Random ailments

[butt-eze]

Several months back I had a random swollen ankle that required me to wear a boot. It was not gout and the x-rays showed no fracture. I just chalked it up to something random.

Now I'm having pain from the back up my ankle up my calf. My ankle is visibly swollen. I haven't had an injury either time. I'm wondering if it can be crohn's???

Care to share your thoughts or stories?

 

[Kev]

1st thought, don't chalk it off. get it dx'd asap. Fluid retention is a possibility, but I am no doc. May seem innocous, but a recurrent, progressive symptom like that has to be checked out. How is your fluid retention. Voiding volume normal? Are you taking any meds that impact (known side effects) circulatory system, or the lymphatic system, or the kidneys, liver or bladder? Be sure to watch this, make an appointment, go to the ER if it accelerates or suddenly gets worse. And if you do head to the ER, be sure you have a complete and current list of all (repeat ALL) meds, and the timeline you've been taking them.

 

[katiesue1506]

I was on Pred... and at that time I had some fluid retention problems, but they took me in and did an ultrasound of my leg to make sure I didn't have a clot. But yeah, I'd at least check and see what it is.

 

[D Bergy]

I would have them run some blood tests. Almost sounds like some kind of infection.

Dan

 

[butt-eze]

Wow, I wasn't expecting everyone to blow it off as just a side effect. I suppose I'll check in with my doctor on Monday.

Thank you

 

[Kev]

Hey BE.. I hope what I said didn't come across as 'blowing it off'. Without hitting the panic button, I for one feel that you need to look into this PDQ. Many of those meds we're given can do some pretty nasty things to key organs; liver, kidneys, etc.. The symptoms you described could be something minor, an associated thing from the crohns, or signs of drug side effects or interactions. Those ain't so bad. But, tho remote, it could also be an early warning sign that one or more of meds is messing with a vital organ. A little lab work, blood N urine testing, should tell the docs whether there is anything to really worry about; or whether your meds need a little adjusting. But it's not something to be placid about either, just in case, OK

Wow, I wasn't expecting everyone to blow it off as just a side effect.

 

[Ilysha]

I get really bad shoulder pain from my crohns as a referred symptom, so ankle seems probable as well. Definitely ask your doc and good luck!

--Ilysha

 

[RHOV]

the exact same thing has hapened to me. several times, out of nowhere, my left ankle has swelled up for about a week. the docs told me it was arthritis, since that's a pretty prevalent issue for me. it got all puffy and i couldn't walk on it, but it went away on its own after about a week. maybe the same thing will happen to you?

 

[butt-eze]

RHOV...

How old are you? I'm not trying to be rude but I wanted to know if your arthritis was do to natural aging or your crohn's/colitis? I'm only 28 but think I must have arthritis induced by Crohn's. Fun stuff!

Where in Washington do you live?

 

[RHOV]

butt-eze:

I am 16, so I'm 99.9% certain that the arthritis is not due to aging. It's probably caused by Crohn's, although there is a chance that it could be rheumatoid arthritis, but since the two diseases are in the same "family," we'll never know. Luckily lots of the treatments are the same.

I live in Mukilteo. I'm sure you've heard of it just as many times as I've heard of Maple Valley. (none) Where is Maple Valley?

 

[butt-eze]

RHOV! LOL! Maple Valley is surrounded by Covington, Renton, Black Diamond/Enumclaw.

That's interesting about the RA. I was told that this is a "factor" that can tell if you are likely to have RA. It seems nothing is certain but at least you could possibly have the test.

You're sure too young to be dealing with this crap!

I have heard of mukilteo but don't know exactly where it is. Maybe you would want to participating the the Seattle Crohn's & Colitis walk on June 7th???

So, what are you taking for your crohn's???

 

[Kev]

Ahhh, I've heard the RA can attack at any age... whereas osteo is more typical of the elderly. I recall an advertising campaign launched by the Arthrtis Foundation of Canada showing a girl, perhaps 3 or 4, who couldn't open a bottle with her hands due to the effect of RA. And the underlying message.. arthritis isn't just a disease of the elderly... It was a shocking wake-up call, an a well done message!

 

[RHOV]

*cringes* Sorry, butt-eze! Now I know where Maple Valley is! Mukilteo is just south of Everett, or about 20 miles north of Seattle. I'm thinking of doeng the walk in June, if I can convince my one or both of my parents to come with me.

I am currently tapering a dose of prednisone (10 mg right now; the end is near!), and I also take 75 mg azothiorine. And I just started Remicade. My 3rd infusion is in 3 weeks. I'm very happy that Remicade helped clear up both my mini Crohn's flare and all my joint issues! My hands have never been affected, so I could still open bottles, but a lot of other major joints have given me problems.

did you ever get to the bottom of your joint pain?

 

[butt-eze]

Currently my joints aren't hurting but when they do hurt I'm not sure why. I assue it is the crohn's.

 

[mrs. vr]

My main symptom for the past nine years has been joint pain, really bad joint pain. Here's random for you, periodically, my FOOT will start hurting REALLY BAD for no reason. Not swollen, red, hot, or anything else, just ridiculous amounts of pain for several days. No pain relievers even touch it. I've had that happen twice now, including RIGHT NOW

I've also had thinning hair for the past several years. Bleh.


edit: of course, we still don't know for sure if i have Crohn's or just carry the antibody. I'm doing the video capsule endoscopy as I type.