Painful joints

[Maisiemax2009]

Morning

Is anyone experiencing painful joints whilst taking pentasa ? Sometimes it keeps me awake. I had it in my knee last week and could barely stand on it. It's now in my wrist. I'm in despair

[willow24 Administrator]

How long have you had IBD? it is common for extraintestinal disorders to develop. After years of complaining of painful joints my new gastro referred me to a rheumatologist where scans showed I had enteropathic arthritis. this is an inflammatory arthritis associated with IBD, and it mimics rheumatoid arthritis. Medications for the arthritis are the same as for IBD.

Have you had a recent flare up and started pentasa? it may be worth getting hold of your gastro and speaking to them, as you may need higher dose or another medication added. It may be that its just taking time to get into your system and reach a therapeutic level.

[Maisiemax2009 in reply to willow24]

Yes just started on pentasa. I'm back at hospital tomorrow as I cannot stand the pain. I'm hoping it either subsides or they give me different medication.

[willow24 Administrator in reply to Maisiemax2009]

It prob isn't the Pentasa but the Crohns/colitis affecting your joints. You can take regular paracetamol (up to 4 times a day 4-6 hourly) but avoid ibuprofen or aspirin as they are contraindicated in IBD as can worsen symptoms.

good luck tomorrow, and let me know how you get on x

[Maisiemax2009 in reply to willow24]

Thank you. I've never had a problem with my joints. It seems that one joint hurts for a couple of days then that subsides then another joint hurts. It's bazaar x

[LizGibson]

Don't assume it isn't the pentasa. Last year I had a bad reaction to pentasa that caused me to have the same symptoms of palendromic arthritis, basically where you have arthritis that cycles round your body affecting different joints. It also caused me to have hepatitis. As soon as I came off my pentasa granules it cleared up and hasn't come back. The suppositores dint cause the same side effects as they don't go into your blood stream to the same extent but if you check on the patient information leaflet with the granules you will see joint pain listed as a possible side effect. Good luck with getting it sorted. I know how painful it can be x

[Maisiemax2009 in reply to LizGibson]

Thank you for reply. That's been really helpful x

[Maisiemax2009]

Went to see consultant and he has taken me off pentasa and put me back on steroids for 3 months. He said the disease can cause joint pain but as I had not had joint pain before pentasa it was likely to be a side effect. Will see wot medication I get next time and hopefully no painful side effects x

[willow24 Administrator]

Good luck. You do need to be careful having steroids too much tho, as these can cause major probs down the line including osteoporosis and diabetes due to constant high blood sugars. x