Hi everybody,
I have been having issues with what the doctors SEEM to think is Rheumatoid Arthritis in my knee and jaw (TMJ) due to my ulcerative colitis. I have had to have my knee drained 4 times in the past 2 months, and 3 times in the past 4 months before that. It seems to be getting worse and worse, and cortosone shots no longer do anything. My doctor has now sent me to a specialist for the issue, and he has suggested a knee surgery where they essentially remove the inner lining of the joint. However, I am skeptical as to how successful of a procedure this is, and also how it is going to affect me later in life (I am only 24). I am also on Remicade and Entocort.
I am wondering if anyone has had similar issues, or if you have found any solutions that have helped you? I have had to miss work several times now because of this issue, and I am a full-time student, so I cannot afford to be missing work so often. The main issue here is that I obviously cannot take any anti-inflammatories because of my colitis. At this point, I can't even jog, skate, swim, etc, because my knee flares up so bad. I miss having an active life, and it is really taking a toll on me psychologically.
My TMJ has also been extremely painful for a long time now, it is a struggle to eat each meal every day. I just had a doctor suggest botox injections into the joint to ease the pain. Has anyone ever had this procedure done? I can't even get a mouth guard made, because my jaw will not open enough to cast the mould for it. So I am out of options here.
If anyone has any suggestions for either the arthritis in my knee or my TMJ, please please let me know! My doctors either seem to be out of ideas, or are suggesting surgery that seems unneccessary. I would prefer to avoid surgery at all costs, and am looking for alternative solutions.