I have joint pain with my Crohn's....big time. I talked to both my GI and Primary docs. I treat them like a team, so each knows everything going on with me all the time.

Doctor told me my arthritis is a result of Crohn's. I hurt big time. I have started Remicade for the Crohn's and arthritis and it has helped ever so much. I'm due for another infusion Thursday and for the last week "arther" is visiting me.
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've got UC also and have noticed joint pain recently. Mostly in my fingers/knuckles and sometimes my low back and knees.
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.

I was diagnosed with UC-related arthritis in January, my doctor referred me to a rheumatoid doctor....He said it is not degenerative though like RA. When I am on prednisone, I don't feel the pain though since it helps with inflammation.

I am beginning to suspect that my left shoulder joint, which has been hurting since a little before the first UC symptoms, might not be the result of overdoing on the gym lat press.

Sugahsistah and others, how soon did you notice these symptoms after first being diagnosed? Did the joint pain get severe fairly quickly? Thanks.

Everytime I have ask either doctor they never offer anything except what I already know..it comes with the crohns, there are many things that you can't take for the joint pain because it affects the stomach and can cause a flare-up, I have learned to deal with it..Sometimes arthritis strenght tylenol will help.

I found this on the CCFA.org page:
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

I added the link to the page it has alot of detailed info on the different types of arthritis associated with IBD
http://www.ccfa.org/info/about/complications/arthritis

I've been under the care of a rheumatologist for 20 yrs & was told that's who manages Crohn's. Initially, arthritis was my first symptom. I've had all of the symptoms of a very complicated case of Lupus only to discover that it has always been Crohn's. They now say that everything that has been wrong with me for the past 20 yrs was Crohn's. The arthritis began when I was 24 and had nothing to do with age. On the positive side, the arthritis has never caused any permanent damage.

Also, I've been told the official name for what I have is Crohn's Arthropathy. I've had a hard time finding much info on that. It has certainly caused me a lot of problems & much pain. I am aware of joints that most people don't realize they have. Basically, anything is susceptible like joints, tendons, ligaments, soft tissue - you name it. I know there are over 100 joints in your foot. It caused the large tendon supporting my big toe to snap in two. A flare can affect any joint. At times I could not eat because of jaw pain or breathe (painfully) because of it in my ribs and sternum. Fortunately, low doses of Prednisone keep it from making life unbearable.

Hi sugah, i suffer with arthritic pains in my hands fingers knees and thigh joints and even though im on remicade(which is used for treating rhuematoid arthritis) i still suffer with it. Does any body suffer with muscle spasms in their hands?? Have experianced this too and it REALLY hurts!!

I was told by my GI and also by Mayo Clinic that arthritis is associated with crohn's. Crohn's/UC are inflamatory which affect the gut and the joints.
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

I was diagnosed with UC in 2006 and complained of joint pain for yrs. In 2007 I had to have knee surgery and was told I had no Synovial fluid( I was told I have osteoarthritis) I was also informed that when your bowel is constantly inflamed or you have bowel problems like Uc; it cause stop the production of synovial fluid in your body. Synovial fluid is what lubricates all of your joints.The specialist told me I should be talking supplements such as cod liver oil or salmon oil to help replace it and lubricate my joints. I had previously tested negative for Rhumatory arthritis...and did not even know it could be Osteo arthritis.

I get real bad joint pain in my left hip, both knees and ankels and feet. Somedays its hard to even get up and walk. I have had x-rays done of my hip and they didnt find any problems, both my GI and Primary Care Physician says its due to my weight, so I went out and got a bicycle this past month hopefully to help me loose weight. I didnt realize how out of shape I am. Hopefully if I can loose the weight the pain will stop but somehow I dont think so.
Good luck and I hope you feel better.
Ambrose Stapleton

TALK TO YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY! He or she can refer you to a rheumatoid specialist...i've been on the waiting list to visit a rheumatoid doctor for 5 months.