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Toddler RA? Expand / Collapse
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Annette Blachford
Posted Monday, November 02, 2009 8:53 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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Juile
Posted Monday, November 02, 2009 10:44 AM


 

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If it doesn't go away in a week or so, you should have your ped take a look at her. You are probably familiar with all the steps that come next. If it is arthritis, at least you know how to handle it and what to do to help your little one, having been through it all yourself. But until then, we can hope it is just some reaction to a virus that will go away on it's own.

Please don't waste time blaming yourself if it does turn out to be arthritis. It is NOT your fault and all of those negative feelings are just a waste of your emotional strength. No one knows why these things happen in life, but they do... and it is best to just stay positive and focus on the things you can actually do something about. My husband struggled with those feelings too (he has an autoimmune disease as well).

I hope this is just a passing illness and will be cured with a little time, but if not, hang in there and stay strong. I will be thinking of you and your little one. Take Care.
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Juile
Posted Monday, November 02, 2009 10:50 AM


 

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Oh - sorry, I was ranting and forgot to actually answer your question, lol. I would give Ibuprofin instead of tylenol. It seemed to help my daughter more. If that doesn't do the trick, you can ask your doctor if it is ok to alternate between the two until you can get her in for an appointment. Also, warm baths might help.
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kim evans
Posted Monday, November 02, 2009 12:08 PM


 

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Ibuprofin works the best for us. My daughter has a hard time walking in the morning because of the inflamation in her knee, I noticed that if I give her a bath in the morning it usually does the trick. If you have time you could try that or use a warm rice bag to lay on her foot. The heat really helps. I would also make a Dr appointment and have them run some tests.
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Annette Blachford
Posted Monday, November 02, 2009 1:16 PM


 

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Last Login: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 4:50 PM
Posts: 6, Visits: 15
Thanks guys

I have a doctor's appointment set for tomorrow. Her daycare just called and she now has a rash on her belly ... is that common?
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CatP
Posted Tuesday, November 03, 2009 5:56 PM


 

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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 4:49 AM
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Not to scare you or anything, but my daughter's earliest symptom that I can recall was foot pain and wanting to be held a lot. I didn't tell the doctor because her foot pain seemed to be infrequent and I attributed it to something else. I had never heard of arthritis in children anyway. By the way, my daughter was 2 when she was diagnosed and her foot pain began, I think, almost a year before that.

It is heart wrenching to see your child experience pain. Dealing with my daughter's condition has been one of the hardest things I've ever encountered in my life to date. I am mostly concerned for her future but I'm learning to take things day by day.

I hope your daughter does not have arthritis or anything serious but if she does have arthritis there are plenty of inspiring stories out there. Also, I am hopeful that our children will see a cure or at least safer meds in the future.

As for tests the doctor can do, there aren't really any that are specific. The doctor may have x-rays done on your daughter and some lab tests. My daughter only had one abnormal lab result, her SED rate was elevated. This is considered an inflammation marker. Her doctor will probably also do a CRP (another inflammation marker), an ANA (this is an autoantibody test), CBC and an RF (rheumatoid factor). Even if the lab results are normal, it doesn't rule out arthritis though and even if she has arthritis, it doesn't mean it is Rheumatoid. There are different kinds of juvenile arthritis. I don't think Rheumatoid is very common with children.

As for meds, NSAIDS are usually the first medications prescribed for Juvenile arthritis, the most common one being Naproxen/Naprosyn. I actually started giving my daughter Ibuprofen while she was in the process of being diagnosed. As for the morning pain which may actually be stiffness, it was recommended to me to put my daughter in a warm bath first thing in the morning.

In response to your later question about rashes, my daughter did have a light rash on her upper body before diagnosis and some other weird skin issues. I can't say for sure if they were all attributable to the arthritis or not. She has probable Psoriatic arthritis so I believe some of the skin issues may have been a mild case of psoriasis.

Oh, if/when the doctor orders lab tests you may want to read some of the advice in this forum under "Fear of Blood Draws" before taking her to the lab. If she has never had her blood drawn it may easier at this time to implement some of the advice before she has developed the fear.

Good luck and keep us updated.
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