Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Versus Growing Pains

Good Morning L.:

I would love to connect you to my friend Val Opie whose son was diagnosed with JRA when he was a little guy...used to have to crawl up the sptes to his bedroom, he had so much pain. He is now in High School and playing football..so very much better. This is a most sincere concern, I know. Val has plently of experience with trying all sorts of things to help him. Give me a call. I would love to chat. My cell is ###-###-####. Blessings and hugs, Barb

My son was in football last year. One of the boys had knee problems also, he was a tall boy. His knees were growing faster than he was. He had to wear knee pads for about a week. Sometimes the bones grow at a different rate than the body itself. Google might have knowledge on his condition.

L.,
My name is A. Toft and I was diagnosed at a very young age with Severe Rheumatoid Arthritus. It was horribly painful, there were days where my mom actaully had to put my shoes on for me. I would cry because of having to go to schoool, and it was hard because my joints in my hands and feet started to become deformed.

I'm now almost 27, and my Arthritus has never been doing better, you would actaully never know that I had it without looking at my joints. My blood work early on came back normal as well, ( but 4 months later they did find it was JRA). I talk with many groups of people that have kids with JRA, ( as they considered even at the age of 14 when I was diagnosed it was still under the category of severe JRA).

All I can tell you is there is so much light at the end of the tunnel if this is what your son ends up having. If you have not already I would have him see a specialist in RA as they can really tell more then anyone would be able to, just by the way they will move his knees, and joints in general. If your son does have JRA, ( which I will keep in my prayers that he does not:)) there are wonderful books out there that really helped myself and mom when I was younger, ( and even now that I'm older). Although there is no cure to Autoimmune Diseases, I have learned throughout the course of having Severe RA, that there is so much you can do!

I'm a marathon runner now, I can do anything anyone else would be able to do, by just the simple things that I changed in my lifestyle. I personally don't have to take anything my RA, as I have read so many wonderful books on diet, and exercise as well as water! It's amazing how severe mine is and looks, and how amazing that all of the small things that I have done to be able to stay off of medication. I hope that it is just growing pains for you 4yr old, but if you would like more advice on the books I have found for young kids, and adults with Autoimmune diseases and espeically books on ( a great book to really try to tell if your child has JRA), and some of the signs you can tell yourself let me know!

Also, since your somewhat in the same area, I would be more then happy to refer you to a wonderful kids Rheumatologist if you have not already seen one, and or found one! Group support for JRA for moms and RA in general is so helpful, and if you ever need anything, ( after having this for over 10 years, I would be more then happy to share). I'm pain free, and the doctors always shake there head as if I'm a walking miricle, but really it's all in what you learn about the disease, and how to control it if you find that's what it is. Sorry for the long one but I feel so obligated to share informatioin when anyone brings up JRA and or RA, but I do hope this helps you, ( and you can also feel free to email me at) ____@____.com or ____@____.com Best of Luck to you and your 4yr old! If you ever want to get together let me know. Again, it's great to have support and people that have lived it, and our still living with it to talk with. Love, A. Toft

Look up Osgood Schlatters disease and see if it may apply to your son even though he is a bit young.

Hi L.,
My son had the same thing when he was little. He started walking early and had a significant amount of falls. The pains started around one and were episodic till 5 or 6 years depending on the activity level during the day. I am a chiropractor and was still in the middle of my studies when I found out that chiropractic care can help. This was the only way my son was sleeping through the night without waking up with pain. I was regularly adjusting him, and if we miss a month and he has a Pump it up birthday, he would still wake up at night with pain, but I would adjust him then and after a few minutes the pain was gone and he would go back to sleep. Eventually with chiropractic care and a lot of back strengthening the "growing pains" stopped.
The theory is that he has a problem in his low back and experiences sciatica type symptoms at night. Kids are very busy during the day, so there is not much time for the brain to register the problem, but at night when there is no other stimulation they will fell the pain. Here is a link to the international chiropractic association website that has a lot of info on chiropractic benefits for kids:
www.icpa4kids.com
Feel free to call me if you want more info.
V. Tali DC
###-###-####
www.drtalidc.com

My wife and I deal with people with food supplements. We have had success with a number of people that have had rheumatoid arthritis. We have seen a number of cases where nutritional supplements have provided amazing relief from discomfort. What we offer is not medicine, it is just balanced nutrition, but we provides a money back gaurantee, so if this is still a problem, give my wife A. a call and talk with her. ###-###-####

My daughter, grandson and granddaughter also had pains in their legs at night mostly after a day of prolonged activity. I always chalked it up to growing pains. My daughter and her son outgrew it; my granddaughter is just five so I'm hoping she outgrows it also. It does seem to come less and less often now. The things that I have found that helps her through those nights are a hot bath or one of those hand-held vibrating massagers. She can lay in bed and use that on her legs by herself and seems to get some relief. I don't know if it's growing pains or JRA but I know it's real and they suffer. Go luck to your little one.

