ASD and Stomach Problems

Hello All,

I apologise if this is already a thread, however this has been bothering me. I heard a while ago that people with ASD (I have Asperger's) are prone to having stomach trouble, and I was wondering if other people have found this? I myself has always had terrible stomachaches or just a constant pain in my stomach. I didn't think too much of it until I went to university, and for the past four/five years it's getting worse. Doctors tell me I have IBS, which is at least something so I can manage it, but I was wondering if stomach troubles is also a common theme amongst other Aspies and people with Autism?

Thank you :)

Parents
  • Yeah I have the same problem.  Diagnosed with IBS as a child which was really bad at points.  I went vegan at 20 and that helped my digestive system a lot, but recently I have been suffering really badly again, to the point I am now being tested for Crohns, IBD and Celiacs disease and general anti-immune disorders.

    I have also noticed I have a lot of symptoms of Ehlers Danlos syndrome, but I don't want to go back to the doctors for fear of being labelled a hypochondriac!  

    There are a lot of co-morbid conditions with ASD it seems, but very little research into their links.

Reply
  • Yeah I have the same problem.  Diagnosed with IBS as a child which was really bad at points.  I went vegan at 20 and that helped my digestive system a lot, but recently I have been suffering really badly again, to the point I am now being tested for Crohns, IBD and Celiacs disease and general anti-immune disorders.

    I have also noticed I have a lot of symptoms of Ehlers Danlos syndrome, but I don't want to go back to the doctors for fear of being labelled a hypochondriac!  

    There are a lot of co-morbid conditions with ASD it seems, but very little research into their links.

Children
  • Ditto. I’m waiting for celiac biopsy next month. Like you I was looking into ehlers danlos but my Gp wanted me to get the celiac checked out first. I haven’t been on the forum lately because the symptoms have made me feel most uncomfortable and exhausted. All the different connections hasn’t ceased to amaze me. I have started looking at autoimmune conditions.. there is a long list. Like you there is so much ., the ND, EDS, Autoimmune to get to grips with. It’s almost unbelievable until I read on here that others do too . I’m just grateful people share such information because it makes me feel less alone. 

  • Hi Starbucks, I have tried varying my diet over the years.

    nothing has made any difference,

    i now drink goats milk instead of cows milk, I tried cutting out dairy altogether, no help! The goats milk may have made a slight improvement so I continue with it,

    i tried cutting out wheat, again no difference,

    I do not eat foods that are spicy or rich, preferring basic foodstuffs, plain is my game,

    I have been a constant 10 stone since late teens, the last few years I have dropped to a permanent 9 1/2 stone, maybe due to medication for chronic bad back? I take amiprozal to inhibit acid in the gut. The two other tablets actually for my back cause issues so that is used to help stop stomach pain that is associated with them.