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Other autoimmune system disorders

Do you have any other autoimmune disorders

  • yes, I do

    Votes: 91 59.5%
  • no, I don't

    Votes: 33 21.6%
  • not sure

    Votes: 29 19.0%

  • Total voters
    153
Location
Missouri
Having one autoimmune disease, I think most of us have heard that we are predisposed to have other autoimmune disorders as well. So I was just wondering how many of us have other ones, whether we got those before or after our Crohn's diagnosis. For me, I was diagnosed with psoriasis at 17, just a few years before my Crohn's diagnosis. My GP just assumed my nerves brought it on (my grandpa was dying of cancer), and it went away with time in the sun that summer. It stayed gone for about 13 years, but did come back finally, I still fight it now.
 
Hi there. I've not been dx yet, but just going through all the motions still. But I do have autoimmune issues. I was dx with an undifferenciated connective tissue disease back a few years ago. I have all sorts of health issues going on( fibro,interstitial cystitis, eczema( since I was a kid), dysmotility of the small bowel, and just recently intestinal issues again). I have heard that anyone with an autoimmune disease of any kind is more prone to getting other stuff due to a faulty compromised immune system. It makes you way more prone to infections and a whole slew of stuff. it sucks. My mom got psoraisis after taking a blood pressure med, so medicines can cause autoimmune issues as well. I even had a frined who got drug induced lupus from taking a medication. I think medications are a huge culprit to some of these diseases we have going on today unfortunately.









Having one autoimmune disease, I think most of us have heard that we are predisposed to have other autoimmune disorders as well. So I was just wondering how many of us have other ones, whether we got those before or after our Crohn's diagnosis. For me, I was diagnosed with psoriasis at 17, just a few years before my Crohn's diagnosis. My GP just assumed my nerves brought it on (my grandpa was dying of cancer), and it went away with time in the sun that summer. It stayed gone for about 13 years, but did come back finally, I still fight it now.
 
Location
Missouri
You are welcome, Niki! Just thought it would informative and interesting to find out...Knees, elbows are my main problems with it. What about you?
 
I get it all over. At my worst flares I've had it cover over 90% of my whole body. I go for UV therapy treatments weekly to keep it under control. Creams and ointment don't work for me. Interestingly enough when I was put on Entocort it completely cleared up within 2 weeks!! But it came back full force once I stopped the steroid.
 
Now I'm on Azathoprine, which raises the risk of skin cancer so I feel very reluctant going for the UV treatments. But its the only thing that helps. So I take the risk and hope for the best
 
Location
Missouri
True enough. I just had to switch from Dovonex cream to Clobetasol, the Dovonex lost its effectiveness after years of using it.
 
When I used to get really upset about my Psoriasis as a kid mom used to tell me that if thats all I had to deal with, I was lucky. Now here I am with this evil disease. So now I joke to her about how lucky I am now:ytongue:..I do believe that we're not given anything that we can't deal with though. I think having Autoimmune disease had made me the tough cookie I am today:ybiggrin:.. Would you agree?
 
I was diagnosed with mild arthritis a couple of years before the Crohns first flared. It hasn't bothered me too much, but seems to have flared with the onset of the Psoriasis. The plaques seem to be confined to my legs and feet.
 

Crohn'sFor Life

Colon Free!
Location
Honolulu,
Rheumatoid Arthritis after my colon was removed.

Full body itch (autoimmune related) after my colon removed.

Cataracts from too much Prednisone.


My itch and arthritis issues began after I stopped taking all of the meds...
The meds (Humira, Imuran, Entocort, Prednisone) must have been masking the symptoms.
 
Ok, it took awhile for my Dr to figure this out. I have an allergic reaction to the cold. Its called cold uticaria (sp). I break out in red hives that itch like crazy and big welts! As soon as I warm my skin they go away. Also have trouble if I drink cold things fast. I had an EMT walk over to me at my kids cross county meet and ask me if I needed help! Not pretty thats for sure.

