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Crohn’s and arthritis

Posted , 4 users are following.

penelope8817
penelope8817

hi everyone does anyone have any advice or joint pain? I've just come off prednisolone and I'm now 4 weeks into azathiaprine. I'm still getting joint pain in my knees and hips. I'm worried I'm getting arthritis - does anyone have any experience or advice? Is it worth me seeing a rheumatologist?

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • lorraine77933
    lorraine77933 penelope8817

    Posted

    Hi Penelope

    I have had Crohns for over 16 years now. I controlled my symptoms for over 12 years with medication, one of which was azathiaprine. Over the years I had relied on the occasional use of prednisolone when my sysmptoms flared up.

    My Crohns has become extremely unpredicatable in the last 4 years, as my consultant decided in his wisdom to take me off all medication. Long story short, worst decision ever and I really wish I had stood up to him and refused to let him do so.

    In the last 12 months I have also suffered with severe joint pain, and have now been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis linked to crohns. I had no idea that this was even a possibility, but it can be a side effect to crohns disease.

    If you believe that your joint pain could in anyway be arthritis, I would recommend speaking to either your consultant or your GP? if caught early enough your symptoms can be treated before it becomes extremely painful.

    I hope this helps you.

    Lorraine

    • penelope8817
      penelope8817 lorraine77933

      Posted

      Thats really helpful thank you! Is there anything that can be done to prevent arthritis?

  • greg80227
    greg80227 penelope8817

    Posted

    Hello, Penelope

    I have Chron's and have heard of arthritis being a condition of this disease, I don't know if it's related but, I noticed my knee started popping when I walk, December 23rd , I have to talk to my doc about it next month. Good luck to you.

  • Gloria814
    Gloria814 penelope8817

    Posted

    Definitely speak to your doc, I have crohn's and RA I do have a gastroent. and a rheum doctor I am going to restart biologic drug Cimzia again.It treats both of these autoimmune conditions.But you definitely should get a definite diagnosis and treatment started .I notice if my Crohn's is flaring then the joint issues become worse

    Best of luck

    • penelope8817
      penelope8817 Gloria814

      Posted

      So they can diagnose if you have arthritis as well? Is there anything they can do to prevent it becoming a serious problem?

    • Gloria814
      Gloria814 penelope8817

      Posted

      yes RA can be diagnosed but generally you need a specialist to treat and it is to be treated early to prevent joint damage. Several blood tests are used, plus the examination of your joints and with me--MRI confirmed it --along with xrays which showed bone erosions but MRI is more of a complete pic.

      I live in the US so I am referred to specialists by my GP for both conditions-a different doc for ea. but they do consult and work together.

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