I recently brought up with my Gastro Specialist that I have neck/shoulder and back pain (pretty much since my last bout of pouchitis) and asked whether he thought it was wear and tear of my job or something else. His reply was it was definitely Ulcerative Colitis related and just recommended exercise. My question is what do people find that helps with there joint pain. I have been seeing an Osteopath but now think there might be no point. What about glucosmine?
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Hi Van,
So sorry...I know that it sucks fixing one problem only to find another one creep up on you.
Joint pain...I know it well. I have been dealing with it in all sorts of ways my whole life...started chiro at 12...it gives me a good measure of relief for a short period of time but also helps certain zones in ways that nothing else can. (I crawled onto my Ethiopath's table (Ethiopath is a mix between chiro and osteopath) last night and walked out of there strait )
I am presently living on NSAIDs which is highly Not reccomended for most of us or at least not for long periods of time...plus you mentioned pouchitis and I think (although I am not sure) that a line has been drawn between them and pouchitist so beware!
I take 500 Naprozene 2xs/day according to my rhumy...but that barely dents it for me...it is a maintenance dosage.
I used to take Glucosamine and condriton and cannot remember if it had any effect on my particular pain (it couldn't hurt?)...My best friend's husband, a veteranary surgeon, puts dogs on it (and takes it himself) so it seems both harmless and helpful...ask your rhumey...he is the best one to give advice.
My number one piece of advice is ....walk, walk, walk.
The more exercise the better...it keeps those joints lubricated, those muscle strong to support them and keeps you in a better mood too.
Add heat a couple times a day too if you can...I use a cherry pit filled bag that I put into the microwave for 3 minutes...it is wonderful!
I now sleep on it (placed under my spine) and it does wonders.
Hope that this helps
Sharon
I have take glucosamine for an athletic knee related arthritis and it might be placebo but I think it helps. curious what med you were on for pouchitis. oddly Cipro seem to induce bodily joint pain to me, but I had such a bad case of pouchitis who knows really what it was. I also swore it increased my diarrhea. I would see if you can get a referral to a rheumatologist and get fully evaluated for possible formal rheumatoid or other arthritis. walking and exercising is the new mantra for arthritis for the reasons Sharon mentioned so trying that in the interim might help.
I have IBD associated arthritis. Activity and stretching are the most important thing for me. Inflammatory arthritis causes pain with inactivity and activity helps relieve it. But, I still need pain meds, muscle relaxers, sulfasalazine, and biologic injections. Definitely get a referral to a rheumatologist if you think you have IBD related arthritis.
Jan 
Have you seen a rheumatologist? Just because you have IBD does not necessarily mean your arthritis is from IBD. My complaints about joint pain were initially dismissed as being IBD related, and they always told me to take NSAID's for it. I have since been diagnosed by my rheumatologist with psoriatic arthritis. I think a lot of doctors immediately say it's IBD related because that's a no-brainer for them. It wasn't until I went to a rheumatologist that someone associated by psoriasis with my joint pain and is finally trying to treat it. If you haven't been to a rheumatologist it might be worth a try. Warning: finding a good rheumatologist is NOT easy. But I am very happy with my current doctor.
He didn't mention anything about arthritis and neither has my GP. There was no suggestion of medication. NSAIDS are definitely out. Thought I might try glycosamine if it's safe to do so ?
Would a diagnosis of arthritis need to be made for a referal to a rheumatologist? GP and specialist made no mention of further investigations
Ulcerative colitis related musculoskeletal pain sounds like an arthritis diagnosis to me. IBD related arthritis is inflammatory and often does not have any positive findings on imaging. Pain such as yours that is persistant over months warrants a referral to a rheumatologist, which is the doctor that is qualified to diagnose. Of course, it all depends on your degree of discomfort when deciding the need. You can ask for a referral and the worse that can happen is to be told no. My primary MD referred me.
Glucosamine is fine to try. It is safe enough. I took it for a year with high hopes. It did nothing for me. I was able to take NSAIDs for years, and they were quite effective. But, I eventually had to stop them because of side effects.
Jan
I'm trying Accupunture and the overall pains I get seem much better. Personally, I don't care if it's age related, UC related, Entyvio relanted, weather relanted, I'm not going on any more meds. Looking at natural stuff. i also found Epsom salt baths work wonders.
Hi everyone. Thanks for all the advice.
Jan I think your right as I have had X-ray/CT and it's all come back neg .
I had horrible joint pain everywhere. Took me 15 mins just to get out of bed every morning. That along with other symptoms, my doctor has diagnosed me with Chron's, along with my good old FAP which caused me to get the j pouch. He put me on Remicade. Took a couple of months, but after that I had no pain. Didn't even have to take the occasional tylenol. If you are having other issues besides the joint pain I'd ask about Remicade. It worked wonders for me, and I had to miss one infusion because of insurance and am now almost four months between doses and I now take 15 mins to get up again.
