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JOINT PAINS JUST STARTED

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Posted 8/2/2010 8:10 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Everyone,

 

I have been having terrible joint pains since Friday.  My hands, shoulders, legs, even my neck hurt so bad.  It hurts to walk or even open things.

 

 Is joint pain part of colitis????  I don't know what is happening to me.  I am only 35 and I feel like I am falling apart!!!!

 

 

Posted 8/2/2010 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Arthritic symptoms are common for both UC'ers and CD'ers. However, you don't mention your meds, if you are on any. Many of the meds for UC can cause, contribute to, or worsen arthritic symptoms. Remicade and other biologic meds can create this in a bad way (I know, I lived it).


You might want to post your meds so others can weigh in.
Posted 8/2/2010 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there!! I am currently on:

prednisone 40mg a day
balsalazide which I believe is for the UC
prilosec for my acid reflux
Posted 8/2/2010 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Nessie,

First off, both balasalazide (generic form of what is referred to as a 5-ASA) and Prednisone can cause joint pain.

40MG of Prednisone a day is a really high dose...depending on how long you have been on that dose and when your Doc intends to taper you down/off.

I would call your Dr. immediately because, although both of these drugs can cause this type of pain, the severity of what you are explaining needs to be checked out.

Don't just let it go...call them immediately. If either or both of these drugs are new your Dr. will run some blood work to check into other possibilities.

Best of luck, and I know how you feel, having UC combined with serious arthritic attacks is a double insult!
Posted 8/2/2010 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
During my last two flares I had arthritis in my knees, ankles, and hands to the point where I could barely make a loose fist. My eyes became inflamed and was about to see an eye doctor.

Arthritis, eye problems, and liver problems are some of the side effects of UC inflammation. But all these symptoms disappeared immediately when my flare ended.

I had lower back problems for years before I began my first flare. Perhaps it was ankylosing spondylitis, another side effect of UC, because the lower back pain also diminished when the flares ended.
Posted 8/2/2010 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
Yes I have joint pain mostly in morning my shoulders mostly and one finger, little in neck. Never had it before and it came on a month or so ago. I don't take the same drugs as you just sulfa, it seems to be connected to my UC condition from what I can tell.
Posted 8/2/2010 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Nessie, if you think your joint pains are bad now, just wait until you start tapering off the prednisone!

Sorry to bring you this bad news but it seems to be the norm for almost everyone.

The good news is that it eventually goes away after a while.
Posted 8/2/2010 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone! I called my dr and he is decreasing to 10mg twice a day. I go to see him on wed.

I just took some advil because I cannot stand this joint pain! The pain is even in the sides of my neck. It was even hurting to walk. I am so freaked out. I'm 35 and feel like I am 85! How could this happen??? Ever since my pneumonia in the fall everything has gone haywire!

I guess he will let me know if it's the meds or further complications of colitis.

Thanks again and have a nice evening!!
Posted 8/3/2010 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
On second thought perhaps one reason why my back pain has diminished is because of the 'meds' I am taking: boswellia and turmeric. Besides being proven effective for IBD, they are natural anti-inflammatories therefore can act as natural pain killers. This is like saying "I have been taking Aleve for my headaches and coincidentally my arthritis pain has lessoned". DUH
Posted 8/3/2010 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
I am still recouping from what pred did to my joints. Knees are still the worse. Hands and wrists are almost back to 100%.
Posted 8/3/2010 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Be very careful with Advil/NSAIDs, take more natural anti inflam's if you can. Also try some msm/glucosamine chondroitin for your joints, just remember it takes some time for this stuff to work. Feel better.
Posted 8/3/2010 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Even conventional doctors are beginning to admit that NSAIDs are not recommended for IBD. Glucosamine on the other hand is one of the nutrients suspected of alleviating IBD. And taking it can slowly help pain and rebuild cartilage.
Posted 8/4/2010 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Talk to your doctor, there may be meds that will help.
I think I have avoided joint problems and bone density issue -- despite decades of regular prednisone use -- because I am faithful to a strength training regimen, 4x/week.

I do have back pain, which not unusual for an avid golfer. I'll have to dig out my curcumin, try it again.
Posted 8/4/2010 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
I took Advil once for several days for horrible back pain (we were on vacation, had rented a place with a bad mattress) and - the Advil put me into the worst bloody flare!!! So - please, be careful in regard to the Advil......
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