thanks for the warm welcome

[Guest guest]

,

This group has been wonderful for me, not only for support but for advice and

information. What your son is going through with his knee (having so many

ups and downs for a while and thinking its an injury at first) sounds like

what my daughter, Kelsey, went through before being diagnosed. Her trouble

started in one knee and came and went for months, then started in her other

knee, and later some other joints. A lot of kids will only have one affected

joint, so maybe that will be the case for your son, if it is jra. Good luck

to you, glad you found the group!

[Guest guest]

-

What you are currently going through sounds very similar to what I have

been going through with my daughter (16 months) during the past month

or so. She too has had a problem with just one knee. It started out with a

limp I kept noticing, but I'd watch her for a while and it would seem okay.

It wasn't until I saw her actually falling down in the a.m. when she tried to

walk that I realized her knee was swollen and her leg wouldn't straighten

out. Very observant, aren't I? This past month has been a series of blood

tests and xrays which has been awful for her. I am relieved, however, that

so far her problem is confined to just one knee. We just had lupus ruled

out, and she had an eye exam which revealed no problems. This is the first

good news I've had in over a month.

I sympathize with what you're going through. I hope 's problem (if

in fact he has this) will end up being minor. I have heard some very

encouraging stories about children who do very well despite this disease.

Being part of this group has been very educational. I'm making a list of

questions to ask 's doctor. I'm also filing away information I might

need in the future if 's condition gets worse. (Hopefully, I won't need

it).

Good luck.

Diane

[Guest guest]

Hi

i a Robbin i am the mom of joe my 22 year old son and melissa my 13 year

old daughter just those 2 were enough for me lolol

melissa has JRA asthma and a few other things

i am married 24 years and we live in atlanta ga

melissa is effected in many joints first started with her knee and hip

then we found out it was in her back fingers shoulders arms and ankles

glad to have you aboard this group

where do you live?

Robbin

[Guest guest]

,

Welcome to the group .....One I'm sure we all wish we were not part of but

eternally grateful that we have found. I know that this group has helped me

get through tough situations & always been a great place for info. Welcome

.....Kris

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group. I hope you will find a vast amount of support and

answers to any questions you may have. I know I have.

Welcome again!!!!

Charlene(chychsy mom)

[Guest guest]

,

As I am reading some of my mail backwards in dates, please let me offer you a belated welcome.

~ [ & Skyler]

Thanks for the warm welcome

Georgina and group,Thank you so much for your warm welcome. My name is , my hubby is and we have 2 children. who is 3 and who is 4 months. has always been a child that fell a lot, he'd often trip over his own feet but About 3 months ago ( was only a month at the time) he'd get up in the morning and he'd fall. This was not usual. So after a few days of this, I had an appointment with the Ped. for (1month checkup) and made one for him on the same day. The Dr. took X-rays that day, thought he may have damaged a bone. All turned out fine. He told us to come back if it wasn't better in a few days so back we went, more x-rays of the foot this time. They were fine too. By this time though his limping was gone so we figured, something was hurting and is now better. This month (Aug1) we got up early to go on vacation (plane tickets in hand, needed to walk through airports to change planes etc) had another flare up that morning, and for the next few mornings. Great timing. We went on vactaion, seemed to be better but knew we had to get a hold of Dr. when we got back. Talked to him over the phone and just from what he saw 3 months ago and what we described he suspected JRA. Went to see him, took many blood tests, x-rays again etc. Blood tests came back fine. He still suspects JRA- thinks it is only in 1 joint, the knee. Waiting for Insurance approval to go through to see a Ped. rhematologist. Should take 10-14 days so we're waiting for that. So after my long introduction, I'm very happy to have found all of you. I am a 1st grade teacher and go back to work Tues (after 6 months off pregnancy and summer vacation) will be back at preschool 7:30-2:30. He has gone part time 2 days a wk. since I have been off- he Loves it. Look forward to getting to know all of you.For links to websites with JRA info visit: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Village/8414/Links.html

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed with RA about 6 years ago. Then it was very

frightening, but I thought that I could handle anything that didn't

kill me. And I can - to a certain extend.

The things that frustrates me so much is that it isn't the kind of

illness that has tangible outward signs, not in me anyway. When

I am soooo tired, I have to force myself to move, I often think that I

get viewed as lazy. I am a very active person, and I have a very

physical job. So far I have been able to force myself to continue

on as before. Lately, though, none of the coping mechanisms

have worked, and I just had to take a day here and there off work.

It is hard for me to seek support eventhough I would advise

everybody else to do it. But last night, when I finally rerad through

a lot of the posts from the past month, all I could do is cry,

because I strated to see things that I usually just put in the file 'to

be dealt with when ready'. I finally saw that some of what I have

been feeling is not me being a whiner, but rather normal.

I am uncertain as to how good my physician is. I live in Northern

CA, and am with Kaiser. When I go in to see the rheumatologist,

he is nice and kind to me. But as far as volunteering any

information - that is a trick that he hasn't learned yet. I have to

ask all the questions, and sometimes I wonder that he doesn't

chatise me for that. However, I am stuck, because there aren't

too many rheumatologists available in the Kaiser system.

When reading last night, I noticed that a lot of the discomforts

and pains that I am experiencing are RA related, and you can't

imagine how much of a 'AHA' experience that was/is. Maybe you

can :-). Is there a comprehensive list anywhere, that includes all

or most of the symtoms of RA? Or is it just discover as you go

along?

Again, thank you everybody for the warm welcome.

Jutta