Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
I am a mom of a 20 year old son, John. He woke up Friday afternoon from a short nap and found himself in severe knee pain. It continued to get worse and by Sunday I had him in at the ER. We would have gone in much sooner if we didn't have Vicodin from a minor surgery he had on Thursday.
At the ER they did a battery of tests - blood work, x-rays, and withdrew some fluid from his knee. No obvious infection was detected but there were some elevated readings - one being sed rate. So my son was then referred to an orth doc. and he asked us if RA runs in our families. My father's sister had it. I am supposed to take him to a rheumy doc on Tuesday.
I know one shouldn't jump to conclusions but I know it's some kind of audio immune deficiency disorder. My mom has Ryenodes.
There are other things my son has had over the years - severe break outs of canker sores, migraines or some kind of horrible headaches he had to be on meds for, and more recently - dry eyes, ear blockage (and pain until the pain meds kicked in) and bad sinus problems. He also just revealed to me that his toes get really cold. I never even gave it a thought why he wears smart wools socks.
Oh - the morning is the worst. Maybe because he doesn't get a dosage during the night - he is in horrible pain in the AM. Now his knee is swollen, which wasn't noticeable before.
As far as I know, he hasn't had any other joint pain - never complained about his hands.
I am just wondering if any of you started with a sudden "attack"? Did any of you start having pain in your knee?
At the ER they did a battery of tests - blood work, x-rays, and withdrew some fluid from his knee. No obvious infection was detected but there were some elevated readings - one being sed rate. So my son was then referred to an orth doc. and he asked us if RA runs in our families. My father's sister had it. I am supposed to take him to a rheumy doc on Tuesday.
I know one shouldn't jump to conclusions but I know it's some kind of audio immune deficiency disorder. My mom has Ryenodes.
There are other things my son has had over the years - severe break outs of canker sores, migraines or some kind of horrible headaches he had to be on meds for, and more recently - dry eyes, ear blockage (and pain until the pain meds kicked in) and bad sinus problems. He also just revealed to me that his toes get really cold. I never even gave it a thought why he wears smart wools socks.
Oh - the morning is the worst. Maybe because he doesn't get a dosage during the night - he is in horrible pain in the AM. Now his knee is swollen, which wasn't noticeable before.
As far as I know, he hasn't had any other joint pain - never complained about his hands.
I am just wondering if any of you started with a sudden "attack"? Did any of you start having pain in your knee?
My heart goes out to him, he sounds like he's in alot of pain and discomfort.
And yes, RA is an auto-immune disease. Your body actually attacks its self. I encounter ear pain with this as well knee and other joint pain. Although the pain isn't actually in my ears, it's in my jaw and radiates to my ears.
I've just sent a prayer up for him. Wishing you the best.
Good luck and I am sorry he is in pain. I think it is the hardest to see our children in pain.
I agree with BrennyLee, I think both knees would be swollen if it's RA.
I'm glad you're going to a rheumatologist. Hopefully you'll have some answers soon.
I hope he feels better soon. I have two young children and can only imagine how I'd feel if I were in your shoes. Hang in there.
My pain started in both knees. Not just one. Then the pain bounced from the knees to the wrists w/in a couple weeks. Pain in one knee...it's typically symetrical pain (on both sides of body) It can bounce around at the onset, but typically pain would be in both knees.
I hope they figure out what's going on quicklly for him, and he'll get treatment he needs. Lisa
Along with the other suggestions I would also look at Lupus which can have the symptoms of cold hands and feet, canker sores, headaches, joint pain, sun sensitivity and a variety of other symptoms. The butterfly facial rash is a common symptom of Lupus but doesn't necessarily have to be present or it can be missed if there is acne.
I would just make sure all bases are covered, I know doctors will do all they can but for your peace of mind it is good to be informed of things. Do some research and be prepared and not be afraid to discuss things with the doctors.
I hope your son gets the help he needs and on the road to recovery really soon.
It sounds like your son is having multiple auto-immune problems. If he is tired and cold, have his thyroid checked. I got hypothyroidism at the same time as RA. It runs 4 or more generations in my family, females only, though. Check out the gut - it has taken me 10 years to realize my illnesses are related to intestinal issues. Of course, they will never be gone, but it helps to treat the underlying cause of the disease, rather than the symptoms.
Oh yes, my cousin who started with JRA when she was 1 1/2 started with a flare in one knee. Don't let anyone tell you it has to be in both sides of the body. She is a 56 years survivor.
I have already looked at lyme disease, Lupus on-line and RA - he has some symptoms or signs from both lupus and RA - so who knows?
All I know is he was playing indoor soccer on Wednesday and Friday he was in extreme pain and on crutches. And, as you know, it wasn't due to a soccer injury. He already broke a wrist playing soccer a few years ago.
My son likes to work out with weights. He takes the protein powder drinks. I think he reacting to certain supplements in order for him to get joint pains here and there through out his body. He also works in a hospital cafeteria requiring a lot of standing up as well as working with his hands which hurts him a lot a time.
Maybe pay attention to the diet your son follows as well as the activities he does which in turns leads to the things that causes the flare ups? Does he have a Vicodin reaction problem?
Sometimes the meds we take as well as any vitamins/supplements can give us problems and not be good for us.
I'm still playing detective with my son's occasional joint pains the same way as I do for myself to figure out how to make things better.
{{{hugs}}} :-)
From what you described, I immediately thought lupus as well, and I agree with naturegirl65 - the butterfly face rash is not always present. I have also heard that lupus sometimes presents a bit atypically in men.
Another thing to consider is the virus (not bacterial infection) parvo B19. In children, it often causes fifth disease, but in adults it can mimic RA.
Hopefully you get this sorted out, and get your son on the road to feeling better. Good luck!
Aoife
Another symptom I noticed under the lupus category is depression. My son had two noticeable bouts of it in high school. Along with the canker sores, headaches, cold toes, and joint pain - it seems like it's more associated with lupus than RA but who knows? Something is going on and it pains me to no end. Finally - finally after years of struggling he was at such a great place in his life. He's been so happy, back to playing soccer, loving school again - all A's, has a girlfriend, been a pleasure to be around - matured - and then - wham.
I am sorry to go on. I would prefer to be the one with whatever he has. When it's your child......... it's hard.