Hi L.,

Have you had his heart checked? My girlfriend has a son who she thought was having growing pains, he was very achy in his joints. Turns out sometime in the past he had a strep infection (like strep throat) or rheumatic fever that went to his heart. I am in pre-nursing and learned that this is actually pretty common in kids, which is why it is really important to take antibiotics when there is a strep infection. Please ask your DR next time you are there and perhaps get a ECG done. BTW, my friend's boy is doing fine with treatment. Here is some information on RF http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheumatic_fever#Inflammation

Hi L.,

I come from a family that has had severe pains in their feet, legs and knees. My mother, brother, and three of my five children have to wear inserts in their shoes. When they were little they would wake up in the night crying that their legs were hurting from the knees down. My husband and I have had many sleepless nights. I finally took them to a podiatrist and he took x-rays and we discoverd that two of my kids were flat footed and my other one had too high of an arch. Alot of the pain was being caused from their shoes, too high of an arch for the flat foot and not high enough of an arch for the child with the high arch. They now wear inserts everyday and I tell you what it is nice to get a good nights sleep. They don't complain of pain anymore either. It doesn't hurt to check with one. Good Luck...L.

Check out www.arthritisinsight.org. Go to thier message boards and there's lots of people there who talk about these problems. My guess is that it is not. i have the adult kind and it is better after activity -- worse in the morning for one.

L.,
I have not dealt with JRA, but my kids did get a lot of
growing pains in that area. One thing to look out for though also is that RA and lupus are quite similar in the pain locations and areas. My dr. told me I had RA to begin
with, and did not do a blood test. When I insisted that he do one, He had to refer me out for Lupus, I did not have RA. He put me off for 9 years, and did not bother to connect the dots of all of the symtoms. So, needless to say
he is no longer my dr., nor will he ever be. Has the dr. done any x-rays to see about the growth spurt, maybe it is a huge one he is going on. Or maybe they should do a blood test for other types of arthritis? Good luck, W.

I have a friend who's son was born with JRA, He couldn't walk as a toddler because it hurt him so much. He is about 9 now and is fine, plays soccer. She was able to help him with good nutrition. Sounds odd, but the doctors were amazed. He still has JRA but is symptom free. If you would like to talk to her let me know. You can email me I guess ... I'm not sure how this website works for answering the answers so to speak. My email is ____@____.com . A. S

My brother had really bad growing pains when he was little, but they didn't start until he was closer to 10. Seeing as this was almost 20 years ago, they probably recommend something else now, but they suggested calcium supplements to help support the bone growth. I would definitely take him to the doc, but it is very common for boys to have growing pains. My brother is now 6'4", a whole foot taller than I am, and by far the tallest in our family! My husband's second cousin has JRA (she was diagnosed at 4yo), but it is not very severe, it only affects one of her knees right now. They did a test to confirm her diagnosis. She is a happy, healthy little girl now, and she only complains about her knee when she thinks it will help her get her way (i.e. she doesn't want to go to bed right away, or she wants a cookie, man, those 5yos are manipulative)! So, either way it is treatable, and your little boy will likely be just fine! Good luck to you!

Have you tried Epsom Salt baths? Inexpensive, relaxing, and for some - WOW, miracle baths!

JRA is something I have experience with. My son was FINALLY diagnosed after 2 yrs of taking him to the Dr and being told I'm the one who is crazy. My son is now 38 yrs old and diagnosed at age 9. You must understand that blood test for arthritis comes back negative OFTEN. Do you and your son a favor. Get and appointment with a Rhumetoligist. Let him tell you if it is JRA or not. Especially if there is fever involved. In my opinion, there is no such thing as "severe growing pains", they just hope he outgrows it or perhaps your observations are tainted by an overprotective mother. If your body is in pain, there is a reason. Don't wait, find out.Jump through hoops, call everyone, INSIST!

Hi
You may have already gotten this as a response, but have you checked to see if your son may just have flat feet and/or low arches? The painful feet and legs at night sounds alot like my son. it wasn't until I put two and two to gether to realize that it was usually after a lot of activity on those days with not so great shoes ( vans, even sketchers).we went and bought him actual "tennis" shoes and it basically eliminated these episodes....the last time he came in crying at night he had worn his flip flops that day.
It took me a while to find something to help him at night...one night we resorted to a hot bath which worked...but not practical...we finally found that the bean/rice thing you can heat up in the microwave..get it pretty hot, wrap in a towel and put by his feet ( or knees)he puts his feet on it as needed, and leave it in his bed at night...that has been the fastest way to relieve his feet.
good luck!

Hi L.,

I have read much about RA being caused by an overload of toxins in the body, sometimes Candidas. I have two friends who have RA, one is in total remmission and the other is much better. Diet change was a big factor. (fresh organics,no processed foods, no wheat or dairy)
My 7 yr old had joint pains in hip joints, knees, lower back. It was weird, it would move all around. I supplemented her and within 6 months she was better.
I suggest 3 supplements that would not hurt and would help. One is Cod Liver oil, also known as a superfood! One is coQ10. The other is Caprylic Acid... 3 tabs - 3 times a day. LOTS more water than he drinks now- this makes such a difference.(If they are not peeing once an hour, they are not drinking enough.)

