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Does anyone have good ways of treating back and joint pain?

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Posted 9/17/2007 3:43 AM (GMT -7)
I have just recently finshed taking pred, for what was almost 1 1/2 years on and off. Finally the Azathioprine i am taking is keeping me in remission and have enjoyed at least 2 months of symptom free living. That is exept for the occasional urgency, but not very often.

As pleased as i am, i am now suffering from back and joint pains. Because i cant take any pain killers i m finding it hard to get rid of the annoying aches and pains. Does anyone have good ways of helping get rid of the pains, or have found that they have similar joint pains and can take vitamins to help.

Any replies would be really appriciated.

Ant
Posted 9/17/2007 4:17 AM (GMT -7)
Can you take Tylonel at all? Usually when my back or joints start acting up I take Tylonel, use a heating pad, or sometimes otc joint creams such as Joint-ritis (non smelly). It doesn't take all the pain away but it makes it bearable. If the joint pains continue or get more severe, you might want to see your doc. Have you ever been tested for RA?
Posted 9/17/2007 4:26 AM (GMT -7)
Um not sure what Tylonel is. The pain is more when stretching and movement, leaning over and picking things up makes the backs of my legs and back hurt. I am just 30 years old, but begining to feel alot older, kinda like fatigue pains, but i shouldn't be!! Have not been tested for RA, but my girlfriend keeps bugging me about seeing a Dr about it. Guess i am fed up with the amount of time I have spent in and out of various different waiting rooms that i get a bit fed up with it!!
Posted 9/17/2007 5:19 AM (GMT -7)
Tylonel is acetaminophen. Are you in the states? If not, I don't know what the equivalent is overseas. But it's basically a pain reliever that is safe for IBD'ers to take. And boy do I know all about the waiting room shuffle! I get fed up with it too and I have a tendancy of not going to the doc when things pop up and then I pay for it in the long run because I let it go for too long. I so hate going to the doctors! But if you were to go to the docs and get tested for RA, they have a drug that is similiar to Imuran that also helps with RA. It's called Humira. Are you able to take sulfa at all? I know some people that have severe joint pain or arthritis use Sulfasalazine in conjuction with their other meds to help control their joint pain.
Posted 9/17/2007 6:21 AM (GMT -7)
I am in London, so dont think we have Tylonel here. I guess it makes sense to go and get tested, justs feels like even more to think about on top of the UC. Is it a very difficult test for RA?
Posted 9/17/2007 6:29 AM (GMT -7)
I believe that it's a simple blood test for RA and maybe some xrays. I'm not sure. I get my blood tested regularly for RA (and other issues) because of my Uc. Luckily it's always came back negative. Of course, your joint pain can be just your body becoming accustomed to being off the steroid too. If thats the case, it may take a little while for that to let up.
Posted 9/17/2007 6:40 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks fot you help, i think i will get an appointmet and head for a check up. It could be the fact that i was on steroids for so long and now I am free of them my body is getting back to normal, or as normal as it could be!
Posted 9/17/2007 7:18 AM (GMT -7)
I find that regular theraputic massage helps as well. From prednisone use and the UC, I get VERY tense muscles. The massage helps loosen things up - at least for a little while.
Posted 9/17/2007 11:35 AM (GMT -7)
Some natural anti-inflammatories may do the trick. One of my big issues with UC was always joint pain. I started taking Turmeric Extract supplements and Fish Oil supplements over the last 3 months and my joint pain has definitely subsided. I would say it has eased the pain 90%. Below are links to the two I use. Quercetin may also be worth a look.

http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Turmeric-Extract-Curcumin-C3-Complex-with-Bioperine

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11071265&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1
Posted 9/17/2007 12:19 PM (GMT -7)
Hi,

I use accupucture a lot for for spondylitis, which is the arthritis of spine, hips, and chest. It works pretty well on me. This way I don't have to take so many nsaids--which aggravated UC. Also, Tylenol helps to. Best thing is to see a doctor first for any possible diagnosis.
Posted 9/18/2007 8:33 AM (GMT -7)
If you are in the UK Tylenol is just Paracetamol.

Tylenol = Acetaminophen = Paracetamol
Too much at once, or with alcohol, can cause liver problems. It is safe, but not to be used long term. I use it when I need it, but I don't have joint pain every day. I didn't know what my pains were for years before I was diagnosed, so I took Ibuprofen instead. It did wonders so far as allowing me to get to sleep. Little did I realize what a big mistake that was for my colon.

Brent
Lialda, Fish oil, Inulin
Posted 9/21/2007 1:02 AM (GMT -7)
Bump
Posted 9/21/2007 3:59 AM (GMT -7)
Thank you Coalfire.
Posted 9/21/2007 7:21 AM (GMT -7)
I must say stretching and exercise and eating healthy works for me. I am coming of prednisone (down to 5mg per day after being on forever) and experience horrible back and spine pain. I was going out of my mind b/c every little move I made hurt bad, but I warmed up, did a little stretching and played basketball for 2 hours and paid for it that night with worse back pain, but the next day I felt back to normal. I also believe in exercising b/c my whole life i have had knee and hip pain, but when I started walking up the 7 flights of stairs to my office everyday my lower body has gotten stronger and I hardly ever have leg or hip pains which is amazing b/c I would limp around sometimes and I am only in my 20's.
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