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Arthritis After Colectomy?

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Posted 6/29/2016 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
So a few of you here will know that all my Colon is gone and I still have a defunctioned J-Pouch in place. In the run up to my first surgery five years ago, when the UC was bad, I had joint pain all over my body. Since returning to work in February, I am getting terrible pain in both hands, my fingers feel like shattered glass, and I'm losing the strength in my grip (not good for the manual work I do).
My question is, can/do we get IBD co-morbidities like Arthritis, even once the entire Colon has been removed?
Posted 6/30/2016 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
I do not have any personal experience with this. I'm probably still too early in my no colon adventure. However there is a girl on YouTube called the front butt YouTuber. She had a jpouch and later went back to an ostomy and somewhere in all that she got bad arthritis. Bad enough she needed humira. I don't know all the details but I do remember she said the confirmed it wasn't RA but it was arthritis due to her UC. Even though her colon was gone. She was young, college age I think when this happened.
Posted 6/30/2016 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Have you been to a doctor about this? Is the pouchitis still an issue even though you're disconnected? When my pouchitis is acting up I get some arthritis in my hip.
Posted 6/30/2016 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
I'm almost 70 yrs old and had a total colectomy with end ilieostomy exactly six yrs ago. I actually feel better in my joints!!!! I was diagnosed with full blown osteoporosis before my operation because of all the prednisone use. I haven't had a bone scan lately but my surgeon told me my condition would improve once off prednisone.
Posted 7/1/2016 10:15 AM (GMT 0)
I still have my rectum and am flaring in this (I'm on pred suppositories which are partially helping). When this starting flaring, I got my joint pain back also. I have heard of people still getting the extra intestinal manifestations even when colon is gone, can't remember where I heard this though... I'm going to ask my GI about it when I see him in a few weeks, as I'm probably facing rectum removal soon and want to know if how likely it is for other manifestations to flare, even if literally nothing it left.
Posted 7/1/2016 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
It's not uncommon for those of us with one auto immune disorder, to get another. You really need to see your doctor. He or she will probably refer you to rhuematologist if arthritis is suspected.

Sue
Posted 7/1/2016 4:28 PM (GMT 0)

SuperBlanks said...
I still have my rectum and am flaring in this (I'm on pred suppositories which are partially helping). When this starting flaring, I got my joint pain back also. I have heard of people still getting the extra intestinal manifestations even when colon is gone, can't remember where I heard this though... I'm going to ask my GI about it when I see him in a few weeks, as I'm probably facing rectum removal soon and want to know if how likely it is for other manifestations to flare, even if literally nothing it left.

Super, I would think it's unlikely, unless you have another underlying condition. Once the rectum is gone, the UC is technically gone and you shouldn't have any more flare ups. The flare ups themselves can cause the joint pain you describe. I had it with my last flare (the 18 month relentless one).

Silent, i am sorry you're going through this. I agree with sue, a rhuematologist is probably a good idea.
Posted 7/1/2016 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the answers, I'm pretty sure it will end up being diagnosed as Arthritis. I'm finding Ibuprofen to be very helpful, but it has to be taken religiously, or the pain just returns. Even then, I've picked up a few heavy boxes at work, and my wrist has given way with such pain it has made me cry out.
Oh the joy of UC, the (unwanted) gift that keeps on giving!
Posted 7/2/2016 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Silent,
Sorry for the pain in your hands. It may be arthritis.....or, if you've been doing this manual labor for a very long time, not sure what it is, it could be nerve related - e.g., carpel tunnel syndrome....

The record of people with UC, after surgery, getting arthritis is all over the map. Also, I know people, who have no UC, or no chron's, etc. but who do have RA and have been on Humira since it came out...they are still working/eating/living/etc. And, the drug seems to help them a lot.

I've been having my own issues - shoulders - got cortisone shot about 4 years ago, they are fine. back - several issues of pain in lumbar area, MRI/x-rays shows nothing. I'm going back to see sports medicine Dr. next week - they are talking about putting me on 6 months - yeah, 6 months - of physical therapy - something about loss of muscle mass...I blame prednisone for that.

best of luck with your hands.
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