RA and IBS?

[Beelady]

I've had RA for around 7 years now and didn't get on with various meds and biological so try and manage with nsaids and pain relief. Anyway, for past 18 months- 2 years ive had about episodes of severe stomach pain and diarrhoea. It's really intense when it happens but usually lasts a few hours then goes away. I've just put it down to possibly something I've eaten although I eat well generally. I am now wondering if it's becoming more of an on going thing if it may be IBS but think an IBS flare up would last days not hours? or.maybe it's related to my RA? I will talk to GP and maybe rheumatologist but wondered if anyone else had similar experience?

[Adorable1]

I have IBS I take Omeprazole for it. It can be there often in the morning and go after an hour , I think like most things it affects us in different ways. Good idea to get it checked out …best wishes

[Madmusiclover]

IBS can be transient; if painful.

[Beelady in reply to Madmusiclover]

Can you say a bit more?

[Madmusiclover in reply to Beelady]

Well, I’ve had it since I was 28 and I’m 66. It can just come on as a violent cramp that past a few minutes or up to an hour, or it can just be a general discomfort for a wee while. I’ve learned to manage it with diet and lifestyle (generally movement) and occasionally I take a prescribed relaxant as I found over the counter remedies like buscopan didn’t work for me. I think you need to distinguish between stomach pain (for which omeprazole might help) and bowels, which need something else.

[vonniesims]

I wonder if you are taking nsaids if you are on something to protect your stomach?

[oldtimer2]

Could be the NSAIDs causing inflammation? But more likely to happen more frequently. But it needs investigating to get a diagnosis.

[Jackie1947]

My IBS turned out to be Diverticulitis following a CT scan . I also had to give samples to eliminate other medical conditions. Took quite a while asking the GP to take it further. Sometimes they use it as a cop out. Just saying

[allanah]

Do go as I had chronic pain and diarrohea for a year. Eventually diagnosed with IBS-D and bile salt malabsorption . Put on cholenesterase tablets which solve it. Worth speaking to gp/ rheumy

[RidgebackLady]

I found excluding gluten completely from my diet has really helped my stomach and I take lansoprazole as stomach protector.Nurofen type drugs shouldn't be taken on an empty stomach, either.

[AgedCrone]

NSAIDs are renowned for giving people Diarrhoea ..speak to your doctor about a more suitable medication.

[Spanelmad]

Simple things like drinking enough fluid and making sure your eat enough fibre.Keep a food diary/diarrhoea for a couple of weeks to take to GP so they. Have something to go.on.For me adding the bacterial drink symprove to my morning routine has solved my issues.

[Blackberrywine]

I have IBS. It seemed to have happened after a horrible attack of infectious colitis. I had all the usual tests from gastroenterologists. One of whom thought a particular drug I was on exacerbated it. He suggested FodMap diet. This helped a bit, but I found removing virtually everything other than meat, fish and a tiny amount of veg and berries worked best for me. Sadly, had to give up dairy too. Quite drastic, but it's improved my gut.

Try FodMap?