Microscopic colitis

[Jackie1947]

Has anyone with RA been diagnosed with this? I'm going to have a test to see if I've got it and it would explain my symptoms. If you Google it you will see what it is and RA is one of the culprits. The Benipali is not the cause but consultant Gastroenterologist said Sulfasalazine is listed as a possible contributor but it doesn't mean that is the cause! As I've been on it for 17 years so no point in stopping it . My post isn't aiming at scarring people but if you have MC and RA there's the connection. MC is not life threatening and can be treated successfully and not to be confused with other more serious colitis diseases.

[Libluce8]

I have MC started some years ago and told was caused by Naproxen (I don’t have RA but have severe osteoarthritis) I stopped Naproxen but symptoms continued and was recently re diagnosed with inflammatory MC along with Bile Acid Malabsorption - I haven’t had any Naproxen or ibrufen for 10 years - wish I could as pain debilitating

[Jackie1947 in reply to Libluce8]

Were you given steroid treatment? My Gastroenterologist looked up my RA meds and although not confirmed Sulphasazine could have been the culprit as it mentioned pancreas. I've been on it for 17 years so no point in stopping it now. I'm sorry to hear you are in pain.

[Libluce8 in reply to Jackie1947]

yes Busenide - really worked well

[Jackie1947 in reply to Libluce8]

That's good. Has it reoccurred again?

[Libluce8 in reply to Jackie1947]

Yes - and it’s now inflammatory although the Busenide soon clears up a flare - I was also diagnosed with Bile Acid Malabsorption for which I take binders (Colsevan) which helps - also have to watch my diet - trigger food are raw carrot/lettuce/beef

[Jackie1947 in reply to Libluce8]

Can you keep a prescription or the pills in case of a flare up.

[Libluce8 in reply to Jackie1947]

my gastroenterologist allows me to have them as and when now although initially it was a 6 month decreasing course

[Jackie1947 in reply to Libluce8]

My gastro said if I do have MC it will be 3 months on them .

[Gigi71]

Thats interesting, I believe I have high inflammation in my colon, I’m currently being investigated, due to having diarrhea for 6 months, a stool test revealed the inflammation. I have just had a colon CT and once they results rule out cancer, I will be referred to a Gastric specialist. I’m sure it’s IBD I have RD and autoimmune thyroid condition. Thanks for your post, I look forward to an update when you can. X

[Jackie1947 in reply to Gigi71]

I've had all those tests,bloods,stool tests and the biggest shock was Pancreatis. The symptoms don't match so gastro has arranged the colonoscopy as he thinks my symptoms point to MC as I have an autoimmune disease. Long term Sulphasazine could have caused it .

[Gigi71 in reply to Jackie1947]

Thanks for your reply, I really should have had a colonoscopy, but due to my mobility they decided on a colon CT scan instead, I have a dread of having a colonoscopy and the prep, I did have to have some prep med and felt awful with it, I had the scan last Sunday. With hindsight I think I should have gone for the colonoscopy. The stool tests didn’t show any infection or cancer, my bloods were acceptable. My inflammation levels were 103 the range went to 75. My GP goes on holiday when he expects the results to come through, instructions have been left to refer me to a gastroenterologist should I be negative for cancer. So all that could take some time due to waiting lists etc. I’ve never taken sulphasazine I’m on Mtx with Humira, also take naproxen, low dose steroids, plus many other meds, I do have a large HH and take lansoprazole. X

[Jackie1947]

There is some good news in there in that no cancer in the stools have been found. I had the same test and mine was negative. I was reluctant to have the colonoscopy for microscopic colitis but I'll go for sedation. I haven't had the prep but heard about it. Gotta be done. I waited 4 months to see a Gastroenterologist. I'm also on Etanacept (Benipali) but there's no connection apparently with gut disease. Best of luck

[Garnacha]

I've had a colonoscopy, don't worry it's fine honestly, I opted for the sedation too, the prep whilst not awful to drink but not tasty either was also fine, just stay near a loo, I just had an urgent need for the loo, no griping pain etc.Good luck x

[Tizzyliz67]

I have RA and was diagnosed with MC. I don’t take those medications. I only take plaquinel and every six months rituxamub. Not fun or fair!

[Jackie1947 in reply to Tizzyliz67]

The CT scan also found Pancreatitis. No life isn't fun or fair!

[Brian1977]

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 2 years ago took them.months to get it under control it spread through my whole colon. I got that under control but the inflammation spread to all my joints and now my sacroiliac joints too. Then I got an email yesterday saying my test results from my stool samples are showing my ibd is active again ffs 😩😩😩😩

[Jackie1947 in reply to Brian1977]

I hope you get some relief soon

[Barrister]

I have lymphocytic colitis which was diagnosed shortly after my PsA diagnosis, so long before I started on biologics. Anti inflammatory medication (ibuprofen) certainly causes it to flare.

[Jackie1947 in reply to Barrister]

I don't take any anti inflammatory meda

[Barrister in reply to Jackie1947]

I wasn’t suggesting that you do take anti inflammatory medications (although I am surprised as these are the first line of treatment with RA and any inflammatory arthritis!) I was just saying that I have found that they can cause my LC to flare. IBD is another autoimmune disease and as people tend to get more than one then naturally there will be collections of different ones. I have PsA which apparently often goes hand in hand with IBD so when I was diagnosed with LC, my rheumatologist said that confirmed the diagnosis of PsA (although I don’t have Psoriasis).

Take it or leave it, it was just my observation.

[Jackie1947 in reply to Barrister]

I think you've got the wrong end of the stick here as I was only saying I don't take anti inflammatory meds . I don't need them as fortunately my weekly RA injection has sorted any inflammation. I'm one of the lucky ones. Although I did take Naproxen at one time but I was taken off it due to higher risk of heart attack and or stroke. You're at higher risk anyway with RA . I hope you understand my post!