is joint pain connected to my liver disease?

[Hopeful85]

Hi.

I have been having joint pain in my right knee which is becoming unbearable.

I’ve had an x-ray and am waiting for the results.

i have compensated liver disease and just wondered if the two are connected and what I can do in the meantime. Obviously I can’t take ibuprofen.

[BritishLiverTrust14 Moderator]

Dear Hopeful85,

If you would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday 9am to 3pm and Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm on 0800 652 7330 excluding bank holidays.

Best wishes,

British Liver Trust

[ColinH324]

I was prescribed Nefopam Hydrochloride for joint pain, which did help. Obviously no NSAIDs and only half dose of paracetamol does restrict what is available. I also have IBD (Crohn's/Colitis), had my large bowel removed and ileostomy formed and had deranged liver function test results for years.

I also have joint and nerve pain, originally put down to the autoimmune IBD, but have you been checked for IBD too? Some people develop PSC then go onto develop Crohn's or colitis, others develop the Crohn's/colitis first, then go onto develop PSC. With IBD you can get a form of arthritis, where you get swelling and pain, but without the damage to the joints.