My son went thru the same thing! the first thing you need to do is see a doctor about it and run a series of test! I didn't know a child can be born with it! All my sons joints were hurting and he was getting severe headaches! They sent him to a physical theropist because the headaches he thought stemmed from a strained back! Anyways, when the test came back they were negative! My suggestion is when he has bad days let the school know so that he doesn't have to pertisipate in P.e. My son did grow out of it!

If it is JRA, look into acupuncture/acupressure. Do some research on it. I've been doing it for a host of issues and find it miraculous. My mother-in-law goes for arthritis (after I urged her to try it) and has had great results. They also have herbs that can help as well.
Let me know if you need a recommendation.

My brother had JRA. It mostly affected The joints around his shoulder blades. I remember he would tell my mom "My wings hurt".

Growing pains are more of bone pain because it is caused by the bones lengthening. JRA is a joint pain.

Here's an article I found on the differences... http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/growing-pains-whe...
It says that JRA is often misdiagnosed. I suggest calling around for a pediatrician that deals with JRA often. Then have the pediatrician check out your kiddo.

(I found the above article by googling JRA or growing pains.) Good luck!!

Hi L.,

My sister has had RA for the last 15 years. She's had both hips replaced and experienced severe joint damage. It wasn't until this year that we experienced a product called MonaVie that has completely relieved her of using assistance from a walker or cane (she's in her 40's). This product is 100% natural, contains 19 fruits including the superfood Acai Brazilian Berry. My sister now sleeps through the night. 4 oz a day and she has shown significant difference and it's perfectly safe for kids. If you need the name of the Chiropractor who also knows of this product I'd be happy to give you her name. Call me, and I can give you as much information as you need. I can also give you some free product for your son so he can try it if you'd like. As a side note, I too was a medical transcriptionist. My number is ###-###-#### and my email address is ____@____.com

How long has this been going on? What does the doctor say? What tests has he had? We had a really weird chronic pain issue with my son for 5 months last year following a virus, and I spent my life on the internet and talking to people, so I learned a few things. One is I spoke to many people who had had severe growing pains when they were a child, although that was not my son's issue. From everything I read and everyone I talked to 4 seems a little young for that type of growing pains though. Not to scare you but there are many kinds of illnesses that include joint pain. But that usually meant knees and ankles, not knees and feet. Foot pain tended to be growing pains, not any autoimmune diseases. We considered lyme for a while but 3 tests said negative and it turned out not to be that.

So basically now that I think of it I don't really have much to offer, but if your son's pains followed a virus and there is no diagnosis forthcoming and it continues, please contact me as I went through the most horrendous, weird experience with my son's 5 month bout of chronic pain last year.

Hello L.,
I was diagonised with Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was 18 months old. As of today (43 years later) I have no problems. When it comes to your boy, take him to the doctor and have them check his knees. There are several hands on tests they do to check for injuries. My daughter 11 was diagonised with Osgood Schlatters. It is very common in children as they grow. It could be he is just having a very large growth so have it checked before stressing.
Good luck.
Shelley

L.,
I too had JRA as a child. There were many night that I would cry in soo much pain. My parents would rub and rub my legs and feet. When I was diagnosised the Dr. would just give you a wheelchair and tell you there wasn't much they could do. The Dr. know more about it now. If your son has not seen a Dr. and you think it may just be growing pains then try a few childrens asprin when he feels it coming on. Asprin not only helps with inflammation do to arthristis but helps with the pain that might come from growing. If that doesn't help make sure you go see a Dr.

I used to have severe leg pain growing up. I am 5'9.
Was a cheer leeader and swimmer. Very active teen life.
My 2 sons have had severe leg pain where I was up at night putting hot towels on their legs and rubbing ben-gay on the joints.
My sons are now 15 and 21. The are 6'3" and 6'2.5", respectivley.
They did have "growing pains".
To make sure this was the case, I'd monitor the growth of each boy. Appetite played a big roll too. When they would eat like bottemless pits I knew a growth spurt was about to happen. After a night of pain, I'd measure them in the door jam the next morning and low and behold...GROWTH!
I know...seems silly, but that's what it was. One summer my young one grew 4INCHES!
Hope this helps.

I immediately put my son in a warm shower or bath. It helps with the pain. I also have a special muscle rub I buy from a chiropractor that I rub on before I put him in the shower. I make sure he gets plenty of water during the day. I also make sure he eats around 3 - 4 bananas a week. Make sure he sleeps with long PJ's and socks. He can't be cold at night...it will start the pain. I keep a heating pad handy as well. Go to the health food store and find a certain vitamin there. I don't know the name of it, but my friend gives it to her daughter right when the pain starts. Make sure he is on a reg. good vitamin and an omega 3 vitamin. go to Dr. Sears website....good stuff. Good luck.