New Here and Questions

[Guest guest]

Hello! My name is Sheryl and I just signed up here.

My daughter, , is 2 and we just got the news that she could

possibly have JRA a few days ago. We are still waiting for an

appointment with a ped. rheumatologist. Thankfully, we are in a city

with numerous rheumys and a great Children's Hospital.

doesn't have many of the typical symptoms, and I think that is

why the possibility of JRA has taken me by surprise. The reason we

believe she has it is a swollen big toe that has been present for

months now.

We took her to the family doc and he ordered an X-ray. She was then

diagnosed as having a healing fracture. We were sent to an ortho, who

looked at the X-ray, looked at the toe, called in another doc to do

the same, and told us they thought it was a tumor. He ordered an MRI.

It was the MRI that seemed to tip them off to possible JRA.

So, we are waiting to find out if she really has it or if this is yet

another incorrect diagnosis. She has not had any joint stiffness,

swelling anywhere except the toe (and she rarely even complains of

pain in that toe), and no fevers or rash. She is an active, healthy 2

year old with a rather swollen toe!

I guess my question is how possible is it to diagnose JRA from an MRI?

I honestly think that the tech and nurses suspected it while doing the

test itself because I was asked by two different nurses as the test

neared it's end if she had been running fevers. It wasn't a usual

question, you know what I mean? So, has anyone been diagnosed just

through an MRI? Is it reliable?

Also, what should I expect at the rheumatologist? Blood tests? Other

tests? I am guessing she may get prednisone to help get rid of the

swelling. But beyond that, I have no clue what to expect!

I have tons of questions, but I want to see the rheumatologist first.

I will definitely be hanging around here to see what I can find out

and to get more support if the diagnosis is indeed JRA. I am so glad

groups like this exist!

Thanks so much!

Sheryl