Polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

[Keewro]

Well I'll condense the story.......
Leg pain for ages and ankles etc suspected hypermobility but blood tests show very high rheumatoid factor , being referred to a specialist for more clear diagnosis but they are saying with her symptoms plus the rf positive blood that it is pointing towards, polyartocular rf + type.

Anyone here with children with the same??
Absolutely heart broke 😢

Bump

Hello my DD age 9! She’s absolutely fine now she’s on medication!
Was a horrible, horrible few years before we got a diagnosis and medication! DD used a wheelchair until she started school x

Thanks so much for your reply, if you dont mind me asking, what type of jia does she have and is she rf positive x

Bump

I was diagnosed with that at age 8, I'm above 40 now.

Keep on the meds as the inflammation takes time to reduce. Get a couple of those wheat bags that you can heat in the microwave as they are absolute bliss for sore joints.

I had splints to wear on my hands/wrists on s night time. No idea if this is still done.

Her joints will be stiff in a morning but will loosen. I soak my hands in warm water in the sink to help reduce the pain. Don't let her go downstairs on her bum to avoid walking on them though. That will do more harm than good.

I'm guessing she has fatigue as she's newly diagnosed. So she'll have a limited amount of "battery life", hopefully she'll have enough for school but may need to rest/sleep on an evening. (On my worst days I get through work, sort my DCs then rest - that's how I recover through flare ups).

Having said all that exercise does help. Even a small amount of walking helps loosen stiff joints, swimming is good as it cushions the joints.

Remember this will come and go. I went into remission age 16 for a number of years. That's quite common for this diagnosis.

RA can be managed.

Read my post back. I mean walking down the stairs normally not upside down on sore hands.

Thanks so much for your reply, and thankyou for all your tips, we are still waiting for an official diagnosis but shes rf posotive, are you?
And yes she always needs a nap after school x

My daughter has polyarticular Arthritis but doesn’t have a rheumatoid factor which made getting a diagnosis drag out a bit. Also my daughter ate a restricted diet to reduce inflammation- no tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, pineapple or blackacurrant! I believe this helped alot! X

Yes I have the rheumatoid factor. You don't have to have it, it just makes diagnosis easier.