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Hi all -
My son has UC but is currently in remission. However, on and off for the past few months he has complained of his back hurting, or his hip, or his leg..... The first time this happened, we'd been to the GI just a few weeks before and he'd had blood tests showing no inflammation, so I took him to the regular pediatrician (the pain was severe enough that he has missed school days.)
But - I am wondering, even without a flare at the moment, could this be UC-related?  I have UC also and joint pain wasn't something I dealt with for several decades, but the just the other day I read on this site that kids can have more joint pain than gut symptoms!
So, now I feel stupid and like a bad mother. Anyone else have experience with joint pain even while not flaring?

 Reply posted for musicmom.

Has he had a bone scan done?  My son 's GI ordered one when he was first diagnosed.  He was 16 at the time as well.  It is a basebline at least for the future.....whatever it holds

 Reply posted for sakmillis.

HI,

 My son is 15 and was diagnosed with Crohns 14 months ago. I understand when you say your son is tired medicines. I hear the same from my son, he is currently taking liadl, iron and Vitamin D. The Vitamin D is good for their bones. I recently read that Tumeric is good for Crohns patients. It helps the intestine and Joints. My son doesn't want to take any more pills so I began to take the Tumeric pills.I had been having some pain in my knees. I must say that my knees are better and  I am walking 2-4 miles a day.Maybe your son will try the Tumeric, at least its natural and not another medication. I dont like that my son has to take medicine everyday. And I will keep trying to get my son to try the Tumeric.

                             Best to you and your son.

                                

 

 Reply posted for musicmom.

My son is 14, diagnosed 1 year ago and has had severe joint pain.  Some days he is so bad he can't get out of bed without help and misses days on end of school. We've seen a rhumatologist and she and his GI have said that joint pain sometimes comes before a flare.  He has not had full blown flares but will have some intestinal cramping for awhile which we try to control with diet (he is on asacol for crohns). It has been suggested that he be put on a mild RA med, but he is so tired of meds and especially their side effects that maybe we'll try some joint supplements as suggested in another post.  They also say he needs to exercise.....how can he exercise when he can't even walk??? If anyone has any advice please........

Good luck and you're not alone!!!

 Reply posted for musicmom.

Joint pain is definitely something that can be associated with CD/UC.  Given your son's age, he may be suffering from the natural aches/pains that go along with growing into a man.   Many times, especially w/boys, their bones/ligaments begin to grow at a very fast pace.   Maybe try a warm bath w/epsom salt.  

Good luck,

Lizzies Mom

 Reply posted for musicmom.

My daughter is experiencing the same symptoms.  She is 15 and was diagnosed in 2002.  She has severly swollen ankles.  We had been monitering her blood work in the last month because she was anemic and had and elevated sed rate.  After taking her to the dr. he said the ankles were symptomatic of RA, related to Crohns.  She does not have joint pain any where else.  After more blood work, her sed rate had increase tremendously.  I am just frustrated because she had been well for so long and was under the false impression we were controlling it with diet. 

My question is, does anyone know if the joint pain can be localized to one area? 

 Reply posted for musicmom.

This must be very scary for you, Mom.  I have UC and was officially diagnosed about 5 years ago even though I had been battling it for about 12 years or so.  I was experiencing severe joint pain especially in my sacral area for a couple of years now.  It was so bad during my second pregnancy that I would cry every time I moved.  It was awful.  Recently, the joints in my hands and my feet would throb at night.  At my last doctor's visit he told me that I was experiencing an extra-intestinal manifestation of the UC.  It's like a type of Arthritis.  According to what I was told, you can have these symptoms when you're not flaring.  I started taking a joint supplement to give myself some support and it's been helping, but I would definitely talk to your son's doctor to make sure something else isn't going on. Feel free to email me if you had any questions about my experience (ceomom@ceomom.net).  Good luck!!! You're family is in my prayers.

 Reply posted for musicmom.

Symptoms vary from person to person...just  because you didn't have joint pain until you were older does not mean your child will be the same way. I would talk to your Dr and possibly a Rhuematologist to figure out what is going on.  I hope you find the answers you need!