Arthritis Foundation Forum
Home   
Search
Welcome Guest ( Login | Register )
  
Recent Posts
   
Popular Topics

Home » Juvenile Arthritis » Parents and Parenting » New Message Board - What a change

New Message Board - What a change Expand / Collapse
Rate Topic
Display Mode
Topic Options
Author
Message
AmyB
Posted Monday, July 21, 2003 5:58 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:30 PM
Posts: 212, Visits: 0
What a change in the message board. I hope that parents will continue to talk about their children. I found the old message board so helpful. I appreciate all the input. My daughter Lauren is 6 years old with Polyarticular JRA. We are actually on a good track right now with methotrexate, aspirin and a small dose of prednisone every other day. I am glad we get to the pool frequently, it seems to really help. Also, we have starting using warm towels in the morning to help her get out of bed. Well, I just wanted to leave a message on the new board and ask that all those who wrote on the old board, please keep leaving your messages. I learn so much from the postings and they give me and my daughter such hope in this terrible disease.
Post #4083628
Top
TerryB
Posted Tuesday, July 22, 2003 6:19 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:31 PM
Posts: 630, Visits: 0
It didn't take long to register. Hope everyone starts posting again. Terry
Post #4100989
Top
Jill
Posted Saturday, July 26, 2003 8:25 AM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:30 PM
Posts: 263, Visits: 0
I think it is going to take me a while to get used to this new board. I, too, hope that everyone else comes over to the new board. The support I have found here is wonderful. I am grateful to all the caring people who visit this site.
Post #4100990
Top
AmyB
Posted Saturday, July 26, 2003 1:50 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:30 PM
Posts: 212, Visits: 0
Jill Good Luck at the Ped Rhuem. I am sorry that you had to wait so long for an appointment. Here is some advice, please feel free to disreqard. If you have a friend, grandmother or husband or someone to take with you, I would do so. It can be very overwhelming to finally get a diagnosis or to hear what the doctor has to say. Two sets of ears are better than one. Take a note pad to write down things you especially want to remember. I went into my first visit with a long list of questions. Between the each questions, I left space so that I could write down what the doctor said in short notes between questions. Good luck at your appointment, I am sure it will go well. Let us know how it turns out. Since I have a child who has JRA, I feel like all children experiencing similar stuff are so special. Take care, Amy B.
Post #4100991
Top
AnastasiaEncarnacion
Posted Friday, August 22, 2003 10:22 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:31 PM
Posts: 1, Visits: 0
Dear Amy, I am an aqua aerobics instructor and I teach adults with both osteo and rhematoid arthritis. I found it interesting that your daughter feels better after visting the pool. I can think of about 3 reasons why she might be feeling good after being in the pool. One reason could be hydrostatic pressure. This pressure increases with depth. This force affects the internal organs of the body as well as the body's skin. Hydrostatic pressure can decrease swelling, especially in the lower extremities which are immersed deeper in vertical aquatic exercise. It offsets the tendency of blood to pool in the lower extremities during exercise and aids venous return to the heart. It can also help to condition the muscles used to inhale and exhale as pressure is exerted on the chest cavity. I know that this force helps reduce the common edema found in pregnant women and may help reduce the swelling in your daughters affected areas. Because of hydrostatic pressure and fluid elimination, somewhat more fluids should be consumed, unless, of course, that is contraindicated by your rheum. pediatrician. Reason two, it could be buoyancy. I know that warm water workouts (88-90 degrees) in a therapy pool is beneficial to adult participants, it allows the person to relax and be bouyant, all that gravity is reduced, and the person feels much lighter. The more the body is immersed, the lighter they feel. Buoyancy also reduces joint compression. Aqua aerobics and Aqua arthritis classes are held in chest deep water. This depth is the best to balance between buoyancy and muscular control over body movements, when working off the pool bottom. Reason three could be the nervous system soothing that water gives as it passes over the skin. That is why swimming is used with some patients with anxiety disorders. Outside of water properties, the fun she has in the water may also help her make the "happy" chemicals the body naturally produces when laughing and having fun. This is part of the basis of laughter therapy with cancer patients. Any or all of the above may be contributing to your daughter feeling better from being in the pool. Check out all that I say with people more expert than I with your daughters condition. There is a pool exercise program video put out by the Arthritis Foundation. It is shown with mature adults. So, please discuss this program with your pediatrician, if you are considering using it, before using the techniques in play with your daughter. I hope she has many happy days in the water! I hope that maybe there is a water therapist or childrens aqua aerobics instructor out there that has direct experience with JRA and can help your daughter more. Thanks for reading! Would love to hear more from aquatic professionals about this subject. I teach a very diverse student population which could branch out to juveniles in time.
Post #4100992
Top
ShannonWalters
Posted Saturday, August 23, 2003 10:00 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:31 PM
Posts: 14, Visits: 0
Amy my name is Shannon and I'm 23 and have had Polyarticular J.R.A. sense I was 13months old. Your daughter Lauren sounds alot like me at her age except , they used mainly aspirin and gold shots when I was her age,and I was allergic to both so they did'nt know what to do. so by the time Methotrexate was available it was a little to late for me . It is now in every single joint in my body. I'm not telling you this to get you upset or anything ,I just want you to know that I understand what you and your daughter are going through. I also wanted to say that if you or your daughter need to talk to someone that understands this horrible disease, I'm here and would be happy to listen or answer any questions you have if I can.
Post #4100993
Top
AmyB
Posted Monday, August 25, 2003 7:06 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:30 PM
Posts: 212, Visits: 0
Thanks Anastasia for the Info. It is very helpful. Amy
Post #4100994
Top
« Prev Topic | Next Topic »


All times are GMT -5:00, Time now is 7:23pm


Execution: 0.484. 59 queries. Compression Disabled.
[  HOME |  MyPROFILE |  MyNEWS |  COMMUNITY |  RA CONNECT |  GROUPS |  FORUMS |  TAGS |  PHOTO GALLERY |  EVENTS |  INVITE |  FIND OTHERS  ]
© 2008 Arthritis Foundation.