Pouchitis/ diversion colitis and arthritis

Yes, I have. I was diagnosed with enteropathic arthritis (like described in your second abstract) about 10 years post op. I have been on biologics since then, 10 years now, with pretty good results for the arthritis, but the pouchitis has become chronic. I will be starting Remicade and Imuran in a month. In the meantime, the symptoms are controlled with rotating antibiotics.

I am not diverted, so pouch removal is not on my agenda. At least not yet.

Jan

OK thanks Jan, I'm sorry to hear that, but its good you are managing it. I hope you can hang on to your pouch. 

Yes, I developed psoriatic arthritis 4 years after my j Pouch. I literally woke up one day with an incredible swollen knuckle. It then 'spread' to my other fingers, knees, elbows over the next few years which eventually required me to go on biologics. I'm 16 years with a JPouch now, and still on biologics for terrible  pouchitis and arthritis. I always wonder if I remove my Pouch, will my arthritis get better? I'm only in my 30s, so I'm holding onto the pouch as long as possible. Do you have a diverted pouch do to chronic pouchitis? 

HI Brewbirds, Yes I diverted my pouch after 5 years  - largely with pouchitis. 

I have only developed the arthritis in the last year but it was been quite bad, requiring me to go back on prednisone unfortunatley. So I'm wondering if pouch removal will help resolve the arthritis. I mentioned I found one case study where this happened for someone, but one case study is hardly a guarantee that's a likely outcome for me. 

I, too, developed arthritis after jpouch surgery. Actually, I was on heavy doses of prednisone shortly after takedown due to Cuffutis and bleeding, and completed a 10 month taper to get off of it (Some setbacks in between), and noticed the arthritis at the end of taper. Been off Prednisone completely for 3 months now, and still struggling with arthritis. My rheumatologist prescribed Sulfasalazine in February, and agreed to increasing it a week ago (4 tablets of 500 mg.each) but still struggling! Wondering how much is related to going off Prednisone. Can't go on Remicade or Humira as I've already exhausted those before jpouch surgery. Thinking if it continues may request higher dose of Sulfasalazine or addition of something else.  Wonder what % of jpouchers have had this experience? 

Hi Liz, yes it seems like a lot of us have various forms of athritis... From my research it seems that medical world are still trying to work it out ... the main correlations seem to be between genetics and gut bacteria ... The research in this area is really growing so hopefully we know more soon. My arthritis started several years after taking prednisone so I'm not sure if it's linked .. 

I'm using Entyvio and it's working for my pouchitis. I almost lost my pouch. Had to go back to a ostomy for a while but have been reconnected again. Check it out and good luck to all