Gut & Neck Problems linked

By leannes

1 min read

I thought I would reach out in case my experience helps others. Long story short, I couldn’t eat most foods as I would be in the bathroom within half an hour.

Garlic, Onion, Asparagus, Stone Fruits, Mushroom, baked beans and the list goes on and on, but they were the worst foods. I was starting to following the FODMAP food lists and also Natural Chemical Food List... however...

Neck problems caused my gut problems

I had to have major neck surgery due to a problem I had no idea existed. I had a spur grown out from C6 (lower neck area). It went through the water that protects the spinal cord and it was in my spinal cord. An old injury from what they have put down to whiplash in a car accident 35 years ago. Immediately after surgery I was able to eat all of the above. How many people with tummy troubles have had whiplash in their life... maybe a lot. How many people might have neck troubles and don’t realise they have serious problems... maybe a lot.

This is why I thought I would reach out because I am living proof that my gut problems were linked to my spinal cord - nerve system problems turn into gut problems. I have no answer for it, but had I been in an accident, fallen or hurt my neck on a roller coaster ride (not my thing)... I would have been in a wheelchair for the rest of my life.

I am sharing this story so it might encourage people to talk to their Doctor. If you have tingling fingers or they are numb, sore on the front of the top of your chest, or shoulder blade pain going down your arm. An MRI could help, an old injury you didn't know you had... might fix gut problem's.

Wishing you all a lovely day.

Cheers,
Leanne (Australia)

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Karina Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="leannes" user-id="2312647"/> Thank you so much for sharing your story! That's so interesting, I had no idea there could be a connection like that. I think we sometimes forget to see our body as a whole instead of focusing on the digestive system only. Did the doctors have any explanation for this effect? I hope you've been doing well! All the best, Karina (team member)
1. Warrelea01 Member
 <inline-mention username="Karina" user-id="2303467"/> hi there. Yes i couldn't believe it either as it had caused so many problems that i just didn't realise. What does tend to make sense was a professor i reached out to in USA here from Australia and he explained due to the shingles that i had all over my head, ear, eye mouth etc. that it could have been a combination of it then affecting my spinal nervous system and called it Neuro Autoimmune which seemed to make sense at the time, but when they took that spike out of my spinal cord it just disappeared instantly, so that cleared up that thought process. But short answer is nobody can tell me why, other than it is one of those mysteries where the spinal nervous system really does have an impact on everything. I was wondering whom i could tell incase they wanted to do a study on it though. Thankyou enjoy your weekend cheers Leanne
2. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Warrelea01" user-id="6182397"/> That would indeed be an interesting topic to study, especially if it can possibly cure some people from terrible digestive symptoms! For now, I'm just glad that the surgery worked out so well for you. All the best, Karina (team member)
Njf0618 Member
I remember years ago and I mean like 40 plus years when I had some issues with my gut that the doctor said that your spine and gut develop at about the same time when you are in the womb and that there is definitely an association between nerves and your gut and I would assume the spine as well so this all goes together more than people realize. That information helped me realize that I wasn't crazy as I thought at the time and I've learned so much since then. I love the sharing that goes on in this group it has really helped me in understanding that this is not an easy disease to deal with and we all have to try and work with it and learn to deal with our bodies and what we to thru.....
1. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Njf0618" user-id="4832334"/> I'm glad to hear that you've been improving! I guess there is no foolproof way to avoid flares at all times with IBS but I hope that you'll keep feeling better as times goes on. Hugs, Karina (team member)
2. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Warrelea01" user-id="6182397"/> I'm so glad that your gut is still so much better. The other issues you have must be hard enough to deal with on their own, without needing to worry about IBS all the time. Not having constant pain in your lower back must be really nice. Wishing you all the best, Karina (team member)