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...
My daughter has been fighting painful bouts of costochondritis for a couple of years. Last year her wrist hurt and it was decided that it was sprained even though there was no injury or trauma involved at all. Physical therapy the whole nine yards...
We've been to the ER twice in three days because of intense wrist pain in both wrists.
*I* think the two things are connected and *I* think that she is likely to have what I have, but I am not sure what the odds were.
I started to present 9 years ago and it took 8 to get help. She is only 15.
So I guess my questions are:
How many of you are a parent/child arthritic combo
and
Am I overreacting*?
*Seriously, it was good that my husband went to the ER with her because I would have likely throttled the doc who poo-pooed her pain levels and sent her out the door with nothing but Aleve. (the first time it was just ibuprofen). This is the same kid who broke two bones in her wrist and the radius further up and didn't crack a tear. She's generally very tough.
We've been to the ER twice in three days because of intense wrist pain in both wrists.
*I* think the two things are connected and *I* think that she is likely to have what I have, but I am not sure what the odds were.
I started to present 9 years ago and it took 8 to get help. She is only 15.
So I guess my questions are:
How many of you are a parent/child arthritic combo
and
Am I overreacting*?
*Seriously, it was good that my husband went to the ER with her because I would have likely throttled the doc who poo-pooed her pain levels and sent her out the door with nothing but Aleve. (the first time it was just ibuprofen). This is the same kid who broke two bones in her wrist and the radius further up and didn't crack a tear. She's generally very tough.
Talk to the GP during next yearly. Demand xrays and MRIs based on symptoms and family history. Run blood tests. Since she's already bilateral I think your gut feeling is correct. See if GP will give a round of prednisone. If it stops the pain you're definitely dealing with inflammation and not injury.
Good luck to you. I know the dread you feel for what your daughter now faces.
thoughts for your daughter and your's also 2c.
Fiery, do you have plans fiery to get to the specialist with her? And, no you are not over reacting. You are being a mama. Sorry the ER doc was such a jerk with your daughter.
my daughter spent her childhood in a scoliosis body brace and has raynauds also. she has a fair amount of pain. she's in the Netherlands now but when she returns this summer she's has a specialty appointment with my Rheumie. I am glad. My kid has taught me a lot about pain tolerance.
Ros
Trust your instincts. You have experience with this disease. I salute your diagnostic eye.
I am sorry you and your daughter are dealing with any of this.
Thinking of y'all and sending strength.
pls get her tested with a specialist.....blood work and x-rays would definitely help.
If I remember correctly, your current GP helped you get a referral to a rheumy after years of being blown off. See if he will do the same for your daughter now. If you don't need a referral, call your rheumy's office and see if they will mkae her an appointment. You learned the hard way how difficult it can be to get good help. Don't let her suffer the same delays you did.
As to ER staff, most of them wouldn't recognize RA if it walked up and bit them in the butt. Their training is in acute illnesses and injuries. They skipped class the day they discussed autoimmune stuff.
She is in with our doc. He is methodical so insurance doesn't kick things back. It doesn't' make me care for insurance more.
He doesn't think that he two are connected, but he ran a lot of tests.
She has braces and naproxsyn (which isn't really making a dent) and is going back in two weeks. In the meantime, I have her keeping a journal.
We have a friend at church who has lupus and is a medical student, and she gave us a few tips on talking with doctor.