Crohn's with arthritis and sleep apnea

[Barricade007]

Hello all, Im new to this thread and am just looking for others experiance and knowledge when it comes to Crohn's and these other symptoms. I was diagnosed last year with Crohn's along with Arthritis in my back. My GI doc said they are linked. With the arthritis I have trouble sleeping throughout the night and am always have to be on my back. My wife has also told me that when I sleep i am breathing very shallow and at times gasp for air. I have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea, but am thinking that is what it is.

Anyone else share these symptoms and what they have done to help with them?

After reading this over it sounds like i am 85..... but am only 33...... ugh....

Thanks everyone!!

 

[Hollaka79]

I'm under going tests for arthritis as have multiple joint issues. Had crohns for 30 years (am 38) and also have sleep issues. Can't tell if I have sleep apnoea as I'm single lol but definitely with you on the joint pain...

 

[Maya142]

Have you seen a rheumatologist? It sounds like you may have axial spondyloarthritis (SpA), which is associated with Crohn's. It needs to be treated by a rheumatologist, because it does cause damage to the joints and in the worst case, can cause fusion of the spine. The lower back, SI joints and hips are often involved but really any joint can be involved. Knee, ankle and heel involvement is also quite common.

My daughters and husband all have SpA. The treatment is usually NSAIDs and if those fail, biologics. However, most people with Crohn's cannot take NSAIDs, so biologics are usually the treatment if you have Crohn's and SpA. Remicade and Humira are used most often.

 

[Barricade007]

Wow thanks. I've never heard of axial spondyloarthritis before. My GI doc said that he could send me to a rheumatoidologist but he said all they would say is treat the crohn's. I don't know if that is accurate or not but i'll do some more research on this. Thanks again for the reply.

 

[Maya142]

It depends. Sometimes treating the Crohn's will take care of the arthritis. However, other times additional medications are needed to treat the arthritis. Sometimes the Crohn's and arthritis flare together, but often, if the spine is involved, they flare independently, so they need to be treated as such.

Here is some info from CCFA:
http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/assets/pdfs/arthritiscomplications.pdf

Spondylitis.org has lots of good info.

 

[Barricade007]

Hey It's been awhile since I posted, but just wanted to let you know I have seen a rheumatologist and have been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Just want to thank you for making me aware of this. Happy that it is being treated and I am able to sleep again!

Thanks again

 

[Maya142]

My daughters and husband all have AS too. Have they put you on a biologic? Usually an anti-TNF like Remicade or Humira is used. AS is a degenerative disease and the goal is to prevent joint damage and fusion. To do that you have to control the inflammation. Currently, biologics are considered the most effective treatment for AS.

NSAIDs can also help, but many people with Crohn's are told they cannot take them. My younger daughter has both Crohn's and AS, and since her AS is severe and her Crohn's mild, she is allowed to take an NSAID. It really helps her with pain and stiffness.

We use lots of other things for pain - ice, heat, stretching, physical therapy, a TENS unit, Lidocaine patches etc. But the most important one is exercise. It will decrease pain and will help with flexibility. As one rheumatologist told my daughters - "use it or fuse it!" If exercise sounds too intimidating and painful right now, PT is a good way to start.

My younger daughter tries to stick to low impact exercise - it's all she can do (her AS is pretty bad) so she swims or bikes. My older daughter has less severe AS and she played soccer through college and does all sorts of exercise - she has even started going running occasionally. But generally swimming is accepted as great form of exercise for anyone with AS.