Is severe back pain related to Colitis or Crohn's?

[cory17]

I have severe lower (sacral) back pain, necessitating assistance to get out of bed.  I have been told that I have IBS, then Crohn's.  Water-loss stools X4/day X16 days/month.  I was told that I also have RA, but now they are questioning it regarding my GI difficulties.  Is there a link?  How do you distinguish between IBS, Crohn's, autoimmune disease, etc?

[IBSDubai]

I would also recommend you see a rheumatologist to get a proper diagnosis. Pain in the sacrum is one of the key indicators of Ankylosing Spondylitis so you may have that. Plus it seems that AS and IBS often go hand in hand.

I have ankylosing spondylitis and irritable bowel syndrome. 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 lot of inter-connectivity in auto-immune diseases.  Crohn's, Colitis and RA are all auto-immune.  Some arthritis type auto-immune diseases can have gastro-intestinal impacts - Lupus is one.  As well, I do know that colitis can be associated with ankylosing spondylitis (spinal arthritis that begins with sacral region pain).  I believe there are other arthritis conditions that can be related to Crohn's and Colitis.  My son has colitis and has problems with sacral and almost sciatica type pain.  It wasn't bothering him for a while but then he went off his anti-inflammatory meds and is only on the immune suppressant Imuran.  Now he is in remission with the colitis but is having the pain - I think it is because he needs the anti-inflammatories and he is going to get tested for ankylosing spondylitis as it runs in my family.

It is also very common to get a lot of pain if you are dehydrated.  Up your fluids and your potassium, sodium and magnesium.  I found that eating potato chips, bananas and gatoraid really helped.

I think you need both a good gastro doctor and a rheumotologist to ensure you are properly diagnosed.  Good luck.