IBD and RA

[FlaringFascinator]

Hi, I’m going through some investigations for IBD atm - the gastroenterologist is being very thorough and linked the inflammatory markers to my RA quite quickly. Does anyone else have any experience of living with both conditions? What sort of things should I be asking and looking for? Thank you in advance.

[Jillyanne]

hi, just wondering if you still have your gallbladder ?

[FlaringFascinator in reply to Jillyanne]

Yes I do - but I’ve had issues in the past with that and my liver.

[Jackie1947]

Yes me! Took a while as my GP was going down the IBS route. Then it got worse and he referred me to a Gastroenterologist. As I was going to be in for a long wait he carried out blood and stool tests and arranged a CT scan. Result was Diverticular disease and Pancreatitis. Eventually got my hospital appointment and the Consultant arranged for a colonoscopy with biopsy. Result came back as colitis. It's believed there is a link to RA. IBD is an umbrella for various bowel conditions. One being Microscopic Colitis you could raise that question also is it another immune disease causing the IBD. If you are diagnosed with a condition my Rheumatology dept asked the Gastroenterologist to be kept in the loop . Something you could think about. Good luck!

[FlaringFascinator in reply to Jackie1947]

Thank you.

[Mark72]

Hi, I have RA and Ulcerative colitis. Make sure your consultants are aware of each other as they don't always communicate! My Gastro thinks my methotrexate helps control my IBD unfortunately it seems if one condition is in control the other starts flaring

Make sure they give you a proper flare plan that would be my advice.

Hope you get sorted soon once things are under control its not too bad.

[welsh12 in reply to Mark72]

Flare plan ? Is this done with Rheumatology

[Mark72 in reply to welsh12]

If your diagnosed with IBD you should get one off gastroenterology.

[Jackie1947 in reply to welsh12]

No but they need to know if any drugs gastro might prescribe. Usually start with steriods

[allanah]

I have ibs d plus ra plus sjogrens plus asthma plus hydradenitis plus diabetes type 2 in remission lol....I got one autoimmune then lots came!!I had colonoscopy etc but I've never seen the enterologist ! only my gp who actually has been amazing and been liaising with enterology. Mine was added to by having no gall bladder so I have bile salt malapsortion and they found hyperparathyroidism too. The cholenesterase pills have really eased the problem and I have to be careful with diet but life is much easier now. I see my rheumatologist in May to discuss as my RA treatment is becoming less effective so they increased that dose and gave me a steroid jab yesterday to try control both.

Good luck with it all. Its a big balancing act xx

[fred42]

I had constant problems with my gut when taking Methotrexate as well as the constant feeling of nausea, GP thought it was IBD.When I eventually ditched the MTX it all went away.

[welsh12 in reply to fred42]

It's a issue had IBS all my life but methotrexate helps RA and has helped the ibs in my case but affects the stomach when you take it.

[SteveSi]

A scientific trial has been done on the affect of diet on IBD symptoms. The AIP diet plan was followed and many IBD patients found the exclusion diet to be very helpful. Both RA and IBD are AI diseases.

You may be interested in this:

forbes.com/health/nutrition...

A 2017 Inflammatory Bowel Diseases study looked at the effects of the AIP diet in a small cohort of participants living with IBD with 50% of them on conventional IBD drug therapy. Clinical remission (when symptoms have lessened or abated) was achieved in 11 of the 15 participants by week six. Study authors note that “achieving clinical remission by week 6 rivals that of most drug therapies for IBD.” The results suggest that dietary intervention “can be used as an adjunct to conventional IBD therapy[2].”

Note: I am not suggesting you stop your current medication, merely that you try the AIP diet plan and you should consult your physician first, of course.

Here is my personal story

stevesra.blogspot.com/2023/...