Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Tummy Trouble and JRA

Breanna was a great eater before being diagnosed with arthritis. It wasn't until she was 2 that she became this horrible fickle eater. I noticed she did not eat that much and asked the doctor. He said, "Don't worry she is just 2." Well as the time passed it progressively got worse and worse. Breanna is not a skinny girl but she really only eats one time a day (lunch). I noticed sores in her mouth and acid reflux issues at almost 3. An intern asked if we had been taking folic acid. No I didn't know we should of. I guess it is common knowledge if you take methotrexate you should take folic acid. How was I suppose to know. I do know now that I have to be a very proactive member of my daughters team. Don't just put all your trust in the fact that the doctors will have all the answers.
Now Breanna is 4. At the 2009 National JRA conference I became aware that a lot of children suffer from chronic stomach aches. I learned that the medication can sometimes be the cause other times it's a condition associated with the arthritis going after soft tissues and other times its a completely separate problem. Never the less I needed to get to the bottom of the problem.
I came home and made an appointment with my regular doctor and explained that she complains of her throat and stomach burning, yucky burbs, diarrhea, and just doesn't feel like eating. He checked her out and agreed that she needed to see a specialist. I complained for about 2 years with her rheumatologist and got no where he got me the referral that day. The GI clinic is a busy one the next available isn't for 2 months.
So now I am dealing with the fact that the ankles and knees are starting to swell. She is still taking the Methotrexate, but she refuses the NSAIDS. If I do give the NSAIDS she gets nausea. I think we are going to try the mobic. I will post more about it when I find out more.
I am up for sugestions or comments if anyone has anything for me.

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