Have You Ever Seen a Gastroenterologist for RA Stomach Issues?
RA is systemic and can effect lots of areas beyond the joints. Autoimmune inflammation and RA treatments can impact the gastrointestinal system.
Gastroenterologists have extra training in dealing with autoimmune related digestive tract issues. Have you ever seen a gastroenterologist for stomach/digestive issues and, if so, was it helpful?
Why yes I have 😀 My rheumatologist referred me to a GI doctor to rule out ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. I've had irritable bowel syndrome for decades. Oddly enough, it simmered down after I was diagnosed with RA and started treatment.
I have had 2 colonoscopies. Inflammatory polys put me on the 5 year plan, oh the joy. My GI doctor also did an endoscope because I have RA. I had some erosions in my stomach and inflammation where my esophagus meets my stomach. I took a PPI for about a year to heal that up.
This is an important topic so thanks for bringing it up. We are taking all sorts of medications that are not necessarily GI tract friendly. I had also gotten in the habit of taking pain medication on an empty stomach. Lesson learned.
Two additional comments:
1. A friend of mine with RA died after surgery for a perforated intestine. I believe RA contributed to the perforation and her sudden death.
2. My youngster of a GI doctor stunned me speechless when he said, "I believe that RA is mainly a disease of lifestyle changes." Then he looked at my cane. Hello - it's not a fashion accessory. I thought of loads of things to say after I left his office. Yes, lifestyle changes are important. But lifestyle changes would not have prevented the amount of permanent joint damage and surgeries that I racked up before I was diagnosed. When I am in his office again, I will be educating him. Maybe I will wave my cane around for emphasis 😀Thank you so much
. Absolutely not too much information. I think Kelly even wrote a piece years ago about dignity and pride being separate from what is necessary to maintain health (along the lines of dignity and pride are not for anyone else to bestow or take - they belong inherently to you). Oh, and Kelly also had a reverse shoulder a few years ago. It has been doing very well, but we know the limitations.
Concerning the gastroenterologist. I think one of the issues is that they have very specific training related to digestive/gastrointestinal autoimmune inflammatory conditions, as opposed to overarching autoimmune training that immunologists or rheumatologists get. It is a real pet peeve of mine that neither immunology or rheumatology is a required rotation in medical schools, but I digress (I could digress down that rabbit hole for a while 😀 ). Best, Richard (Team Member), I'd love to be your back up, but I have no doubts you will hold your own and get your point across. And who knows? You might change the perspective of that young doctor for the better (let's hope)!
You've got this! And you go ahead and wave that cane if you need to! 😉
Best, Erin, Team Member.
I think seeing a gastroenterologist can be really helpful when digestive symptoms persist alongside RA, especially since some RA medications can also affect the GI tract. It’s worth discussing ongoing symptoms with both your rheumatologist and GI doctor so they can look at the bigger picture. This may also be helpful: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/diet-and-nutrition/decreasing-gerd
, thanks for sharing this insight and I agree! A gastroenterologist can be a great asset when trying to protect/improve one's overall digestive health.
Best, Erin, Team Member.
