Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group GI or stomach problems

Hi everyone,

I haven't visited this site for a while as I have been fairly healthy and maybe in denial of my AS diagnosis.

I've been having a lot of GI and/or stomach problems lately and wondering whether they are related to my AS. I've had bleeding off and on for the past couple of years but a colonoscopy revealed only hemorrhoids. My doc thinks that this is the cause but I'm not so sure. For the past month or so I've had a really cranky stomach and a lot of gas. It seems to be getting progressively worse and I've got a doc's appointment this afternoon.

I was wondering if anyone ever experienced strange pains in the neck, throat, and shoulder areas when a GI flare occurs. The past few nights I've been awakened by shooting pains and numbness in my shoulders and arms. I'm wondering if my gas problem is raising hell with my nervous system or vice versa. Any ideas?

This website has been a great source of information for me and, although I don't post often, I appreciate those who offer their help and support.

Thanks Again,
Steve

Steve,

I'm not a GI king, just suffered from the oddities that this lot can throw up at you day and night.

A visit from "Harry the haemorroid" is not alot of fun, and him loose in the flora beds ouch.

I'm sure any lesion in the GI area can stir up the disease, anything that irritiates the GI tract, or compromises that barrier will provoke an immune response in us.... That's the nature of the disease.

Dr.s blame a lot on piles, but they are not always the culprits.....the scope and bisopsy are really good, but not having Chron's I'm not sure it a good check of the small intestine.

Likey you've got a cyclic thing going on. Spondyltitis is inflammation of the spine, it can also cause IBS and weird neck/arm things even mimic reflux. The inflammation is known to be initiated by something happening across the bowel mucous barrier. Other things can stir it, even dental problems vaccines injury, infection.......

There's lots of little things you can do though.

1. Get "harry" fixed, get the Dr to chuck something at it quickly.
2. You do some motion softening!
3. The next question is how did you get the haemmorid any idea? Cut that out coffeee drink spicey food......etc
4. Really seriously consider the diet......suprising how effective than can be....

Prep for the Dr.

You got any glands up anywhere esp neck and groin, and or SI/hip/lower back stuff/leg stuff happening.

What is your neck like, any dodgy disks, been lifting or banged it lately?

Whatv meds have you been taking aspirin, nsaids? Ibrobrufen etc

For upper GI stuff:

1. Eat and drink earlier before retiring....
2. Coffee, leave it alone for awhile.
3 Chuck out any old toothe brushes, are your teeth ok?
4. Think about meds for it!
5. try the NSD/LSD/SCD


Good Luck, I've been down this path I hope your Dr comes up good for you

David

Did you get both a Endoscopy and Colonoscopy done, because for me, I had ulcers both ways.
Also did they do the biopsy for Helico Pylons, it can cause ulcers and hence bleeding.

And Yes, the GI can be involved in AS.
Hence the NSD No Starch Diet.


Take Care
Wayne

David,

Thanks for the advice. I can't really attribute any cause for the hemmorhoids or "Harry" as you call him. The doc told me it was nothing to worry about since it is internal and not causing any itching or burning sensations.

I'm having an upper GI done tomorrow and the Doc wants to get a good look at the small bowel for any signs of Crohns. Since I had the colonoscopy last spring, he feels that ulscerative colitis can be ruled out.

As for the shooting pains I've been having, the Doc attributed them to my GI problems. I guess some people have heart palpitations and this is a similar type of reaction to the unsettled stomach. I have been exercising and lifting weights so it is possible that I irritated a muscle or pinched a nerve but I don't think so.

Thanks Again,
Steve

Wayne,

No I haven't had the upper endoscopy done, just the colonoscopy. I'm having an upper GI done tomorrow so I'm sure if they see anything, they'll follow up with the endoscopy.

The Doc took me off of Vioxx until they figure out what's wrong.

Thanks,
Steve

Steve,

excellent news, no body deserves colits. Get rid of harry! Regardless of what some Dr.s say anythng that compromises your gut is a problem for your AS.

Hope everything goes well for the other checks........

David

Hi Steve, you don't mention your medication, no doubt your doc will change it if it is an NSAID.
Some of your symptoms sound like IBD which can develop after or independently from AS.
Bottom line is gut damage causes the conditions, some meds exacerbate it too.
Hope you have an informative session with your doc, but it takes about one week of reading to know more than most GPs about AS so don't leave it all in his/her hands. Not intended as a slur on doctors either, just factual that the average family doctor does not deal with it a lot.

Ted

There’s nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as messing around in boats.
Ratty, Wind in the Willows

hi there!
i have colitis, gastritis, and ibs. i have not had the symptoms you mentioned with the neck and shoulder though. i hope you get some answers soon. i am also set for a colonscypy and endescopy on march 10th. my gi doc thinks its the colitis and stomach lining as well causing me problems.

unfortunately i have had bleeding before. that was from the colitis a couple years ago. gi doc said she would barely touch the cecum area..[where small and large intestine meet] and it would bleed...and she showed us the pics. she said it was what would happen to someone in a serious car accident...only i had not been in one recently or a bad one period! i also had h.pylori...and just finished my 2nd round of treatment for it late december 03'. i was hoping my stomach problems were a thing of the past...not so sure now.

let us know how things turn out please...

take care...


Buggy

Ted,

The medication that I have been taking is Vioxx; been on it for about 3 years now with great results. Doc took me off of it until it is determined what is causing my problems.

I do a lot of reading up on AS and related conditions (both here and various med websites) and I agree with you, the GP's knowledge is not that strong. I see a rheumy every 6 months but may have to increase the frequency of those visits. My GP and Rheumy are very good about sharing information and consulting with each other.

I had the upper GI done this morning but do not know the results yet. I asked the radiologist if he had seen anything abnormal, he said he needed time to develop the pictures and that my GP would contact me either today or tomorrow. I'm hoping everything comes out normal, but at the same time, I want some answers as to why I'm feeling so lousy.

I'm starting to think that the neck and shoulder pain I'm having may be unrelated to my gastro problem. Thinking back, I may have done something to a muscle or nerve while lifting weights and the Vioxx masked the symptoms. Maybe being off the Vioxx has allowed the normal pain triggers to kick in. Just a theory! Speaking of being off the Vioxx, I've been forced to remember what morning pain and stiffness are like again; I haven't had this problem (other than a couple minor flares) in a couple of years. I guess I should count my blessings.

Take Care,
Steve

Buggy,

I have been reading a lot of your posts, it seems you've had a tough time of it lately. I hope you're feeling better.

I had the upper GI done this morning, but I don't know the results yet. I'll post when I find out.

I had the colonoscopy done last year and they found nothing. If you're worried about the procedure, I can tell you that my experience was not uncomfortable at all. In fact I don't remember it at all. They woke me up in the recovery room and gave me a blueberry muffin to eat; I didn't even realize that they had already done the procedure. The worst part for me was the preparation; the cleanout and not being able to eat for a whole day.

Take care and get healthy,
Steve