Bad Feet-Any link to the Crohn's?

[Runninglady]

Hi,

I hope that someone can help....My little girl has been complaining on and off for the past couple of months that her feet are hurting her but over the past week its been several times daily and hates anything on her feet. I have bought 3 new pairs of shoes for her but still complains of pain and will take her shoes and socks off as fast as she can when I'm not looking- even in shops!

Is this Crohn's related? Does anyone else have this problem?

Thank you for any replies. X

 

[AndiGirl]

Hi. I don't know if bad feet are part of the symptoms of CD. From my own experience, I have had many problems with my feet and my toenails. My toenails are ugly and discolored. I've been on medication for that. I have only the middle portion of my left great toenail. That nail became ingrown so many times. My general doctor removed the nail twice. Finally, after even more ingrown problems, my doctor referred me to a podiatrist. The podiatrist killed the nail matrix on the sides of the nail. What an ordeal! I think my discolored nails may also be due to vitamin def. from my CD. I inherited my mother's bunions, so I also get a lot of pain with them. Interestingly, the pain usually happens when I flare-up.

My brother who also has CD has had problems with ingrown toenails as well. He had the permanent procedure on both great toenails. I'm sure that CD affects people in areas that they are most vulnerable.

 

[Runninglady]

Thank you Andi for your reply. Your poor feet have had a hard time of it.

I just find it scary that Crohns can affect so many other parts of the body and not just the obvious!

One of my girls toenails is discoloured too, but doesnt complain of any pain there just underneath the foot.

 

[Dexky]

Is she OK after she removes the shoes and socks? I've never heard of a child with it but gout comes to mind.

 

[AZMOM]

This might be a crazy question but has anyone checked her toe and ankle joints for inflammation? My daughter's foot pain (age 4) was arthritis related. Just a thought...... There can be Crohn's related arthritis and there can also be arthritis independent of the Crohn's disease. And last but not least, she might just be a barefoot girl after my own heart. It is worth asking the question though!!

Hugs,

J.

 

[MomofIBD's]

Daniel has complained of foot pain in the past also. We found that when he was on Flagyl it was worse. With tingling & pain. Julie is right my oldest son & his wife both complain of pain & achyness all over. Especially my DIL who is having major issues with her UC. Not sure if it's her meds that has induced it or that they are not working anymore. Or maybe that it is a separate problem all together. What ever is causing it I know it slows them down & really hurts! I am sorry your little girl is hurting in yet another area!

 

[AndiGirl]

These are all good insights. Crohn's Disease seems to be very systemic in nature, so I'm beginning to think that any part of the body is fair game. There was another thing that has come to my mind, though I think your daughter is a little young for this. When I was in college, I developed plantar fascitis (heel spurs). For about a month, it felt as though I was walking on a knife blade in my heels. This happened to occur during my student teaching. I found that flip-flops and Birkenstocks were the only shoes friendly to my feet during that painful episode. After the heel spurs grew in, I quit having the pains in my heels. One month of sharp pain was truly enough.

 

[Runninglady]

Hi, well it's a bit better when the socks and shoes are removed but the pain does seem to be constant!

Any other symptoms for gout? Or just foot pain?

Thank you.

 

[Runninglady]

Her little feet don't seem to be inflamed or any redness but I suppose that doesn't mean that there isn't another issue there!

She has been taking Sulf for the last month and thinking maybe that has made it worse or just flared up any foot pain she did have?

She had some bloods done yesterday- wait nd see if they show anything.I really hope that it is her meds and nothing else!

Thank you all for your replies.

 

[beth]

Crohn's related arthritis, or juvenile arthritis, stress fractures of the feet as a long shot...

 

[Dexky]

I don't know much about gout other than the problems a work mate has with it. Here is a description on WebMD:

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/gout-symptoms

 

[dodie]

Hi, my husband had awful trouble with his feet before he was diagnosed with crohns, he could barely walk sometimes. We now know that it was the crohns as can get joint pain with it. Once he started his meds he improved so much and to this day he has had no more probs. Our son also has recently been diagnosed but thankfully has no severe symptoms. I hope your daughter is doing good now. xx

 

[hopeforson]

Hi, my 16 year old son was diagnosed Sept. 09. One of his most difficult symptoms was extreme cramping and pain in feet. It brought him to tears. It wasn't until he was solidly on medication that he got relief from it. I do believe it is Crohn's induced arthritis. We have noticed since then that when he had to go off of 6mp for a certain time to get it out of his system before he tried Humira, the cramping and pain came back. So yes, just another part of this lovely disease.
Take care and God bless!

 

[Ktomakin]

I hope you got some answers with the blood work! And she starts to feel better soon. My 4 year old son has bad foot pain when he is in a flare-up and can't even walk on them. The Dr's said it was arthritis related to the Crohn's. Take care!

 

[dannysmom]

My son complains of foot pain too and sometimes walks really awkwardly because of it. He wears very comfortable mocasin-like shoes that slip on and off easily ... hates putting on sneakers.

 

[Runninglady]

Hi all, thanks for all your replies. The Doc did say it's probably Crohn's induced arthritis! The joys!! It just seems so unfair, on some days she finds wearing any of her 18 pairs of shoes unbareable.........yes she now has 18 pairs, I'm trying everything and anything for her to be a bit more comfortable. X

 

[outlier]

I have arthritis due to crohns but my feet have there own inflammation called plantar fasciitis. it hurts most people in the am. try a podiatrist.