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Extraintestinal manifestations?

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Posted 11/15/2012 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
My proctitis flare up does not want to settle down. Lately, the bothering knee pain that sometimes wakes me up from sleep started to return. Also, ulcers started to spread in my mouth, and my eyes are sometimes red and itchy. I mentioned this to the colorectal surgeon and he told me that this is exacerbation of my symptoms esp that I have narrowing in my rectum. He did not suggest any type of dilatation but told me to take the enemas regularly and the inflammation should be eased. It will take som time.

Should I worry about the knee pain? The surgeon said it is arthiritis and mentioned that it is normal that I have extraintestinal manifestations. I had an X-ray 6 months ago and they found nothing. This pain comes and goes but when I get it it is very severe and I feel the pain when I lie down or walk. I was put on calcium and magnesium supplements when I told my GI about the pain but he did not ask for further investigations. Should I be concerned and ask for investigations or is it something that recurs when my Crohn's is acting up?

Your replies are highly appreciated.

Posted 11/16/2012 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
The kind of joint pain that comes with IBD is not damaging to your joints, so please don't worry about that. I'm sorry you are struggling with these problems.
Posted 11/16/2012 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
Kazbern, thank you very much. So, I should not seek medical assitance, right? I'll try to cope w it.
Posted 11/16/2012 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
The medical solution you need is the one where you reduce and eliminate the inflammation in your bowels. Keeping up with the enema is necessary. As is continuing to take your oral meds.

You can use ice on your knee for 10-15 minutes to help with the pain. Keeping active is usually a good idea, too. If sleeping is difficult, try to put a pillow between your legs to support your lower back and reposition your knee.
Posted 11/16/2012 10:51 AM (GMT 0)
Kazbern, thank you very much for these pieces of advice. I really appreciate it.
Posted 11/16/2012 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
minnie...most of my CD issues are extraintestinal (until this latest flare).  I should have known better the flare was coming because my joint pains increased in quantity and severity.  I also had some mouth issues and my skin had some funky patches.  Like kaz said, the only thing I do to treat the joint pain is try to keep the guts in check.  I am sure you know that NSAIDs hurt your guts more so I don't even attempt those.

You can consider a rheumatologist.  However, I have found that heating pads, warm showers and gentle stretching exercises to be my best friends (that is after getting my gut in gear).

ps...I don't have a proctitis dx, but I have a lot of perianal issues.  I am just using OTC cortisone on those to try to tame then.  Wish I could help more on your other question.  It sounds like you need to get the inflammation down like they said.  Hope you get some reliefe soon

Posted 11/16/2012 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hab, thank you very much. Hope you are better now. I'll follow both your and kaz's advice. I'm trying now to follow my medical prescriptions to the letter w/o skipping any dose. Hopefully, they kick in. If they don't, then, can I argue for having a new med.
Posted 11/17/2012 9:06 AM (GMT 0)
Almost all of my Crohn's is extraintestinal manifestations. The only part that isn't, is my perianal issues. Besides the perianal, I have no problems w/ c or d and there aren't any specific foods that bother me.

Joint pain as well as overall body pain. Bruises. Painful sores caused by cutaneous metastatic Crohn's. Mouth ulcers, too. And some more I cannot think of at this time.

Unless you are worried that your manifestation is going to turn into a broken knee tomorrow, I do not think it is anything to cause extreme alarm. If you really are worried, you could potentially keep a diary about the manifestations to see any patterns. I would definitely mention it at your next GI appointment.
Posted 11/17/2012 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
RiddleMeThis, thank you. I'm not worried. The cause of my alarm is that my mum got rheumatoid arthiritis and I thought it might be hereditary. Otherwise, I'm glad I still got my knees in their place, safe and sound- lol.
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