Hi, my name is Karen. My 20 year old daughter was dx with JRA at age 15. She is sero-positive, so she is only considered JRA because of her age at time of diagnosis. She was on Enbrel previously and took methotrexate with it, but then started having protein in her urine so she had to stop the methotrexate (one of the uncommon side effects). She then tried Plaquenil (H/A's), then Remicade with Arava; she then broke out in some sort of wierd rash after getting joint injections in her ankles and it has not totally cleared up after two years! Anyway, many medication changes later (in case one of them was the cause), she is now back on Enbrel. Her ankles are the only real problem (almost constant swelling, some pain) right now. I have her on a several supplements, and I like to think they help. I do think my daughter is in denial somewhat, and maybe depressed, although she denies it. I've encouraged her to get in touch with others her age that have RA, but she has showed little interest in doing so. It's so hard watching your child struggle and not be able to fix it. Thanks for listening.Brenna is so fortunate to have you. It has to be hell watching your daughter go through this. I bet there is a JRA message board. It would be good for her for support. There are many on here that have/had JRA. Keep encouraging her to get support. You know most of us are on antidepressants. You might tell your daughter that. It really helps. I bet the joint injections were really painful. How brave you both are. Do you give Brenna her Enbrel injections? Do you want to be my mom? Sorry couldn't resist. Welcome Brenna's mom.
I am a JRA person myself. I was diagnoised when i was 18 months old. I am now 26 years old. She might not really be affected too much by it, like you think. I know I never was. But then again I was not 15 when I was diagnosed. But once you have had it for a long time, like me, and probably your daughter, you come to terms with having it and it really does not bother you as much as people think it does. It only really bothers me when I am in a flare or when I am having pain & discomfort, or when I am having a bad day, other then all of that it does not bother me or even depress me as much.
Welcome to the board! I can relate somewhat to what you are goiong through. I don't have any children but I had to watch my Mom go through hell with RA. She would've love to have talked with others she could relate to but I could never get her on the computer. She was always scared of it. She would have loved you guys here! I do think it might help her to talk to others her age that have it. It always helps to know you are not the only one.