Hi everyone, I’m asking if any fellow RA warriors also have IBD? Or are there any of you who have also developed Crohns? I was diagnosed with irritable bowel Syndrome in my late 30s & it was put down at the time to my very stressful job. When I was made redundant it seemed to “magically” disappear with just the odd bouts of IBS. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid 8years after a particularly serious operation for peritonitis & gangrene as a result of a rare “slow rotting appendix” which absolutely trashed my immune system. However, I am starting to suffer again off & on with lower abdominal pain
& after reading about RA related problems crohns keeps popping up! Any input appreciated, thank you in advance xx
Written by
Juliachoo
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I definitely struggle with IBS from time to time. I am never sure whether it is medication related or just RA, but I guess since I get it when between meds, it probably is RA. Maybe due to the effect of years of taking meds on our stomach.
I've had IBS for years and think that I developed it because of multiple courses of antibiotics as a child (tonsillitis), having my appendix out and two severe bouts of gastric flu. My understanding is that it's now believed that stress can cause flare-ups but isn't the root cause but obviously I'm not an expert.
Looking back, the IBS started in my 20s, I think that I had the initial attack of RA in my 30s (following another nasty virus) and it went into remission and then it reappeared last year at 59. My IBS is well-controlled now and I haven't developed Crohn's.
I have been wondering if there's some kind of connection so will be interested to see what other responses you get.
Your story has many similarities to mine. I have always had a dicky stomach & weak immune system & like you looking back I had a similar “RA type” experience after severe pneumonia when I was 31 & only diagnosed with it fully when I was 60! Yet my consultant says the Acute peritonitis probably triggered RA even though that was in 2006 & I went 8 years with various joint problems (told I had inflammatory osteo & discharged) before a chance diagnosis after a shoulder consultant wasn’t happy with the post op recovery & ordered an anti ccp test! I am on Imraldi & MTX injections & have been doing fairly well but this dicky tum has been particularly bad for the last 3 days so I presume the IBS is back with a vengeance!xx
I have had lots of tummy problems over the last 6years. They have all been put down to meds, like Sulfasal, Prednisalone, Lefloumonide, MTX, Benepali. As things go I started having daily problems and explosive stuff too up to 15 times a day.
It turns out that these meds can cause Collagenous Colitis and that is what I have now.
8 weeks treatment of more Steroids the 2 more weeks on reduction dose. I am just praying it goes away, 6 Years is a long time wearing inco pads and mapping out the nearest Loo When I go out. Trouble is we have to fight the specialist to get them to take us seriously. Don't take No for an answer.
Imraldi & MTX & I only take co codamol & paracetamol for pain as everything else gives me a bad tum. Also think after nearly 6 years my pain threshold is such that I can manage without a lot of pain relief! X
Unfortunately RA can cause inflammation in any part of the body and if you have a weakness somewhere then it can aggravate it especially during a flare
Hi I have IBS it started after I was diagnosed with RA. Somebody asked me the other day if it could be linked , that was the first time I thought of it like that instead of two separate issues.
Hi, I suffer with IBS also started around the same time I was diagnosed with RA, I put it down to medication especially painkillers, I’m better if I try and stick to gluten free xx
I’ve got IBS - it started back in 1985 after two events that were a bit of a shock and quite stressful. I didn’t develop inflammatory arthritis until about five years ago though.
I’ve never really thought the IBS and IA were connected one doesn’t seem to affect the other. The IBS comes and goes depending on goodness knows what - I’ve not managed to work that out. It’s mostly ok though, constipation bothers me more than diarrhoea and if I need to I take Fybogel and I’ve been totally gluten free since I developed the inflammatory arthritis which I think has probably helped things. I’ve got several other inflammatory conditions. I think once you get one, they hang out in packs so you get more. 🙁
Yes they are definitely linked, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1994 and then with inflammatory arthritis linked to ulcerative colitis in 2015. Once you have one auto immune disease you are more likely to develop another. It was a bit of a juggling act to get my meds right as I had to swap my colitis medication as it would have interacted with my arthritis medication but I am generally quite stable with both now.
I don't have an official diagnosis for my gut problems, but yes certainly I have what I consider to be IBS and a growing issue with some foods, which I never had previous to my RD.
