
Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis Support Group
Crohn's disease is a systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of unknown cause, that results in chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. It can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, and can also cause complications outside of the gastrointestinal tract. There is no known medical or surgical cure for Crohn's disease, but there are many medical...
Talk to both doctors. It is hard to treat arthritis with the normal meds since they are not good for uc/crohn's.
I wish you well.
I haven't brought it up to my doctor yet because it's relatively new. I have also heard that there is a connection with arthritis and UC also.
Sugahsistah and others, how soon did you notice these symptoms after first being diagnosed? Did the joint pain get severe fairly quickly? Thanks.
Extraintestinal Complications of IBD: Arthritis
Arthritis, or inflammation of the joints, is the most common extraintestinal complication of IBD. It may affect as many as 25% of people with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Although arthritis is typically associated with advancing age, in IBD it often strikes the youngest patients. In addition to joint pain, arthritis also causes swelling of the joints and a reduction in flexibility.
You know now that I think about it I've had this slight swelling/pain in my finger joints for several years now. It just acts up once in a while, it's not a constant problem, mostly in the morning.
I hope this helps.
Diane
http://www.ccfa.org/info/about/complications/arthritis
Remicade has helped me a lot.
Before remicade I hated to move. Now, I still hurt (especially in the morning upon rising) but it's not nearly so bad. I've also added a better diet and exercise which seems to help.
This arthritis is not the "normal" stuff that other folks have. It (or at least mine) is specific to the crohn's that I have.
I saw different doctors for the pain but it took my GI and a good reumatologist(sp) at Mayo to run the proper tests.
Cold and wet weather makes me hurt more. Hot and dry is better. Getting in a hot spa or pool when possible is great. Massage helps a lot. And staying active is very helpful to me.
My pain moves from place to place and varies in how much it hurts.
Look at CCFA (Crohn's and UC Foundation of Am) and there are others.
Do the research. Talk / question your doctor. And, don't give up.
I wish you well
Good luck and I hope you feel better.
Ambrose Stapleton