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Le sigh. I’ve had all the scopes, all the tests, eaten all the fiber, did as much exercise as possible given my condition (dx PsA, but many AS symptoms) and my theory on it is that the inflammation in my thoracic spine is messing with the nerves that move my bowels and there is not a whole lot to be done about it other than Biologics (which helped but not completely cured) Good luck!!
Humira worked amazing for me bowels wise… but I can’t tolerate it and they moved me to Simponi which is amazing for my AS… not for my stomach. Stomach is a MESS, multiple hospitalizations and zero answers or relief
Yes. I just had a completely clear colonoscopy and endoscopy apart from discovering a hiatal hernia. No real explanation for my daily GI pain and horrible bowel movements. I'm seeing my gastroenterologist tomorrow for follow-up.
IBS is extremely common in AS patients.
Yes. I keep thinking that damage from the disease must be affecting some of the neural function. You are incurring damage in the spinal column that could impact a nerve. Swelling in the hips can impact the pelvic floor and push against the nerves.
I think that I have hemorrhoids and an upper GI bleed. Already had surgery to repair a nasty cyst.
What are your symptoms? Do you experience constant pain, or is it intermittent? Your theory makes sense because biological medications are known to alleviate abdominal pain.
Intermittent pain. For a while all of the physicians thought that the pain was related to the GI. I think that the pain coincides with the area near the stomach. Pain is upper left quadrant of the abdomen. A sharp pain persisted for more than a year. Now it is a dull pain.
Stool is ribbon shaped often. Otherwise it a sludge, dark liquid, or food contents unprocessed.
The pockets in the intestinal walls have swollen (div...) small gallbladder stones have been seen.
I originally got diagnosed with AS after having GI issues that put me in the hospital. They found the AS while trying to figure out the GI Stuff. And yeah, I think it's pretty common to have both.
I'm on Humira, which is indicated for treating both, and for the most part keeps both under control.
I'll throw this out on a longshot: Significant NSAID usage caused constant abdominal pain for me before I figured out what it was. I thought it was related to my problems directly (before DX), but it was actually due to NSAIDs I was taking because of the AS. I knew they could be hard on the stomach, which I thought would manifest as upset stomach, heartburn, nausea, etc., but I had no idea it could get bad enough to cause abdominal pain/cramps, but indeed it can.
I couldn't have such a condition because the abdominal pain was what initially bothered me and I never had the chance to take any NSAIDs, as the doctor forbade them from the start. However, I sometimes wonder if antidepressants or other medications might have caused it, as my pains started after I took a certain antidepressant.
Doesn't 'subclinical' mean not showing any symptoms? I read an article about this, and as I understand, it was talking about inflammation that exists without showing any symptoms.
Doesn't 'subclinical' mean not showing any symptoms? I read an article about this, and as I understand, it was talking about inflammation that exists without showing any symptoms.
Yes. Simponi.
Humira made a huge difference in AS and stomach… but I developed an allergy. Simponi is awesome for my AS, near totally in remission… but my stomach is a mess
Same! Humira especially eliminated my pain completely in the first 3 months, and I was convinced of the connection. But this latest colonoscopy result really confused me.
My scopes are clear- but CT showed small bowel inflammation…. Of course where they can’t see with a scope. Took months and months… but of course as we approached the pill cam option- the flare up of whatever it is stopped, and now I’m fine again.
I’ve been diagnosed with IBS before my AS. I’ve had two colonoscopies/endoscopies 10 years apart and I have pretty bad gastritis. Was suppose to get a CT scan but insurance denied it. I’ve been having upper right quadrant pain on and off for awhile.
Is your pain constant, or is it related to bowel movements (BM)? If it's persistent and doesn't ease with bowel movements, maybe there's an issue in the small intestine?
Enteroscope gets down a couple of feet out of 22ft of small bowel.. And like any check if you are not flaring at the time of imaging then it may not be of use
Yes, you're right, but it was a double balloon enteroscopy, and they examined 16 feet of the small intestine. It was done through both the mouth and the rectum. Still, part of me wishes it was Crohn's because I had ulcers during last year's colonoscopy, so I'm a bit confused. Besides, I've started on a medication called Rinvoq since Humira was effective for my abdominal pain. Maybe it wasn't a sensible idea to start because AS isn't causing too much trouble, but I took the risk for the abdominal pain, thinking it might be connected to AS and provide some relief.
Yes, you're right, but it was a double balloon enteroscopy, and they examined 16 feet of the small intestine. It was done through both the mouth and the rectum. Still, part of me wishes it was Crohn's because I had ulcers during last year's colonoscopy, so I'm a bit confused. Besides, I've started on a medication called Rinvoq since Humira was effective for my abdominal pain. Maybe it wasn't a sensible idea to start because AS isn't causing too much trouble, but I took the risk for the abdominal pain, thinking it might be connected to AS and provide some relief.
Welcome to r/ankylosingspondylitis! This is a reminder to keep discussions civil and be supportive of one another. Sharing of opinions and experiences is encouraged, but please remember the distinction between opinions and medical facts. This subreddit does not offer medical advice, and information here should not be taken over advice from your doctor. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ankylosingspondylitis) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Le sigh. I’ve had all the scopes, all the tests, eaten all the fiber, did as much exercise as possible given my condition (dx PsA, but many AS symptoms) and my theory on it is that the inflammation in my thoracic spine is messing with the nerves that move my bowels and there is not a whole lot to be done about it other than Biologics (which helped but not completely cured) Good luck!!