Lauren
 
Location
Missouri
When I used to get really upset about my Psoriasis as a kid mom used to tell me that if thats all I had to deal with, I was lucky. Now here I am with this evil disease. So now I joke to her about how lucky I am now:ytongue:..I do believe that we're not given anything that we can't deal with though. I think having Autoimmune disease had made me the tough cookie I am today:ybiggrin:.. Would you agree?
I definately agree, Niki! Never given more than the strength given to help us thru it.
 
Location
Australia
I had terrible eczema when I was a kid.
I started taking neupogen for drug induced neutropenia about 10 years ago - the eczema pretty much disappeared.
These days I get the odd patch about a centimetre in size - that's about it.
 
Location
Utah
Hi there, I had problems with hives since about age 7 eventually ended up in the ER with them so bad at age 20 & told it was an auto immune disorder from stress. Then at age 26 started having psoriasis problems mostly on my scalp. Last yr diagnosed with Crohns. I found an article last yr about a study linking psoriasis & crohns. I will see if I can find it & post the link
 
Location
Utah
Hi there, I had problems with hives since about age 7 eventually ended up in the ER with them so bad at age 20 & told it was an auto immune disorder from stress. Then at age 26 started having psoriasis problems mostly on my scalp. Last yr diagnosed with Crohns. I found an article last yr about a study linking psoriasis & crohns. I will see if I can find it & post the link
Here is the link:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/12789169/
 
I don't have Crohn's but have celiac disease. On the celiac com site where I mostly hang out there are number of people with other autoimmune conditions besides celiac. Rhuematoid arthritis, Hashimoto's thyroidits, dermatitis herpetiformis, T-1 diabetes, fibromyalgia, lupus, scleraderma, Sjogren's disease, keratosis pilaris, and Raynaud's are all represented by someone in addition to their celiac. Some us of even have Crohn's! :) But many have just celiac too. I think I read there is a 10% higher chance of other autoimmune conditions along with celiac. Although it seems like the longer people go untreated with celiac the more chance they have of developing additional autoimmune conditions. Sorry if this is boring since it is about celiac but I thought the tie-in to other autoimmune conditions would be relevant.

A search phrase you can use to find lists is:

"Crohn's related condition" or "Crohn's associated condition". Same search works for celiac.
 
I don't have Crohn's but have celiac disease. On the celiac com site where I mostly hang out there are number of people with other autoimmune conditions besides celiac. Rhuematoid arthritis, Hashimoto's thyroidits, dermatitis herpetiformis, T-1 diabetes, fibromyalgia, lupus, scleraderma, Sjogren's disease, keratosis pilaris, and Raynaud's are all represented by someone in addition to their celiac. Some us of even have Crohn's! :) But many have just celiac too. I think I read there is a 10% higher chance of other autoimmune conditions along with celiac. Although it seems like the longer people go untreated with celiac the more chance they have of developing additional autoimmune conditions. Sorry if this is boring since it is about celiac but I thought the tie-in to other autoimmune conditions would be relevant.

A search phrase you can use to find lists is:

"Crohn's related condition" or "Crohn's associated condition". Same search works for celiac.
Is Fibromyalgia considered autoimmune? I have it too, and didn't know.

Lisa
 
Is Fibromyalgia considered autoimmune? I have it too, and didn't know.

Lisa
Could be, that's a definite possibility. Here's small snippet from a Pubmed article on it. You should be able to read the whole abstract at the Pubmed link. Lots of big words though.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15082086

Is fibromyalgia an autoimmune disorder of endogenous vasoactive neuropeptides?

Staines DR.
Source

Gold Coast Public Health Unit, 10-12 Young Street, Southport, Qld 4215, Australia. don_staines@health.qld.gov.au
.../quote

The condition may potentially arise de novo perhaps in genetically susceptible individuals. FM is postulated to be an autoimmune disorder and may include dysfunction of purine nucleotide metabolism and nociception.

/end quote...
 
