Aches and pains

[seebee]

I was wondering what I can blame my aches on - the general CD or the meds. I have been on Pentasa and Azathioprine (50 mg) for the past two months. Two weeks ago, I developed joint pain in both ankles and my right knee. On Saturday, I started having back pain that hasn't left yet. So what do you think it is - the Crohn's or the meds?

 

[Adeveney1]

Hello, I am having the same issue. I'm not currently on any medication for CD in particular, but my ankles and feet are swollen and hurt. My lower back is killing me. So maybe its not the medication your on... Maybe it's prt of CD. I feel for you.

 

[Z_Ghost]

I have had lower back pain a few times that makes it hard to get up, after I go poo 3 or 4 times all the pain goes away.
My knees have hurt a lot the last few years too, makes it hard to go for long walks.
So far the Humira seems to have fixed all that.

 

[keysk]

I was diagnosed last year with Crohn's and then developed severe pain. Was referred to a rheumatologist and about 25% of people with Crohn's develop auto-immune arthritis and if you do a search on here for "arthritis" you will see that there are many different posts regarding it. I would suggest you see your doctor and get a referral to a rheumatologist to ensure that it is not arthritis. I am on Pred, Enbrel, Arava...and still no relief from the arthritis. I hope you get sue answers - but definitely read the posts on here or do a search on google of crohn's/arthritis.

Good luck

 

[chatteegrl]

I am on the Azathioprine too. I have aches and pains all the time in my back and legs. So I think it is the CD not the meds. I have found that trying to exercise or walk does help alot with the aches and the pains.

 

[seebee]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
keysk - I'll look into the arthritis factor. I never thought that I would think about arthritis at 24 but hey, this is crohns

 

[keysk]

Yes, everyone sees arthritis as an elderly thing - but that's osteoarthritis - which is wear and tear from old age. Auto-immune arthritis, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, is caused by the immune system. I hope it's not that, and it just comes down to aches and pains - but it's important to check it out just in case. Let me know how you go.

 

[SkinnyNinny]

I was wondering what I can blame my aches on - the general CD or the meds. I have been on Pentasa and Azathioprine (50 mg) for the past two months. Two weeks ago, I developed joint pain in both ankles and my right knee. On Saturday, I started having back pain that hasn't left yet. So what do you think it is - the Crohn's or the meds?

Am pretty sure that what you are feeling in the joints is a side effect of Azathioprine. I had the same thing before I stopped using it. I used to wake up in the middle of the night and have to stretch the tightness out of my joints, ankles mainly, but up to the knees, felt kind of like very tight muscles/joints.

 

[seebee]

keysk - The rheumy doesn't want to see me until I have pain for over a month so I got an appt my an ortheopedic for basic x-rays and to hear his opinion for tomorrow.

skinnyninny - How long did you have the aches before you went off the azathioprine?

 

[SkinnyNinny]

My mistake, it was some other drug I was taking, not azathioprine, that caused the joint pain. Azathioprine made my skin very sensitive to light, which made me stop taking it. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[keysk]

Glad to hear you're on the right track. would love to hear what the orthopaedic says. I really hope it's something that can be fixed quite easily. Also, are you on Prednisone? That too can cause joint pain when on it long term?

 

[Ckt]

When I first flew home from Africa with suspected crohns,my left hip was killing me!it came out of the blue with the gi symptoms. I awoke out of a deep sleep one night dreaming someone had shot me in my hip!
I have had painful hands and fingers,ankles too with some swelling. That's when a rheumy diagnosed crohns arthritis.
I just got back from another rheum visit and my joints are good right now. No swelling,minimal pain. I'm having a ton of gi symptoms though so go figure!
Yes,IMHO,crohns can certainly be the root of joint pain.she thinks I also have oa as well because my parents have it. Having said that, I am the only member of my family with crohns or an IBD. My oldest brother and mother do have ibs and I wonder if it's just undiagnosed idk..my dad has pernicious anemia,another auto immune disoeder(he has had no intestinal surgeries)..my body must have taken bits and pieces from all the weak genes in my fam to make me!!LOL!!

 

[seebee]

Here's an update on my visit to the orthopedic.
He took x-rays of knee and ankles. He said ankles don't show anything though he did see and feel the inflammation which he says is from the Crohn's. I agree with that since my ankles have been swollen for as long as I can remember. As for my knee, based on the x-ray, my kneecap is a bit misshapen and something I did recently (it would help to know what) must have aggravated it to cause the pain. He wants me to do some knee exercises and wear a knee brace for a few hours a day to ease the pain.

I was happy to hear that it wasn't medication based since my current regimen is working.

keysk - I have never been on prednisone. My GI is trying to keep me off steroids.