Does SJS cause this?

[Rhonda]

This is a bit sensitive, but I am not sure whether to bring it up the the Rheumy next week or wait till I see my PCP in November. 

I am having a lot of abdominal bloating and distention.  I am not having any bowel problems, so I don't think it's that.  I am prone to urinary tract infections, but it doesn't feel like that either.  This is a lot of bloating and distention- In fact I have gained about 10 lbs over the past 3-4 months- but I am blaming that on Cymbalta.  (a wonder drug for the fibromyalgia). 

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this?  I know we all have different symptoms with SJS, but this one seems weird to be associated with SJS.  But then again- this crazy disease seems to pick and choose to pick on what it wants to! 

Thanks to all.  I really appreciate this forum as it helps me to realize that I am not alone with this.  I am sorry you all are sick too...but I guess if we have to be sick, at least we can be sick together.

[Dolly Dimples]

  Rhonda, I don't believe we can pin this one on SS.  This is a common problem with woman , including those that do not have SS.

        There are a few things that can cause it , such as bad diet ,   IBS, not enough roughage, constipation ,  et'c
It is also common in menopausal women too, and even apparently stress can cause these symptoms. which I suppose could go with SS in this way, as many of us do get stressed and depressed.

I went through a while with these symptoms  when going through the change, which I also blamed my SS symptons on, but now know were not!
  I'd still have a word with Doctor or someone , even just to reassure you ..    Regards Dolly x
           

[lighthouse33]

I was always bloated for years and my mom said I always looked like I was nine months pregnant.  Four months before the Sjogren's diagnosis I was diagnosed with dietary fructose intolerance.  Was told to avoid eating foods with fructose in them.  Good luck!  It is in almost everything.  I also have IBS and was told to take the probiotic Align.  Since I've been on my diet things have been good.  I can really tell when I eat something with fructose in it, I'm in misery.

A gastro will give you four breathing tests to take:

1. fructose malabsorption
2. lactose malabsorption
3. sucrose malabsorption
4. bacterial overgrowth

It took three months to get the results as they had to be sent to a lab out of state.  Perhpas you have one of the malabsorption/intolerance problems.  When I was discussing everything with my neuro she said that the endo, the IBS, the fructose malabsorption and the Sjogren's are all inter-related.

[lynnmarie219]

Hi Rhonda,

Sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling the greatest because of this bloating problem. I actually don't feel comfortable even trying to guess what could be causing it because it could be so many things from your diet to meds to one of so many other issues.

For your peace of mind I would definitely mention it to your rheumy and if you don't get anywhere....let you GP know as well. It could be nothing much or it could be...so its always a good idea to throw it in the doctors hands and let them do research and testing to hopefully give you a good answer so it can be dealt with if need be!

Good luck in getting some answers....let us know if you find out anything!   

[irish]

Bloating can be a sign of many things and sometimes be nothing at all. I would see a doctor as sometimes bloating can be a signal of problems with the female organs. Get checked out just to be sure. Ovaries can have tumors both cancerous and non cancerous and that is always a concern for us women. Irish

[Patze]

Hi Rhonda,

I get the bloating now and then, it was a lot worse before the change of "seasons", but then, that may not have had anything to do with it!  It could have been from the IBS I've suffered with for more than 20 years now.  It's so hard to tell, and only a doctor can tell tell you if it's something to worry about or nothing at all.

If it keeps bothering you, by all means, ask your rheumy/Internist; sometimes you can't be too careful with symptoms.


Patze