I have always had issues wasnt dx until Dec, 2010 I have issus with dairy, soy , peanuts, I have crohns, sleeping issues, GERD, and joints issues, dry eyes, hearing loss, migraines, maltration, lack Vit D, and C, I fight with c diff almost monthly, I have had 1 resection, carpel tunnel, cyst, hysteromoty. I am currently on serveral different meds. I am always tired, sore, hurting and I am usually up beat, but with all of this going on and no job, financial stress. I am now getting depress. Really
 
Oh and current meds are:
Cholestyramine , Ambien, Azathioprine, Tramadol ,Calcium- Vitamin D PO Singilair,Omprazole, Ployethlene Glyol 3350 power, Estradiol, Acidophilus/ bifidum (Florajan-3, Alprazolam,Meloxicam ,Naproxen ,Sumatriptan ,Fish Oil, Vitamin D ,Fluticasone nasal SP, and andbodites monthly
 
Today I was taking my Zyrtec D and I remembered, allergies are autoimmune.I actually have two, not 1. Can you change the vote?
 
My gi dr says she sees a lot of autoimmune diseases in 3s lately.yes we are predisposed to other autoimmune diseases once we have one. I was dx with celiac disease 7 yrs prior to my crohns and maintained a gluten free diet throughout, that's why it was frustrating. She continually checks my thyroid, as she thinks that's next.
 
I was diagnosed with psoriasis at 17 the crohns at 22, have it on my joints though is spreading more now in other places.. hoping that azathioprine that i have just started will help clear it up... im sick of answering to people.. when they go "ouch did you fall over"??
 
Location
Missouri
Stacey, I know exactly what you are saying. Hate answering people too. "What happened to your knees?" and etc. Little kids asking I can handle, kids are just curious and honest.
 
yes i do.
I have ulcerative colitis and AI pancreatitis.
I was dxd with uc last June and in the process of being dxd with AI pancreatitis.
Sounds weird i know. My GI says it is but second guesses himself and wants to send me to some more specialists.
Im only 33.
What more AI diseases will life bring?

Ju
 
Location
Scotland
Pancolitis, the reason I'm here I guess.
Aza gave me pancreatitis
Hypothyroidism
Raynauds, as a result of some vascular disorder.
Hiatius Hernia, maybe not autoimune but what the hell.

Hopefully I'll quit at that.
 
Pancolitis, the reason I'm here I guess.
Aza gave me pancreatitis
Hypothyroidism
Raynauds, as a result of some vascular disorder.
Hiatius Hernia, maybe not autoimune but what the hell.

Hopefully I'll quit at that.
hey, was just wondering is the pancreatitis chronic or was it an acute attack?
you sure have had it tough.

JU
 
Location
Scotland
hey, was just wondering is the pancreatitis chronic or was it an acute attack?
you sure have had it tough.

JU
Well its on my notes that I had it, induced by Aza which now gives me the problem that I'm running out of drug options (any drug similar to Aza can now not be used) also steroids use, i'm told, cannot be continued due to the adverse impact on my health..... I've since seen the stoma nurse, yikes what a prospect.
But back to the pancreatitis i think it must have been acute.
 
Well its on my notes that I had it, induced by Aza which now gives me the problem that I'm running out of drug options (any drug similar to Aza can now not be used) also steroids use, i'm told, cannot be continued due to the adverse impact on my health..... I've since seen the stoma nurse, yikes what a prospect.
But back to the pancreatitis i think it must have been acute.
ouch poor you,
mine is chronic so im stuck with it and the treatment so far is steroids.
im in the same boat med wise. you'll see from my intro yarn earlier.
looks like remicade is next. have you tried it yet.
they say anyone on remicade should prepare themselves for surgery.
what a prospect is right.
Ju
 
Location
Scotland
ouch poor you,
mine is chronic so im stuck with it and the treatment so far is steroids.
im in the same boat med wise. you'll see from my intro yarn earlier.
looks like remicade is next. have you tried it yet.
they say anyone on remicade should prepare themselves for surgery.
what a prospect is right.
Ju
Ju, as bad as UC is, and at times its bad, the worst i felt was with pancreatitis so if you have that in chronic form, i really feel for you, its horrible!
Remicade was mentioned years ago when they were trialling it for UC but no I think the consultant was pretty much saying surgery rather than meds is the way forward, I however think differently so yeah my plan is just that if things dont improve.
 
im in no pain atm. the steroids are doing their job there at least.
you Gi is a bit knife happy is he, lol
I'd def exhaust all med options b4 id consider a stoma.

