- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
- Interviews
Peyton71013's interview
How did all start?
My pain started at age 2. I was formally diagnosed with JIA when I was 4. My knees would swell and hurt to the point that I couldn’t walk sometimes. I started seeing Rheumatology when I was 4 and got put on medicine to help me feel better. I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome last year in 2021, but I’m currently in a flare with that right now on top of having active arthritis.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
It took a total of two years to get formally diagnosed. My mom took me when I was 2 to get checked because my legs hurt a lot. She kept being told that it was growing pain or shin splints. I finally had a blood test that showed that I had a positive ANA. Then it took almost a year to see rheumatology to get my formal diagnosis. Four years later I was diagnosed with CRPS after I broke my foot. My bones healed, but I was still in a lot of pain and had to go to the hospital.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
I see Rheumatology for my arthritis. I am seeing Pain Management, Physical Therapy and Psychology for my complex regional pain syndrome. Psychology has been the best help because they teach me coping mechanisms to deal with my pain.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Music and art therapy.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Feeling like I’m the same as my friends. Being limited in things because of my conditions and pain.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
They love me and are there for me. They help me when I need it, like bring me food and stuff when it hurts to walk. My mom rubs my legs and runs me baths so I can soak.
What things have you stopped doing?
I haven’t stopped doing anything. Sometimes I need to take breaks or pauses, but I haven’t stopped anything completely.
What do you think about the future?
I just want to continue getting better.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
2018 because I got to go on more than one vacation. I got to spend a lot of time with my family. We went to the beach and went on a cruise.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
I would like to run around and not have pain.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
My life is good and happy, but sometimes painful.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
You’re not alone. There’s a lot of people and kids going through the same thing. Your pain is real. And you’re going to be okay.
