Fecal Incontinence with AS?

I've suffered from Fecal Incontinence for about ten years. I've had numerous colonoscopies that did not show anything. It is a combination of diarrhea, motility issues and sphincter control. Imodium used to be fairly effective at controlling this issue, but it is almost useless now. I started Ozempic last year, which does improve things somewhat, as it slows motility.

I've tried to see a GI specialist for a few years. My GP actually referred me to a hospital GI specialist, but they refused to see me and told me to go back to the colonoscopy clinic. The colonoscopy clinic said they were not equipped to do the testing I needed.

I finally saw a GI specialist at another hospital last year, where they did another colonoscopy and an MRI of the Small Bowel. They said everything looked fine. I asked for a follow-up because I'm still experiencing the issue, but i never got a return call.

I started a new bioidentical Biologic recently and my stools are firmer and my motility seems improved. This is not a total surprise, as I had the same experience with Humira in the past, but the effect was short lived. In theory the Biologic should not help, since I don't have the gene and my CRP levels are always normal. However, the Biologics do improve my GI issues and my spine is about 2/3 fused now with the MRIs indicating AS.

Anyone else experiencing mystery GI issues with their AS?

I guess I'll get the Rheumatologist to refer me again when the effects eventually wear off again.

0 likes, 0 replies