Ju
 
I get hives that itch for 2 days then go away, also red patches that itch and never completely go away. Psoriosis on my scalp that itches. arthritis and fibromyalgia and myosis of the muscles.Also my eyes get red and irritated and feel like someone is stabbing them. Burning feelings on my feet and legs.Also too much bile acid. Take zantac 2xday and the cholesterymine is supposed to help that too.:heart:To all fo you out there suffering. We all need to pray for one another!
 
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Ju, as bad as UC is, and at times its bad, the worst i felt was with pancreatitis so if you have that in chronic form, i really feel for you, its horrible!
Remicade was mentioned years ago when they were trialling it for UC but no I think the consultant was pretty much saying surgery rather than meds is the way forward, I however think differently so yeah my plan is just that if things dont improve.
What does pancreatitis feel like and what are the symptoms?
 
Location
Scotland
What does pancreatitis feel like and what are the symptoms?
Pretty much doubled up with pain in the midrift, couldn't stand straight or lie flat, felt really quite sick, bad nausea and was told to stop taking Aza immediately. Quite different to any colon inflammation that i have experienced, much worse.
 
Ezcema/psoriasis, and food allergies since a toddler. Now possible RA or AS, waiting on blood tests to come back. And well obviously Crohns. My body likes to attack its self :rof:
 
Location
Missouri
Bless your heart Jen! I got diagnosed with Crohn's in my 20's, my husband got diagnosed with type I diabetes when we were 35. His older sister got it at the same age as him.
 
Hi KD8286, I had to look up what Perniosis was, it was intersting, I had terrible chillblaims as a child and teenager, i thought it was always caused by the cold, but interesting, now i have crohns and small fibre peripheral neuropathy, you start wondering sometimes where it all began. I remember as a 12 year old having bad pains in my stomach, i was told i had a rumbling appendix... For years I had alot of issues and never got a diagnosis...
 
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Mostly just allergies to a lot of meds and supplements/vitamins. I don't have any allergies to the usual indoor/outdoor/food things.

I do have problems with Amylase and hence digesting starch, abcesses without infections, blotches of dead skin that does shed correctly, cold feet and hands, low blood pressure because my blood is thick, occasionally clots of dead white blood cells in my blood, etc. Amylase deficiency causes all of that because it doesn't just affect digestion of starch, it controls absorption of dead white blood cells (which causes abcesses, thick blood, clots when it doesn't happen right) and shedding of dead skin. I was recently told I have Amylase in my blood so it's not being release correctly into the digestive tract for whatever reason that remains unknown. That long predates my Crohn's and probably was one of the things that tipped me into Crohn's.
 
Hashimoto's hypothyroidism since mid-20's (2 years and +60 lbs before diagnosed)
Crohn's colitis diagnosis at 38 (2008)
Interestingly, my mother was diagnosed with celiac disease about a year after my Crohn's and then added lupus last year. I feel like we are in an autoimmune race!
 
Oh! I had not heard of Reynaud's as being autoimmune, but my mom and I have that one in common, which is not so easy to deal with in Buffalo, NY!
 
I have Trigeminal neuralgia 2006,
Myasthenia Gravis 2007 Graves Disease 2007 Vitiligo 2007
Crohns Disease 2008 Endometriosis 2008 PCOS 2008
Am 30 years old and hoping thats it now!!!
 
Wow we're walking medical cases!! Lol
I have Crohn's, psoriasis, raynauds (my feet look like dead peoples when im cold lol), GERD,dry eye,& just waiting ontest results to see if i have Fibromyalgia or ME.

The list just keeps getting longer! Funny how they all blur into symptoms of everything!
We really all deserve a break from this auto immune crud :yfrown:
 
Now I'm on azathioprine, which raises the risk of skin cancer so I feel very reluctant going for the UV treatments. But its the only thing that helps. So I take the risk and hope for the best
I have been on azathioprine for over 10 years.I can't say for sure if it worked but i did feel it gave me more time between opps.Reason is i was taken off as my crohn's had miraculsly gone..lol.never goes!With in a year i was in so much pain that after a few months of tests it was confirmed that the crohn's has come back but also had done too much damage and my last hope was reamacade which isn't all iy's craked up to be.My advice is not matter how many extras problems we get,i believe that i wouldn't be here now without my meds.Even though at times i wish i wasn't but just hoping one day a cure will be found.Al my love and best for you
 
I picked up Rheumatoid Arthritis about 5 years after my Crohn's diagnosis. Left hand blew up like a balloon painfully around the knuckles, and other joints started to hurt. Humira has taken care of the RA fairly well, and does okay with the Crohn's.
 
