Post by happymama on Apr 21, 2015 19:14:46 GMT -5
We saw the ortho today and had some x-rays done. There was some swelling of her joint and decreased range of motion, but everything else was normal. He gave us a referral to a rheumatologist as he was strongly suspicious of rheumatiod arthritis. We had to go to the lab and get a bunch of bloodwork done as well, and thankfully there was an appointment with the rheumatologist right away so she can be seen tomorrow. By mind is spinning but we still need to wait for her lab results and hopefully will know more after her appt tomorrow.
***update***
We saw the rheumatologist yesterday, and it does look like she has juvenile arthritis. So far it is only her knees that are inflammed, and only one knee is symptomatic. She is starting on anti-inflammatories and they will be doing a steriod injection in the affected knee to prevent any joint damage. Due to her age, they will have to sedate her for the steriod injection, and while that is scary, it's better than the long term affects of taking oral meds, so I'm happy it's an option. They don't know what causes it and they don't know why some kids go into remission and others don't. This could be her only episode or she could have it for life, or any variation in between, only time will tell. So for now, we are just taking it a step at a time. She is doing pretty well and doesn't complain much about pain, just limps around like a little old lady, but is otherwise her happy self.
***update***
We saw the rheumatologist yesterday, and it does look like she has juvenile arthritis. So far it is only her knees that are inflammed, and only one knee is symptomatic. She is starting on anti-inflammatories and they will be doing a steriod injection in the affected knee to prevent any joint damage. Due to her age, they will have to sedate her for the steriod injection, and while that is scary, it's better than the long term affects of taking oral meds, so I'm happy it's an option. They don't know what causes it and they don't know why some kids go into remission and others don't. This could be her only episode or she could have it for life, or any variation in between, only time will tell. So for now, we are just taking it a step at a time. She is doing pretty well and doesn't complain much about pain, just limps around like a little old lady, but is otherwise her happy self.
