There are so many treatments for arthritis these days. I'd get in with a rheumatologist. My daughter has indeterminate colitis, but had arthritis type symptoms years before her first flare. She's on Humira for the IBD and arthritis and doing very well on both fronts. My hubby has psoriatic arthritis, and is taking Enbrel and doing great, too.

Don't know this for certain, but I think all the years of prednisone usage caused a lot of arthritis through my whole body. I've had days I was in so much pain, I was on the verge of tears all day. Whenever I have MRI's or CT's done, the radiologist always comments that I have more arthritis than expected for my age.
Saw a rheumatologist and these were his suggestions: wear thick soled shoes all day, even in the house. Wear gloves on hands at night. Drink plenty of fluids, walk 1/2 hour every day, take ibuprofen (reminded him I shouldn't because of the IBD issues) so he said to take Tylenol.
Maybe some of this would be helpful for you. Hope you find relief somehow.

-Roni*

When I was first diagnosed with UC my white blood cells would get bored only attacking my colon...they found much more excitement going after my joints. Every 12 hours, they picked a new joint to go after - whatever joint they chose would blow up 3 times it's normal size and be excruciating. That is one of the reasons my diagnosis and colectomy are so close in date. I live with pain in my joints because of the damage caused by this, it is just less than the pain I had when I had my colon. My gastro told me that type of arthritis is rare with UC but it happens and usually goes away after surgery...the residual pain is what you are left to deal with.

Thank you,
At least I know I am not alone.
I will see about the arthritis medications.

Hi Sherlock,

I had my colon removed over 20 years ago but had been diagnosed with Crohn's a few years ago. I have been having inflammation in my joints and low back pain for years. I recently have been having hip problems also so I went to an orthopedic specialist. I am having pain in my hip and sacrum so the doctor sent me to physical therapy and I now do specific exercises for it. Here is a link explaining it. Something like this might be going on with you too. It might be worth it to go see an Orthopedic Specialist.

http://www.spine-health.com/co...l-about-sacroiliitis

There is also information about all the extraintestinal manifestations (diseases outside the intestines) of Crohn's and Colitis on the CCFA website but I can't find this specific info about the hips, low back and sacrum this right now.