I know there are/is moms here with experience on juvenile rheumatiod arthritis so I thought I would express my concerns. My dd (22 months) has actually been tested for this in the past and I guess nothing showed up. She has a history of extrememly high fevers for no reason (but thankfully it has been since Nov since she had one). Anyway, I know with JRA kids have joint pain and stiffness but you can't ask a 2 year old about that. However, I have noticed the past few mornings, and just when she wakes up, that she is shaking quite a bit. Her hands and arms are very noticable and then her body seems to also shake. She also seemed clumsy one morning (fell twice walking/running to breakfast). The shaking goes away after an hour or so. She also doesn't run like other kids her age. She can't go fast, but it looks like it is b/c she keeps her legs stiff while she runs. I think I worry by nature and of course this has me worried, but I am hoping there is another explanation. I feel that everything that has happened to her since she was born that couldn't be explained (she was also tested for seizures b/c it looked like she was having them but nothing showed up) will one day be explained by something like JRA, but I hope that is just my mind running wild. Anyway, any BTDT would be greatly appreciated! TIA

By Rayanne on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 12:52 pm:

I don't have any experience but I wanted to send you {{{{{HUGS}}}}}.
Have you taken her to the doctor to test for JRA?

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 03:21 pm:

I understand your concern. Definitely see the doctor. If they make light of it I'd INSIST on further testing and evaluation. I'm far from a doctor but these things were going through my head - JRA, epilepsy, something neurological...??? {{{HUGS}}} I hope it's nothing serious. Your DD will be in my prayers. Please keep us posted.

By Missmudd on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 04:59 pm:

Definately have your dd tested, I think that the school district might be a place to start. Get a referral from your doc. They tend to test more by observation than by medical tests like blood work and xrays, they sometimes pick up and find stuff that your ped wouldn't. Hugs to you.

By Emily7 on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 05:08 pm:

I will keep your dd in my prayers.
Please keep us posted.
Second opinions are always handy.

By Emdee on Friday, March 4, 2005 - 10:31 am:

Thanks everyone. She goes for her 2 year checkup in a few months so I think (unless it gets quite a bit worse) then I will bring it up then and see what he has to say. On a side note, does anyone know who I am talking about that has a child with JRA? I just remember in the past when my dd was being tested for all sorts of things there was a mom here who had gone through similar things with her ds (I think). I can't even begin to remember who it was, but I thought some who were more active members might. Thanks!

By My2cuties on Friday, March 4, 2005 - 10:37 am:

I did a quick word search for you and I think you are talking about Kaye. HTH.

By Jodes on Friday, March 4, 2005 - 09:59 pm:

Hi there, my son was diagnosed with systemic JRA last summer (summer 2003). He too always had unexplained high fevers, rashes, and many things that we now can go back and realize it was probably caused from JRA. It wasn't until he got so very sick during that summer that the doctors were able to finally get a diagnosis. The thing that is so difficult is that the diagnosis for JRA takes time and illimination. First, every other possible cause must be illinated by having many tests done. There isn't one particular test that will give you a positive diagnosis of JRA. It is a good idea to have a baseline blood test done to see what her "normal" counts are, and then have more blood tests done when she is having symptoms. It would also be a good idea to ask for a referral to a pediatric rheumatologist to have her looked at. I wish you lots of luck and I hope you find some answers soon for your daughter. And, if you want to email me I can tell you more about my story. momofboyzx2@yahoo.com

By Kaye on Monday, March 7, 2005 - 03:26 pm:

Hi, just now seeing this post. Yep me and Jodes are the two with boys with JRA. Honestly what you are posting doesn't really seem to mesh with JRA in my opinion. I would have some real concerns though. In hind sight i think my son had some odd sypmtoms before his first real flare, but I am not sure. If it is JRA your child will be ill. My son didn't have achiness, he had major swelling and lack of mobility. It is something that was much worse in the am, got better by evening and then started over each day. In general one of the important diagnosing tools of JRA is that it last consistently for more than 6 weeks. I would definitly look into this further, but not sure where I would start.

By Chelleb on Wednesday, March 9, 2005 - 06:16 pm:

Hi,My dd was doing the same thing back in the summer and i took her to the ped and he done a MRI.We found out she had a brain tumor.They went in got it out now she fine .She can run and play like a 5year old.I would take her to the doc soon.If i scared you i am sorry ididn't mean to.She will be in my prayers.

By Pixie on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 01:28 pm:

My best friends DD has JRA I babysat her 3 days a week when it first began. Her first initial symptoms were shaking in the morning. Shortly thereafter her knees began to swell in the morning. Then it began to last all day.

Shaking could be lots of things from the simplest to the most complex. If your doctor "shrugs it off" insist on seeing a specialist. That happened to my friend and her daughter JRA got worse than it should have. They now have it under control and she runs and plays like a normal child.

Good Luck to you, she will be in my prayers. Keep us posted.

By Chelleb on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 12:34 pm:

Emdee.How is your dd doing I have been thanking alot about her.Did you ever take her to the doc.I hope she is doing better.She is still in my prayers.

By Emdee on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 08:21 pm:

Sorry--I have been very busy lately trying to finish up my dissertation for my phd (and taking care of my 2 year old and 5 week old!) so I haven't posted. She is doing fine. We actually haven't noticed it again since that one week she was doing it. We will bring it up at her 2 year visit in about 6 weeks (unless it gets worse). One thing I also thought about lately is maybe it is low blood sugar or something? Our ped is very good and since dd has had alot of little health problems he knows us , I think, pretty good! He did all sorts of testing on her last year so I know he will take us seriously when he talk to him.

By Missmudd on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 10:34 am:

I thought about this some more and my #4 used to do this alot on waking, but I think it is just him being half asleep and trying to get himself working in the right direction. Also it was like he was kind of stretching almost.