Re: intermittent flares

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Yup. In our experience, this illness definitely does 'come and go'. There's

always been periods of relative well-being (while still being medicated, mind

you) interspersed with the flares of more severe disease activity. Josh has, at

times, fully believed that the illness was gone, like you mention saying.

Only problem is that most times, it just means that it's being controlled

pretty well with the right combination of meds. If not for the meds, the

arthritis would probably become very troublesome again, very quickly. That's

why it's always important to not stop the meds abruptly, no matter how terrific

you're feeling ... especially in the case of prednisone. It can lead to some

very severe and dangerous symptoms. When we had to take Josh off the NSAID's

for a time, I was so surprised at how it affected him. We had been taking for

granted his wellness and just cutting back on those two pills a day caused lots

of increased pain and fevers. We had to hurry up and find an alternative,

quickly. We've really learned to appreciate those times when Josh is doing

really well, even though he's still needing the daily meds. I guess he won't be

drug free for a long time but as long as he's symptom free, it's well worth it.

Definitely do let us know how the appointment with the specialist in Boston

goes. It should be interesting and hopefully, enlightening, too!

Take Care,

Georgina

" LVA - Schoharie County, Inc. " wrote:

> Georgina

> I read with great interest your description of your childs flares.

> seems to flare violently in the spring for about two months then is fine

> all summer then flare again in the fall for about a month. His doctor has

> hesitated to definitively diagnose him because he says that " jra does not

> come and go like that " . It sounds like, from reading this list, that IT

> DOES!! Currently is on a low dose of prednisone, only 10g a day and

> is doing fine. He says it's not the medicine it just " went away like it

> always does until next time " . Anyway, we got our appointment in Boston with

> the specialist, so hopefully she will shed some light on the subject. I'll

> let you all know.

> C