[JRA]: update on + questions

[Guest guest]

had her rheumy appt almost 2 weeks ago; the dr felt the pred did reduce

some of her swelling but made no visible improvement in her hands. She says

has severe TMJ and needs to see the dentist asap for that. She increased

's mtx, again, and hopes that after the course of pred, the mtx will have

some success...honestly, I am less optimistic, as it has been almost 4 full

months on mtx, with the only improvement coming from the pred. How long is

reasonable to stay with a med when you are not seeing results? I can't stand

seeing her in constant pain - part of it is migraines... she sees a new

neurologist for that next week. This past week, she has hardly been able to

bear weight on her hip, her feet were swollen. It is discouraging, to say the

least.

The rheumy still has never taken x-rays, or diag. ultra-sound to track

damage/improvement to her most severely affected joints. Should I be concerned

about that? I heard and read that it is impt to have a baseline and to track

progress to see if meds are stopping damage. Dr felt pred did not help 's

hands because they were most severe, and, I feel if treatment had been started

in a timely manner, there would be less damage (though I did not say so).- grrrr

Also, does not have actual sores in her mouth from the mtx but she keeps

commenting about various food hurting her mouth and making it sore - e.g.

bananas.....do any of your children have that problem? I thought some of you

mentioned a mouthwash that helps but I cannot recall what it was...

Anyway, that is it - she returns to rheumy in Dec. My guess is she will raise

mtx again....

Feedback would be greatly appreciated -

Thanks to all for your support.

(, 17, poly)

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