What Helps Your Pain?

Hello!  My two year old little boy was diagnosed in March with systemic onset JRA.  Up until recently, it seemed the only time he had pain was when his fever/rash was flared up.  As long as we were keeping that under control, he seemed to be doing pretty well.  The last couple of weeks his knees became very swollen.  The pedi rheum we see sent him for an ultrasound (which we got today) and there is fluid on both knees with a significant amount on the left knee.  His left knee in particular is so huge I don't know how it can't hurt him--but he doesn't complain.  I do notice him favoring it though, so I know it has to hurt at least a little.  I think maybe between being too young to communicate about it and being used to the pain he just toughs it out. 

So my question is:  what kind of things help you when you are having joint pain?  I was considering trying a bit of heating pad on his legs to help give him some relief and I can find stuff online that indicates that might help.  He does seem to feel better after a bath and will sometimes ask for a bath at times he doesn't normally take one (like during the day) so I think warm water helps. Anyone find relief from a heating pad?  Does cold also help you or make you uncomfortable? I appreciate any feedback I can get while I'm waiting to hear from the pedi rheum what our next steps will be. 

I also wanted to add that I have ulcerative colitis (diagnosed two and a half years ago) so I can relate to what he is going through with chronic illness.  I think that is why I am so determined to help him as much as I can.  I went through a lot of pain and suffering trying to get my disease under control (still do from time to time with flares and such) and I want better for him.  Thanks for reading and for any advice you might have. 

Thank you, ladywriter.  I was noticing your signature area and I want to congratulate you on your sobriety.  Not an easy task at all.

Heat helps me the best.  And wet heat is the very best as it 'soaks' into the sore joints fastest.  I don't know how feasible it would be for you, but, there are 'moist' heat heating appliances and I also LOVE my hot wax for my hands and feet.  Back before Enbrel & now Cimzia, some days I couldn't even get dressed until I'd soaked my hands in a sink full of hot water for several minutes each morning.

And a friend's daughter with JRA uses a hot wax machine each morning on both her hands and feet so she can get dressed for school.

Just be certain you supervise and watch for burns - with little ones, you have to monitor the heat closely; not too much or for too long.

I had Juv inflammatory arthritis in my teenage years - knees wold swell up so bad that i coudnt walk for 3 weeks out of the month, and nothing i tried would stop it. the only thing i was able to do to reclaim the use of my knees was to have them drained whenever they filled up to bad. you would get releif for a while and be able to use your leg again, but alot of the time the synovial fluid would just pump itself right back in there.

Swapping hot and cold packs every 5 minutes helped alot as well.

Hi Cakes,

    Sorry to hear about your little guy. I don't know if this will help or not. My nephew was diagnosed with JRA

at the age of 2. My sister and I were out yard saleing and he collapsed on us and couldn't walk. They did

all sorts of blood tests and found the JRA. The Drs put him on 18 baby asprin a day and it was 6 months

before he could walk again. He was in remission for years. He is now 32ish and aches some but maybe that

did the trick. Now drs. are so drug happy that something that simple might work. Both my boys (now 30 and 35)

have some forms of arthritis. I was 7 when I came down with it (I'm 55) and so was my dad. My grandaughter

has had some minor discomfort from it since she was 9 and she's now 13. Her joints are now cracking and

popping.  It seems to be a very heridity type of disease. Both of us get relief from hot showers.

   Good Luck

                 Nana Monster

I'm sorry to hear your little one suffers so much. I started having issues around 6 or 7 but wasn't diagnosed until I was 11. i hope the medication does kick in and help him.

I'm glad the hot showers help...heat does help me quite a bit, though when the swelling is severe, I will often alternate the hot/cold on an elevated leg like someone else mentioned.

I know he is young, but other things I've learned over the years that help keep the intensity down is good rest, stretching, and avoiding foods I'm sensitive to. Of course, when you're in severe pain, sleeping/resting and moving are pretty much impossible and then you're stuck in a vicious circle. I've found certain foods do make life worse for me. Some I know I have either an allergy or sensitivity to and others just seem to make me stiff and achy the next day.

Im so happy to hear this - I hope he stays this way for a very long time.
Thanks for posting your update.
Jo

Hi Only just read this thread. My heart was breaking at the begining but I was so glad to read on and read of your little mans progress. It might not be relevant now but I find a tense machini very good for pain but am unsure If you can use them on one so young. You go well and I hope your sons progress continues. XXX