Arthritis - Juvenile Support Group
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), formerly known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), is the most common form of persistent arthritis in children. JIA is sometimes referred to as juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA), a term that is not precise as JIA does not encompass all forms of chronic childhood arthritis. Arthritis is the inflammation of the synovium (the lining...
My son was diagnosed with JIA in July after twisting his leg on a slide in June. After the injury - we went to an ortho and then a rheumatologist. He had been limping (and still is a little) for over 6 weeks, and after blood work, X-rays, and MRI's, the JIA diagnosis came about. Since then, he received a steroid injection to the knee on August 11 which did nothing for him. We also have done 2 rounds of oral steroids in addition to ibuprofen 3x /day. We decided to go for a 2nd opinion last week with an ortho to make sure something wasn't missed with the injury in June. He suggested it could have been a "Toddlers Fracture" all along and he may be getting better on his own. He suggested we take him off steroids, which we have. He still take IB 1x/day. He has seemed to not be getting worse and mostly better. He is stiff for about 15 minutes every morning but then once he has stretched, he seems back to normal.
The rheumatologist wants us to begin Methotrexate for treatment, but we are reluctant since we aren't 100% convinced of the diagnosis.
I know JIA can only affect one joint but is it that common? And after an injury to that joint? Also - has anyone had experience with a steroid shot NOT helping? He also has tested neg on ANA tests and has never had elevated CRP's in blood work, however, ESR levels have been high.
Has anyone chosen a natural way to help vs taking the DMARD's? Results?
The rheumatologist wants us to begin Methotrexate for treatment, but we are reluctant since we aren't 100% convinced of the diagnosis.
I know JIA can only affect one joint but is it that common? And after an injury to that joint? Also - has anyone had experience with a steroid shot NOT helping? He also has tested neg on ANA tests and has never had elevated CRP's in blood work, however, ESR levels have been high.
Has anyone chosen a natural way to help vs taking the DMARD's? Results?
To cut a long story short, she had xray after xray then an MRI which after that they diagnosed her. She was referred to the Rheumatolgy consultant at a childrens hospital who have been fantastic. They advised for her to go in hospital and be put under anathestic for steriod injections to her wrist, we did this but no change at all.
The consultant then decided to put her on 15mg methotrexte per week which I must admit I wasn't keen on but the consultant explained things would only get worse if not. She was fine at first with the injections but soon got very anxious and it was a weekly trauma for her as once she had the injection she felt stinging in her leg and always was sick. The consultant then prescribed folic acid, which did make a slight difference but shes now on 50ml a week and had her injection today and already been sick twice!
My daughters pain had got worse this march where she was up every night in pain and literally couldn't use her hands. She had a second MRI which confirmed her wrists had got worse so she is now on methotrexate once a week and Enbrel twice a week but her pain in her wrists (after three months) is minimal which is great. The only thing with my daughter is that she has a massive dislike to taking the methotrexate (pen form) as it makes her so ill and is awful to watch her every week suffering, saying that by the following afternoon after she is fine? As hard as it is I would rather put up with the trauma once a week if it makes her life so much easier and she can continue to do what her friends are doing .