Yes, me too, cucumber, eggs & white bread they all give me a bad tummy &
Though it’s not as bad before RA although I eat more brown bread than white anyway. I love eggs but can only have one now & again & I don’t eat cucumber at all xx
From the research that I have done there is a growing body of work that suggests that all health is linked ultimately to the gut/microbiome health. This would suggest - at least to me - that the two would be linked and my understanding is that one of the commonalities of autoimmune diseases is ‘leaky gut’ – in its simplest terms when you have small holes in your intestines which allow things to get into your bloodstream which aren’t meant to be there… It is definitely worth researching and I think that your foodie friend who thinks RA is linked to the gut may be onto something. You won’t hear hospital style doctors talking about this but there is a lot of info out there if you look. I think that further down the line, mainstream medicine will start thinking like this but it will take a while (probably years!) to filter through. I don’t know if this opinion might be quite unpopular on here (and you can probably tell that I don’t have a medical or scientific background myself) as it is not the received allopathic wisdom/opinion but worth mentioning I think especially in light of your line of questioning.
Hi, I have IBS and RD. Have always noticed that when my joints flare, my IBS flares at the same time. This was always dismissed by medics when I mentioned it, but my current lovely rheumatologist says that is highly likely as they know there is a link between the gut and RD, but do not yet know how that link works. He advised me to have as varied diet as possible particularly foods that are prebiotic but not to take manufactured pre or probiotics. I try to do that and it has helped a bit. Now i eat all sorts of grains and veg that I didn't eat out of habit. You do tend to get a bit stuck in a rut with food, I think. It is awful though when you have both sets of pain at the same time and you have my sympathies.
I’m careful but last week I had a bad shoulder & I took ibruprofen.. never again I think that was one of the culprits along with a small white bread roll xx
Went over to Metoject about six months ago but it hasn't cured it. It's cyclical - I can go for a long time without it happening and then it flares up.
Yeah I get bouts of diarrhoea for no apparent reason one day I can be fine with any foods and other days I’m running to the loo. It wipes me out and really uncomfortable in the stomach. They’re definitely linked to autoimmune disease. I have found though that taking a probiotic or eating a live yogurt every day definitely helps to control it. I’m lead to believe that it’s the gut flora which can be destroyed by drug treatments or as part of the autoimmune disorder. It works for me I have found though that I have become allergic to eggs and that makes me dreadfully ill even get the throat swelling now however I cannot tolerate gluten free in my case I need the gluten. I think maybe keep a journal of food triggers because it could be that, I’m not suggesting you write down everything you eat but make a note if you have a bad day with it it could be a sensitivity you hadn’t realised you’d developed. Too much salt seems to affect me too so I don’t add it to any foods. Not many bacon butties eaten either sometimes they’re fine other times not lol and of course the odd bag of crisps. Trial and error I’m afraid but you know your body better than anyone.
Yes, following a similar diet to you & live yoghurt is something I have taken for years.. it does wipe you out I had 3 days in bed last weekend..thank you very much for your input xx
I was having stomach problems too after I was diagnosed. Sometimes it was 25 plus times per day. It happens when I'm in a prolonged flare. They officially diagnosed me with lymphocytic microscopic colitis. I took several steroids for 3 years to no avail, but my gastro upped my MTX to 15 mg and it all but went away. Ask your doctor about adjusting your meds as it's an indicator of a heightened flare. I hope my journey will make yours a bit easier!
Hi juliachoo all your comments about tum problems I didn't or wasn't aware RA could affect the tummy that bad. Ido have diverticulitis which is giving me gip at the moment so maybe it's part of RA I have also noticed my anxiety levels have moved up a notch. Keep well.
Haven't read all the replies and there are probably people on here with more experience but I have read that RA affects EVERYTHING - the linings of stomach, intestines, heart, lungs etc so yes IBS is a symptom. I've had it on and off for a few years and only just realised that's what it was. Another symptom that came and went, sometimes really bothersome.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Liver Enzymes and RA Advice
RA and heart\lung problems
RA and Bowel related diseases
RA and Crohns
RA vs Fibromyalgia 
