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Posted 9/7/2014 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
I think lupus is playing in my bowels. Ugh.

Since February my bowels have been grumpy. A little different than normal, but not bad. Then over the last three days every evening I get hit with gas pains, cramping, and diarrhea. It lasts about an hour then I'm fine except for my stomach being tender to the touch. skull

A dose of pepto seems to calm it, but it comes back the next day.

I haven't changed any eating habits or meds. smhair
Posted 9/7/2014 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
I had some stomach involvement for several months at a time. It seemed to be worse if I ate a large amount of the same food. Like too much popcorn, or a lot of pasta, or even drank more than 1 glass of coke at a time. Never did get a very good handle on it and had to run for the bathroom out in public a few times, as well as learn how to deal with instant dumping while a passenger in a moving car! (Keep large plastic bags and kleenex in the car. Drop trousers, do business into or onto bag, insert into another bag, etc.)

Then it went away as mysteriously as it came. Almost had forgotten about it, then had an awful episode in my car while driving a couple of months ago.

I do suggest searching for a list of gassy foods and cutting back on them, also avoid over-eating.

Good luck!
Posted 9/7/2014 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
It's very aggrevating having to deal with this.
Since my fundoplication surgery for gerd I've becomed a very gassy person. I will toot with no warning at all.
With this going on now I'm scared a toot will be more than air. :-p

I hope this will get better soon. I see my new rheumy on Wednesday and I'll tell him about it if it's still happening.
Posted 9/8/2014 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
I have had the same problem and at it's worst it was 8 months before it stopped. What a nightmare! I found I became so anxious about being trapped without a washroom nearby that it made it even worse. That was about 10 years ago and I have the odd couple weeks of it or just one episode here and there since.

It's usually in the afternoon or evening if I have either eaten too much, too quickly or something my stomach does not like.

During those 8 months I had it I lost over 40 lbs and was taking immodium if I had to be in the car for long.

I hope it doesn't carry on long for you Joy :( and Lynnwood I had to have the same "emergency kit" in my car too. No fun!

If you find out what causes it I would be interested in knowing. For me it's another thing I never told my doctor about :p
Posted 9/8/2014 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Acquiesce, Funny, I don't think I ever bothered to mention it to my Dr either. It was never the most bothersome thing going on at the time, I guess.

Joy, I would tell your Dr about it even if it's cleared up by next week. Unless more important things are on the list!
Posted 9/8/2014 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
It can't be eating too much though. I hadn't ate anything but two poptarts, medicines, and bottled water in over four hours. Each time it was while supper was cooking. (I've been sleeping later lately too.)

I hope it clears up soon.
Posted 9/8/2014 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
I have had this same problem as well. The only treatment that has ever worked for me is GI rest for at least 4 days, IV fluids only. Then the doc will start me slowly on clear liquids working my way to full liquids, then a soft diet. Eventually back to a regular diet. This process takes about 10 days but I only stay in the hospital until I can tolerate a soft diet.
Have you ever done this treatment? Does it work for you?
Cassie
Posted 9/8/2014 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
Pop tarts = sugar & flour, 2 things known to produce dumping. I suggest protein & fiber instead. Like 1/4 cup raw almonds. Or a piece of cheese and an apple.
Posted 9/8/2014 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
No trouble today! :-)

I took my medicine after I ate. I usually take it before I eat.
Posted 9/10/2014 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
I spoke too soon. :-(

It hit me at 3am this morning and again at 1am tonight. :-((

This is getting annoying. Thank goodness it lasts only for an hour.
Posted 9/10/2014 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
I have a lot of "tummy trouble" too. I have told my PCP about it and he seems to think it could be irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). I have no insurance though and can't afford to go to any specialist or have any test done. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm a nurse and our lab where I work lets us get labs drawn at cost (costs me under $30 for my routine CBC,CMP, and UA), I wouldn't even be able to have those done. Seems like I only work to pay for my Dr visits, labs, and meds (about $200+/month). I think I read on one of the lupus sites that IBS is common in lupus patients though and it would make sense. IBS is often found to run in familys, as is Crohn's disease (another autoimmune disorder). My sister has IBS and my oldest son (who is 24 now) was diagnosed with Crohn's when he was 9. I really need to start keeping a diary of ALL my symptoms, foods I eat, etc. to take to my appts. It is true....nurses are the worst patients. :-p
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