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Joint Pain - Please Help!! :-(

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Posted 5/19/2009 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
Well, this is a new one for me.  Has anyone else experienced crippling joint pain?  I cooked a beautiful dinner last night and felt wonderful.  My UC is finally slipping into remission (or so I thought).  about an hour before I went to bed, my joints started to hurt.  My son has a virus, so I thought I might have been coming down with something and expected to wake up with a fever and chills.  Instead I woke up in unbearable pain. 

Every joint in my body hurts, starting from my toes to my shoulders.  It is sensative to the touch.  At one point, the pain was almost unbearable.  I went to the doctor and he said it was UC related and put me on Methylprednisonol (sp) for six days.  They wouldn't stop until they gave me those steroids.

I know joint pain is a side effect, but is it usually this severe and debilitating?  My fingers and calves are so swollen.  My fingers are almost gnarled looking.  It hurts to type.  I could hardly make it up and down the stairs.  I'm so darn confused.  I need an "expert" opinion.  Has anyone else experienced this???  Right now I feel like the Tin Man looking for his oil can.

Posted 5/19/2009 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi...I don't have that experience, but I truly feel for the pain you're going through. I remember when my sister's arthritis in her hands started, she was in agony as well with the changes happening.

I would suggest you see a rheumatologist as soon as possible to address the reasons for the arthritis, whether it be UC-related or for whatever reason.

I hope you feel some relief soon.

quincy
Posted 5/19/2009 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
I've always had some sort of joint pain over the years. I even went into the doctors on several occasions but nothing every showed up and it was chalked up to me flaring with my Uc. Then I hit remission and instead of the joint pain getting better, it got worse. It started really in my knees, then my hips, now it's in my fingers and back. It was when I hit remission and started to having an increase of pain that I realized that something wasn't right. I've have had every test under the sun but nothing has shown up (yet). But now the pain is on both sides of my body as opposed to one like it was before. I know I have arthritis, what kind - I'm not sure. I'm leaning toward RA but honestly I just don't know. So it's very possible that you are experiencing your first arthritic flare up. I agree that maybe you should go see a rheumatologist. If it is arthritis, the earlier you can catch it, the less damaging it can be on your joints.
Posted 5/19/2009 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
I had some joint pain when I was taking Asacol, but it wasn't nearly as bad as what you are describing! Sounds terrible, I hope something can be done for you.
Posted 5/19/2009 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
I've had some joint pain on and off at different times throughout my colitis, and I've had colitis for over 22 years, I am having pain  in my knees and elbows right now, with tenderness also, along with calf cramps, have had for about a month or two now on and off. I am very stiff when I get up in the morning.
Posted 5/20/2009 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
I remember back in the late '90's (wow I have had this too long) going on a business trip to Chicago... We ate lunch out on the pier and I remember not being able to keep up with the group because of severe knee pain... I had to stop frequently and was very slow walking... I was told it was related to my UC and flaring at the time. It happened on and off for a few years... It hasnt bothered me lately, but to be honest with you I still have dreams about trying to walk places but can't do it because of knee pain.... It was very painful and relentless, and I am glad that it has subsided for now....
Posted 6/4/2009 7:21 AM (GMT 0)
again this isn't a diagnosis but you may want to look into fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. they run hand-in-hand with UC.
Posted 6/4/2009 7:42 AM (GMT 0)
Yup, I get joint ache, in my toes and particularly in my back. However this eases after I have been up and about for an hour. This is currently my only UC symptom. I am hoping, now that I have ditched Aziathropine for LDN that all the extra endorphins floating around in my system will easy the discomfort.

It is recommended that exersize is used to counteract the aches and to prevent damage. I am a great believer in rigorous exersize to combat chronic conditions like UC, RMA and asthma. I run 10 km every other day and go to body combat, body pump, yoga and step classes at my gym each week. My GP tells me that this has helped my pains and my asthma too.
Posted 6/4/2009 8:17 AM (GMT 0)
Im sorry about your joint pain. I did have knee pain after my last flare. It took two months to go. Have you jumbed onto the chrones board they may be able to help. Ive seen this often on the chrones board.
Posted 6/4/2009 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
I've had terrible joint pain at times with my UC. It went away on its own, not sure what triggered its appearance or disappearance. During my last bout with it, I couldn't walk up and down stairs and my husband had to make all the baby bottles because I couldn't screw or unscrew anything. Then we bought a minivan with power doors to help me cope and after that my arthritis went away... So just go spend a lot of money on a special arthritis minivan and you should be all cured!!
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