New to here

LaurenH95

My daughter was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic(mainly effecting her ankles) arthritis in February 22, (she’s only 3) since then she’s been put to 4 times to have steroid injections. She was doing really well her joints seemed to be doing really well and I noticed the other day her ankle is starting to swell again. I’ve not come across anyone that is going through this yet. I was feeling really positive that she was doing to so well it’s just horrible to see her on her bad days where she’s not as active as other kids cause she’s in discomfort. I’ve recently come across this page and I was exactly the same until my daughter got diagnosed I thought arthritis was mainly as older age thing. We’ve got an appointment with the rheumatologist later this week so hopefully that will give me some peace of mind.

Ellen

Hi @LaurenH95

Welcome to the online community. I am so sorry to read that your 3 year old has been diagnosed with JIA and that you are having to witness her in discomfort. I am very pleased to see you will be seeing a rheumatologist this week where you should hopefully be offered a treatment plan to help her.

We do have a specific category for Parents of children with Arthritis. It isn't used a great deal, but reading some of the old posts may well resonate with you. It can of course be useful for you to hear from adults who have arthritis (some of whom were also diagnosed as children) to help you understand how it is for your daughter. She probably hasn't got the vocabulary yet to tell you everything. Living with Arthritis is the most popular category after Say Hello where you have just posted please do just join in wherever you wish.

I don't know whether this information might be of interest to you?

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2023/october/tips-for-parents-and-carers-how-to-support-a-child-living-with-arthritis-or-a-musculoskeletal-condition/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2022/december/our-research-is-helping-children-with-arthritis-like-six-year-old-lara/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/young-people/information-for-parents/

Obviously not all of it will be relevant @LaurenH95 but hopefully some will be.

You are welcome to ring our helpline too of course the number is below my post.

My very best wishes

Ellen.

Nurina

I'm so sorry to hear that. I was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis when I was 5 years old and I'm 55 now. This condition is very different from one person to another and children are very different from adults. Times have change since I was diagnosed so I hope your daughter have the best of the treatments.

Best wishes

frogmorton

A quick hello from me as well.

As a mum I feel so much for you. My own daughter got leukaemia and watching her suffering was the worst thing ever for me so I have some understanding of what you're going through.

I will have everything crossed that your daughter gets the gold standard treatment when you see the rheumatologist this week ((())) 💐

Take very good care of yourself too

Toni x