Crohn's and Arthritis

[GmaDonna]

Is there a link of any kind with crohn's and arthritis symptoms?  I have just been diagnosed with crohn's in my colon an dam taking medication asacol, metronidazole for that and ciprofloxacin for a bladder infection.  I think I have had the infection some time, not knowing what I had.  I have started feeing pain like an inflamation (inflammation) in my writ for a while now, longer than I knew I had crohn's and now in my hips and bones, I have trouble being comfortable lying on my sides at night.  It is like I have infection in them.

[Shebah]

Yes, there is a link between the two. Enteropathic Arthritis is seen in alot of patients with IBD.

Hope this helps.

[lizziecee]

Yes, Shebah is right on the ball - there is an unusual type of arthritis associated with Crohn's. It is part of the auto-immune syndrome. I have had Crohn's for 37 yrs but just this last year been diagnosed with arthritis in both hips, feet and hands - sometimes the pain in those areas is unbearable, especially when sleeping. I can't remember when I last had a good night's sleep. I toss and turn all night, the pain subsides when I turn over, but comes back an hour later. I still haven't figured out a way to deal with it - guess I should now see a rheumatologist. I also have breast cancer and was concerned it could be bone metastases, but the bone scan showed arthritis.,.not osteoporosis,  just osteopenia.  I am now on a bisphosphonate, Alendronic Acid once a week, and twice daily Calcichew/VitD tablets twice daily.   However, the DEXA bone density scan (a different test) shows severe thinning of my bones due to some 30 years of steroids. Seems at times like being between the devil and the deep blue sea, but I do plod on and am grateful for my life.

Liz.

[lazymule]

wow! thought i was only person on earth to survive Crohn's for 35 years. This is my first time on this web site, but if i can get this to post, you and i could really swap some good stories Lazymule.

[lizziecee]

Hi to a fellow Crohnie!!  I don't know how I made it this long either - must be my stubborn nature.
I am having an MRI on my pelvis on 15th Nov as a recent endoscopy showed a stricture in the small intestine. Gastro is talking about resection once he sees how bad it is. I have never had any of my bowels resected, just a laparatomy for diagnosis as colonoscopy was not available in England in 1970. Can't say I am looking forward to the surgery, if I need it, but gastro said if the stricture gets too narrow for food to pass through, it will burst, with fatal consequences.   I am currently doing well on self injected methotrexate, 12.5 mg weekly.  Just have the normal morning session of diarrhea then okay the rest of the day. What are you taking, and how are you doing?
regards,
Liz.

[jennifer6norwood]

Hey there
I think I just read my symptoms, crazy ey?  Today I read where psoriasis and Crohn's can be related.  I am a borderline Crohn's patient with psoriasis and severe arthritis in my hip and pelvic area, causing night pain; excrutiating pain in the groin, pelvic & hip area.  Have to flop over in bed because it hurts for the mattress to touch that side.  Also, with having DDD, do you think that nerve entrapment could be causing this or just arthritis?  If it is just arthritis, I should be in a wheelchair by the time I'm 50 because it's gotten so much worse over the last 4-5 years.

[lizziecee]

Hi Jennifer - I also have psoriasis - from what I have learned these past years, most patients with Crohn's do get psoriasis. The methotrexate I take for Crohn's also helps to keep the psoriasis under control. I don't know what DDD is - can you enlighten me? Are you taking any medication for the arthritis? I have found the pain has eased a lot since taking Alendronic Acid and Calcichew/Vit D.
Liz.

[silkysmom]

I have Crohn's as well - had an ileostomy on 2/2/88 - my osteoarthritis has been developing for 15 years or so - all the fingers of my left hand are somewhat deformed from it.  So far 2 fingers of my right hand have the arthritis deformity.  Today I was diagnosed with GOUT of all things - it formed in the first joint of the middle finger of my right hand (hurts to be typing this).  I'm back on prednisone for 5 days and Aleve.  That's why I'm writing about your arthritis - aleve or the generic sold by Wal Mart as Equate - has been great for my arthritis over the years.  Highlyl recommend it for inflammation reduction (and it doesn't hurt the stomach).  An MD in CA told me I should use it as often as I needed it (this is after it no longer needed a prescription to get) until the calcium deposits were finalized in my joints.  He was right.  Certainly not happy to hear my future may include psoriasis.  I also have COPD and can look forward to perhaps not being able to feel my extremities at some point.  Good for dealing with the stoma (NOT!)  smile

[marylaub1]

I have been having symptoms of crohn or possible lupus. I have tests tomorrow. That is brought me to this web site. My dear i was 41 when i had a heart attack, i was in a wheel chair for several months.By the grace of our good lord i am able to move about now (46). I will pray for you.

[lizziecee]

Hi all - well, had a 4 hr session at the hospital yesterday, initially with my bc surgeon for some complications in the breast where I had bc - he said it is long term effects from radiotherapy. Had a mammo and ultrasound and the radiologist agreed. Wish they had told me of these long term effects before. Thankfully, no new tumours found.