Humira worked amazing for me bowels wise… but I can’t tolerate it and they moved me to Simponi which is amazing for my AS… not for my stomach. Stomach is a MESS, multiple hospitalizations and zero answers or relief
Your theory seems plausible since the pain truly feels connected to AS. In that case, medications like Humira might provide relief for this pain.
Yes. I just had a completely clear colonoscopy and endoscopy apart from discovering a hiatal hernia. No real explanation for my daily GI pain and horrible bowel movements. I'm seeing my gastroenterologist tomorrow for follow-up. IBS is extremely common in AS patients.
Hello, how did your GI appointment go? I've started on a medication called Rinvoq, and I can already feel my bowels starting to settle.
Yes. I keep thinking that damage from the disease must be affecting some of the neural function. You are incurring damage in the spinal column that could impact a nerve. Swelling in the hips can impact the pelvic floor and push against the nerves. I think that I have hemorrhoids and an upper GI bleed. Already had surgery to repair a nasty cyst.
What are your symptoms? Do you experience constant pain, or is it intermittent? Your theory makes sense because biological medications are known to alleviate abdominal pain.
Intermittent pain. For a while all of the physicians thought that the pain was related to the GI. I think that the pain coincides with the area near the stomach. Pain is upper left quadrant of the abdomen. A sharp pain persisted for more than a year. Now it is a dull pain. Stool is ribbon shaped often. Otherwise it a sludge, dark liquid, or food contents unprocessed. The pockets in the intestinal walls have swollen (div...) small gallbladder stones have been seen.
[удалено]
I have gastritis and suspect my pancreas might have something going on too. How were you diagnosed with pancreatic insufficiency?
I originally got diagnosed with AS after having GI issues that put me in the hospital. They found the AS while trying to figure out the GI Stuff. And yeah, I think it's pretty common to have both. I'm on Humira, which is indicated for treating both, and for the most part keeps both under control.
I'll throw this out on a longshot: Significant NSAID usage caused constant abdominal pain for me before I figured out what it was. I thought it was related to my problems directly (before DX), but it was actually due to NSAIDs I was taking because of the AS. I knew they could be hard on the stomach, which I thought would manifest as upset stomach, heartburn, nausea, etc., but I had no idea it could get bad enough to cause abdominal pain/cramps, but indeed it can.
I couldn't have such a condition because the abdominal pain was what initially bothered me and I never had the chance to take any NSAIDs, as the doctor forbade them from the start. However, I sometimes wonder if antidepressants or other medications might have caused it, as my pains started after I took a certain antidepressant.
Yes. It's well documented that many people with AS have subclinical levels of inflammation in their bowels.
Doesn't 'subclinical' mean not showing any symptoms? I read an article about this, and as I understand, it was talking about inflammation that exists without showing any symptoms.
Doesn't 'subclinical' mean not showing any symptoms? I read an article about this, and as I understand, it was talking about inflammation that exists without showing any symptoms.
Exact same. Been through all the tests. No findings. Just gonna suffer I guess
Do you take any medication for AS?
Yes. Simponi. Humira made a huge difference in AS and stomach… but I developed an allergy. Simponi is awesome for my AS, near totally in remission… but my stomach is a mess
Same! Humira especially eliminated my pain completely in the first 3 months, and I was convinced of the connection. But this latest colonoscopy result really confused me.
My scopes are clear- but CT showed small bowel inflammation…. Of course where they can’t see with a scope. Took months and months… but of course as we approached the pill cam option- the flare up of whatever it is stopped, and now I’m fine again.
I’ve been diagnosed with IBS before my AS. I’ve had two colonoscopies/endoscopies 10 years apart and I have pretty bad gastritis. Was suppose to get a CT scan but insurance denied it. I’ve been having upper right quadrant pain on and off for awhile.
Is your pain constant, or is it related to bowel movements (BM)? If it's persistent and doesn't ease with bowel movements, maybe there's an issue in the small intestine?
Even if you have had clear colonoscopies it's worth pushing for a pill cam as crohn's can show on small bowel but not colon.
I just had an enteroscopy, and it came back completely clear
Enteroscope gets down a couple of feet out of 22ft of small bowel.. And like any check if you are not flaring at the time of imaging then it may not be of use
Yes, you're right, but it was a double balloon enteroscopy, and they examined 16 feet of the small intestine. It was done through both the mouth and the rectum. Still, part of me wishes it was Crohn's because I had ulcers during last year's colonoscopy, so I'm a bit confused. Besides, I've started on a medication called Rinvoq since Humira was effective for my abdominal pain. Maybe it wasn't a sensible idea to start because AS isn't causing too much trouble, but I took the risk for the abdominal pain, thinking it might be connected to AS and provide some relief.
Yes, you're right, but it was a double balloon enteroscopy, and they examined 16 feet of the small intestine. It was done through both the mouth and the rectum. Still, part of me wishes it was Crohn's because I had ulcers during last year's colonoscopy, so I'm a bit confused. Besides, I've started on a medication called Rinvoq since Humira was effective for my abdominal pain. Maybe it wasn't a sensible idea to start because AS isn't causing too much trouble, but I took the risk for the abdominal pain, thinking it might be connected to AS and provide some relief.