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Recurrent Reactive arthritis in child

Posted , 2 users are following.

Mamjan
Mamjan

does anyone have any experience or advice regarding recurrent reactive arthiritis flare ups in a 10 year old girl. She had a couple of bouts of RA as a toddler. She has talked of joint pain in her fingers and lower back pain since she was 7 as well as heel pain diagnosed as planter fascillis.

Then last January, following a bout of UTIs and a viral chest infection she had a RA flare up whereby she was very run down and suffered extremely painful hips, knees and ankles. This lasted 3 weeks  then  last year she has had similar flare ups 8 time varying from last 4 days to 10 days then they pass. They all follow UTIs, and once an ear infection.  

She has constant Back pain, heel pain and neck pain in the morning between these episodes. I

Blood tests not showing "inflammation". The situation is having a bad effect on my daughters quality of life. She has to use crutches to walk during a flare up, if she can even tolerate the pain then. 

Any advice of what direction we need to ask for investigation? Has anyone else heard of these recurrent RA flares in children?

1 like, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • borderriever
    borderriever Mamjan

    Posted

    She will be taking some form of NSID medication and Pain Management drugs ?.

    She will need to keep active between flares, generally after a flare she will go into remmision. You could ask about the use of a TENS Machine, the GP may be able to arrange training in its use.

    The bloods not showing any problems is quite normal depending on her condition so It seems She is suffering Rhumitoid Arthritis. (Child)

    It may be important that she visits Physio for manipulation and that may help her. Keeping the joints active will help movement

    Does your Daughter suffer from any skin complaints ?. Psoriatic Arthritis can attach small joints and various parts of the spine. They can suffer skin damage or not depending on Her makeup. This would follow the lack of results from the blood test. There is a condition called Infantile Eczma that disappers as the child gets older, your GP can advise

    The treatment for RA may be different when it comes to children so it is important she gets the benefit of a Specialist who treats RA. This type of Arthritis can be caused by an overractive immune system that attacks the joints. There are treatments for these conditions although I do not know what the treatment plans would be for a child as some of the drugs they use reduce the immune system and prevents  various attacks of the overractive immune system on the body. These medications need a constant review of your daughters condition. I am not a Doctor, I am a Patient with PsA.

    Talk to your GP it may be He is thinking the condition will burn out given time and He is entering into a waiting time period to see if the above condition will flare then burn itself out.

    This condition in my eyes is not Reactive as such as that signify a further complaint that is attacking the joints. This is a condition in its own right. caused by an overractive immune system.

    There are Pain Clinics to help adults control there Pain. I do not know if they have something the same for children in pain

    BOB

     

    • Mamjan
      Mamjan borderriever

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. This is very helpful.

      yes she is taking ibuprofen, paracetamol but these don't counteract the pain. Maybe the tens could be an option.  In between flares she is very active, although she does have constant back pain. 

      She does have very dry skin, we use emollient to help that. 

      Will get on to the go for a RA referral as soon as possible. 

      Thanks again for your insight.

      j

       

    • borderriever
      borderriever Mamjan

      Posted

      Have the dry skin looked at.

      If She needs creams etc try Epaderm, E45 and wash with Aquatious Cream they can be purchased over the counter and do not contain Steriods

      BOB

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