GI problems and RA ?

[Brushwork]

RA not under control. Had problems with Metoject Mtx as previously posted. I stopped all meds as I was feeling dreadful and needs to re-align.

RA is flaring, but other than left hand and wrist, not dreadful.

Yesterday, and in fact a few other times, had the most painful abdominal area, after it troubling me for several hours I took co-codamol, it eased and didn’t return. No change in diet, haven’t been anywhere to pick anything up. I think it’s related to RA, have struggled with episodes of IBS type symptoms in the past.

Any personal insights. I’ve read lots of web/medical pages and can’t pin it down?

[Marionfromhappydays]

I am in the same position ie uncontrolled RA at the moment and my instances os IBS have increased along with random stomach pain and indigestion.

I think my gut is sensitive to pain because I know when my back gets going with pain I often get IBS to accompany it.

Hope you get sorted on some medication soon to get back in control of RA.

[Brushwork in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Thank you M. I have never bothered to mention GI issues to the Rheumy team but I think I ought to.

[allanah in reply to Brushwork]

Yes I think call them as abdominal discomfort is the first side effect on their literature. It did me and I got another dmard that helped much more. Good luck

[Dobcross1]

Yes, my stomach constantly plays up and I think MTX makes it worse. I think a lot of us with RA have a history of stomach/IBS issues.

[springcross in reply to Dobcross1]

You're not wrong there Dobcross. xx

[Niao]

I too among of the many here who have suffered with IBS, stomach problems and gastric reflux for as long as I can remember. In the years I had very active RA but was not diagnosed my IBS was awful. My RA is now still active and the IBS and reflux even worse on the Methotrexate and Prednisolone. Other than the usual dietary approaches, I'm still to find a real solution. Hope you're able to get some answers/relief soon and able to get back on meds.

[Mmrr]

Yes, I have had a lot of gut issues. I'm now on toficinitib, which seems to be helping my RD and my gut too.

[BoneyC]

I've had gut problems over the years, ultrasound scans of my abdomen etc., but found adjusting my eating habits has helped the most.

I now follow Dr. Michael Moseley's advice - eat loads of veg, fruit, quality protein & cut out refined carbs. I don't miss not eating bread, potatoes, rice, pasta every day.

[Brushwork in reply to BoneyC]

Thank you, interesting that you mention diet but I'm already vegan and only ever eat whole grains. I am still convinced that it is linked to RA as when disease is controlled it doesn't cause problems unless the meds cause nausea. RA is a minefield.

[Rashford20 in reply to Brushwork]

This is the same for me. Before I was diagnosed one bottle of beer would cause me stomach pain for hours, now I’m fairly under control I can drink it and feel fine.

[Hidden]

I have noticed more gut issues in the past 18months and seem to swing from one state to another. I have tried cutting out certain foods but does not seem to change much however I feel mine is more to do with meds. I definitely feel I have more pain than ever before and now certain foods to avoid but not that many. I just take each day as it comes but I have noted it for the next time I have a RA clinic moment.

[JFlay]

I've had grumbling guts for years off and on before the RA diagnosis and in the two years since it has worsened.

My GP started me on Omeprazole before Christmas because I was having very bad indigestion/burning, that now seems to be under control but my lower gut is still rumbling away. She said it's a common problem with RA medication, I'm on hydroxy.

One problem seems to lead to another!