Crohn's or UC plus another autoimmune illness?

:( so sorry to hear...please keep us posted!

p.s. I never noticed the last line of your signature before...yes, you do look like Katherine!

Please keep us updated! Sorry to read this!

Oh goodness.. really hope it's not RA :-( Hoping for a better outcome. Keep us posted x

Thank you for your support! I'm also hoping and praying that it's not RA. I work as a graphic designer and am also in my early 40's, so maybe achy fingers are just part of "growing up"?!? I'll definitely keep you all posted!
Thanks again!
Cece

Thanks, Marianne. I'm sorry that your mom has RA, too. My mom is currently taking Methotrexate, but still has flareups, so I think she's going to start on a biologic soon, like Remicade or Enbrel. My brother also has RA and seems to be doing well on Enbrel.

Thanks also for the info on Osteoarthritis and IBD. I'll do some research on that before my appointment on Thursday.

Cece

So, I got the results of my rheumatology blood test today and was told by a nurse practitioner over the phone that the ANA (antinuclear antibodies) were "mildly positive" and that it's nothing to worry about. Frankly, I'm confused. Is this like being "mildly pregnant"?

She said that the doctor wants to re-test me in 3 months to see if there are any changes and to keep doing what I'm doing (which is basically nothing, because I'm not supposed to take oral NSAID's due to my Crohn's diagnosis).

I looked it up online and an elevated ANA result is an indication of autoimmune disease, like Rheumatoid Arthritis. Since the doctor who ordered the test is my primary care physician and they are going to mail me the test results, I'm going to make an appointment with a Rheumatologist to see what he or she has to say.

In the meantime, I still have pain in my hands and my insurance approved pharmacy has denied filling the Voltaren (NSAID cream) because they want proof from my doctor that I cannot take oral NSAID's. I faxed him that info on Tuesday and reiterated on the phone today why I cannot take NSAID's and asked if they could try to get that cream approved, so I can get some pain relief.

I would appreciate any advice you may have and prayers that this truly is nothing to worry about.

Thanks!
Cecilia

Recently I have been having joint pain in my hands, mostly the thumb and that mechanism that grabs a cup. I think it's garden variety arthritis, I'm 54, but like you I still work and spend a great deal of time using a computer. It's not at the point of being painful enough for pain medications, it's mostly annoying. But I think I should use you as my role model and at least have it checked out. Thanks for being my motivator! Oh, and I don't have any other AI issues, nor is there a family history of AI issues. I often thought that being the sole family member with UC that I must have been adopted. :)

Sue

I was diagnosed looong time ago with crohns disease but since ive had my colon removed....i have severe arthritis. My rhuematologist says its very common for ppl with ulcerative colitus to suffer from sever arthritis after surgery removal of their colon? He said my immune system found another way of attacking my body and its with arthritis. I take humira and methotrexate. Its reeealy hard because I cant take advil or any anti-inflamatories since im also on blood thinners. Another thing im wondering about is.... I keep getting blood clots? Ive had them in my legs, aorta, lungs?

Hubby has a bit of Roseacea and cream the dermatologist has prescribed. His Mom had terrible psoriasis and he has had some issues here and there but have cleared. The UC definitely seemed to have triggered problems here and there but they always seemed manageable up to this point.

He is getting warts though....next visit to the dermatologist to talk about this.

Having a full colon removed obviously messes things up as he has a B12 and D3 deficiency that he takes OTC stuff to keep the levels in range.

Hurt his back playing golf almost 4 weeks ago and it is very slow coming back to normal...chiro every week...muscle relaxers....multiple x-rays of hip and back show nothing. Seeing the Ortho Dr 10/3rd...maybe an MRI or Physical Therapy. It's always something but at least his ostomy and related care are still good at the moment so that is a lot to be grateful for.

I'm afraid that once the back heals he will not go back to golf as this one was a really bad episode. He used to love to play pickelball (a downsized version of tennis) and gave that up. Even though he is soon to be 66 he is a very young 66 or at least always was and even he says he is starting to feel like and "old man". Getting old ain't for sissies as they say but it still beats the alternative.

Just another form of a new normal for him I guess. We will need to amp up the walking when he is stronger to at least get some exercise in.

Sorry for the rambling but just sharing as I am sure others out there kind of run into this same situation here and there.