Enteropathic arthritis

acheyman

Hi there,

I am new to this forum. I have ulcerative colitis and have recently been diagnosed (after 2 years of pain) with enteropathic arthritis. I have been given sulfasalazine and have been taking it for nearly 6 weeks but feel no better. In fact the pain has spread to my hand and feet since starting it. I was just wondering if anyone else is taking it and how long it took to start working or if they found any benefit from it at all. I was given a week course of prednisolne last week but didnt work. Has anyone been given any medication which seems to help enteropathic arthritis? I am only 34 and have two young children. I am very fed up of it and am struggling to cope.

Any help or advice appreciated.

Thanks Acheyman

elnafinn

Hi Acheyman

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to read your thread and to learn that the meds prescribed do not appear to be working for you. It is trial and error and what helps someone else may not automatically be of any assistance to you. With two young children it must be very difficult for you and I do sympathise.

I have read that enteropathic arthritis is treated much the same as other spondyloarthropathies for joint symptoms. The problem is that both conditions, arthritis plus bowel disease, must be dealt with. NSAIDs which effectively treat arthritis may make bowel disease worse. The anti-TNF drugs Remicade, Humira and Cimzia have been successfully used to treat IBD while also being effective for arthritis.

I may be wrong but I think you have to try all other alternatives before the medics will even contemplate starting you on one or other of these biologics.

I do hope that you find some meds that help you very soon.

Elna x

skezier

Hi Acheyman,

A welcome from me as well and sorry your having a rough time just now.

I got crohn's and pa (as well as oa) so they keep hinting I also have the ea.... since I have the other 2 they haven't done much to find out as its all treated the same way.

I was sulfa fo about 16 months (i think) and give it its due it did hold the crohn's down and sort of helped with the bones but I reacted to it so was taken off it. that's when I found out it was holding the crohn's as it triggered with in a week.....

It can take up to 3 months to feel better on any of these drugs but its worth asking either your rumo or your gastro about it. It might be they can adjust the dose or add something in?

Elna is right you do need to fail on the normal ones before they move you on to the biologicals but there is a lot more help they can give so please go back and see them asap.

Cus of the digestion issues with IBD the pain patches rather than the tablets can be very good in not antagonising the lining. Could be worth asking but for me the diclo's are still prescribed but I have to have 40mg x2 a day of nexium to balance out and prevent the damage... my crohn's has gone after the oesophagus and stomach more than the bowl.

hang in there and I so with you didn't have the both.... IBD is evil and the arthritis isn't far behind.

N.A.C.C have a very good web site for info if you haven't found it yet it might be worth a look and the AC site has some info in the about arthritis section at the top of the page as well.

The helplines also are good at giving info and could be worth a ring. Their number is at the top of the page. In my case the more info I can get the more I understand it the less it frightens me..... though IBD is still very evil and I do so sympathise with you.

I honestly would see if you can at least get a phone conversation with either a rumo or a gastro as you may need the dose upped or something else either to replace it or add in. hang in there and nice to meet you. Cris x

frogmorton

Hi Acheyman

l was about to say that chances are you will be treated in a very similar way to all of us with autoimmune-type arthritises.

Most of us have found that finding the right medication for us is a matter of trial and error - what works for one might not work for another.

In your shoes, unless you have an appointment imminent, I would contact your rheumatology dept (nurse If you have one), and ask for an appointment asap. it is possible that the rheumatologist can increase teh sulfa or he/she may way to add something else to the mix.

Take care and welcome!

toni xx