ankylosing spondylitis and gastro/constipation/breathing/

[TornadoWoman]

I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at the age of 19, I am now 49.  I had fallen down a flight of stairs at work and thru testing and x-rays I found out I had AS.  I was told that I should stay as active as I can and be preparred to be in a wheel chair by the age of 30.  All of my jobs have all been very phyiscal; jobs usually men did.

In 2008 I was rediagnosed with AS.  I have also been diagnosed with asthma, acid reflux, celiac intolerance, fibromyalgia, and severe chronic constipation.  In 2000 I had a series of surgeries which did not help.

It is now being discovered that all of the other conditions  are connected to the untreated AS.  Does anyone know more about these connections?  My rheumatologist says she has never heard of a connection between AS and bowel problems but I am finding it all over the internet.

[IBSDubai]

I have ankylosing spondylitis and irritable bowel syndrome. I think they are most definitely related. I've been following a low starch diet (Carol Sinclair's IBS Low Starch Diet) and it has really helped. I've also recently started seeing a nutritionist and had food intolerance tests done, am taking Schussler Tissue Salts and incorporated the Anti-Inflammation Diet Plan into my menu planning. All this is detailed on my blog www.bonappetitreview.blogspot.com

Ultimately, if you are really suffering with AS there are different levels of treatments from NSAIDs up to immuni-suppresants. Last year I had a 3 month course of Humira and it didn't help but I then had a 3-month course of Enbrel and it put my AS into remission. Both of these treatments are very expensive and not pleasant as you have to have injections on a bi-weekly / weekly basis into your stomach.

I am now trying to maintain my remission through managing my diet, daily exercise, daily stretching (see a physiotherapist to get the right exercises) and daily meditation (I think stress is a key trigger) plus monthly massages to keep my soft tissue moving and relaxed.

[TrudieC]

There is a definite relationship between AS and inflammatory bowel disease.  You are saying you are constipated which is the reverse of what IBD is.  IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is related to fibromyalgia and it sounds like that is what is bothering you.