I wanted to know if any of you started to worry that your kids had RA after you were dx'd. I feel like I am watching my daughter like a hawk if she complains about any little ache or pain. I usually dont make a big fuss over injuries in my kids. But now I notice her complaining about her knees or her neck or back etc. Is it just me in a panic, is she complaing more because of me (I dont think so), or is this a valid concern? My mom was dx'd at 9years old, her sis has RA, now me---could my little girl be next? If any of you have kids with RA, what things first tipped you off? Have any of you parents out there worried like this over your kids?I think it's normal to worry considering your family history with RA. I'm the only one on my family with RA, so I have never ever thought about my children having RA. Funny thing though, my husband will be seeing a rheumatologist soon. Our family doctor has suggested he see one since he's had problems with joint pain, dry eyes and very cold feet and hands. He had been sent to other doctors, but so far they haven't been able to figure anything out. i do the same thing, but iv also noticed that my daughter who's 3 says that her back or her legs hurt after ive said something. Ive not said anything in front of her to see if thats what it was and she hasnt mentioned anything "hurting" im hoping and praying that she doesnt get itI do not believe that ra is hereditary because no one in my family had anything remotely close to it. 2.5 years ago, I was diagnosed with very agressive ra. I am in clinical remission now and on humira and methotrexate only. I have no swelling or stiffness or pain. In fact, most people don't believe me when I tell them that I have ra. I hope everyone on here gets the great results that I have.
The RA gene, yep I am always concerned about it and my daughter is adopted....but that does not mean that she will not have the gene as we know nothing about her heredity.
I know the pain and anguish I went through as a child with undiagnosed RA so I am always asking questions when we go to the DR. I am allowed, I am a mom, I am allowed to be concerned! lol
I worry because my sister has been dx with this horrid disease even though it was years after I was dx. She always had back trouble though. My mother now has arthritis. I still say it is better to be cautious then miss a dx, but then again, my dx was missed and I would never want that to happen to my children.
bb
Well, there is a genetic predisposition to it in my family and I have a daughter. That doesn't mean it is an entirely genetic disease, but being predisposed puts one at a higher risk. I worry, but not too much because there is little I can do now.I watch my daughter and grill her on every pain.
i know i had this from a child, so watching her is something i look closly into doing.
I had inflammation bad during menstral cycles but she is doing ok when mine was bad from the 1st one, so that is a good beginning sign.
They said in a recent research that they found it was a gene in the dna that has been mutated. I often wonder if it was cuz our parents smoked that it is more common today, they drank, new foods that had bad stuff in them etc. If it is in the dna, then mom probably did something wrong.
I didn't drink, smoke etc. and took vitamines so i hope i did right if it does come from me making her a mutant.
Crunchy, I'm the only one in my family with RA but I still worry about my kids even though they're grown (29+25). My son had Osgood Slaughter's syndrome as an adolescent. That's when the leg bone grows faster than it should and there is stress placed on the knee. He was in braces for the better part of his teens. He still complains of knee pain and sometimes backaches. But what can you do. It took years to diagnose many of us. It's just wait and see and have them checked out by their doctors.
I was diagnosed with RA 5 years ago and have 2 daughters. They were both in their teens when I was diagnosed. Of course, I still watch them and worry. But I am hopeful that if either or both of them get arthritis, that they will have more options and better treatments available if and when that time comes.
Anyway, at least, I know that they are aware of what RA is. I know that they see the symptoms even though I try not to complain much. They have also heard me tell them about the importance of early treatment.
I am not sure how much more I can do, except to listen when they tell me they ache, reassure them that people without RA will ache at times, and to encourage them to see a doctor if the discomfort continues.
I want them to know that should they have RA, or any other disorder for that matter, that they should not have to suffer in silence or feel that no one will believe them. I don't want them to ever feel helpless or like a victim. I want them to learn from me that they can and should work with the medical team to make decisions about their health care.
Basically, about the only way I can deal with the possibility that my kids may have an RA genetic risk from me, is to make sure that they see me being hopeful, and that they see me being responsible about taking meds, keeping doctor appointments, and seeking information about RA.
Sorry this response is so long, but this is an issue that I have thought long and hard about; and this is how I am dealing with it. I figure that if I can teach my kids that they can work with the health care system and that they can budget their time and energy, then I can stop driving myself crazy looking for any possible symptom that they might have RA.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Pam
My daughter is 26 and was diagnosed 2 years ago. I have it and her great grandfather on her father's side had it as well. She didn't stand a chance. Hers did not show up until after she breast fed her second child - she did not breast feed the first. I believe she always had it but it was brought on by hormones after she finished breast feeding. Mine did not come on till my forties and hormone change as well. I am always worried about her daughter who is 3.
Thank you for all of your replies---I think my daughter and even my nieces are at an increased risk. I think that the idea about setting a good example by managing RA (or any disease) by following medication regimins, keeping doctor appts, and always researching and asking questions is very important. Those of us who never just 'settle' when it comes to health care take it for granted and forget that not everyone is that way and our kids need to be taught that. I also realize that making sure our kids eat healthy, whole foods and get lots of exercise, and learn how to manage stress in a healthy way may help to reduce their risk or at least allow their bodies to deal with a immune disorder better than some of us have.