I'm starting to get more than a little fed up. The RA has affected my colon and bowels and every week or so I have a couple of days' trouble where I can't eat much and spend most of the time on the loo. It flares up from time to time and sometimes I can go a few weeks without it at all. It's been like this for over two years so I'm pretty much used to it but I've had a run of around two weeks now and I've pretty much had a guts full of it! (Excuse all the puns!) There's no point going to the docs about it because it can only be controlled in conjunction with the RA.

I'm fine in the morning but by lunch time, it starts. It doesn't matter what I eat, fifteen minutes later and I'm off to the bathroom and it continues that way until I go to sleep at about ten. If I'm lucky I manage to have intervals of up to three quarters of an hour but even then, there are the cramps and nausea.

I know it will pass .... it's just getting on my nerves!

Joanna

Hi Joanna,
Sorry to hear how you are suffering but I have to say that interested me too, how did they decide that your bowel problems are caused by RA?

Hope your flare up settles down soon.

Love, Doreen xx

Thanks for your replies.

When I first started having the symptoms back in 2007 I was losing a lot of blood, my iron levels were dropping and I was losing weight. I was referred to a gastoenterologist. I had a number of blood tests as well as an endoscopy and two colonoscopies with biopsies taken. The outcome of all that was that they found severe inflammation of the colon and bowels and ruled out the cancers, IBS and Coeliacs at the same time. The gastro doc said the only treatments for it would be the same drugs that are treating the RA.

I tend to have a rather aggressive inflammatory form of RA with little joint damage and have inflammation in the lungs and eyes too.

I've tried to work out what, if any, foods affect me or trigger it off but there isn't any pattern. If it's the day for it, it doesn't matter what I eat. I do find things like bread and pasta a little more tolerable and pretty much everything else is a no-no. Then again, on good days, I can eat absolutely anything with no ill effect.

Amanda, I would be interested to know if you have any suggestions for a rehydrating herbal tea I could take.

Joanna

Hi Joanna

It's strange how all these things have the same symptoms. I have diverticulitis and yet my symptoms are exactly the same as yours, and I have to say the stomach problems may not be as painful or as permanent as the RA symptoms, but they get me down a whole lot more. I can understand why you're so fed up and do hope that things improve for you.

Anthea

Big hugs Joanna

sounds you may need to discuss again with gp if only just to let them know symptoms are making you feel like this - my twin sis is going through very similar problems at the moment - and same as you she has had some things ruled out but problems continuing - she is currently given up wheat and gluten and awaiting an appointment with the dietician, its been a LONG wait.....

Really hope things improve for you, i would definitely mention it to someone again tho' - it's not nice to feel like this and feel as just something to put up with, it makes my sis feel quite helpless - hope things settle down for you very soon xx

Take care ~ Liz xx

Hi,

What stomach protectors do you take?

Jayne

Hi,

I take the same as you but in addition I take Mebeverine which is a stomach muscle relaxer. You take it about half an hour before a meal. I find that this helps and if I miss it I can really tell the difference.

Hope this helps.

Jayne

Sorry you are suffering like this. I have inflammatory bowel disease as well and it is most unpleasant. steroids control mine so far. I hope they find a treatment for you. I use my pain meds if I get desperate for a fix. Naughty but effective!!!

Take care

Hi Joanna - I agree with Julie. I also have IBS and know how this plays havoc with your life when you have things to do - it's so worrying and embarrassing. Take care.

Julie x

wonder if you have too be on a gluton free diet for 6 weeks too really tell christine

wonder if same for dariy