New to Crohn's/Colitis - is joint pain common?

sickychicky

New Member

Joined : Jun 2011

Posts : 14

Posted 6/22/2011 3:03 PM (GMT 0)

Hi everyone,
I was recently diagnosed with Crohn's/UC (they dont know yet) and i believe im having my first flare...cant eat, and im in a lot of muscular/joint pain. My right knee swelled up like a melon, and i can barely move my left foot. Its actually how they discovered i had an IBD in the first place. Does anyone else have these non-digestive symptoms? If so, do they go away after the flare? I am so new to this and still learning - any advice is appreciated!

westat

Regular Member

Joined : Jun 2008

Posts : 167

Posted 6/22/2011 3:06 PM (GMT 0)

Hi and welcome! I know for me sometimes joint pain is my first symptom that I am going into a flare. With me it is my shoulder and knees for the most part.

I hope your flare can get under control quickly.

Tanya

Crohn'snme

Veteran Member

Joined : Feb 2007

Posts : 736

Posted 6/22/2011 4:35 PM (GMT 0)

Ugh, yes unfortunately and you wouldn't think so. I have an appointment with a rheumy for the first time to try and get some relief

kazbern

Veteran Member

Joined : May 2010

Posts : 8384

Posted 6/22/2011 4:42 PM (GMT 0)

Yes, I think it is about 25% of IBD patients who have joint pain. I see a rheumy too. Once your flare is under control, the joint pain should resolve, but you might need to tailor your choices of IBD meds with the joint pain in mind. I use sulfasalazine, which has been knowns for decades to address both colon and joint issues.

bum_magnet

Regular Member

Joined : Jun 2011

Posts : 22

Posted 6/22/2011 6:02 PM (GMT 0)

I get arthritis, Erythema Nodosum, eye inflammation, cankers... you name it. My non-Crohn's issues are sometimes worse than the belly issues. But, mine do come and go with the flare ups... so hopefully once they get yours in check, the joint pain will lessen too. Good luck!

iloveweekends

New Member

Joined : Jun 2011

Posts : 1

Posted 6/24/2011 2:30 AM (GMT 0)

It sounds fairly inflamed to swell up so bad, but if you are mid flare then it could explain it. I have joint pain too, (have been in remission for approx 5 years) and now my knees make a really loud creaking sound when going up and down stairs. Im only 27, and it sarted about 2 years ago. Other than that, yeah, sore in a few joints, and back as well.

I hope you get better real soon. Make sure you rest as much as possible, and if you can, stomach something soothing, like a cup of tea, or even custard or mashed fruit so it won't upset the tum, but will keep you fed.

isergodur

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2009

Posts : 832

Posted 6/24/2011 2:41 AM (GMT 0)

Hi sickychicky and welcome to healingwell

I have joint pains with my IBD and they are not connected to flares. But I think in most cases they are.
So no two cases are alike, you will just have to give it time and see how things go.

I would meet a rheumy and have him make a plan with your GI.

Good luck :)

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply