Hello,
My husband was diagnosed with Crohns in 2008. He's had a couple flares, but so far nothing too bad. Occasionally over the past 6 months, however, he's had severe back pain. His gastro referred him to a rheumy doc. The rheumy doc told him it was sacroiliitis, gave him meloxicam, and sent his on his way.
On 1 May, he broke his leg and foot (dropped his motorcycle on it, D'OH!) His back was hurting a bit before the accident. Although the bones are healing well, the rest of his body has gone to heck!
His jaws are non-functional. He can't close his teeth or open his mouth. It's been like that for over a month. Today the left side is actually swollen a little. It makes his ears hurt too. His knee is messed up, he thinks from the heavy aircast. He has messed up his good ankle now (somehow) and literally cannot walk at all. He is always running a slight fever. He is in so much pain he shakes sometimes. His shoulders hurt (again, he claims from the crutch use) and of course, his back still hurts.
He's in a bit of denial, but I think he has something else going on. We were worried about RA when we went to see the rheumy doc, but he didn't mention it. The blood test for the HLA-B27 was negative, but that was the only test he ordered. What else should we ask for when he goes back in? What other symptoms should we be looking for? Does this even sound like it could be RA? If not, we don't want to raise any red flags. He's in the military and trying his best to stay away from the med board as long as possible. I think he thinks he can suffer through it and it will be ok. I'm beginning to wonder if his health is worth his career.
Sorry, I guess I'm venting a little here too! I'm taking care of him, and I hate seeing him in so much pain. He was always SO active and physically in shape and healthy. Seeing him like this tears me up.