A Question About CFS

Yes, very severe debilating chronic constipation. I have had a bowel resection and rectoplexy but the have not helped now I have slow transit colon or colonic inertia. My option is to have my colon removed or try prucalopride ? Any experience with that?

Hi there, I don't have this issue, but others do.

You're right - it's very common to have bowel/IBS type problems with CFS/ME.

My daughter was diagnosed with Crohn's last week after being told by countless doctors that she had IBS/anxiety that was causing her stomach upsets. Because we were always told that her symptoms were common with chronic fatigue we didn't push to see a gastroenterologist.

​However she had other signs (that I now know are signs of Crohn's) that the doctors didn't pick up on and join the dots together - mouth ulcers, indigestion, low ferretin then anaemia, intermittent rectal bleeding/fissure/constipation that we put down to taking iron supplements, diarrhoea. The specialist said he would expect to see someone with those symptoms regardless of blood results. At the time all this started she was only low in ferretin.

​She was only referred because her C reactive protein came back elevated (after 1 year of having these symptoms). She then had a stool sample done (faecal calprotectin) which came back showing she had high levels of inflammation.

​If you have any doubts, read up on Inflammatory Bowel Disease - maybe the doctor would do a stool test? (CRP levels don't necessariy have to be elevated, my daughters weren't to start with)

​The doctor said it was fairly rare to get IBD, especially in children.

Hi Dawn,  I was diagnosed with CFS in 2007 and over the years have been diagnosed with many other conditions...I now also have fibromyalgia, which came on quickly after diagnosis of CFS, hypothyroidism, depression, sarcoidosis, spinal arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes type 2, carpal tunnel  syndrome, and IBS.  My IBS was diagnosed around 4 years ago and since then I have had my gallbladder removed.  I suffer from severe cramps, dizziness, constipation. nausea and occasional vomiting and fainting because of it (probably helped along by the general immune deficiency I have).  

I think that as the metabolism slows down with CFS, gradually we suffer from more and more conditions, brought on by the unavoidable change in lifestyle and general inability to fight off infection.  With CFS, however, as you know, the main problem is the crushing fatigue that leaves us unable to function in any normal fashion.

Take care of yourself with your diet and you may not ge IBS.  i manage mine with daily Buscopan and a high fibre, low fat diet.  

Linda x

Thank you s o much everyone for you comments.  It sounds like bowel problems are defintely  very common with CFS.   I am so sorry for everyone's suffering.  I have to say that it is good to know that I am not completely alone,though, so thank you again for sharing,

Hi Dawn,

Yes I do but, thought the ibs was as a result of the car crash I was involved in which was also the start of my cfs/me.

Beverley

Yes, digestion issues are very common with ME/CFS.