crohn's arthritis

Many times there is a crohn's related arthritis, yes you would show negative for RA...but it is still considered an inflammatory arthritis...and you are not alone, there a times when the pain from the arthritis is worse than the crohn's...
I'm another with pain every day (and don't want to admit it, but I just turned 40 too). I haven't been able to work since 2007...
Alas, all I can offer are some cyber hugs (((((((((((((((((harley57)))))))))))))))))))), and the knowledge that you are not alone.

I don't want to burst in, but when it's comes to disability, I am 60 and have had cd for 40 years, many surgeries, total of 8ft of small bowel removed, I finally applied for ssdi in march of this year, currently I'm on sdi, got denial after 4 months, they're denial said because I can walk and move my arms freely I can work, got a lawyer and had dr's fill out forms from lawyer, it was a questionaire and narrative report, but I showed my gi the denial, and he was pretty incensed about that part of walking and moving arms freely. so ssdi has been in touch just the other day, so hopefully my case workewr for ssdi said that it will be a few more weeks, but she told me the dr that will be going over paperwork is not going to rubber stamp it. that is what they do. The only way for cd patient to be automatic is by weight. other than that if your blind or have lou gerhigs disease is the only way automatically to get ssdi. I will say, this your dr's need to be on the same page as you are. You need to tell them what you are doing as far as disability goes. they need to be in appliance with you or it can take forever. then you have to ask them what they charge to fill out forms. some are compasionate, and they won't charge, they will fill out forms with you on you visit time. I had one psychologist I went to for sleeping issues, he wanted $780 to fill out forms. he WAS my sleep dr. their are quite afew of us on ssdi or sdi for cd so they can help. but if you need help with forms let me know. I can help just so much, when you fill out forms don't lie, you don't need to. explain what a good day is and a bad day. My gi wrote, this patient has 1 or 2 good days sprinkled in with 5 or 6 bad days. he elaborated more, but it's just a sample of what your dr should say in a report

Thanks for your input. I have not worked in years due to my health declining. I have had colon resection surgery along with my joint replacements. I also have a fistula and a lovely MRSA staff infection. I have applied for many jobs and lost out during the interview process. I was honest about my health. I can't stand or sit for long periods of time. And I live in the bathroom. I tried working a sit down desk job, but after to many trips to the bathroom it was decided that I wasn't an asset. LOL....as for the paper work, my goodness I was shocked at the amount of questions. I have an appointed in a few weeks for a mental exam as part of my disability claim. I am unsure as to what that is about. I received the appointment letter Friday after my lawyer had left for the weekend. Thanks for the info....

Well maybe its not RA, but actually osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is very damaging too. I have had two discs in my neck fused, due to osteo damage. And need both my knees replaced due to osteo. I have alot of back pain too from the osteo. I take 1/2 tab of Percoset for my pain, it never fully eases it, but makes it where I can handle it better. On those REALLY bad days I take a whole Percoset and a muscle relaxer to help out. Hugs!

I have Crohn's related arthritis that has been in a constant flare for almost 2 years, even though my Crohn's is in remission (so much so that my GI is starting to question all of my diagnosises).  I'm 29 and they are afraid I will end up on disability soon.  So many of the arthritis meds either hurt my stomch, didn't work or raised my liver enzymes to where we are now out of options other than stopping Humira and switching to Enbrel (and then having to figure out how to treat the Crohn's, since my Crohn's has only responded to biologicals in the past).  I'm in pain every day and can barely do anything anymore...not at all prepared to spend the rest of my life like this. 

Harley, did the joint replacements and surgeries do anything at all to help?  I really wish I could have something done with my ankles other than more cortisone shots. 

I have been diagnosed with chrons related arthritis. Mostly in my hips and lower back. I am 42 and when I get up in the morning I walk like a really old lady. The RA put me on Humira and it has been a godsend. The arthitis is actually worse than the chron's. I had to go off humira for a few months because of an infection, it takes about 3 injections to get things cleared up.

Sounds kind of silly but if I dont get up and move around it's worse. I can't take most pain meds so that is out.

Harley57, I am so sorry....I am reading this thread and really wish there were answers for all of us. .. I am still holding out that the remicade will work and eventually I will taper down off the prednisone.. I think that is the evil responsible for my muscle pain. And yes.. I get severe pain from just touch sometimes...its awful.
I am starting to wonder if I should get a rheumy on board with me...this symptom is so debilitating right now.. using a wheelchair when my hubby takes me to the store..somedays the pain is so bad I just stay in bed...I don't know..

hugs to all.

I also have crohn's related arthritis or psoratic arthritis. I was on tapering doses of prednisone for a year or so, then went on humira which so far has controlled it fairly well. I take 1-3 lortab 10 mg a day and that helps immensely. I was very afraid of getting "hooked" so have been very careful about taking them, mostly for spinal pain now. I was on motrin 800 mg for 2 years but had to stop due to crohn's relapse. I only take 5 mg of pred now. I applied for disability and was turned down 3 times before being accepted.(only after getting a lawyer) The strange part is I looked pretty good on the outside, so hard decision for a judge to make. I can barely take care of myself nevermind anyone else (I am a nurse) I also had to have the psycological exam. I had requested one when I first got ill with B12 deficiency. Could hardly remember anything at times I was in such a fog. Then disability had me do one. I found all the disability physicians to be cold and impersonal this one no different. (Isaw 3)Almost got turned down because of her report. That's their job I guess, and they probably are available for disability pts because their own practice is in on the skids. My family and arthitis drs were so good and helpful I can't say enough about them. They are testing for psycological imbalance, memory and IQ. They showed me pictures and lists to remember and repeat later. Lots of questions etc. Good luck and with proper documentation you should have no problem