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Good morning to all,

       I thank you all for an overwhelming number of responses regarding foot
problems which may, or may not be, experienced by Celiacs.  A great many of
us seem to have foot trouble, regardless of age, while some stated that they
felt it could be attributed to aging, athritis, connective tissue disease,
and other causes.  I did hear from some who had children who are celiac and
have already developed foot problems, ranging form Plantar Faciatis to heel
spurs to phantom pain.

       Some offered very dramatic treatment options, while others said that I
should get fitted for orthodics.  Others offered up exercise routines which
helped them.  In seeing a foot specialist, I learned that my problem is not
from osteoporosity, heel spurs, or arthritis.  I already do many foot
exercises and am not overweight.  Part of the trouble is just from aging and
my foot constantly having to transfer weight from the heel to the ball over
time, while the arch is not supported well enough.  I have high arches which
are starting to come down. I spend a good deal of time in bare feet, and
sometimes on cold floors. This has exacerbated the problem.  I am going to
get fitted for some moderately priced orthodics, as my doctor feels that some
of the more costly ones are a scam, and not really necessary if I just use a
little caution and common sense, along with regular foot exercises, icing my
feet after I use them for long walks, exercise and other activity.  He also
says that sometimes just taking an Advil is enough.  I opted not to take a
cortisone shot, as I do not like the possible action of such drugs, unless I
get to a point of desperation.

       As to whether or not this is a Celiac problem.  It seems that the few
doctors I've spoken with, both osteopaths and podiatric surgeons, told me
that they do see a good deal of foot trouble in Celiac patients--particularly
when they are overweight or have osteoporosis.  They have never noticed if
the incidence is higher in those patients than the general population.  I
believe that it is highly individual and that each of us have a different
disease profile.  I know that I tend to get the results of an accidental
gluten ingestion showing up on my skin within days; sometimes with no
noticeable intestinal disturbance.

       I am herein copying some of the many responses I've received.  They
were all highly informative, but these are the ones which I feel might
provide some help for some of us who are experiencing such problems:

You could have an autoimmune
problem that is causing arthritic symptoms.

I've had this before, but it was from running.  the best 'cure' is to rest
it, and also, it helps to stretch your foot before getting out of bed.
Stand with your heels together, and toes out, and lean forward.  This also
is a stretch.

I've had this before, but it was from running.  the best 'cure' is to rest
it, and also, it helps to stretch your foot before getting out of bed.
Stand with your heels together, and toes out, and lean forward.  This also
is a stretch.

I had to stop exercising completely - even the
foot therapy I was sent to made it worse.  If
the shoes I was wearing didn't have good arch support,
I'd insert those Dr. Scholls inserts.

My Therapy:  Stim Machine, Ultra sound, muscle massage, Ice, Tape my feet,
Freeze a 2 liter bottle of soda (filled with water of course)...and roll my
feet back & forth on it. The foot physical therapist (same place) said in my
right foot I have a high arc - which causes the plantars -- my big toe is
dropped; forefoot problem...so my toes are not aligned properly.  My left
foot...no plantars - had like a bursitis in the heal.  He did heavey duty
foot massage, really working the entire foot (both).  What we were doing
already was the best thing. Needed to add stretching exercises - Toes stand
on edge of step, then drop heal down - stop when pain begins...hold for 30
seconds - 10 reps - 3 times.  If you have a triangle like wedge, keep heals
on the floor and rest of feet on an upward incline...lean forward - feel the
stretch in the calf muscle down to heal.  Same # of times as other exercise.
Only as much as you can with stand.  As much as possible, roll on the soda
bottle of ice.  I was also given a brace that I put my foot in - strap it
down - tighten it...What it does is stretch/push my foot back/up towards my
shin.  It can be uncomfortable...and I had to do 1 foot at a time, and leave
it in the brace for 2-3 hours then switch.  That REALLY helped alot!!!

The only thing that's really made my feet nearly pain-free has been
visiting a chiropractor!  Under a chiropractor's care, I haven't had my
feet ache in several months!  It used to be I could forecast the weather
because of how my feet would ache.  You might want to try to find one,
but you've got to find a chiropractor that works with extremities (most
don't) and preferably practices A.K. (Applied Kinesiology).I've never
heard of a link with this and celiac.  I seem to have gotten the celiac
from my mom's side, but I have my dad's feet.  He had similar problems
when he was younger, but because I'm female (some doctors would say),
the problems seem to have been exacerbated in me.  He sort of outgrew
them he says.  Though, the ligament issues could be directly influenced
by malabsorption problems.  So, it's hard to say.  I'd suspect that
you'd have to be pre-disposed to the condition before the celiac would
'trigger' it in this case.

MORE RESPONSES IN PART 2.......