Mia has been complaining of "seeing spots" lately. Thought I'd post about it in the hopes that any of my Arthritis Friends could shed some light on the situation. She goes in next Friday for her every-three-month appointment with the eye doctor to check for uveitis. It is really hard to tell. A few months ago she was diagnosed with herpes simplex virus. So, we aren't sure if it is flaring again...or if it is something else (uveitis). We hope it isn't "something else."
As I've mentioned in the past, the purpose of this blog is a personal journal for myself...to keep track of everything JRA-related going on in Mia's life. As far has her arthritis goes, she has been doing great lately. We are taking a break from physical therapy again (this is the second time we've been able to do this) and her rheumatologist reduced her meds (3mls of Indocin) from three times a day to twice a day. This helps to reduce the amount of grogginess/sleepiness she was experiencing.
She also goes in this Tuesday to finally have her hearing checked. Ever since Mia's initial diagnosis, she's dealt with extreme sensitivity to sound. We've dealt with so many other JRA-related issues (leg braces, MRI's, meds, painful joints, eye appointments, PT and OT, etc.) that the hearing issues kind of took a backseat to everything else. Normal sounds (i.e. going from inside of the house to the outside, fireworks, indoor waterfall, crowds, etc.) that don't both a normal child really bother her. I recently brought it up to some my Arthritis Friends and another JRA mom mentioned to me, "There are 3 small bones in the ear that vibrate in response to sound waves. These bones have articulating surfaces and can be affected by arthritis. It is rare, but so is each and every one of our children." Very interesting! Definitely something to mention to the doctor next week when we go in for the appointment.
So, that is where we are at in the journey. Taking another "arthritis break" for the second time in three years (hopefully longer...hopefully permanent!), keeping up with the eye appointments and checking on these bothersome "floaters," and getting Mia's hearing checked to try to figure out what is hurting/annoying her so bad.
Will keep you posted!
Very very interesting feedback about the ears. that's good to know.
ReplyDeleteI want to say I have heard someone else talk about "seeing spots." Was it Joanne with Jacob? I cant remember....
Charlotte has never talked about seeing things. Right now she has one cell in her left eye. Last month the one cell was in her right eye. Remicade & Mtx do all they can but in these winter months with viruses & bacteria on overload, this seems to always happen.
Keep posting!! Always interesting.... love that we have each other to share & bounce situations off of each other!!
I had no idea about the ears! My girl has always been sensitive with the ears, but it never occurred to me that it could be arthritis! Wow, who'd have thought?
ReplyDeleteAs for the eyes, Emily about a year ago told me that she was seeing spots and colors. She still does, but she's never had any arthritis of the eye. I thought that maybe that was a sign, but at least in her case, it was not. I hope it's the same for you!