RA and IBS/IBD

[Jackie1947]

As apparently there is a connection but not compulsory has anyone developed either of these conditions? I've been under investigation but so far clear but symptoms still persist. Next blood tests for iron,thyroid, diabetes. My GP is leaving no steps unturned. Rhuemy clinic say it's not known that Etanacept cause troubles but I'm off it for 3 weeks and hope I don't flare .

[KittyJ]

I’m on etanercept too but do not have IBS though I do have a food intolerance which at first was thought to be IBS. I hope you find out what’s causing your symptoms

[Jackie1947 in reply to KittyJ]

Thanks. I think holding back on Etanacept is giving time for my GP"s investigations. I've had food intolerances blood tests for ones you can. Negative Some you can only find out by eliminating .

[Sheila_G]

I haven't Jackie but good luck with your investigations.

[Jackie1947 in reply to Sheila_G]

That's kind of you.

[Fenella34]

I have colitis but got that before RA. Autoimmune diseases commonly come in pairs unfortunately x

[Jackie1947 in reply to Fenella34]

True my side kick is Fibromyalgia.

[Whezziewhoozie]

Hi Jackie I am on my 3rd biologic and have found all three have caused some form of INS symptoms. I just try and manage the symptoms. It’s always worse on the day after I take it so I do that on a day that I know I can be home- I work full time. I have some anti sickness drugs and have recently started taking peppermint capsules. I rubbished these for ages but in actual fact they really work! Good luck

[Jackie1947 in reply to Whezziewhoozie]

That's a shame. Etanacept is supposed to be gentler . All my stool tests came back negative and bloods so far. As I had contact with someone in my early childhood with TB and carry it dormant in me I'm at risk of full blown so Etanacept is the safest for me as other bio would put me more at risk of activation. I'm not infectious . It's called Latent TB.

[oldtimer2]

Inflammory bowel disease is also an auto-immune disease. If you have one autoimmune diease you may have an increased risk of another.

On the other hand Irritable bowel syndrome is much much more common.

[Jackie1947 in reply to oldtimer2]

IBS is so painful and interferes with your life. I'm glad my great GP has tested at me for everything else and 3, more blood tests next week. So far nothing sinister

[Barrister]

I have colitis (IBD) and was diagnosed about a year after diagnosed with PsA. My rheumatologist said that the colitis diagnosis confirmed my PsA diagnosis as it was quite common to develop colitis alongside PsA. The colitis was diagnosed after I had a colonoscopy with biopsies.

[Hidden]

AI diseases may emerge together, in the last ten years I have developed Lichen Sclerosis and Interstitial Cystitis which my Gynaecologist says are AI and often seen in conjunction with rheumatoid illnesses.

[Jackie1947 in reply to Hidden]

I've had RA for 16 years and only be a few years back Fibromyalgia kicked in. I'm pleased my recent results show no be IBD however as anxiety kicks in now and again that's what aggravates and IBS.

[Deeb1764]

hi Jackie there is a link that if you have fibro IBS can kick in I have RA with sojerns Reynauds and fibro and I am more up and down with this part of it.

Apparently 3/4 of people with fibro get IBS.

[Jackie1947 in reply to Deeb1764]

Thank you. Actually IBS came before RA for me but was dormant for years. I was concerned it was now IBD but it's not. Stress not helping

[Brian1977]

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 2 years ago my calprotecin level was at 1890 lost over 2 and a half stone. They couldn't get it under control so many hospitals stays in 2021 and it eventually affected my whole colon. Then my knees started going then April last year my hands now every joint in my body is agony. Finally got to see rheumatologist in September last year he could feel the inflammation straight away. He said its either seronegative rheumatoid athritis or peripheral athritis linked to the ibd. I've been getting alot of pain in my lower spine moving round to my hips so I've to go for more xrays. I'm on mercaptopurine for the colitis and methotrexate for the athritis. The mercaptopurine seems to be keeping the inflammation in my colon at bay but I've not had any effect from the methotrexate yet

[Jackie1947 in reply to Brian1977]

Everyone of my original blood and stool tests were negative. They are being repeated with a colonoscopy to follow as I have close family members with Diverticulitis. I hope you get some good reaction from Metho before too long

[Brian1977 in reply to Jackie1947]

It's awful having to deal with everything when all tests are coming back negative. They put me on prednisone at the very start but I was still in agony but then my blood and stool samples were fine. They eventually took me in and done another colonoscopy and the inflammation had gone right through my colon. Keep fighting 🤞🤞🤞🤞

[Jackie1947 in reply to Brian1977]

Take care.