Raleigh CSA Support Group 5-21-09 Meeting Recap

Special thanks to Gail for taking meeting minutes during the last North Raleigh Celiac Support Group meeting on 5-21-2009. Below is a recap for those of you that could not make the meeting.

North Raleigh Celiac Support Group
CSA Chapter 108
May 21, 2009 7:00-9:00 PM
Rex Hospital Private Dining Room

Pat welcomed everyone, asked new members for e-mail address, requested help for the “printing fund” and reminded us of the upcoming deadline for contributions to the Camp Kanata fund through Zach’s website. Pat then introduced Dr. Peterson who was the guest speaker for the evening.

Dr. Paul Peterson, Neurologist and Sleep Disorder Specialist, is a physician at the Duke Medical Plaza on Old Wake Forest Road, next to Duke Raleigh Hospital. Dr. Peterson discussed how he came to learn with increasing frequency about Celiac Disease during work-up of patients referred to him for many different symptoms. Dr. Peterson urges patients to be proactive and learn the results of everything. He has seen errors in diagnosis occur due to lack of follow through on testing. He says there is a need to question whether the data provides a reasonable explanation to problems.

Dr. Peterson stated that sleep disorders, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy and restless leg syndrome can be signs of Celiac Disease. Many associations with neurology are present with CD; however, there is still a lot that remains unknown. There is still much to study regarding the interaction of malabsorption issues with vitamins B1, B6, B12, copper, folic acid and several other essential nutrients that affect nerve tissue. If CD is not diagnosed early, long term nerve damage can occur. Dr. Peterson stated that reasonable screening procedures need to be developed for widespread testing. After answering several questions from the group, Dr. Peterson shared some current information from a medical literature search that will be sent to all group members.

Two Digestive Health Smart brief articles were passed out to everyone. The first “Gluten mutiny: Undiagnosed celiac disease causing untold bowel distress” gives some interesting Celiac Disease statistics. The other article gives further information regarding probiotic supplements, a subject of long standing interest to our group.

As a reminder for everyone, there are no support group meetings scheduled during the months of June and August for vacation months.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 2009. Our meeting is being held at the Whole Foods Gluten Free Bake House in Morrisville, NC. We will tour the facility and enjoy a tasting. Pat will get a count of those who would like to attend and send out directions. Regular monthly meetings resume in September.

Submitted by,
Gail Harris