Re: Intestinal & Lymphatic Disorders w/ Reiters Questions

[Guest guest]

Hi

I'm not an 'expert' in this (one of the others will answer I'm certain), but

'yes' - Reiter's can often affect your intestinal tract and does mine, when

I'm in a flare. One of the older commonly used drugs for it (I'm on it

currently, for the 3rd time) is salazopyrine/sulphasalazine: This drug is an

anti-inflammatory that is used in IBD/Chrohns etc, as it is especially

effective in this part of the body.

, I wish you were on some drugs by now - it seems like you are

continuing downhill, and, without medication, what will help you improve?

I'm sitting here typing this with a brand new hip, as a long-term

'side-effect' of Reiter's. I'm only 41! The inflammation from these

inflammatory diseases can destroy joints fast! (I only knew my hip was in

trouble back in April/May). These aren't diseases to play 'wait and see'

with, is what I'm trying to say.

[Guest guest]

,

The condition involving the jaw bone is called Temporomandibular joint

disorder (TMJ). It is usually unilateral (one side of jaw) with the

spondyloarthropathies. It can be bilateral with AS, but with Reiter's syndrome,

it is

usually one sided and the pain is felt in the area just at ear level. It has

nothing to do with the lymphatic system or the glands that are located under

the

jaw bone in the neck area. The symptoms are pain in opening the mouth to chew,

popping noises, headache, ear aches. It will show up on MRI.

The two diseases of the intestines which are involved with spondy are

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

IBS is less severe, although it can cause quite a bit of pain. The symptoms

are pain, constipation and/or bouts of diarrhea. Can be caused by stress.

If one has inflammatory bowel disease IBD, you may have abdominal cramps and

pain, diarrhea, weight loss and bleeding from your intestines. Two kinds of

inflammatory bowel disease are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Crohn's disease usually causes ulcers (open sores) along the length of the small

and large intestines. Crohn's disease either spares the rectum, or causes

inflammation or infection with drainage around the rectum. Ulcerative colitis

usually causes ulcers in the lower part of the large intestine, often starting

at

the rectum. Both disease (Crohn's and ulcerative colitis) are Dx through

colonoscopy.

I have IBD (for many years...and if I were able to trade my arthritis

symptoms and pain over the other...I would gladly choose the arthritis

symptoms. My

IBD was in complete remission while I was on Humira for over two years. It

is back with vengence since I discontinued Humira. I may go back on one of the

anti-TNF drugs soon. I now take either Benytl or Librax (little stronger

than the benytl) for intestinal pain and lomotil for the diarrhea.

If you do not have any bowel problems...like diarrhea or constipation on a

regular basis, I wouldn't think that the pains were due to Inflammatory bowel

disease IBD. IBS can cause bloating and pain.

Best regards, Connie

[Guest guest]

Hi, & All ~

I have the same kind of symptoms you mentioned. My lymph nodes are

enlarged and painful, especially beneath my jawbone. The right side,

just below my ear, is particularly large and has been this way for

several years. It has been drained a few times and that helps. (A

massage therapist or licensed aesthetician can perform lymphatic

drainage less expensively than a physician, so perhaps that is an option

for you. ) I take a daily decongestant (Pseudoephedrine w/Guaifenesin),

along with Meclizine, to help with it. When it gets really bad, my

doctor adds Prednisone to reduce the inflammation and tenderness.

I also experience similar intestinal symptoms to those you describe. My

colon twists in on itself, like " bloat " in animals. This causes all

kinds of issues! I have a wonderful gastroenterologist who has

performed a number of colonoscopies and endoscopies. I've had colitis,

gastroenteritis and diverticulitis. <VBG> Once all the " -itises "

cleared up, it was determined I have a build-up of scar tissue resulting

from several abdominal surgeries. This scar tissue has adhered to the

intestines and when the colon spasms, the adhesions pull, resulting in

sharp, stabbing pains. I take Librax and Hyoscamine HCL to relax the

intestines and help them to uncurl. This greatly alleviates pain and

abdominal distention. It is very, very important to keep bowel

movements as soft and regular as possible. (I have a number of home

remedies for that, but I won't detail them all here. If anyone would

like, I'll be happy to share if requested.)

As you know, spondyloarthropathies affect smooth muscles in the body.

This certainly includes the intestines. Accordingly, you may want to

consult a gastroenterologist to see what, if any, treatment they

recommend. My gastroenterologist works in conjunction with my

rheumatologist and internist to come up with an integrated treatment

plan. It is very effective and prevents medication interaction because

they collectively discuss what to use. (Like Dave+, I too took

Sulfasalazine for a number of years and it is an excellent medication

for arthritis and Crohn's.)

I truly hope you get some relief soon. Indeed, it is a miserable

condition we live with, but we do not have to be miserable people! Keep

your chin up and your faith strong.

Gentle hugs & warmest regards to all!

(NC)

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[Guest guest]

:

Thanks. I should have my synovial biopsy results this week. If

negative, I'm going to my Rheumie and talk more about some of these

other drugs and try something. My stomach could not handle the

sulphazine. Let's see what happense over the next day or two.

Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Connie.

Again - once I learn lab results for synovial fluid taken from my

knee... I'll treat w/ either antibiotics or anti-inflammatories.

Right now I'm only taking pain killers -- Ultram.

Thanks again.

[Guest guest]

All the best