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UC Joint pain follow up!!

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Bexcd111
Bexcd111

Hello again,

In regards to my previous discussion about joint pain with ulcerative colitis I spoke with the IBD nurse and she said no it's not connected! Well it is connected as its all over the web on every medical site so why did she say this? My lower back permanently aches apart from when I'm relaxed or using a hot water bottle or in the bath... does this mean it's muscular or something? I'm getting quite upset and annoyed now as even my Dr said he doesn't know!

Sometimes I have an ache in my shin, arm, hand, foot, hip also. Does this mean I'm in a mild flare as I have no other symptoms, maybe slight constipation but never blood, Or can joint pain just occur due to the disease itself? I am taking Pentasa 2g a day, maybe I need another drug instead? Thank you x

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Fluffe
    Fluffe Bexcd111

    Posted

    Hi... I think I managed to missed your first posting but I understand your frustration!!!!    I won't even speak with my IBD nurse now and my hubby has to as every time I contacted her, she always 'poopooed' what I had to say and dismissed everything as not being connected. She even dismissed what I had to say when I was reacting to octassa and I just suffered in silence until it got really really bad. It was only after speaking to the specialist about the issues directly that things started to move in the right direction. He is marvelous!!!  

    I had pins and needle pains shooting up my arm when I was flaring, pains under my feet - my back made me feel like a hundred when I tried to move and even pains in my ribs not withstanding the other aches and pains.  And the pads by my thumbs I hadnt even realised was swollen!!  Yes.. I too believe they're connected.  I'm on azathirprine for both the colitis and now the rheumatoid and the slight increase in doseage has helped most of the issues as you can have both forms of arthritis.  I still get some aches and pains but I feel so much better and can get off the couch without wincing! From my experience, don't let them prescribe a NSAID like Arcoxia - that actually made my colitis worse!!!!

    I know we're all different.. what works wonders for some, doesn't for others.  I can't tolerate what some can on this forum and some can't tolerate what I can.  I'd ask your GP or your specialist (maybe by writing a letter to him/her??) for a referral to the Rhemuatologist for further investigations and a possible solution even if it's trial and error.  I am also able to use Ibuleve on the arthritic joints and that helps too for the just 'old age-y' feeling bits and that too helps and hasn't caused an issue with my colitis!

    Take care 

  • louisep
    louisep Bexcd111

    Posted

    Hi Bexcd111

    I just wanted to reply to your comment about your joint pains you are experiencing. I too suffer with UC and I am now in remission from all the bleeding etc since Septembet after being on azathioprine for the last 14 months. However since starting this medication I have suffered more and more with joint pains and muscle aches. It started causing me really bad lower back pain especially at night when I would wake in excruciating pain in my back hips and pain in my legs. I went to my GP and I am now also taking amyltriptaline for my back. Then about 6 weeks ago I developed pain in my wrist and also pain in my shoulders. I assumed it was either the azathioprine or the UC that was causing me all this pain. I feel about 90 most mornings and evenings when the pain is worst!

    I've just gone back to my GP and discussed my ongoing problems and have now had my 1st appointment with a physiotherapist. I am prepared to try anything to alleviate my symptoms so I'm hopeful this might work. If it doesn't, then I might have to consider stopping the azathioprine, but it's frustrating when there's no real acceptance by the medical experts that having UC can also cause joint pain. Surely it can't just be all coincidence?

    Good luck with getting yourself sorted out with the pain you have. And go back to your GP and discuss any further help they can offer you.

  • Bexcd111
    Bexcd111

    Posted

    Thank you both for your replies. Back pain seems to have stopped but I will still see my dr on Friday and go from there, take care.
    • louisep
      louisep Bexcd111

      Posted

      Good luck with your GP. Hope you get the results you need to sort your back pain successfully.
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