How do you get rid of this joint pain?!

[LaurieBird]

I've never had joint pain before, it just started recently. I think it is called "peripheral arthritis". The pain moves around between all my major joints, but it is worst in my knees. I was almost in tears earlier today when I bent over my mirror to put my makeup on!

My doc basically said it will go away when my flare subsides and to just take Tylenol and moist heat sometimes helps. I've tried both and frankly neither does much. Its been literally months now and I want to get back into sports for the winter season! Is there anything else I can do that has worked in the past for others?!

It hurts...

 

[Jennifer]

Hi LaurieBird! Sorry to hear that you're dealing with so many issues at once.

Joint pain really is a tough one because Tylenol really doesn't do anything for the pain. Heating and icing really only go so far as well. For many of us on the forum we see a specialist for joint pain, a Rheumatologist. Even if you don't have RA they are the best at treating joint pain hands down. I have osteoarthritis caused by Crohn's (so says my GP, GI and Rheumy). I take Tylenol 3 on occasion but the things that I've tried so far that did help my joint pain (didn't just help, the pain was gone) were Entocort and Humira (had to stop the Humira though as I got sick too often with upper resp colds). See a Rheumy if you can.

 

[LaurieBird]

Ya... all the issues are kinda intertwined, so it more like on giant snowball of unpleasantness than multiple things...

Ugh, another doctor. I'll have to email my GI doc and ask him for a recommendation on who to go to. Thanks!

 

[Jennifer]

Ya I know, another doctor. Its not fun I wont lie. They're specialist in their field though and that's important. I just got a referral to a Urologist (for blood in urine), a Neurologist (for numbness in upper back and left thigh) and an Ears, Nose and Throat doctor (ENT for recurring throat infections since 2008, probably need my tonsils removed) all in the same day. I also have a GP, GI, Rheumy and a Cardiologist. Good times.

 

[KatyBuckeye]

A rheumatologist will be able to give you some recommendations on how to treat the joint pain. For myself, I've found low dose naltrexone to be very effective at combating the joint pain. There are also a few supplements that I take that help somewhat. I hope you are able to get some relief soon!

 

[nikimazur]

Prednisone helped calm my inflammation down. My rheumy is working together with my Gastro, leaning towards Humira to do the double duty of controlling both the osteoarthritis and crohns. I'm just in limbo right now waiting for my liver to become un-enlarged, and start function somewhat normal again.

I took Mobic (meloxicam), even though its not great for the stomach, just to get through my days of being on my feet. It is safer then other NSAIDs, and works so much better then Tylenol.

Right now, I'm in physical therapy, go to the chiropractor weekly, and am in a stronger believer in ice and heat therapy as well as Epsom salt baths. Nothing takes the pain away completely at this point, but they take the edge off.

Definitely make an appointment if you can with a rheumatologist. They can help you out greatly not only with your bones and pain, it also with the immune aspect of crohns.

 

[FullM3lt]

Oddly enough, if you can force yourself to do a workout that has a low impact on the joints it will help greatly. Cycling, elliptical, etc...things like that have helped my joint pain a lot. Getting those natural endorphins flowing helps a greatly. Yoga can also help, just make sure you're doing it correctly otherwise you could exacerbate that pain.

Sometimes a pill is not the only answer :thumright:

 

[ohaj0406]

Thank you all for this post. I was diagnosed 2 years ago and have done well on Pentasa; however, I have started having joint pain the last 6 months or so. Tested negative for the RA factor. I am now on Apriso and trying that. I work in an office environment and have worn heels every working day for the last 16 years. It has gotten to the point lately that my feet hurt tremendously at the end of the day and my big toe and foot is swollen. Call me a girly girl, but I really don't want to give up my heels, I mean that isn't the only joint pain I have but it is mostly random. My hip hurts some, then my knees, next day may be my wrists....totally random.

 

[keysk]

Osteoarthritis, is the wear and tear of joints from old age. Rheumatoid Arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are both caused by inflammation from the auto-immune system. These are way more severe than osteo. There are around 25% of people with IBD that will develop an auto-immune arthritis. I was diagnosed with crohn's in 2011 and at the end of that year with rheumatoid arthritis. The crohn's has been in remission but no such luck with the RA. Every day is a struggle with stiffness and pain. Good luck everyone.

 

[dealing26]

my joint pain was gone within 1 day of being put on prentisone ! tylenol and nothing helped at all !

 

[unitydnk]

My joint pain and swelling where my toes meets my foot was gone within a day of starting Evening primrose oil. I never thought it would work that well of fast but it did for me.

 

[723crossroads]

Ask for oxycodone when it gets real rough. My Dr gives it to me because I can't take nsaids which do help.Hope this helps hon!

 

[ce1210]

smoking marijuana is the only thing I've found besides narcotic pain pills, but it's not addictive and has less side effects

 

[my little penguin]

DS see a rheumo for joint pain/stiffness.
outside of getting his crohn's under control
he is to swim laps not just play alot.
exercise /stretch the joint as much as he can with heat just prior to help the joint.

 

[ohaj0406]

I have now been on Sulfasalazine for nearly a year and have been able to start exercising again. My joint pain in nearly non existent now.

 

[fozheart]

If you can get into a pool, I think that helps a lot. Even just a few short walks a day; so you don't stiffen up. There is a prescription cream/gel called Voltaren, that is wonderful for the joints! But it is pretty expensive.