Degenerative Bones and Crohn's

[STLGirl]

Just out of curiosity.....I wonder if there is a link between Crohn's and bone trouble. Now I'm talking about bone trouble BEFORE using Prednisone!

Does anyone here also suffer from degenerative bone, maybe in the back or jaw or else where?

 

[braveheart]

My father suffers from arthritis which is also an autoimmune disease.
I think all autoimmune diseases are somehow related.

 

[Nica]

I have lots of joint issues the Rhuemy I go to said that Crohn's can cause several joint issues. My main ones are in my low back dealing with facet joints and SI joints. I am not sure about bone loss pre-prednisone, I know I have bone loss but I think its from the pred...
heres a quote from http://digestive-disorders.health-cares.net

"When Crohn's disease is not causing a flare-up of gastrointestinal symptoms, the person still may experience inflammation of the spine (ankylosing spondylitis), inflammation of the pelvic joints (sacroiliitis), inflammation inside the eye (uveitis), and inflammation of the bile ducts (primary sclerosing cholangitis).

An important complication that patients develop quite commonly is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become porous, increasing the risk of dangerous bone fractures. This condition is increased in both men and women with Crohn's disease, especially in smokers or those who have been on steroid medications (such as prednisone). Osteoporosis can be detected by a simple test. Patients with Crohn's disease should be tested periodically for osteoporosis because it may develop at any time and can be treated."

 

[brenda1]

Yes, Actually my bone problems showed up about a month before my crohns symptoms started. Long story short- I was diagnosed with crohns in Sept 2009 and was told that I needed my left hip replaced shortly after that. I ended up getting my left hip replaced in April 2010 and I just got my right hip replaced Nov 23rd 2010. My orthopedic surgeon told me that my crohns had totally attacked my hip joints and progressed my arthritis, he said both my hips were severly inflamed. So I do think that it is definately connceted.

 

[STLGirl]

Wow! And I thought I was young at 54 to be told she needs a knee replacement. You're only 39 for new hips? Bless your heart! This damn disease gets stranger the more I learn about it.

I had 2 knee surgeries in my 20's to repair torn cartilage. And just three months ago was told I need a new knee. Then a month ago found out I had Crohn's. Interesting isn't it?

I did just get the results today from my bone density test and my Dr. said every thing looked great. So I got that going for me :wink:

 

[ant]

I have Microscopic Colitis and was also Dx Osteoporosis before I started Entocort. I am male and was then 54. I have also read that Celiac's have a high propensity to Osteoporosis. I think there is definitely a link between all this.

Best, ant

 

[Lisa]

I have arthritis in my lower back - but, I have had a bunch of falls, etc which may have something to do with it.....I have been on prednisone on and off for many years (years ago now) - but my last bone scan (last year) was fine......

 

[Sandy]

I think there is a link. I have osteopenia (low bone density but not yet osteoporosis). I've been (and am on) steroids, but I think I would have it anyway.

I've recently heard theories that arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) may have an autoimmune component!

I've had severe hip pain with flare-ups but so far (knock on wood) it goes away when the flare-up dies down.

Good luck with everyone's bionic replacements! A friend at work has an artificial hip and a knee and is doing great! Going through airport security is a bit of a trial though . . .

Sandy

Dx 1963
Now on:
Asacol
Azathioprine
Rowasa
Budesonide (sprinkled lightly in Rowasa, shaken, not stirred)
Folic acid

 

[jkd1111]

I did just get the results today from my bone density test and my Dr. said every thing looked great. So I got that going for me :wink:

My bone density is also OK. So go figure, how come I hurt so damn bad all the time. Having an MRI done this Friday on my C spine due to pain/weakness in hands and arms. Also have something called "trigger finger". Kinda like carpal tunnel in the fingers. That was new one on me. It just keeps getting better and better!

Am seeing the neurosurgeon sometime soon. Hope he can help. Not a fan of being cut on but if it makes the pain go away, I am all for it. If that doesn't help the hand thing, I will need surgery on it as well. I can't live with this pain and not being able to use it. I do leather work and that would take that complete away from me. That is not an option in my world.

When I talked to the PT doc yesterday, she said that as I have Crohn's for 30 years now, I probably know all the other stuff that goes along with. Told her straight up that it is a daily learning experience with this stuff! Every morning brings new aches and pains that are somehow associated with it. Even she sounded surprised.

 

[julesinfrance]

I was finally diagnosed with Chrohns and spondylitis in September this year after years of pain. I have been told that it is all part of the same thing "autoimmune disease" and that there are so many implications to this. I am HLA b27 positive which i believe is like a genetic marker making me predisposed to this type of disease. The weird thing is some mornings I get up and struggle to walk because my ankles seize up, other times its ok. Suddenly out of the blue my fingers hurt like hell, then its bearable. The worst problem is my back whereby I have had periods where I cannot walk or look after myself atall. At the moment it is not too bad ( on Remicade and that seems to be helping ) though until I got a gadget to help me put socks on, I would spend half the day in one sock which I could just about put on, and have to wait for someone to come round at some point during the day to help put the other one on! Also i have kidney disease IGA nethropathy which again can be linked to chrohns I believe, and autoimmune disease...such fun!!!

 

[Sandy]

I can sympathize. My brother has something like spondylitis, but no Crohns disease. I swear that we have the same thing, just coming out in different tissues. Just terrific genes, I guess.

May you have more good days than bad!

Sandy