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Q for the joint pain vets

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 6/5/2009 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
In winter I usually have annoying joint pain, especially in my knees and hips. I've been lucky it totally disappeared while I was pregnant. Unfortunately it is now back and WAY worse. It's both knees, hips, my lower back. I feel stiff and like my joints are swollen up, but they aren't. When I stood up this evening I felt like my legs would just buckle under me. They didn't but I had that sensation.

Is this what it is always like for you guys? What helps? I'm sorry for those of you who feel this all the time. I just was annoyed/bothered before, but this HURTS!
Posted 6/5/2009 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, it really sucks. It sucks even worse when you start to get it in your muscles and connective tissues, too. It makes you feel like you have a nasty flu all the time. Unfortunately, the only thing that really gets rid of the Crohn's related aches and pains for me is prednisone, at 20mg/day and higher doses.

I've just completed (well, almost.. down to 2.5 mg/day now) a prednisone taper in preparation for a discectomy and fusion. Apparently, pred can prevent bone from forming in the fusion. So now all the joint aches and all the rest of the myriad of Crohn's symptoms are back with a flourish.

Some people have gotten some relief from joint and bone pain with the TNF-A inhibitors (Remicade, Humira, Cimzia, Tysabri, etc.), but others say these meds make their joint pains worse. Imuran, methotrexate and the other immunosuppressants will sometimes help, too. Unfortunately, they don't for everyone.
Posted 6/5/2009 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
I have joint pains in my right ankle, jaw and pinky finger, along with periodic migratory pains in both knees. I am finding some notable relief via acupuncture and an assortment of vitamins, herbs and supplements. I am trying very hard not to go on Imuran or Remicade, though I've heard Remicade can be a Godsend for arthritic pains. I take: Vitamin D, a multi, Align probiotic, Fish Oil, the Chinese herb Isatis Cooling (often used to treat Crohn's), Osteo-Biflex and turmeric (3x a day).
I also use Mobic once a day (it's an NSAID) that my GI said I can take. It definitely helps with the pain, but the swelling usually persists. Since I've added the other supplements, the swelling has reduced considerably and the pain has gotten even better. My ankle still swells some at the end of the day, but generally it's MUCH better than when I didn't do these things and I had gotten to the point where I was on crutches.
My maintenance drug is Pentasa. I also rub arnica gel on my ankle each day.

Crohn's-related arthritis can be very limiting and debilitating. I hope you find some relief!
Posted 6/5/2009 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
My guts are currently in remission, but my joints are forever aching. Its no longer the migratory Crohns arthritis and has developed (in my case) into osteoarthritis and some kind of spondlyarthropy. I take pain meds to take care of mine. Rheumy wants to put me on Humira or MTX but I am just not ready to go there. So I feel your pain.

PS: I will tell you that sometimes joint pain can be a precursor to a flare. So keep an eye on things or you might even want to talk with your GI about it.
Posted 6/5/2009 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Remicade worked for me for tat for a while actually more of a reason i started it as opposed to my GI symptoms, I had adverse reactions to remi and then flared big time etc now I find that the Humira works wonders for my joints as well as my gut better than the Remi ever did
Posted 6/5/2009 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. I guess there's no easy way around it.

Nanners, thanks for the warning. I didn't think of that. My husband and I have both been worried that a flare is looming. I've been totally exhausted lately and have had minor GI annoyances too. I've been trying to keep a positive outlook (hoping I was pregnant instead, way better news right?), but we've both been watching for it. I have a colonoscopy next month, so we'll see.
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