Joint pain

First off:
I have had three GIs since being diagnosed. One of them told me that I "must have developed arthritis not related to my UC and that a referral to a rheumatologist" was needed. The other two GIs have since told me that that assessment is a load of....horse hockey. Joint pain is a symptom of UC in many patients and can often be more painful and deabilitating (sp?) than the BMs.

My joint pains always precede major flares and sometimes persist (to a lesser degree) throughout the steroid courses. I remember nights of lying in bed writhing in pain with my knees and ankles swollen to the size of grapefruits and being purple in color. To this day, it is the worst pain I have ever experienced.

What worked for me:
My first GI put me on an Aleve regiment because it was the only OTC med that helped, but don't start one yourself without consulting your GI since NSAIDs can make intestinal bleeding worse. If my UC meds put me into remission, then I usually don't experience the joint pain.


Hope you find something that works! Don't give up on it!

---

James

21 yrs old, diagnosed severe ulcerative pancolitis 2 Mar 2007
Hospitalized 27 Apr-5 May 2007; 16 Jun-22 Jun 2008
Asacol (mesalamine) 400 mg x 12 daily
Remicade <--first infusion on 3 May 2007
Imuran (azathioprine) 50 mg x 4 daily
Iron, Vit C, Vit D, Zinc, and seemingly always on Flagyl
Eating fruits and vegetables like there is no tomorrow...

Im not even sure if it is joint pain to be honest. The pain stays in my back. It started just in my lower back and sides when I went into the hospital in January. Now it radiates to my upper back. It is hard to walk half the time. It is a throbbing and sharp pain. My doctor put my on oxycodone for the pain but I cannot take it all the time b/c it puts me to sleep. Regular pain meds do not even touch the pain. When I get home from work Im on heating pads all night. Could this back pain be considered joint pain? That's the only thing that makes me wonder if its not related to UC because it is in my back. Im trying to get advice from people Im around b/c I really do not want to revisit the doctor again. I have been on prednisone since January. I dont know if that has anything to do with it too.

Joint pain can really be bad and make you miserable.  I have knee, back elbow and toe pains.  Along with neck pain.  I went to a rheumatologist a few years ago and he diagnosed me with migratory arthritis from UC.  He put me on a very low dose of prednisne which did help.  I just don't want to have to go thru life on it.  I haven't been back to him but I do tell my GI about it.  Just one of the perks with IBD.  I hope you feel better soon. 

Stacy