So confused. Please read.

[hobbes602b]

Any info would be highly appreciated.

My wife has been experiencing some dramatic pain and stiffness is several joints for a few months now. We've seen the rheumatoligist, had all the blood tests, liver ultrasounds ... the works. Everything was clean except markers for inflammation. He finally told us that we should consider a gastroenterologist, though we're not sure why. He didn't have any idea what it is that is causing this.

What would possible links be from her joint pain and stiffness to gastro-related issues? I know her brother has Chrones (though she has no symptoms even somewhat related to it)

If anyone can help by drawing some lines to how the joint issues could be related to gastro problems, please share.

Thanks so much.

[cinc44]

Sorry. I am new to this site and thought I posted something earlier, and was following it up to clarify a few things. I saw my original post had not sent. The bottom line point, that I originally was trying to make, was that I feel horrible for all of you on this site. I am sorry you can not get any real help! I suggested you go to Drs. Blaylock or Brownstein's sites and see how you might get some real help; and not just be given the "pill of the week". Because, your Doc(s) cannot figure it out and some drug rep has told the Dr. of the "new drug " for this or that. These Drs. are docs now,  and used to be mainstream docs. They learned over the years there are other, better answers. Natural supplements, nutrition, etc.-so many other things you can do. I hope this points you in a better direction! I know you are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Praying you get help. cinc

[cinc44]

Wanted to clarify-Drs. Blaylock (MS) and Brownstein (MI) are still doctors. They are not your mainstream doctors now, though. They just think outside of the box; they learned over the years that mainstream medicine is not what is getting people well or helping them to live quality lives. They are about finding the real, core, REASONS and treating those, not the superficial "bag of symptoms". I am so sick and tired of reading posts of people like you all who are not getting any real help and you are being told at every turn, "just take this pill". I am praying you all get real help! Sincerely, cinc

[hobbes602b]

Hi again. I reviewed her blood work from a few weeks ago, and they DID test for HepC, but it came back negative. That said, we're going to visit the gastro doc to find out what else could be causing this. When a rheumatoligist has no idea why your joints hurt, ya get nervous you know?

I'll keep the thread open by asking if anyone knows of any other gastro-linked situations that could cause such severe joint stiffness.

Thanks to all.

[Bobdwilliams]

Lola, did you post that your Hep C came back after it showed clear for what... ... 52 weeks? That is what I just found out about mine ....bummer....are you going to go for the next year of shot & pills? I don't know if I'm going there yet.....I have shocked myself about my Hep C...I don't know ANYTHING at all about it. It seems (in time) I'll end up sounding like a Doctor (like everyone else here, eh?) Have you anything on Milk Thistle? Have you ever hear of Teleprevir? What is Vertex? I was on Interferon 148 mg I think it was & Rebetol. I thought it would be over after 52 weeks. I waited 8 months then went in for blood-work. ****-o-la! I believe my Doc said the count was 80,000. I don't even know what to ask her! People speak abot their counts ect. What count should I be looking at/for? Neutrophils? Bands %? Monocytes? RBC'S? What is that, how do I get more info on this? Anyone know the BEST site to check? Is this the best site to be on?
Thanks, Bob

[lola57]

P.S. I go to a gastro doc for my hepitis c

[lola57]

P.S. I go to a gastro doc for my hepitis c

[lola57]

Just a suggestion have her doc do a simple test for hepititis c I do have this and the first symptom I had was joint pain and I now lots of digestive problems form hiatel hernia, diverticular disease, gastritis and ulcers hepitis c can go on for years with no symptems may be something besides this but it doesnt hurt to ask your doc hepititis will not show up on routine blood work and a liver ultrasound will not necisarly show liver damage again just a suggestion. Good luck
lola

[RaeJR]

Hi, I have no idea if this could help but several years ago almost overnight I started having extreme joint pain in my ankles, knees and a couple of my fingers.  I had fluid around the joints and the pain was like someone was stabbing me. I could hardly walk because the pain was so great. I was only 28 at the time.   All my bloodwork came up negative for any arthritis.  We  finally figured out that I was having a reaction to the anti-inflamatory med's that I was taking.   I stopped taking any ANSIDS, including advil and asprin, and after 2 months of pain I was better within days.  To this day I will not take anything expect tylenol and have never had a problem again.  - Just a thought...

[hobbes602b]

Aces, deb643. I'll look into it with her when we visit the doc. MUCH APPRECIATED.

[Deb643]

Hi I have celiac spruce and it can affect your joints with pain.  Celiac is a gluten allergy, which is wheat, oats, barley, and malt. A gastro would be able to do blood work and a endoscopy.  Other side affects are tried all the time, weakness in hands, feet, constipation.  Go to celiac.com for info you will be surprised 1 out of every 130 people have it.

deb643

[hobbes602b]

CalGal ... thanks so much for the response. The idea of the two being linked was so strange to me, but this is starting to make sense now. I truly appreciate your comments. We'll certainly set her up with the doc and get things moving.

THANKS AGAIN.

[CalGal]

Since her bother has Crohn's and she appears to have no overt symptoms, it might be a good idea to check with a gastro person. I believe the doc may have suggested it because he did find elevated markers for inflammation, such as can be found in IBDs. I know you said she has no symptoms, but many who are finally diagnosed with Crohn's can go for a number of years with 'vague' symptoms that baffle the docs. Since your wife is experiencing joint pain - which can be found in those with Crohn's it would be a good idea to double check what is going on. Joint issues in Crohn's begin when the factors that are being put out in that disease begin to attack the joints.

There is a fairly decent test called the Serology 7 that may give you some indication if there are any markers for either Crohn's or U.C.

You may also want to check out the possibility of celiac issues. The blood test for that isn't great in my opinion. A number of those with Crohn's also have problems with gluten and celiac's can also have joint issues in addition to other rather 'vague' problems.