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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Tummy Troubles too?

melissaenderle
melissaenderle
My doctor, suspecting that the arthritis has caused inflammation of my tummy/bowels, is recommending that I get a colonoscopy to check it out. Has anyone else had this inflammatory complication of RA? If so, what resolved it?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have gastoparesis, GERD, bile duct pain, gallbladder removed in emergency surgury, IBS, and interstitual cystitis. These have been treated with limited success, as are most gastrointestinal issues (it seems like, anyway).
I have had two colonoscopies. The first on found nothing, the second found a prolapsed rectum. Surgury to fix that.
I bhave read that RA can cause inflammation of the GI tract, and I really believe that is the root of my tummy troubles,,,but there is no test to prove this.
I would do the colonoscopy as your dr wants, it will relieve your mind to know that there is nothing serious. The best prep is the Miralax one, ask for this method if they don't offer. I personally will NEVER drink the gallon stuff again...it tastes like soap and made me throw up too. The miralax method is much, much better. Plus the liquid can be anything you want that is not carbonated or red/purple. Miralax only has a faint flavor, and a slight thickening.
Wishing you the best of luck!
melissaenderle
melissaenderle
Thanks Inkjoy for the reply. I have the colonoscopy scheduled for next week. I also start Enbrel next week, so I'm hoping that if the tummy troubles are related to RA, the meds will kick in and treat that as well. I haven't yet gotten the prep, but I suspect it will be the gallon stuff. Perhaps I'll call the hospital and see if they can use the Miralax method. Hope the treatment of your troubles improves - not a fun thing to have!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Although it is highly individual, I have issues digesting grains. My tummy is ALOT better when I stick to a paleo diet (meat / fish, fruit & veg - no legumes, grains or dairy). It could also be because this is a low starch diet, as di and polysaccharides can be difficult to digest, common apparently in RA.