Does Crohn's Disease cause arthritis

[Mary]

So I have been having joint pain. Had x-rays and blood work. Nothing showed up. I am not in a flare right now. Just wondering if anyone had testing to confirm arthritis related to Crohn's. I am only taking Pentasa.

 

[Lisa]

I have arthritis starting in my back...also have sacro-ileitis (AWFUL when it flares)!.....get joint pain in knees, hands, etc.....

 

[shazamataz]

Arthritis is VERY common with Crohns

 

[belle1999]

I don't have arthritis, but my doctor did tell me that is common for Crohnies to develop.

 

[Mountaingem]

I have Crohn's arthritis severe enough in a flare that I am unable to walk or get out of bed by myself. I've had X-rays and CAT scans, but it mostly shows up inflammation and fluid on the joints. The joints in my hands, feet, and knees turn deep red and swell quite large and get very hot to the touch. I am currently on Remicade for these complications.

 

[PeninsulaLil]

It's all part of the wonderful world of auto-immune disease. Crohn's and inflammation of joints and eyes is not uncommon.

Lilly

 

[Dras]

My wrists,hands, elbows, ankles, everything! So i'm thinking if it gets worse to also ask my doc to check it out. Thanx for posting this, i thought it was all in my head! Funniest of all, the meds i am taking is actually used for the treatment of arthritis... doesnt help me much though...

 

[NatalieMT]

I feel I may have the onset of joint problems. My elbows are really starting to go, one of them will no longer straighten and the pain is sometimes very intense. I've also noticed my knees have been very stiff and my fingers have started to swell again around the joints. Eeek!

 

[Crohns08]

I'm yet another crohnie with arthritis. I get it in my hands and my knees pretty bad. Sometimes I have to wear a knee brace when I attend class just to get around.

 

[mussen]

My joints have been a lot worse for a couple of weeks. I went to see my G.P last week and are waiting to see if anything shows in the bloodtests. My crohns has been flaring badly the last few weeks as well. I know its probably all connected but I hope I can find something to help with the joint pain as it's driving me crazy!!!!

 

[Keona]

Hi Mary,
I have sacroilietis as well. I had x-rays and physiotherapy to confirm it, but physio doesn't really do much. Hope your pain gets better. You know your body best, if you think that's what it is, you're probably right.

 

[Mountaingem]

For me the Methotrexate and especially Remicade have helped eased the pain and swelling in my joints. The doc also prescribes Meloxicam for inflammation but it is and NSAID so sometimes it will irritate the Crohn's. Prednisone works, too, but long term the Remicade is definitely the way to go, for bowel and joints.

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

I too have sacroiliitis (inflamation at the base of the spine). Namely, it's Ankylosing Spondylitis. Incidentally adjacent to inflamed intestine. It's all part of the same deal. Auto-immune issues manifest themselves in many ways.

Absolutely Rheumatoid Arthritis is associated with Crohn's and UC.

Of course, the patient needs to do their part. Adapting a more active lifestyle goes a long way. Easier said than done, but truthful nonetheless.

 

[Becca]

Hi, I see this is an old thread... but I wanted to comment on the "adapting a more active lifestyle" concept. I'm an active younger person... and I've struggled with JRA my whole life, then whammo, all of the junk that was apparently crohns. I burst my L5 disk and ended up with a laminectomy for spinal stenosis from a canoe trip... lol, being active def keeps me feeling more positive, but it's never kept my stupid body from breaking down..... wish it would.

 

[tmgread]

Mary, my daughter has Crohn's and ankylosing spondlitis. Her arthritis does not show up on x-ray, but MRI shows the inflammation.