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Annette Blachford
Posted Monday, November 02, 2009 8:24 AM


 

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Last Login: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 4:50 PM
Posts: 6, Visits: 15
My 22 month old daughter has recently complained about pain in her feet in the morning and right after her naps. She has a hard time walking first thing in the morning and it breaks my heart. This morning I dropped her off and daycare and she cried b/c she didn't want me to leave, I know it's because she was in pain. I have RA and have been dealing with it for the last year and a half. Could I have passed it on to her? I don't know what I should do. Is there a test that a doctor can do to tell me if she has it? How do I ease her pain? Do I give her pain meds like Tylenol or Advil? I'm sick to my stomach about this b/c I know what that pain and stiffness is like and to see it in your child is just heart wrenching. If anyone has any insight or advice on this matter I would appreciate it.

Thanks everyone.

Broken Hearted Mommy
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Pam 14
Posted Monday, November 02, 2009 8:50 AM


 

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Annette - I am so sorry to hear that you have RA and now your special little miracle is experiencing symptoms. It is possible that your child genetically inherited it, so please, get her into her pediatrician ASAP to get things rolling to see if her foot pain is JRA. JRA is more common than we'd like to think. Check out the Parents Forum on this site.

I'm not qualified to tell you what to be giving her at this point. With her tender young age, you'll need to check with her doctor. Call today and make an appointment for her. The sooner you do, the sooner she can begin to feel better.

Please post again and let us know how she and you are doing. Pam
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Grandpavan
Posted Monday, November 02, 2009 12:07 PM


 

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I personally prefer Ibuprofen to the other NSAIDs because I think it is a better anti-inflammatory. I think it works better for RA or related problems.

Your daughter might actually have RA or might not, but she does have life. I am thankful that my parents gave me life, even if RA also came along with it. Please rejoice that you have given your daughter life, and don't worry about any other things that came with it. God bless.

Age 82, diagnosed RA 12/2001, married since 1952, 4 sons no daughters, 4 grandsons 1 granddaughter.  Doing well on Methotrexate and Remicade.
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Aprilfreelance
Posted Monday, November 02, 2009 1:01 PM


 

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I think it is very important for you to get her to a pediatrician. While it is very possible she could have Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA), it could be something entirely different going on with her bones or ligaments. My philosophy is never take chances with pain in a growing child.

Also, Tylenol is always the preferred pain medicine in young children (according to my son's doc). Ibuprofen can very rarely cause Stevens-Johnson's Syndrome, a severe allergic skin and mucous membrane reaction that requires hospitalization and can be permanently disfiguring.

Be sure to let us know what you find out.

Age 36, Dx May 2009, waiting to start new meds after bad experience with Plaquenil.

The Bible in a nutshell: First half - be nice to God; second half - be nice to people.
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Chris Braile
Posted Tuesday, November 03, 2009 12:53 AM


 

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I would take her to the ped and get the bloodwork done, but if it is RA you *could* look into alternatives to meds it might be a good time to do it. I know this is NOT the standard advcie given, but to start such a young child on the meds needed for RA is a very serious thing IMO.
(((hugs))) Please don't beat yourself up. She's an awesome kid, and she will love her life regardless of the challenges she will face, and a lot of that will be because she has YOU to help her through it.

SAHM/homeschooler Diagnosed 2009 with RA
Diet (no nightshades/gluten), supplements (fish oil, cal/mag, Vit D, Vit C), Chinese herbal medicine (3rd Coast Herb Company), acupuncture, yoga
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Annette Blachford
Posted Tuesday, November 03, 2009 2:47 PM


 

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Thanks so much everyone!

I took her to the doctor today ... she actually developed a rash yesterday which the doctor says is due to a viral infection. He wants me to keep him updated and if by Friday she is still experiencing pain after waking then he'll send away for blood test.

I appreciate all the advice and kind words. It is truly such a relief to have a support system, your comments have put my heart at ease and I will take each day as it comes and document each day so that we can hopefully get a prognosis sooner than later (we all know how long it can take to get a diagnosis!).

Will keep you updated.

Thanks

BTW .... I received more responses in this forum than I did in the parenting one ... thanks again for all your kindness, it means a lot
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Annaart
Posted Tuesday, November 03, 2009 5:55 PM


 

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I don't think you are supposed to give small children Ibproben or NSIADs, so please get her to your doctor. Be sure to describe the stiffness in AM or nap, etc.

Sorry, sorry, I can't imagine how you are suffering knowing she is. There aren't so many ped rheumies and you for sure want an expert so don't wait.


Anna
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Liz M
Posted Tuesday, November 03, 2009 6:53 PM


 

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Annette -

I suer hope your little one doesn't have JRA, but better to be safe than sorry. I need to follow my own advice. My 2.5 year old often complains of pains in his leg or feet and it kills me to think I might have passed this on. I am sure they will get some form of autoimmune disease, as we have it on both sides, but I am hoping it is later in life.

Keep us posted!

Liz
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