13 year old diagnosed

Hello
My daughter was just diagnosed with pauciarticular arthritis of the talar (ankle)(both ankles)
it took 8 months to diagnose
she has been a very active athlete.
any advice or information that any one has about this would be great .
thank you so much
worried mom

[confused317]

My 11 year old was just diagnosed today so I have no advice since I am in the same boat but just wanted to let you know I know how you feel and how worried you are.  Hang in there.

[trueazul7]

hi
how is your Son?/or daughter doing.
I wanted to give you a great site for folks whos kids hare RA

it is
http://www.gossiping.net/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=5&start=0&mforum=kaytyray&sid=849d28523e9a56f1e94a8211506
let me know if it is a bad link and I will send it again ..
you hang in there too!

[trueazul7]

hi oops that link is crazy here is a better one .
the site is a fourm  there are a great group of people there that will answer questions for you !
http://www.gossiping.net/phpBB2/index.php?mforum=kaytyray

[amc567]

Hi there,

I was diagnosed with RA when I was 9.  It also took months to diagnose, and was a very frustrating process.  The drug that has worked best for me so far is methotrexate. I also was and continue to be an active person (a compeititve dancer). The most important thing for your daughter to do is NOT STOP activitiy, but at the same time not to push herself way too hard.  Dance worked as a form of physio therapy for me, and it helped my perspective a ton. One of the strongest combatents to RA is your mindset. She has to feel like she can still achieve anything.

I am currently 19, in university, and still dancing intensly, and despite a few flare ups and tough times I am doing great, and have been able to do most of what I want to.

Your daughter will have to find what works for her to make her feel great. Maybe it will be a certain sport, or an activity like yoga. Some people are helped by their diet. Maybe it something simple like heat treatments...or maybe physio will help.

Just remember to stay positive!

[bluebirches]

I was diagnosed with JA systemic when I was 12.  You need to tell your child that she can do things.  Get her involved in things that help build muscles and stretch instead of tense up the legs.  
I did have to give up sprint running, and point ballet, but Jazz, and modern dance are great so is swimming (a god send), yoga, some floor gymnastics.... I also played casual hockey, basketball, and football a lot.  It's not a death sentence.  It is so important to exercise those joints.  
For pain I would recommend (but definitely talk to your doctor about) hot tub, whirpool, hot baths, saunas, ice and hot, certain stretches, massage, glucosamine, and then a nice anti-inflammatory.  
I hope that helps.