Crohn's-related arthritis

It is not Crohn's related, it is auto-immune disorder related.  Both Crohn's and rheumatoid arthritis are manifestations of autoimmune disorders and patients commonly have both and/or other autoimmune disorders.  In fact there is a thread about multiple autoimmune disorders going on right now.  The good news is that biological drugs can be used to treat both.  Humira that works for Crohn's often works well with the RA.  I have a friend who has both and he says his Humira treats both.

See this thread:

https://www.j-pouch.org/topic/...auto-immune-diseases

I have to disagree with CT here. Enteropathic arthritis (a more common name that might yield additional search results) is intimately associated with IBD. As CT said, some folks here have gotten good results with biologics.

I’m on sulfasalazine for enteropathic arthritis (UC) and so far, it’s keeping the pain and inflammation at bay. For me, it’s been mostly my wrists, some fingers and I suspect my shoulders and knees are also affected.

Jfill21 Are you taking sulfasalazine just for joint pain or is your enteropathic arthritis effecting your digestive system as well?  I think I may well have enteropathic arthritis but my main issue is emptying my pouch up to 30 times a day with awful burning anal pain.  My gastro tried me with ciproflaxin which improved my symptoms within two days but as soon as I stop taking them it's back with a vengeance!

Betty Boo, I’m only using sulfasalazine for the enteropathic arthritis—I haven’t noticed any effect on my pouchitis or cuffitis symptoms. I just came off a Cipro regimen and got frequency down significantly but like you, it’s starting to creep back up. I’m using Visbiome ES 2x a day but may ask my doc about rotating antibiotics if I don’t keep it under control.

Do you find that Visbiome ES work then?  I've not tried probiotics yet, maybe I will try them.  My gastro spoke with me today and said that he can put me on long term low dose cipro if it works but he wants to look at the pouch when I'm not good first.  

@GinLyn posted:

I did a search and the most recent post I could find on this was from 2019. Just wondering if anyone currently using the board has been diagnosed with arthritis after surgeries and such -- particularly if it is Crohn's-related.

I've been stable for quite some time, but over the summer the Crohn's started flaring up in small ways. Then the join pain started. Elbows, knees, hips, back; the lower back pain is pretty much permanent right now.

I have an appointment with a rheumatologist on the 23rd, and my gut doctor is following everything closely. I've completely changed my exercise routine (LOTS of stretching, modified yoga, walking) and am being very careful but am quite discouraged by the constant level of pain. I'm really hoping for a definitive diagnosis and solid treatment plan -- and that I won't be told I have to quit work.  I've had to drop so many things already.

Is there anyone else who can relate? I'd love to make contact.

Thanks,

Gin

That is pretty common in our community. Are you doing better???

Just got a diagnosis from the rheumatologist, and not happy at all. He says the tests showed no specific markers for arthritis except in my thumbs & wrists -- 'normal' age-related osteoarthritis. However, the back pain wakes me up at night and the elbow pain on both sides is so bad I can't even lift a coffee mug with one hand. He said the elbow pain is tendonitis, like tennis elbow, probably referred from the thumbs/wrists. ???? I thought enteropathic arthritis attacks particularly where ligaments and tendons connect, so that was making sense to me. Now I don't know what to think.

Have had to completely change my exercise and work routines. Have ordered today soft elbow braces and tomorrow will pick up an NSAID gel he wants me to use on my elbows. No other meds. The stretching routines and such definitely help the back and leg/hip stiffness and pain, but nothing so far has helped the elbows.

Could I be at the very beginning stages maybe? The Mayo site says it can be a tough diagnosis to pin down. My husband thinks I should pursue a second opinion.

Right now I just want to crawl into bed and cry.

Gin

@GinLyn posted:

Just got a diagnosis from the rheumatologist, and not happy at all. He says the tests showed no specific markers for arthritis except in my thumbs & wrists -- 'normal' age-related osteoarthritis. However, the back pain wakes me up at night and the elbow pain on both sides is so bad I can't even lift a coffee mug with one hand. He said the elbow pain is tendonitis, like tennis elbow, probably referred from the thumbs/wrists. ???? I thought enteropathic arthritis attacks particularly where ligaments and tendons connect, so that was making sense to me. Now I don't know what to think.

Have had to completely change my exercise and work routines. Have ordered today soft elbow braces and tomorrow will pick up an NSAID gel he wants me to use on my elbows. No other meds. The stretching routines and such definitely help the back and leg/hip stiffness and pain, but nothing so far has helped the elbows.

Could I be at the very beginning stages maybe? The Mayo site says it can be a tough diagnosis to pin down. My husband thinks I should pursue a second opinion.

Right now I just want to crawl into bed and cry.

Gin

I’m sorry you’re going through this, Gin. I had disabling elbow tendinitis last year and I was convinced that it had to be something very serious. Fortunately I listened to my doctor and found a good physical therapist. I only needed a couple of visits, but I faithfully did what the PT recommended and the elbow problem slowly resolved - it’s back to normal now. My hands are a different story, and the osteoarthritis can’t be so easily fixed, but on the bad days I get some relief with NSAIDs and acetaminophen. I hope you feel better soon!

@GinLyn posted:

Just got a diagnosis from the rheumatologist, and not happy at all. He says the tests showed no specific markers for arthritis except in my thumbs & wrists -- 'normal' age-related osteoarthritis. However, the back pain wakes me up at night and the elbow pain on both sides is so bad I can't even lift a coffee mug with one hand. He said the elbow pain is tendonitis, like tennis elbow, probably referred from the thumbs/wrists. ???? I thought enteropathic arthritis attacks particularly where ligaments and tendons connect, so that was making sense to me. Now I don't know what to think.

Have had to completely change my exercise and work routines. Have ordered today soft elbow braces and tomorrow will pick up an NSAID gel he wants me to use on my elbows. No other meds. The stretching routines and such definitely help the back and leg/hip stiffness and pain, but nothing so far has helped the elbows.

Could I be at the very beginning stages maybe? The Mayo site says it can be a tough diagnosis to pin down. My husband thinks I should pursue a second opinion.

Right now I just want to crawl into bed and cry.

Gin

I am sorry you are suffering! NSAIDS are not reccomended for J-pouchers, it can cause damage. I do not think you should take that unfortunately. Maybe Lyrica might help??? Maybe you should suggest it to the doctor.

I read some comments on here that said arthritis is not Crohn's related; Arthritis can in fact be Crohn's Related, it can even be Ulcerative Colitis related. Doctors have confirmed that.