The medicine she is currently on for hewr arthritis does not seem to be having ANY effect. It's been four weeks now and Larry and I actually think she is worse. OTC pain meds aren't helping anymore either. So I called Friday and the doc prescribed prescription strength Motrin to use WITH the regular medication. So now she takes 2 meds. He wants us to consider cortisone shots in both knees. My baby. He said the do it at the hospital under anesthesia so she won't feel a thing. But still.........it scares me. I don't know what to do. There is no guarantee that it will help. He is calling me back tomorrow to see what we want to do. Poor thing is CONSTANTLY in pain. She's only 4. What are we to do?

Posted By Baileydukedavis on 10/05/2008 6:57 PM
I am so sorry Maybe you should do the cortisone shots...if your vet assures you that it will be okay. I hope she feels better. I will be thinking about you and baby

Nope. Not vet. Jenna is one of the skin kids.

Posted By Baileydukedavis on 10/05/2008 6:57 PM
I am so sorry Maybe you should do the cortisone shots...if your vet assures you that it will be okay. I hope she feels better. I will be thinking about you and baby

I was wondering how you were going to respond to this one, being Jenna is a skin kid. I am so sorry she is having to endure this. I hope they find a resolution for her soon. I will be keeping her in my prayers...

Check out this link, that was on the left side here.

http://www.resolvearthritis.com/Welcome.html

Hey guys! I just have a quick second before I have to run off again. Larry and I have decided to give it a try. I am waiting to hear back on when. The doc is trying for next Wed. He was going to get in touch with the hospital and let me know. He says he has had great success using ONLY this for his other peds patients. One shot can last up to a year or more for management. It still scares me $hitless though.

Amy, I am so sorry to hear that Jenna is still having issues. I have missed most of what has happened aside from what seem to be some kind of bit or other with her ankle. So please forgive me for not knowing what is going on with her knees at this time. I just signed on after not being here for a very long time and could not help but to post our experience here to share with you.

First off and most importantly, given her age it is very important that she is knocked out for this procedure. The doctors need for her to be "completely" still for a given time while the cortisone shot(s) are given. I have had Kasey (my 3 year old) under go tests that he had to remain comletely still for a given time in order for the tests to be done properly and the only way we could do this at this age was to have him kocked out. This is not a easy thing to do with such a small child and it is even harder to watch. But it can be much worse if it was done without the sedation to make it easier. Just prepare yourself for what you are going to see when they put her under, meaning she will be so helpless and you will want nothing more than to take her away from the nurses and doctors just to protect her. It will tug at your heart strings big time. So prepare yourself to do this for her and not let it get you too emotional with what is going on at the time. I will tell you now that it is hard but as a parent you "can" do what is best for your child. You just have to remain strong for what is best for your her.

 I have to get cortisone shots once a year in my foot for tendenitous. One shot lasts me a whole year. It is a great thing for me and releaves so much pain. I love it when it is time for my shot... LOL So from that stand point, I have no doubt in what your doctor is telling you. I love my doctor and believe everything that he tells me. He also informed me a few times to be thankful that I did not have to get cortisone shots in my knee because those are very painful. So this is another reason why poor Jenna should be put under for such a thing at her age. Along the same lines, adults can tollerate much more pain and understand a lot more when it comes to this kind of procedure than a four year old can. Just the sight of a needle and a doctor is enough to through them into a panic. Better to sadate her than to scare her to death.

I wish you family and little Jenna the best of luck. My prayers are sent up to her to get past this time in her precious little life. Stay strong for her because she will need you at this time. This will totally wear you out but you have to be strong for her. My prayers will be with you all while you all got through this.

Good luck!!!!

Thank you Donna. I forgot about all you have been through with Casey. It helps to hear from a Mom that has been through similar experiences. The "bite" looking things ended up being an allergic reaction to Naproxen which she was on for her arthritis. She has been switched to Methotrexate but it isn't working. Her poor little knees look like softballs. It doesn't stop her though. Slows her down some but she just keeps going. I heard back from the doctors office this morning. She goes in to the peds wing at Maine Med (our states big hospital) next Wed. She will be admitted at 3:30, hopefully start @ 4:30, hopefully be released @ 7:30. I have explained to Daddy that we MUST stay strong until they take her in. The anesthesia while I understand is necessary SCARES me. Pray, pray, pray for her please. I don't know how parents stay strong for their children that have MAJOR health issues. My Mom says "You just do it 'cause you have to.".

Oh wow only 4....so sorry to hear that.........As parents we hate seeing our children suffering..there is nothing we can do for that .....I would make sure she is asleep.......those cortisone shots hurt like hell..........but they could really help her.  I have arthritis (in my spine) but I am also 47 yrs old... I have tryed everything nothing helps, so I live with the pain.  But can not even imagine being 4 and suffering this pain, poor child.  Good luck Jenna will keep you in my prayers, there has to be something out there to help you.....Good luck Mom and Dad  stay strong