Arthropathy associated with Ulcerative Colitis

Hi everyone, I've eloped over from the Ulcerative Colitis forum for some info from you guys!

I've had bad joint pain since coming of the steroids in May, & finally got to see the rheumatologist yesterday.
She is fairly certain I have arthropathy in my shoulders, hip, heels, feet, and fingers, associated with my Ulcerative Colitis.
Her recommendation is to switch from azathiporine (I'm on 150mg and have been for many months) to methotrexate, in the hope that will sort it. She has written to my gastro' and will get back to me with the results of some other tests she did.

Now, I'm rather concerned! I'm (touch wood) doing superb just now, other than the arthritis. So, do I risk changing over, waiting the 3 months for the dose of methotrexate to build up, and risk having another terrible flare (I was really ill until the aza kicked in) when I come of the aza', when it might not even work, and I'll have lost all the build up of azathioprine, etc?

Hard decisions ahead & any info/advice gratefully received

Thanks for getting back to me. To be honest, I don't really know! I do know one thing, being in a bad flare is 100 times worse than my arthritis, but I would love to get my arthritis under control as well.

I wonder if maybe your rheumy is thinking of putting you on the mtx as well as keeping you on the azathioprine? I went to drugs.com and checked with their drug interaction checker, and it didn't come up with anything too bad if you take them both at the same time.. I would give your rheumy a call and see what he says about it.. I can't imagine that he'd put you on a different med, and make you suffer for 3 months.. hhmm.. you'll have to let us know what he says!