GI problems

[Jeremycfc]

Hi all , just wondering if any of you out there ever suffer from diverticulitis,years of using preds and methotrexate are coming home to roost although been off the preds for 5 years, becoming more of a problem,any tips or advice,going to try and speak to GP this week and rheumie but that's easier said than done,all the best to everyone KBO

[Deeb1764]

Ugggh my hubby suffers this not nice when it kicks in. Maybe start with your GP and see what you and they can do to keep it in check and it might be you need a new medication routine to keep it at bay. Good luck with it all 🥰

[Jeremycfc in reply to Deeb1764]

Thank you, all the best Jeremy x

[012703060610]

I too am on the methotrexate/prednisone treatment. I researched something called LDN and that has allowed me to reduce my methotrexate and only use prednisone if a flare occurs. Low dose naltrexone (LDN) is like micro dosing of Naltrexone which is used to treat opioid and alcoholic addiction. It blocks pain and has anti inflammatory properties as well. Attaching article for reference. I only take 5mgs a day. Best of luck! I get it! I had to reduced MTX as my liver enzymes went through the roof.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Jeremycfc in reply to 012703060610]

Thank you that's interesting all the best Jeremy

[Al1954 in reply to 012703060610]

NO COFFE NO SUGAR NO WHEET.I HAD IT FOR 7 YEARS.I TAKE EVERY DAY PROBIOTICS BUT NO MILK BUTTEROR GRECY THINGS.I AM ANOTHER PERSON .I HAVE RA NO MEDS ONLY 4 MG OF PREDNISONE.MY BEST WISHES FOR YOU

[Jeremycfc in reply to Al1954]

Thanks for your reply,interesting

[Judygirl]

I’ve suffered for years and the only way I manage it now, is if I know I’m going out I do not eat at all! Also I find drinking Coffee will also affect me so I only drink Tea if I’m out. Hope this is useful to you.

[helixhelix]

I have diverticulosis (ie non inflamed pouches) that are generally calm (🤞🏼). I put that down to lifestyle factors - so nutrition, exercise, weight, no smoking etc. Only had one bout of diverticulitis and don’t want it again!

I know pred is a risk factor, but I didn’t think MTX was. But nothing I could about it since MTX is essential for me.

[oldtimer2]

Diverticula are very common as you get older, especially if you ever ate a low fibre diet. A high fibre diet apparently reduces the pressure inside the gut and prevents the pouches on the sides of the gut developing. I can remember vaguely years ago going to a talk by Burkitt who had done lots of research comparing the guts and diet of various groups of people and showing this, although it looks as if it's more complicated than this.

The problems really happen if the pouches get inflammed, causing diverticulitis. (Isn't it amazing/ridiculous that we still use all these Latin derived terms?) There does seem some evidence that fibre in moderation eaten regularly can prevent this, but don't try adding lots suddenly or you will get bloating and possibly diarrhoea as well. Diverticular disease is not only very painful but can make you seriously ill, so best of luck with it. If you want more info, although rather depressing, there's a good recent article here: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

It seems unlikely that your medication steroids and methotrexate have a direct causative effect but they might well add to the likelyhood of developing an infection in the diverticula.

[Jeremycfc in reply to oldtimer2]

Thank you,interesting

[Jackie1947]

No expert but I say it's not your meds coming home to roost. As it's been said it can come with age,diet also if other family members have it. I was diagnosed by CT scan earlier this year. Watched more carefully what I'm eating and it twinges now and again but on the whole it's fine

[kp60]

Prednisone actually helped my diverticulosis in that it reduced the accompanying inflammation and the pain disappeared.

[Jeremycfc in reply to kp60]

Thanks for your reply,just go's to show we're all different ,all the best

[Green230461]

Hubby had this and was put on special diet from GP and omeprazole tablets. They sent him for endoscopy at hospital too with biopsy to check colon.

Hope you are ok 🌼

[Jeremycfc in reply to Green230461]

Thank you,gp has put me on antibiotics for diverticulitis,no future in getting old you know,all the best,KBO

[Green230461]

He also had two lots of antibiotics that cleared it up. Apparently you get food stuffs caught in the folds of your colon that start to go off- nice! He is fully recovered now. Hope you get there too. 🍀

[Jeremycfc in reply to Green230461]

👍