Reactive arthritis
sandij
Member Posts: 2
My son was diagnosed with reactive arthritis 18 months ago. He is in constant pain. There has never been a definitive daignosis of what started this off, possibly glandular fever. He was unable to attend school due to fatigue, pain, concentration issues (due to pain) and had a link ed tutor to get him through his GCSEs. Had a good spell during the summer and we were optomistic that things were at last on the way out. However, he is currently in the middle of a flare up affecting toes ankles, wrists, back elbows knees hips. He is currently on diclofenic as iprobrufen no longer works. This is not helping either. Wat is the next step??
Interestingly he had his appendix out in january and had huge doses of antibiotics that cleared his system and he said that was the best he had been for a long time. Every flare up starts with a sore throat and diaroeah(sp) on a 4-6 week basis.
He has now started A levels but is finding it hard to attend school due to the current flare up, the size of the school (at one point he suffered panic attacks) and we are looking into getting a wheelchair for use in school.
This disease is very difficult to get your head round, everytime we see a Consultant as mention a new sympton or joint problem, we are told that this is usual - in which case why weren't we told this at the beginning! We were also told that it would probably burn itself out within 2 years - is this hope or exxpectation?
AS he always gets sore throats should I suggest, or push for antibiotics (forget to mention that he is on mild ones for acne) or what.
Interestingly he had his appendix out in january and had huge doses of antibiotics that cleared his system and he said that was the best he had been for a long time. Every flare up starts with a sore throat and diaroeah(sp) on a 4-6 week basis.
He has now started A levels but is finding it hard to attend school due to the current flare up, the size of the school (at one point he suffered panic attacks) and we are looking into getting a wheelchair for use in school.
This disease is very difficult to get your head round, everytime we see a Consultant as mention a new sympton or joint problem, we are told that this is usual - in which case why weren't we told this at the beginning! We were also told that it would probably burn itself out within 2 years - is this hope or exxpectation?
AS he always gets sore throats should I suggest, or push for antibiotics (forget to mention that he is on mild ones for acne) or what.
0
Comments
-
Dear Sandij
Thank you for your message.
I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties your son is experiencing with his arthritis.
The information we have on reactive artritis ( see http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis_information/arthritis_types__symptoms/reactive_arthritis.aspx) mentions that it usually disappears within six months but can last longer for a small number of people.
For information on the different type of medications that may help see http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis_information/arthritis_drugs__medication/nsaids.aspx.
It may be worth asking the specialist why he/she thinks the condition has gone on for so long. You can also ask the doctor/specialist whether antibiotics may be helpful (we are unable to offer advice on this, as we are not medically trained).
Our booklets on Break-Out and Chat2 Parents also contain useful information. See http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Listedbytype/Booklets/Booklets2.
We may also run a younger persons support group in your area. Go to http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/InyourArea.
I hope this information is useful to you.
Please ring our helplines on 0808 800 4050 if you would like to have a chat about your sons condition.
Regards
Nick0
Categories
- All Categories
- 21 Welcome
- 18 How to use your online community
- 3 Help, Guidelines and Get in Touch
- 11.9K Our Community
- 9.5K Living with arthritis
- 156 Hints and Tips
- 221 Work and financial support
- 762 Chat to our Helpline Team
- 6 Want to Get Involved?
- 396 Young people's community
- 11 Parents of Children with Arthritis
- 38 My Triumphs
- 125 Let's Move
- 33 Sports and Hobbies
- 20 Food and Diet
- 373 Chit chat
- 244 Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- 32 Community Feedback and ideas