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ankylosing spondylitis

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 11/7/2008 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone with Crohsn experience of ankylosing spondylitis?

My GI thinks this is what is causing my mystery back pain.

Any info much appreciated

Posted 11/7/2008 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
No AS here, but it is associated with Crohn's. It seems that the auto-immune reaction results from antibodies that attack collagens. Collagens are part of the structure of several types of tissue from skin to gut membrane to joints. Has he offered any treatment plan? Usually the only thing that they can offer is steroids or possibly celebrex. Celebrex is an NSAID, but it has been shown to be tolerated in Crohn's for short periods (1-2 weeks). There is an alternative that should help somewhat. See: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=17&m=1286615
Posted 11/7/2008 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Roxette,
I hope you don't have ankylosing spondylitis, because Crohn's is enough to deal with! sad My father and brother both have ankylosing spondylitis, but no Crohn's. I have Crohn's, but no ankylosing spondylitis. As Keeper said, both are auto immune disorders, and they are related. My brother has had excellent results with Enbrel. He injects himself with it every week or so. My dad has done well with Celebrex. Please keep us posted on what you find out.
Cecilia
Posted 11/7/2008 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
Wow that is a pretty harsh disease hope that you don't have it. Good luck and positive thoughts heading your way. :)
Posted 11/7/2008 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Roxette

I have both Crohn's and AS and struggled for many years to get both into remission. Everyone's experience is different, but I found myself using canes to support myself when I wanted to walk and could only manage very short distances. It often caused me to collapse to the floor because my pelvic joints weren't supporting my weight. Lots of back pain etc etc. about 18 months ago I was in very bad shape and looking at permanent disability because the Crohn's and AS had been flaring for two years. Got some new doctors who recommended Remicade and Methotrexate. After about three months I began to gain weight and was using the canes less and less. I feel better now than I have in twenty years! It's been months since I used a cane and I've gained nearly 50 pounds... a very good thing for me. I hope you are able, with doctors you trust, to find a treatment plan that works for you. Lots of physio exercises are also very important. Take Care!
Michael
Posted 11/7/2008 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
Roxette - I have both AS and CD. My Crohn's is mild and my ankylosing spondylitis is anything but! AS has given me more problems since I was diagnosed with it than Crohn's has. I got to a point where I thought I was going to be spending my life using a walker on good days and a wheelchair the remainder of the time. When the doc offered Remicade I jumped at the chance. Remicade put my CD in remission within 3 months. Remicade reduced my pain and joint and tendon inflammation enough for me to ditch the walker. A scheduled hip replacement was canceled because the hip pain was AS related not due to my age [at the time, mid 50s] and Remicade took care of the inflammation.

If you want good comprehensive info about AS, go to the Spondylitis Association of America's web site: www.spondylitis.org
Posted 11/10/2008 9:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all thanks so much for all your replies.
Going on what you guys have said im very positive that it is not AS as the pain is not so severe that i cannot walk or go about my daily business.
It is constant however; but has only started in the last 6 months.
I dont know how all you guys manage! You are all so positive and this place has really helped me. Im fairly new to crohns-i only got diagnosed 7months ago. Ive never seen so many docs in my life! Im only 25 & up to now i could count on my hand how many times ive seen a doctor! Long gone are those days! I have an mri scheduled for this week so i will update you all with my results!
Keep all your fingers and toes etc crossed for me x
Posted 11/10/2008 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
AS and Crohn's have been tied together by Dr. Alan Ebringer in the UK. There are good data to support the theory that infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae leads to the formation of antibodies that are intended to attack an enzyme produced by Kp called pullulanase. However, the structure of certain types of collagen (Types I, III, IV, and V collagen) are similar enough that the antibodies attack those as well. These collagens are found in the back and the eyes, explaining the damage done to the spine and the uveitis common to AS.

The recommended treatment is to cut starch entirely out of the diet to halt the growth of Kp.
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