

I did not see your original posting, but I react to iodine, usually  
with hives or mouth and facial swelling and a mild diarrhea.  If I get  
iodine in any other form, the reaction is much more extreme.  I have  
developed a lot of allergies, and wonder if this is related to the  
auto-immune status of CD.

Yes, I am suffering with that now.  I believe it to be allergy related  
as it has happened this way due to antibiotic allergy.  This time I  
believe it is due to mold in our air conditioning system, and it seems  
to  be worse in one room in our home as compared to the others.


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