I had my j pouch surgery ,due to UC, in 1992. Occasional bouts of pouchitis but otherwise good. Recently I have been having joint pain - especially in elbows and some in feet and finger. Has anyone else had joint pains that were not a result of injury that you think may be related to the UC?
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Hi Lisa,
So sorry about the pain.
Yes, I have had it for years...some doctors tell me it is another manifestation of autoimmune (my mom had fibromyalgia) other tell me it is age (it started when I was 11) and others don't care when it started but tell me that there is no cure.
Mine appears in the sacroiliac joint, the lower spine, hip, knee and ankle...most of my right side (wrists and shoulders too).
My rhumy has me on monster doses of NSAIDs (up to 1200 Naproxin/day + ibprophen+ pain meds)...But most pouchers avoid the the nsaids (can do serious damage and cause bleeding...) but narcotics cause intestinal slow-down which in my case leads to blockages.
The only real relief that I find is lots of hot water (baths, jacuzzis if you can get them, swimming pools or heating pads) and a good bone cracker (I have a Pysiotherapist, a chiro occasionally and an ethiopath who does the most good...he knows how to realigne my joints and reduce the pain substantially) if you belive in that.
I have not found any particular supplement to be miraculous...I take Vit D + cal, collagene, silicium and a bunch of other basic supplements (chewables or liquids are best tollerated) but they are more for maintenance than curative...all anti-inflamatories help especially the natural ones but the best thing that you can do is to use those joints regularly...Avoid too much resistance (no over-heavy weights or elastics but stick to mild resistance) and do fluid gentle movements...for me it is walking, yoga, pilates and swimming.
This like many other diseases is a question of maintenance and upkeep...you try to avoid flares and keep things running smoothly.
Hope that this helps
Sharon
Lisa, while the joint pain you are developing 23 years after getting your J-pouch *might* be related to your inflammatory state, it could also be "ordinary" osteoarthritis. Lots of people without autoimmune diseases develop such arthritis, and even though it's common it hurts plenty.
I am with Scott. Maybe it is IBD related, maybe not. From what you describe, it is impossible to tell. Inflammatory arthritis has many causes and is difficult to diagnose. Osteoarthritis is very common and can occur in conjuction with inflammatory arthritis (I am an example of that). IBD related peripheral arthritis tends to coincide with the bowel disease.
If you have a concern, ask for a referral to a rheumatologist to sort it out.
Jan 
Extraintestinal manifestations of IBD are not uncommon. I also had joint pain which presented and resolved. For a period of about two years it was very severe and, after trying Tylenol, and Celebrex, I was treated with remicade and methotrexate. I suggest that you see a rheumatologist to rule out other causes and agree on a plan of treatment.
