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?
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
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.
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
Thats really helpful thank you! Is there anything that can be done to prevent arthritis?
Thank you, and to you!
So they can diagnose if you have arthritis as well? Is there anything they can do to prevent it becoming a serious problem?
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.
thats great thanks for your advice!