8 Y/O TAKING MTX WEEKLY

[momlolo]

mother of an 8 y/o having JIA needing to share information with other parents

[momlolo]

Hello everybody..my 8y/o daughter is being on mtx for 2 weeks...she's oligoarticular diagnostic since 4y/o... started on mtx for two years..entered a remission time for a year, had a six months experience with leflo after the arthrites came back and now we are experiencing a new doctor that started mtx 12,5 mg weekly just two weeks ago...at this time I wonder if it's a coincidence but she's having mood changes these days...very easycrying...sensitive...irritated...we are even seeing a psychologist next week to help her... anyway.. she's not experiencing pain...but her humor is changing very easily...has anyone heard that this mood changes would have anything to do with mtx ??

[Anne-NRAS in reply to momlolo]

Hi, I'm not aware of MTX having this sort of effect on young people, it could be that your daughter is developing the early sings of puberty; for young people going through puberty it can be frustrating, your daughter included, and can affect the whole family dynamic. One minute they are great, the next crying and super sensitive. And you may experience them being very different from the daughter you knew.

“It's not just mood swings, the changes that occur during puberty can be challenging so your daughter will start to feel self-conscious, confused or even embarrassed. This may weigh heavily on her mind. Her body is going through many changes and this can be difficult to deal with. As she's making the transition to adulthood she's starting to form her own belief system and ideals, she's beginning to feel more like an adult. There will be days where she wants to be treated like a grown up and others where she just wants to be a kid. This can be confusing for your daughter.”

Its good that you are seeing the psychologist, and if you speak candidly about the changes in your daughters behaviour, I am sure she will be able to offer some support.

If she was in remission for a time, it must be very distressing to suddenly start again with the medication.

I hope you get some answers.

BW

Anne

[momlolo in reply to Anne-NRAS]

thank you so much for your words...we parents resist on facing that puberty is coming...but it is..for sure...

[Daniel-Madge]

Hello we have 2 daughters with JIA aged 15 and 9 both on mtx on an off since 18 months. Mtx makes both girls feel sick for a good 24 hours. Nausea does not help their mood and affects enjoyment of any favourite lessons or activities the next day. It also creates a sense of looming doom. Where we look forward to the end of the week they are steeling themselves for their injections knowing that they will be feeling sick for most of the weekend.

We have tried to offer them small treats, to take charge of the injections and choose which day they have the medication so that they are in control of which days, activities they miss out on. Both choose to feel well at school and lousy during the weekend.

If this is an issue there are anti sickness meds you can discuss with your doctor but so far our girls have chosen not to take any more medicines.

Hope this helps in some way. Good luck

Daniel

[momlolo in reply to Daniel-Madge]

hello Daniel. Thanks for your reply...could you explain me (English is not my first language) better the meaning of" A sense of looming doom". It's good to share these experiences... and that makes me realize that our children are specially courageous and strong to deal with this challenge. thanks

[Daniel-Madge in reply to momlolo]

Hello. A sense of looming doom. Means that they worry about having the injection. The closer they get to the weekend the worse they feel knowing that they have to have another injection. An injection that will make them feel sick all weekend. Does this make sense? Daniel

[momlolo in reply to Daniel-Madge]

I agree with you and your children about not taking anymore meds..It's too much already