HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

infectious arthritis

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/17/2013 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
I mentioned last week I was struggling with onset of severe joint pains bouncing from one joint to the next. Thanks for the help and opinions on this. My doc did blood tests, my CRP was high but I'm not having any bowel issues (one formed stool a day). He wondered was my UC inducing inflammation in my joints or more likely he thought that I could have infectious arthritis with a viral infecction causing an immuno-response in my joints by an already over-active immune system. He thought sudden onset and "bouncing around" joint systems were atypcial presentation for RA.

Any thoughts? Has anyone suffered infectious /  septic arthritis?

Thanks

Posted 6/17/2013 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
I think what he meant was reactive arthritis.

I have had terrible reactive arthritis, or infectious arthritis, from a childhood virus that I contracted when I was 42: Fifth Disease. It did not jump around my joints but left my feet and hands swollen and stiff and sore. It took several weeks to resolve.
Posted 6/17/2013 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
UCGuy,

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, reactive arthritis is often a by product of UC.

And it could also be caused by Leaky Gut Sydrome.

Posted 6/17/2013 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for both replies.

So do you get over reactive aritihis fully? Does it flare up from time to time? My doc (not my GI) has suggested NSAID drugs until he runs or repeats some more bloods to figure out for sure.
Posted 6/17/2013 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
UCGuy,

Which doctor recommended NSAIDs?

NSAIDs are not indicated with UC.

I would suggest you stay clear of them.

I haven't had a re-ocurrence of reactive arthritis, since doing the remission steps.

You know, sometimes it can be a reaction to gluten and dairy ( which are big culprits in terms of leaky gut), so that when you eliminate those from your diet for 3 weeks, you may find that your reactive arthritis goes away.

I would suggest you try that.

What do you think?

Posted 6/17/2013 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you need a new DR.
Posted 6/17/2013 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
InSoFl....you mean that dairy and gluten induce an immune response in the joints?
Posted 6/17/2013 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, that is correct.
Posted 6/17/2013 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
/sometimes /for some people

Right, InSoFla?
Posted 6/17/2013 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
and does reactive arthritis get better over time itself or will it need an immuo-suppressant / steroids...im still on Asacol and hoping to stay away from the big guns for as long as i can....i read somewhere someone got reactive aritihis from "pred tapering"...seems paradoxical?.....actually my doc doesnt have me on an NSAID after all!!!! phew
Posted 6/17/2013 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
I take sulfazine because it is effective at treating joint pain AND colitis. It is a relative of the 5-ASAs and has worked pretty well for me. I am also gluten-free.

The general theory is that if you keep your bowel inflammation in remission you should not have joint pain.

Posted 6/17/2013 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
does reactive arthritis cause permanent damage to joints like RA?
Posted 6/17/2013 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
no.
Posted 6/17/2013 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
UCGUY,

I would suggest you start by taking gluten and dairy out of your diet ( no cheating either, whilst you are doing this test) for 3 weeks, and see if you notice any improvement in joint pains.

If no changes occur, then you would go to the next steps.

Posted 6/17/2013 8:50 PM (GMT 0)

kazbern said...
The general theory is that if you keep your bowel inflammation in remission you should not have joint pain.]


I agree, do whatever is necessary to end your inflammation, whether meds, diet or both. I had serious arthritis that would jump around from one knee or wrist to the other during my last flare. But the arthritis completely disappeared when the flare ended

BTW a doctor who recommends NSAIDs to UC patients deserves to be replaced with a 2nd opinion.
Posted 6/17/2013 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for all this advice. amazing what you can learn on this site in a few hours!!! out of interest do joint pains disappear for those who have had a colectomy?
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply