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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GI symptoms

goawayRA
goawayRA
Hi all,

What (if any) gastrointestinal symptoms do you experience with the RA? I have been having a lot of acid reflux lately and my appetite is very low. I feel like my food just sits in my stomach for hours and hours. I've had nausea and vomiting with it more recently, so I'm worried. I haven't been eating regular meals, because I'm still full from the meal before.

Anyone else??
vetteme4
vetteme4
I've had the reflux but not as severe as you. More of a nuisance than not. Once in a while I feel a little nausea but not often. Sure hope you get this straitened out. Good luck!
Wendy
linzsey
linzsey
gallstones and fatty liver not caused by alcohol. I took prednisone for three straight years, and then I started having the same symptoms you mentioned. An ultrasound revealed tiny gallstones and fatty liver. I am still having the same symptoms right now.
2scicrazed
2scicrazed
My GI symptoms started during my superflare in '09 when I was popping hydrocodones to survive. Even went to internist and got scoped both ways after a year of misery. He couldn't explain the inflamed stomach lining so called it IBS. Nexium did help - but continued with stomach churning and twisting as well as bouts of diarrhea. Had to have my esophagus dialated yearly or I couldn't swallow pills.

Suffered for almost four years - then it became obvious that food was not only the trigger for my RA but also my IBS. Have been off all meds for it for almost two years now and have no symptoms as long as I avoid the foods and meds that my system no lingers tolerates (form of allergic response)

Start keeping a food, med and symptom diary. After a few weeks you may identify your triggers. GI problems are most often associated with developed food sensitivities. In fact there's a new disease spectrum called 'Oral Allergy Syndrome' that fits both of our conditions.
Sk8ingjudge
Sk8ingjudge
My issues ( acid reflux/heartburn and diarrhea) are caused by my meds, I am very careful to take the meds with food and spacing out the hydroxychloroquine during the day and that has resolved the nausea issue that I used to get.

My rheumy suggested an antidiarrheal if things got really uncomfortable ( I only use if I need to!) he also prescribed omeprazole for the acid reflux/heartburn.

So far things are doing ok. So hard with the meds that will help us and their side effects and trying to find the right balance! Ugh!

Good luck!
goawayRA
goawayRA
Thank you everyone! Hoping it's not my gallbladder.
daizy8
daizy8
I have elevated liver enzymes... So the RA doc ordered an ultrasound which revealed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as well as gall stones. I was shocked! I had gall bladder attacks and I thought it was a heart burn/heart attack issue. I also had that "I can't eat much" feeling.

Get it checked and good luck.