Ankylosing Spondylitis and now IBD?

[ankspond]

Hello,

So I have been diagnosed with ank spond for about 2-3 years with usual symptoms (I am now 24 years old). Remicade was a miracle in treating this disease until I developped a tolerance to it after about 1-1.5 years of use.

I am still on Remicade which I take more frequently with poorer results. Symptoms are coming back (back pain, hip pain) and even my dreaded under-the-foot/heel pain of a few years ago.

I must also add that I was diagnosed with functional dyspepsia for one year, which is simply a painful discomfort in the stomach for which I take pantoloc every day. This has been treated with success.

However, over the Christmas holidays, my resurgence of symptoms has led me to a new surprise. I have felt more stomach and intestinal discomfort than usual for the past few days, crowned by 3-4 trips to the bathroom today.

Drinking my almond milk gives me discomfort in the stomach, eating something is not painful but I must go to the bathroom not long after.

Can you tell me if this sounds to you like an IBD or inflammatory action of the ankylosing spondylitis alone? I am quite bummed but somehow not surprised. I get new surprises every once and a while with this damn condition. My biggest fear is the treatment. I swear by these biologics. They are amazing (knock on wood, remicade was side-effect free).

I was scared that only Enbrel, Humira and Simponi were left for me for ank spond. Now I must think that only Humira is left that also treats Crohn's. It is perhaps too soon to speak of this, but with my ank spond being somewhat severe, I have a feeling...

Thanks guys.

 

[skip]

My father had Ankylosing Spondylitis for years beginning in his early 20's until he passed at age 68. All he ever took for it was aspirin. One of my brothers has Ankylosing Spondylitis also. I think my mother said he has crohn's also. Anyway, he's been on Humira injections for about 1.5 years. Not sure how it's working for him.

 

[xJillx]

Hi and welcome! It is not uncommong for people with auto-immune diseases to ahve more than one. Therefore, if you are concerned your GI symptoms could be IBD, make an appointment with a GI. I sure hope it's not IBD, but it is better safe than sorry.

As far as Remicade, many switch to Humira after it loses its effectiveness and have great success. I hope you'll have the same results. Feel free to check out the Humira subforum to speak to those on the treatment. I am sure you'll find it helpful.

 

[David]

Greetings and welcome to you

About 5% of people with Crohn's Disease end up with Ankylosing Spondylitis. What you describe has me far from convinced that you have IBD as well. I'd certainly mention it to your doctor next visit and if the stomach issues persist make an appointment sooner rather than later, but I wouldn't be worrying to much about IBD at present if our positions were reversed.

 

[ankspond]

Thank you all for responses. Especially during vacations (summer or christmas), I tend to imagine worse case scenarios. However, I feel the stars are aligned. I could suspect that these problems are due to a self-limiting gastro bug since everyone is sick in my family, but the burn, the heartburn, is not something I have felt. I believe I would also have fever symptoms, etc, which I do not have.

David, you say that 5% of people with Crohn's end up having ankylosing spondylitis. I also have read that ankylosing spondylitis patients are also linked with Crohn's. Would you care to explain to me now though, why you think I do not have an IBD?

 

[David]

I feel that thinking of IBD after a few days of stomach or intestinal discomfort is usually not warranted. Yes, you're no doubt at a higher risk for IBD and I pray it's not something you develop, but reading your post didn't make me think IBD. If your symptoms continue or become worse, then a much harder look would make sense. It's quite natural to do the, "What now?" with these sort of diseases and think of the worst. God knows I've been prone to that. You have my sympathies for sure. :hug:

Out of curiosity, what vitamin and mineral deficiencies have they tested you for with your Ankylosing Spondylitis? And were you deficient in any?

 

[ankspond]

I actually was never tested for mineral and vitamin concentrations in the blood. I guess that when I go to the doctor after the vacations I could propose this.

 

[David]

Wow, that's surprising, though I admittedly don't know all that much about AS and vitamin and mineral deficiencies though I could certainly hypothesize about some things. For example, I would absolutely have your vitamin D levels checked. You may want to read this thread for some ideas as to what might be beneficial to test for.

 

[ankspond]

The scary possibility is that I had Crohn's for a while but that it was hidden by Remicade. Anyway, thanks for the help. I will keep you updated. Could you please tell me how IDB traditionally manifests itself at first? I guess it must be different for all.