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Arthritis, Lupus and UC

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Posted 10/9/2013 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all, I was wondering if anyone has had any issues with arthritis with their UC?
I have had UC since 2005 and recently started having awful joint pain along with
Night sweats. My general Dr. Referred me to a Rheumatologist who ran a bunch of blood work.

Long story short, my ANA test came back borderline positive, low WBC count and a couple other things. Leading the Rheumatologist to think its either Lupus or UC related. Have any of you had any arthritis or other similar things?
Posted 10/9/2013 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
UC is an autoimmune inflammatory disease. Unfortunately, that means that often times this inflammation can also be in other parts of the body as well. So, it is fairly common.
Posted 10/9/2013 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Have you seen a connection with other family member with autoimmune diseases? My cousins and sister just realized we all have an AI disease, UC, MS, Lupis and one with a rare type of arthritis and as we age most of us also have Osteo-arthritis.
Posted 10/9/2013 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
I have a cousin with MS and both my Mother and paternal Aunt have UC. I think that AI diseases are a lot more common these days. My Rheumatologist thinks its strange because my UC is under control. But yet this joint pain is popping up...
Posted 10/9/2013 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
I have a cousin with MS and both my Mother and paternal Aunt have UC. I think that AI diseases are a lot more common these days. My Rheumatologist thinks its strange because my UC is under control. But yet this joint pain is popping up...
Posted 10/9/2013 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
Just because the ANA panel came back with something does not mean you have Lupus or RA. about 25% of people with inflammatory bowel disease get joint pain; this is typically called enteritis arthritis. It does not cause damage to your joints like RA would, but it can be quite debilitating.

It's great that you got into see a rheumatologist to figure this out. Most DRs think that joint pain for a person with UC is associated with untreated inflammation in the gut, and will focus on resolving that in order to relieve the joint pain. I know you think your UC is under control, but how can you be sure? When was your last scope?

One medical option is to include sulfazine in your treatment for UC - this works on both gut inflammation and joint pain. Another thing you might consider is trying a gluten free diet.
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