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Arthritis as my main symptom right now

So I have been out of remission for 5 hrs. Have tried Remicade, Humira and
Cimzia. Do best when also taking Entocort, unfortunately these mess have not
pushed me over the edge into remission and the dr said I can't be on the steroid forever. I get it. Personally I think I need a second medication to bump me over. So right now I am not on anything.


Is it possible joint pain and swelling etc, be how my flare is rearing its ugly
head? Still some abdominal symptoms, but right now it's my fingers, knee,
Lower back and feet that are really hurting. I am sure working retail is not
helping.

Any advice welcome. Very overwhelmed right now.


Thanks

Lauren
 
I experience similar symptoms. At times I know I'm in a flare because my knees start to give me problems. Have you tried a biologic paired up with imuran?
 
My Dr dosent want to add anything else.

So I am now off meds altogether. Not great but, when I end up in the hospital again
I guess we will get serious about remission.

How did you get your Dr to use more than one medication?


Lauren
 

my little penguin

Moderator
Staff member
There is such a thing a Spondyloarthritis
Basically the joints especially lower joints and low back ( SI joints) flare when the Gi tract flares.
It happens a lot with Ibd
Other cases ( rare) as in my kiddo the joints flare independent of the gut inflammation.
He has Juvenile spondyloarthritis in his hands, wrists and knees ( probably SI joint as well)
He currently takes humira/Mtx even though his crohns has mild /moderate inflammation on biopsies but not ulcers etc....
A rheumotologist who is familiar woth SpA would be first on the list of docs to see


Enteropathic Arthritis: Quick Links
Overview >>>
Symptoms >>>
Diagnosis >>>
Treatment >>>
Medication >>>
Doctor Q&A From Spondylitis Plus >>>
ENTEROPATHIC ARTHRITIS
Overview
Enteropathic (en-ter-o-path-ic) arthritis is a form of chronic, inflammatory arthritis associated with the occurrence of an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the two best-known types of which are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. About one in five people with Crohn's or ulcerative colitis will develop enteropathic arthritis.
The most common areas affected by enteropathic arthritis are inflammation of the peripheral (limb) joints, as well as the abdominal pain and possibly bloody diarrhea associated with the IBD component of the disease. In some cases, the entire spine can become involved as well.
From
http://www.spondylitis.org/about/ibd.aspx


Hope that helps
 
I don't know why I haven't read about this on my own before!
I have heard about it but I have soo many of the symptoms.

Thank you so much for the link


Lauren
 
I have enteropathic arthritis and my back and joint pain causes me much more problems than the Crohn's. I'd look for a Dr. that is aggressive in treating the arthritis because I can tell you from experience that it is no fun going years with insufficient treatment. I'm still looking for the right combination to keep it at bay.
 
I am glad you saw this post and answered. I have not been on lately- my husband died 3 months ago and just trying to figure stuff out.

I saw my GP today and he has me back on Prednisone. I am no longer on Remicade because I lost my ins when my husband died. The year my husband had cancer I was in the hospital with pancreatitis. My balance at my GIs office is $480. They will not even let the nurse return my call until my balance is paid off. Basically holding my medical care hostage. I have never carried a balance there.

So basically I have some inflammatory erosive osteoarthritis, its autoimmune. Its painful all the time and the fatigue is worse than I have with my GI symptoms. Very frustrated!!


Lauren
 
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