I also have an autoimmune disorder. I have eczema, psoriasis, and ichythiosis vulgarus (which are all basically skin disorders)....but also something that I havent seen anyone else mention on here yet, I have eczema herpeticum. Its horrible, something I wouldnt wish upon anyone! It has put me in the hospital many times and led to staff infections! And unfortunately for me the outbreak it always on my face! :(

I started having the skin problems like eczema and psoriasis as a baby then the others slowly developed around the age 10 along with my Crohn's. Unfortunately the didnt find out I had the Crohn's until 10 years later.
 

ron50

Well-known member
When I was a kid I was dxed with bronciextasis which is a serious lung disease. I never had it ,the bubbling they could hear in my chest was my stomach poking up thru a hiatus hernia and resting on my lungs. That did not stop them from treating me and for years whenever I got a cough I was put on two drops of creosote in a glass of milk at night. I hate to think how much of that stuff I took .It used to come out of my pores . The kids at school used to comment that I had a funny smell. Any wonder I developed irritable bowel and colon ca by the time I was 48. The chemo I had for ca has openned a whole new world of auto immune problems for me. One of the drugs I was given,levamisole ,was banned around 2000 because of fatal side effects. Now I suffer psoriatic arthritis but only mild psoriasis,type two diabetes ,peripheral neuropathy in both feet ,legs and left hand. Protein-urea of the kidneys ,nearly in the nephrotic range. It has caused pulmonary oedeema and started congestive heart failure. My heart has enlarged biigger than max normal. I have been hospitalised with vertigo and they suspect it may be meniers. I have severe tinnitus.I have survived stage3c colon cancer for close to 15 years ,sometimes well sometimes ! !!! Just one day I'd like to get up and think gees I feel good...Ron.
 
Wow we're walking medical cases!! Lol
I have Crohn's, psoriasis, raynauds (my feet look like dead peoples when im cold lol), GERD,dry eye,& just waiting ontest results to see if i have Fibromyalgia or ME.

The list just keeps getting longer! Funny how they all blur into symptoms of everything!
We really all deserve a break from this auto immune crud :yfrown:
I too have psoriasis, exzema, gerd,and fibromyalgia and myosis and arthritis really bad in my hands and spine. It is so painful sometimes, like today!!! God bless us all!!!:thumleft:
 
Not diagnosed with my bowels yet, but just diagnosed:
* UCTD (is looking like Lupus because I have the Lupus marker (ant-dsDNA) and signs of Lupus panniculitis in my lower legs but I only saw the Rheumy once so need a full diagnosis...might need to find a Lupus specialist I think!!)
* suspected Raynaud's
* suspected Sjorgren's
* borderline hypothyroid (auto-immune?)
*arthritis? not sure which yet, but flares with the rest.
* lots of GI issues mouth to anus basically... not sure if Crohn's, Celiac, Lupus...or combo but has to be auto-immune logic would dictate (from UCTD/Lupus) going on. The last clueless Dr thinks there is nothing wrong with my gut period, yeh right, because it is normal to struggle to eat for starters !!!
 
Location
Missouri
Juljul, I had a doctor who suspected lupus in me a few years ago, had many signs of it, and since I have Crohn's she thought, well, one autoimmune disease brings on others. By the time I got to the specialist for testing, I offhandedly mentioned my toddler son had just had Fifth disease....the rhuemy's told me that in adults, Fifth disease presents itself with lupus symptoms. He tested my blood and sure enough, it was Fifth's, not lupus. I was so grateful.
 
juljul, I sure hope they find out what you have and get you started on some treatment and some vitamins etc.... Hang in there, we've all been on the roller coaster ride with these Dr.'s and still are! But just do the best you can to take care of yourself. Hopefully it won't be as bad as you think!:ghug:
 
Thank you so much CLynn and 723Crossroads for your support. Many :ghug: and God bless..... I have never hear of Fifths disease CLynn .....will now have to go and research that. Thank you both ...:Flower::Flower:
 
Location
Missouri
My eye doctor was watching my eyes because of macular degeneration, Jo, wonder if these eye conditions are related at all to our Crohn's. The first time he tested it, he was concerned, but the next year he felt better about it. Think it helped that I made sure to take my multivitamin again, but just to be on the safe side, going to check out the vitamins made for eyes.
 
