Joint pain

[sandyclaws]

Hi, is it possible that type2diabetes can affect your joints? Been getting really stiff and painful joints lately. Especially in morning. Can anyone advise please.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Be watchful of any aspartame or sweeteners that you have.. Read ingredients very carefully...
I was crucified by sweeteners and artificial ingredients. Unfortunately it got missed off my medical notes for 12 years...and it has been mothing but hell and yes, it started in my hips.
I have to take certain tablets now to reduce the % of cancer returning so have to live with debilitating pain as a constant now..
If Id known for 12 years the wffect of aspartame and articial chemicals on my body I could have had a better life.

 

[Jankiff]

I was diagnosed T2 about 12 years ago and a couple of years later with hypothyroid. I had good glucose control until things started to go downhill late 2013. I had frozen shoulder and remarked to the physio that my other joints were seizing up, notably first thing in the morning. He suggested I might have polymyalgia rheumatica and wrote to my doctor. By April 2014 the diagnosis was confirmed and I started the only treatment, prednisolone, a corticosteroid which interferes mightily with glucose control. Soon after, a skin irritation concurrent cleared up, I took no notice. When the steroid dose was reduced it came roaring back. After more tests over a long uncomfortable period of time I was diagnosed with Pemphigoid antibodies at the end of last year. The treatment is also prednisolone which was why it had temporarily cleared up, so I was put back on a high dose at Christmas 2015. Both these ailments are caused by an over active immune system, possibly due to the thyroid problem, and can be triggered by something like flu or a cold and fever, apparently. The pmr is in remission, I am on 10 mg preds for Pemphigoid and Azathioprine also, which is a drug to inhibit the immune system. Only just got on the latter and it takes a while to kick in, so I am pinning my hopes on it because My blood glucose levels are consistently out of range. I hate testing because they are so very bad. I am not going to say how high. I am ashamed, though I know it isn't my fault. Google Polymyalgia rheumatica for information on that. There is a blood test which confirms it. Diabetes, more females than males, and post menopausal, all can be factors. Don't discount statins though, if you take them.

 

[JohnEGreen]

@Jankiff Azathioprine or imuran as it's called in the USA can take up to 12 months to kick in as I found out. Did you have the requisite blood tests prior to starting on it and afterwards I had one a week four a month blood tests that is.

@sandyclaws I do have joint pains but have had them fror a long time before diagnosis of diabetes, and they don't seem to have got worse since then. But we are all effected by diabetes in somewhat different ways so it may be best to discuss it with your doctor or DN.

 

[Jankiff]

12 months? I was really hoping to come off prednisolone sooner than that! Especially because being on them and loss of good control is I expect why I now have mild retinopathy! I was on them 2 weeks had a satisfactory blood count then I had severe vomiting over Easter and after contacting my GP and dermatologist, stopped taking them until my next dermatology appointment. He thought I might have had norovirus so I have started again, and due another test in May. I did have some before, I have had so many now. The Pemphigoid, which I had never heard of, was diagnosed by a punch biopsy because I didn't get blisters, just spots rashes and interminable itching. Horrible, as I am guessing you know, especially if you get the occasional evening invitation. If my darling husband was still alive he would have rubbed cream into the part of my back I can't reach, but I have a long handled brush, I put an old sports sock over its head and fix with a twist tie, voila! Thank you for the information. I will ask the dermatologist the question, when I see him. You are younger than me by a couple of years but neither you nor I are in the average Pemphigoid age bracket, and I resent the word "elderly"!️

 

[JohnEGreen]

@Jankiff to be honest I am on Prednisolone for a condition other than Pemphigoid , Myasthenia Gravis and have been on them several years. My specialist stepped me down from 40mg a day to now what is considered a maintenance dose of 15mg a day at the same time was put on Azathioprine now 200mg a day with I thought a view to coming of preds altogether but this is now not going to happen in the near future if at all.

When started I was told that Azathioprine can take a long time to take affect and could be anything from 6 months to a year for me it took 12 months. This may not of course be the same for you but just wanted to warn you that it may take a little longer than you hoped for but when it does take affect it is a very effective drug so it is worth being patient and persevering with.
By the way your BG levels though a cause for concern are nothing to feel shame over you are having to contend with very unpleasant and painful conditions and the meds you have had no option but to take can have a marked effect on your BG levels.your not at fault.

Also with Azathioprine if you miss a day or more in order to start them again you have to go through all the blood tests again something else I found out unfortunately.

Best of luck and hope you feel much better soon.

John

 

[Jankiff]

Thank you, John, you have made me feel more comfortable about the situation. I was feeling such a failure after so many years of careful eating, exercise etc, bless you!

 

[amgrundy]

Hi, is it possible that type2diabetes can affect your joints? Been getting really stiff and painful joints lately. Especially in morning. Can anyone advise please.

HI sandyclaws, I am wondering the same as you, my joints especially hands and fingers are aching legs to in night.