Really bad aching joints

[Holly]

Hi,
New to this forum, joined today.. and one of the symptoms I have suffered with for a while is aching knee's, shins, ankles, arms, and wrists. It used to come and go, and although when I have it, it is extremely uncomfortable it did used to disappear, but it did limit my walking/movement (I am only 19)
But today my wrists have gone severely painful, very achey and very weak. I can't do anything. I am struggling to move my hands around the keyboard to type this without pain. My knee's are bad today too. But it's my wrists I am bothered about. Can anyone recommend any particular painkillers or anything to ease the aches? and is this a symptom of Crohns or is this something else?

 

[DanHerefordshire]

Hi holly... crohns can cause these problems due to it being an immunie system illlnes...

malnutrition can cause aches and pains you need to have your vitamin levels checked out its important to get extra vitamins with crohns especially b12 and vitamin D

I also noticed in your previous post you feel like your still flareing pentasa is not that strong it does work for some its more of a maitanance drug... but if you continue to flair i think you will need some stronger medication to get this under control

co codamal-painkiller is ok for crohns but it will only hide the problem not fix it and make you evan more tired... steroids are much better "prednisolone"

 

[Holly]

Thanks for the advice, I am only on Pentasa because I was only diagnosed a few days ago, so until they do the next Colonoscopy they don't know what type of medication would be best but they wanted to start me on something to help ease the symptoms.
I am off to the doctors again on Tuesday so I will mention the joints and the vitamins and see what they say, I just wanted something to help me cope with it in the meantime as it is really quite painful.

 

[DanHerefordshire]

co codamol and tramadol are the most prescribed ones... but the crohns can be a buger the pain killers are a bit like food different ones make people flair different

Have you tried any standard painkillers or ibuprofen out of the supermarkets before?
also worth trying the ones that disolve in water...

 

[DanHerefordshire]

I should have also said if it is the malnutrition causing these problems there are some drinks called complan in tesco asda... these should help as there liquid form and you will be able to absourb all the nutriants unitll the doctors sort you

 

[Soybean]

Welcome to the forum Holly

Don't take ibuprofen, diclofenac etc as they are NSAID's and they're bad for people with ibd.

A wrist support may be helpful. I'm also suffering with my wrists atm so I'm going to buy one. I think the ones with neoprene (?) are supposed to be good. When my knees were really bad and swollen last year, I just used a doubled up tubigrip for a bit of support.

Also my Dr prescribed me ibuprofen, then diclofenac (they hadn't found out that I had Crohns yet) neither really did much for the pain or swelling. What did help was a steroid injection, but it only lasted for 2 weeks before the swelling was back as the underlying condition hadn't been treated (crohns). Once I started prednisolone tablets (plus a concoction of other Crohns related meds) the swelling and pain really started to clear up.

Definitely mention it to your Dr at your next visit. I hope that they are able to give you something that will relieve the pain quickly.

Soybean xx

 

[Holly]

Thanks for the help!
Today I am wearing two wrist supports as they are just completely weak and my thumbs are painful. I have taken Cocodamol to relieve knees and wrists and so far so good.
I am going to mention a vitamin deficiency to the doctor on Tuesday to see if we can sort something. (We are still waiting to see if my hemoglobin levels have altered as I was anemic aswell) The wrist supports are very warm though. I've had to take them off for a break. Don't know how I'm going to wash my hair, that's the next battle!
Holly x

 

[Soybean]

Glad the cocodamol is helping Are there any friends or family that could help wash your hair so that you don't have to strain your wrists too much? Also what aboot a cooling gel? like deep freeze to help the joints and also keep your hands cool under the wrist support?? Not sure how well it would work, or if it would cause irritation, just an idea
Ok, so I just read up aboot a few wrist supports and it looks like the neoprene is designed to heat the wrist to promote healing. Others I looked at seem to do the same. There is a boots one called a comfort wrist support that although it warms the wrist

Boots Pharmaceuticals Comfort Wrist Support provides support and warmth to the joint which helps to relieve aches, pains and stiffness

it also says

It is made from breathable material to minimise perspiration and keep skin dry throughout the day

I've not yet used any so I'm not sure how well they work. Also I'm sure other chemists/supermarkets would have a similar range.

Soybean xx

 

[Soybean]

Just had another thought. If, with the wrist supports you are able to wash your hair comfortably, but can't due to the supports getting wet, how aboot some latex/plastic gloves over the support and a rubber band/hair band to seal them to your wrist?

 

[Holly]

Well I took some Cocodamol and waited for it to 'kick-in' a bit and then attempted a shower, I think the hot water helped aswell and this combined meant it wasn't as painful although I did get twinges where I had to stop and take it easy. I just put the wrist supports straight back on when I got out so I could lift and use the hairdryer, the joys of being a girl eh?
That info looks really good I might look into some warming ones.
Thanks for the help x