Surprisingly, he has now referred me to a Professor of Endocrinology - complex "multi factorial problems" as he put it. With being on steroids for Crohn's some 30+ years, and now on Arimidex for breast cancer, my bone density has been seriously depleted. Because my bc had spread to my lymph nodes he wants me to stay on Arimidex, but he, and I , know it does not protect the bones like tamoxifen does, but has a better survival from recurrence. A catch 22 he told me.

I have been taking alendronic acid (bisphosphonate) for a year now, with Calchichew/Vit D, but my bone density is getting less. Initially due to Crohn's/steroids but excaberbated now by Arimidex.   There is a new drug called Zoledronic Acid, which is given as a yearly infusion in the hospital( as opposed to the weekly tablet I take) which has shown a 30% better prognosis against fractures. I had two spontaneous fractures in both feet last year and was in a wheelchair for a month and on crutches for another month. I don't want to go through that again. Hopefully this endocrinologist can sort out proper medication to sort out the bone loss without compromising my breast cancer situation. I do live in hope, live positively, what will be will, but know I have to be proactive with my health problems.

Sylks.. I have the same problems as you with my hands... haven't really talked to any of my doctors, because it is not their speciality and we have socialised medicine in England.  The middle finger of my right hand is so deformed now I hardly dare look at it, the index finger is going the same way. My left hand has the same problem with the middle finger, bent like the right one. Sometimes I can just be sitting down and the pain is unbearable or it can even wake me up in the night. I take some 5 drugs a day for Crohn's and breast cancer, and self inject chemo (methotrexate once weekly) so don't want to add any more drugs to my system. I can live with the pain rather than more side effects from other drugs.

That's it for me tonight - very relieved not to have had a bc recurrence, but now have to face a resection of my small intestine. My gastro rang last week, said my recent MRI showed two strictures...he is waiting for the radiologist's report before we discuss resection surgery.

Hey ho - still got a smile on my face when I wake up in the morning and not 6 ft underground. I just love life and although being positive will not cure me of either disease, sure does make living each day more joyous. My doctors say they don't know why I am so positive - but there really is no alternative is there?
Liz.

[lizziecee]

Hi all - well, had a 4 hr session at the hospital yesterday, initially with my bc surgeon for some complications in the breast where I had bc - he said it is long term effects from radiotherapy. Had a mammo and ultrasound and the radiologist agreed. Wish they had told me of these long term effects before. Thankfully, no new tumours found.

Surprisingly, he has now referred me to a Professor of Endocrinology - complex "multi factorial problems" as he put it. With being on steroids for Crohn's some 30+ years, and now on Arimidex for breast cancer, my bone density has been seriously depleted. Because my bc had spread to my lymph nodes he wants me to stay on Arimidex, but he, and I , know it does not protect the bones like tamoxifen does, but has a better survival from recurrence. A catch 22 he told me.

I have been taking alendronic acid (bisphosphonate) for a year now, with Calchichew/Vit D, but my bone density is getting less. Initially due to Crohn's/steroids but excaberbated now by Arimidex.   There is a new drug called Zoledronic Acid, which is given as a yearly infusion in the hospital( as opposed to the weekly tablet I take) which has shown a 30% better prognosis against fractures. I had two spontaneous fractures in both feet last year and was in a wheelchair for a month and on crutches for another month. I don't want to go through that again. Hopefully this endocrinologist can sort out proper medication to sort out the bone loss without compromising my breast cancer situation. I do live in hope, live positively, what will be will, but know I have to be proactive with my health problems.

Sylks.. I have the same problems as you with my hands... haven't really talked to any of my doctors, because it is not their speciality and we have socialised medicine in England.  The middle finger of my right hand is so deformed now I hardly dare look at it, the index finger is going the same way. My left hand has the same problem with the middle finger, bent like the right one. Sometimes I can just be sitting down and the pain is unbearable or it can even wake me up in the night. I take some 5 drugs a day for Crohn's and breast cancer, and self inject chemo (methotrexate once weekly) so don't want to add any more drugs to my system. I can live with the pain rather than more side effects from other drugs.

That's it for me tonight - very relieved not to have had a bc recurrence, but now have to face a resection of my small intestine. My gastro rang last week, said my recent MRI showed two strictures...he is waiting for the radiologist's report before we discuss resection surgery.

Hey ho - still got a smile on my face when I wake up in the morning and not 6 ft underground. I just love life and although being positive will not cure me of either disease, sure does make living each day more joyous. My doctors say they don't know why I am so positive - but there really is no alternative is there?
Liz.

[UncontrolledSarcasm]

Hi. I only found this site a few days ago. I have had Crohn's for just over 10 years. Recently have been dealing with the whole joint pain thing. I have arthritis in my knees. My GI told me NOt to take Aleve. I was having great results with it. He said it was one of the worse things I could take with having Crohn's. Took his word for it, stopped taking it and now just deal with he pain. I am literally sitting here with my mouth hanging open. You take this and your doc says there is no problem with it. Again....I am in the position of not knowing which way to go. As if this disease isn't enough of a roller coaster ride. Is my doc an idiot now too? Help! What do you and your doc know that I am suffering through this pain for not knowing!