My eye doctor was watching my eyes because of macular degeneration, Jo, wonder if these eye conditions are related at all to our Crohn's. The first time he tested it, he was concerned, but the next year he felt better about it. Think it helped that I made sure to take my multivitamin again, but just to be on the safe side, going to check out the vitamins made for eyes.
It is related, there are threads about side affects of crohn's and eye problems are one.When I was flaring my eyes kept getting red and burning and pain behind the eye.:confused2:
 
Location
Missouri
Hmmm, that makes me realize that my "dry" eyes might be related too. I use eye drops every morning, just for moisture. I have for years. Nothing prescription, just over the counter, lubricating eye drops.
 
It is related, there are threads about side affects of crohn's and eye problems are one.When I was flaring my eyes kept getting red and burning and pain behind the eye.:confused2:
It's funny you should say that, over the last two weeks before my last infusion, my eyes were burning out of my head. My allergies were really bad too.

Another thing, my mom was visiting this weekend and asked about my eczema...I haven't had any this winter! First time since I was 9 years old! So am I right to assume that Remicade has helped with that as well?
 
Location
Missouri
Yes, I would think it would, Jo. I know when I was on Imuran and Azathioprine, my psoriasis would go away during the treatment.
 
I put baby oil on my legs and arms everyday after my shower. It works so much better than lotions and you smell baby fresh! It also helps those dry patches I get. Anyone else have dry patches in your scalp? I do!
 
I put baby oil on my legs and arms everyday after my shower. It works so much better than lotions and you smell baby fresh! It also helps those dry patches I get. Anyone else have dry patches in your scalp? I do!
I use body butter all over every day after shower during the heating season, and a lighter lotion in warmer, humid months. I love it!

I use anti-dandruff shampoo during fall/winter and that seems to work. My step-brother had insane dandruff when he was on Remicade and used apple cidar vinegar before washing hair. The brand name is Bragg, he said it was the only one that worked for him.
 
I use body butter all over every day after shower during the heating season, and a lighter lotion in warmer, humid months. I love it!

I use anti-dandruff shampoo during fall/winter and that seems to work. My step-brother had insane dandruff when he was on Remicade and used apple cidar vinegar before washing hair. The brand name is Bragg, he said it was the only one that worked for him.
He is right! Plz don't use dandruff shampoo all the time. It even tells you on the bottle only once or twice a week. It can be toxic. It goes into your body, those chemiclas. Plz read the label and do as your brother does instead.:ghug:
 
Location
Missouri
I use Vaseline Intensive Care's Cocoa Butter lotion...in the big, brown bottle. Cocoa butter does best on my skin, better than baby oil for my skin for some reason. Plus....it smells so yummy, lol!
Teresa, my daughter never had dandruff or needed that shampoo until we treated her scalp with RID for lice in her 4th grade year. Now, if she stops using it for a length of time, her dandruff returns.
 
I use Vaseline Intensive Care's Cocoa Butter lotion...in the big, brown bottle. Cocoa butter does best on my skin, better than baby oil for my skin for some reason. Plus....it smells so yummy, lol!
Teresa, my daughter never had dandruff or needed that shampoo until we treated her scalp with RID for lice in her 4th grade year. Now, if she stops using it for a length of time, her dandruff returns.
Try the braggs vinegar for five minutes before you wash her hair. I know it stinks, dilute it half water and half vinegar I think it said. look it up online. Also taking zinc a few times a week and borage oil really helped my son. He always had scalp and skin problems. I read about that and it cured him completely. You just can't give them alot of zinc. Small amounts a few times a week. That is what I did. Borage oil is similar to evening primrose oil. Look up the vinegar for dandruff.:ghug:
 
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