Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Anyone here also have IBS or diverticulosis?

sunnyinla
sunnyinla

hello everyone, have had RA for many years dx’d 07. So recently was dx’d with diverticulitis but have had IBS for 20+ years. So needless to say I’ve had gastro problems half of my life. Was wondering is anyone else here has this. I don’t think it’s all diet related. I think it’s more auto immune related. Same foods eaten in different occasions may or may not cause stomach issues. 


Would like to hear others stories.  


Thank you all!


Roni

Kimhurts
Kimhurts
I have gastroparesis. I was told it is a type of neuropathy that can happen with autoimmune. Before they figured it out, they tried to tell me it was IBS.

I've had gastro issues for 25 years. Their initial advice was to eliminate the foods that caused problems. I finally got their attention when I told them water could make me sick. Did they run a bunch of tests, like gastric emptying study and bacterial overgrowth, or did they just do a scope and test for celiac and chrone's, then assume IBS?

Hope you can find relief.
sunnyinla
sunnyinla
I’ve had emptying test about 7 years ago, sibo test about 2 months ago, upper gi twice within 10 years. Colonoscopy 15 years ago. I think I need the scopes re done at this point. I go see the gastro on the 19th.
buddhacat
buddhacat
Hi Sunny,

It’s been a bunch of years since we last talked. Nice to see you again.

I’ve had gastro problems on and off for 30 some years. IBS was the first, then in 2000, not long before Ihad an early, short-lived round of sero-negative RA, Ihad ulcerative colitis. Both were treated successfully with sulfasalazine. Over the years, I had pancreatic and gall bladder surgery, and I think I have adhesions from both surgeries, which cause intermittent abdominal pain.

Last December, I had a colonoscopy (routine) and an endoscopy (he’s a surgeon), and he, apparently found diverticulosis in my descending colon. I’ve never had issues from it, not sure I really have it, based on a later CT scan. I still have abdominal issues, but it’s mostly in the area of the gallbladder surgery, and I’m still betting on adhesions.

I had celiac testing long ago, eat plenty of fiber and a pretty good diet, drink plenty of water and avoid motility issues.

Wish I had something useful to offer, beyond best wishes.

bc
Frazzled
Frazzled
I was diagnosed with diverticulitis when I was about 30. I didn't get my RA diagnosis until I was 48. I lived with that problem for 18 years until I finally had enough and had about 10" of my colon removed. It was the best decision I have ever made. Some of the tests I had came back with the possibility of Crohn's so I had a colonoscopy and everything was fine except the 10 or so inches of colon that had been chewed up from years of active diverticulitis - I would have flares of that 3-4 times a year or more and be on the lovely antibiotics that come with that. I had the colectomy done in January of 2017 (still before my RA diagnosis) and I've not looked back once...

That said, Prednisone has also helped with my gut issues. But I know for certain that the surgery was what got me away from the constant diverticulitis attacks. They may come back some day. That's fine. But at least I can live for many years without the fear of Metronidazole.