3 year old duaghter about to begin MTX

konnie

Hi, My daughter (who is 3 next week) was diagnosed about 6 months ago with oligoarthritis. (Now upgraded to extended oligoarthriotis) It started in her knees and then spread to her ankle,knuckle and wrist. Steriod injections havent worked so they have prescribed methotrexate. Im really worried about giving it to her as she wont be able to verbalise as well as an older child what side effects she might be having. Has anyone got any tips about mixing it with anything to disguise the taste or what time of day to give it?

She is pretty immobile at the moment so im desperate for this to work but it's all so new to me i dont know what to expect. I want someone to tell me where she;s going to be in 6 months /a years time but it's all so unpredictable that noone can tell me!

Would be great to hear from others who are going / have been through a similar thing. Am feeling very confused and lonely.

wibberley

Hi Konnie,

So sorry to hear your 3-yr old is suffering. It must be heartbreaking to see her in pain. I'm afraid I can't help at all with the mtx question, but I do remember when I was diagnosed (aged 7), my parents sometimes mixed my medicine with jam or milk. This was 36 years ago so perhaps there are more palatable alternatives these days!

It may be worth posting this question in the Helpline zone where someone far more experienced than me could advise far better than me!

It's good that she's had a diagnosis and is recieving the appropriate treatment. Despite being diagnosed at 7 (and confined to a wheelchair at that point), my life has been largely symptom free and at one point I even contemplated becoming an aerobics teacher. Fingers crossed once her condition is under control, she'll be feeling much better....and you will be feeling much happier too.

Lois

frogmorton

Hi Konnie
There are others on here with little ones with arthur and they should turn up soon.
I would check with your pharmasict (sp) for advice on the taking of the meds as you don't want to make a mistake. Some meds cannot be crushed for instance, but if that;'s ok I used to give my step daughter her meds crushed in some chocolate spread....
I really really wish you and her all the very best and would love to know how she gets on
Love
Toni xx

scattered

I alwyas used to take my MTX at night, about half an hour after my evening meal. I tried to make sure I had some carbs for tea, like a jacket potato or chips, or pasta because I felt less sick if I ate those things. I generally avoided anything dairy based for that meal and meals on the day after.

I can't help with how to disguise the taste I'm afraid.

joyful164

Hello Konnie
I experienced some heart wrenching times with my daughter when she was 4 years old. (she is now 40) Her hips completely locked up and she would screw herself up in terrible pain. I had to roll her over on to the opposite side to release the hip. It scared us both for 1 year and despite blood tests, hospital trips to diff consultants, keeping her off her feet for months on end, never did find out what was wrong. Taking blood tests from children then was terrible. I use to hate hearing her screaming. Children are prepared better now.
My daughter couldn't sit on the floor at school like the other children did but had to sit in a proper chair for fear of her hip locking up again.
Because of this time I had with my child, I know that you must be feeling really scared for your child most of the time.
A lot more research has gone into forms of arthritis in the last 40 years and treatment for children has gone a long way too.

I would start making your child smoothies. They can be good to take and your child will be getting lots of vitamens aswell. I do hope you get the answers you want soon.

joy