I have crohn's and often have severe joint pain. i can live with the pain, but is this permanently damaging my joints? or is it just temporary inflammation? thanks!

Crohn's & arthritis!: There is an arthritis, similar to spondylitis, that is quite common in crohn's. This requires specific attention, because it may be independent of "active" crohn's dsisease. It's propensity is to attack the sacroiliac joints, spine, hips and shoulders, and te.Ndons and ligaments. It is called enteropathic arthritis. See someone in rheumatology for this one.

Depends: Inflammation or "immune self-injury" often is caused by immune system's response to environmental toxins (often biotoxins). Determination of the toxins at play in order to eliminate or reduce exposure often contributes to reduction of the inflammation. Over time inflammation can result in permanent tissue injury. Environmental medicine deals with this.