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Posted 5/26/2012 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
In the last few weeks, I've been experiencing mild (some days) to severe (some days) joint pain in my knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders. I am an active mom of a toddler and an infant and I am 39 years old, and never had significant health problems before my UC diagnosis during my pregnancy with my son (October 2011, when a long course of Clindamycin wiped out my colon!).

Is this a symptom of my inflammation getting worse? Is it a side effect of my recent start of Imuran? Is it because I have a sinus infection (just trying to wait it out; I feel like I never want to be on antibiotics again!)

Anyone else experience joint pain? This is my first experience with it during my UC diagnosis, and also my life...

Thanks for your input!

Ta,
Lisa
Posted 5/26/2012 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
When I went to my doctor earlier this month I didn't have any bleeding, but had joint pain in all the places you mention. But I also alot of stomach and abdominal cramping with alot of rumbling going on, thin stools (but only 2-3 a day), muscle aches and fatigue.

I had been off Prednisone for about a month at that point. He told me I was about to go back into a flare-up and put me back on 20mg of Prednisone and on Imuran.

So I think it can definitely be a sign of a flare up, especially if you aren't already on Prednisone (as that can cause joint pains as well).

Maybe watch and take note of any other symptoms that start popping up over the next few days and call your dr if you notice anything else happening.

Posted 5/27/2012 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
The only time I had joint pain was while in a severe flare (other then the pred taper), but my GI has told me to watch for it b/c it could indicate a flare. Imuarn caused nauseau/exhaustion for a bit, but never pain.
Posted 5/27/2012 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
about 20% of people with IBD have joint pain along with their bowel disease. It is thought to be connected to active inflammation in the gut. So yes, possibly an indicator of another flare.
Posted 5/27/2012 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

Thanks for the responses. Could it be the tapering of my pred? I think I've become pred dependent...I've been on a tapering dose since February...

Ta and thanks,
Lisa
Posted 5/28/2012 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
I suppose so. I ended up seeing a rheumatologist to help me figure it all out, and I think everyone with joint pain associated with their Crohn's should be under the care of a rheumy in addition to a GI. I hope you can get in to see one.
Posted 5/28/2012 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
I could relate to you.

I just turned 24 years old on may 23. Anyways I was told i had UC in march. But i had it going for a year due to my family doctor said oh just Ibs.

Anyways! I was in the ER i couldn't even walk! my feet were so messed up they called it tendonitis or what ever? Anyways. For a year i'd have it in my Elbow it would go away then i'd get it in my knees.. my hips... my wrist you name it.


Note that i only got it in 10% of my colon. Anyways ever since i got on meds and got my ibd under control? i have not HAD not even 1 joint pain witch would LAST! for days like it would get tight and i coudlnt move it... it felt like tendonitis but im guessing it was from IBD cause iv not had not a single joint pain since then...

may i add my pain i had on a 1/10 scale was a 10 i couldn't move it or i would be in seriously knee dropping pain?

I never told my GI about it. but i did ask can it cause joint pains he said yes. But ever since i started the enmeas and the 4 x daily apriso iv had 0 problems. I seriously couldn't walk when my knees or hip were messed up...

Post Edited (alpinem6) : 5/28/2012 5:04:25 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/28/2012 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have continuous joint pain now but I am contributing it to the prednisone taper. (tapering from 40mg since Jan 2012). I also get bad headaches and flu like symptoms. I take Tylenol 3 for the pain.

The only other time I have had severe joint pain was when I was first diagnosed. The pain was worst in my knees. My GI lowered my Colazal from 3 pills/3 times a day to 2 pills/3 times a day and the pain when away. I have also read that too much ASA (some from rectal meds and some from oral meds) can contribute to some joint pain. Something to discuss with your GI.
Posted 5/29/2012 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Tapering Prednisone always gives me horrible joint pains - much worse than just with my UC. I'm pretty sure it was listed as a side effect.
Posted 5/30/2012 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
Yep - the first day after I drop my prednisone dose during a taper, I feel like I've been hit by a truck. Every joint in my body aches. No matter how small the incremental drop! Thankfully, that goes away relatively quickly!
Posted 5/30/2012 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
going gluten free eliminated 90% of my joint pains, just sayin'
Posted 5/31/2012 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
I've had horrible joint pain on and off since my diagnosis about 5 years ago.
Sometimes it gets so bad that I take Percocet or Vicodin and just sit.
Sometimes I take Tramadol and it helps a little.
Tylenol does nothing and no NSAIDS.....

My joint pain is in the same places you mentioned. Sometimes it gets so bad I can't walk or use my hands.
Then, just as suddenly, it dissipates.
I went gluten free a year ago. It's helped a lot!!
When i eat gluten now, you can bet I have joint pain for at least a week after.

Now I feel a flare coming on, joint pain, rectal pain, major urgency, mucus, accidents, fatigue and slight blood, serious rectal
pain and burning, lots of trip to the toilet.
I'm seeing my pain clinic doctor tomorrow and am using my Canasa and Rowesa for treatment along with my oral Lialda.

I'm hoping for a quick recovery!!
Posted 6/20/2012 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Pain in my knees and hips started since I was diagnosed. Seems to be better in the warmer weather but much worse in the winter..
Posted 6/20/2012 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
I'm another one who had terrible joint pain because of pred tapers. The pred taper does it to me every time. Horrible!! It does go away for me, but not immediately. It is a known side effect. Hopefully that is it for you too!
Posted 8/2/2012 10:21 AM (GMT 0)
I have been diagnosed with UC 2 years ago and am now starting to get severe pain in my knees. I can't stand up from a lying or sitting position. The pain will subside over the course of the day. I thought it was from sitting at a desk at my job all day because that was the first time it happened (last week). But then it happened again this morning and and I was doing a small work out yesterday that barely included legs (I thought maybe the strain was put on my knees awkwardly) but I have worked out in the past with this disease and NEVER once got this kind of pain. I'm worried and confused. But now reading more I see people saying UC is heavily associated with joint pain and eventual athritis :/

What should I do? I will call my doctor immediately. If I want to take action into my own hands, what kind of supplement/pain reliever type things should I get? Would muscle rubs and bandage wrap help?
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