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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/7/2010 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All, I am new here. I have a 6 year old daughter who was diagnosed with UC of the entire colon when she was 3.5 years. I am concerned because she always seemed like a bright kid, but she is having trouble in school. She listens, sits well, cooperates, etc., but she is having trouble learning. Does anyone know if Ulcerative Colitis affect a child's ability to learn? On a side note, she is highly anxious, always tired, and complains about her joints hurting all the time (even when she is not having a flare up). Of course it could be something entirely different affecting her ability to learn, but I am always quick to blame everything on her Ulcerative Colitis.

Thanks for any input/advice you can give!
Posted 12/7/2010 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm sorry about your daughter and I too have a little one with UC (diagnosed with pancolitis a year and a half ago). I don't know what you have tried with your daughter and if you ask your GI I'm sure they will tell you there's no connection at all. My daughter too is a little on the anxious side but I think it's worsened since her diagnosis because of the dr's visits, "pokes", disruptions to her life etc. Could that be a factor for your little girl? We have started play therapy recently and will continue with that. She enjoys it a lot and it's given us some strategies in trying to deal with this as a family. If you haven't tried this, maybe it would be worth looking into?
Also, have you come across the SCD diet? There's a lot of discussion about the "brain gut connection" and the diet is used by some families to help treat their autistic children. They have a discussion group you can join if you go on the pecanbread website and follow the links. The diet primarily is used to treat IBD. If you're interested, there's a ton of info online and you can get the book "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" by Elaine Gottschal.
As for her joints, I don't know what meds she's on or if this is an extra intestinal manifestation for her when she flares. Could it be a side effect of her meds? I've heard others mention they have had joint pain on certain medications. What does her GI say about this. Is she in remission?
Good luck, I'm sorry you are going through this as well (it's a nightmare)!
Posted 12/7/2010 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know much about UC in young children but I do know it can be associated with other Autoimmune disorders such as Lupus.  Lupus can cause the other symptoms you listed as well as problems with concentration.  I am also a mother of young children and do not mean to frighten you at all because the chances are slim that she may have something like that but I think it would be worth while to discuss with your doctor.  When Lupus is caught early it can be much better controlled.  Arthritis is also not uncommon to have when you have UC. 

HOWEVER - it is more likely that she is just a normal 6 year old - most have short attention spans at that age.  My daughter has lots of leg cramps that my doctor thinks are just growing pains.  I had those too when I was a child.  You might try to make sure she is getting enough potassium which can help joint pains and leg cramps in children.  I would also make sure she is getting enough sleep.  If she is over-tired she will not concentrate well in school.  UC makes us all more prone to fatigue.  At her age she still needs 10 - 12 hours of sleep a day.  Many parents do not realize that their young school aged kids still need that much sleep.  It is hard to get kids to bed early enough if both parents work (as my husband and I do) so I know that is easier said than done but it may be worth a try...  As a former teacher, I often had students who seemed hyper-active but in reality they were just not getting enough sleep at night.  I hope this helps.  I am sure she is totally normal!  :-)

Posted 12/7/2010 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm sorry that your daughter has UC.

Maybe you want to see a GI just to double-check that she's not flaring. Joint pain and fatigue are extraintestinal symptoms of UC. However, I've found fatigue to be present even in remission; I think it's just because our immune system isn't normal and it wears out our bodies.

What meds is she taking?

As for the anxiety, it could be her personality, or the fact that she has been through so much at a young age (or both). I like killcolitis' idea of play therapy.

Posted 12/7/2010 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with both the others about talking to the doctor about her meds and also the possible anxiety relationship to the disease... I also think that sometimes fatigue can be present with UC when no other signs of a flare are there. If she is over-tired she will have a hard time learning but again - she is only 6 and many 6 year olds have a hard time learning (even if they sit and listen well). I think that schools put too much pressure on parents and kids at such a young age. When most of us were 6 we were not expected to do or learn half the stuff that is now pushed on younger and younger kids...
Posted 12/8/2010 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your input! Thatfield I SO agree that there is way to much pressure on kids now days in school. Last year when she was in kindergarten, it was very clear that her teacher was disappointed she couldn't read as well as they'd like her to! They wanted them to be reading chapter books by the end of the year. There is a lot of pressure on the teachers too.

She is on Sulfasalazine, although I hear there are other medications kids can use after they turn six. Maybe trying something different would help her joints. I think it is time for a follow up with the GI!

We did try play therapy with her and the psychologist said my daughter was not anxious. Haha my neighbors and family have all seen her have severe panic attacks, maybe it is time to try a different psychologist...one that can get past my daughter's shiny, fake smile!

Looks like I have lots to consider trying with her. I thank you all again and I look forward to participating on this board!
Posted 12/8/2010 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
It makes me crazy how much schools expect from young children.  She does not need extra stress on top of having UC - poor thing.  I wish you the best!
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