Ankylosing Spondylitis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Hi all,
I have had AS for 25 years. For just over a year now I have had relatively high lower abdominal pain in the early hours of the morning and when waking, it then gradually lowers during the day.
I am being investigated but has anyone got experiences with abdominal pain and how it was diagnosed?
I am being offered a CT scan but I am very nervous of having it as I think it has a low chance of finding an IBD and I have had many x-rays and CT scans in my life due to my AS.
Hello
I'm on a journey for Ibd diagnosis. I was just wondering what has been your treatment for Ibd and if you are feeling better. I can cope with my AS but this gastro issues are so horrible and depressing for me 
Hi, so originally I was taking Sulfasalazine which was a great help, They then switched me to Mesalamine which did not work as well for me particularly. I then was switched back to the Sulfasalazine and I take 1500mg in the morning and 1500 at night. I also on top of this take Creon for EPI which I would rule this out as well just because EPI and Crohns have almost Identical systems. I hope this helps you and things get better. Please feel free to reach out to me with any other questions you may have. Hope you have a wonderful night.
Hi, so in early 2017 I began having severe lower abdominal pain that would come on out of know where. It was only relieved by me using the restroom and even then I would be hunched over and felt like I was being stabbed. Then in early 2018 I became severe I'll unable to eat or drink almost anything. I dropped over 50lbs in just 2 months. This was the beginning of my journey. I had an ultrasound done that showed inflammation in the Ileum part of my intestines. Then came a colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy and an upper endoscopy. The Colonoscopy again showed inflammation. When not in a flare up it showed nothing on the capsule endoscopy. Then by the time I had the Upper Endoscopy I was in a flare up and again there was inflammation. Then came multiple stool studies which would go up and down on Inflammation. I am not sure on how a CT will work but I do know it is best to try and have any type of study or testing done while in an inflammation or your results may show nothing. I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease and then it took until 2022 before they finally diagnosed my AS after living with unbearable back, bottom, hip and leg pain. Though I also suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy and Idiopathic Small Fiber Sensory Neuropathy so it affects my hands legs and feet. I hope you can find out what is going on with you as I know abdominal pain can be the worst. Best wishes
Thank you so much.
I recently had stool samples taken due to horrible gastric issues and results showed inflammation. Awaiting colonoscopy and endoscopy - GP thinks Crohn's or IBS connected to AS. 
AS can certainly cause havoc with the gut and digestive system.
I do hope the upcoming colonoscopy/endoscope will provide some answers.
Sending you all my best, Doreen (Team Member)
