I took my gang to JJ's follow-up appointment today with our new rheumatologist, Dr. Miller. She is wonderful. I am really, really, really glad we switched doctors. She is so thorough with her exam and my kids really, really like her. You don't always get a doctor who not only knows what he/she is doing AND has wonderful bedside manner...especially with kids. I love that!
JJ has been on naproxen since April. It has definitely helped to ease his pain, especially in his knees, ankles and toes. His energy did take a big dip in the very beginning and we took him off the naproxen for three day and in those three days his pain was back in his knees, ankles and toes. He was waking up at night again, screaming from joint pain and was complaining about pain when he woke up in the morning. So, back on naproxen he went. However, to keep his energy up, but control his pain, he went from 10mls to 8mls of naproxen per day.
While the naproxen has helped some joints, it has not eliminated pain in other joints. He has fluid sitting on his left elbow (he can barely touch his left hand up to his left shoulder without yelling and pulling his arm away from you), his left wrist is now swollen and stiff and Dr. Miller also believes he has arthritis now in his right hip. When she went to check his hips, he winced from pain when she checked the right side (Have I mentioned how much I love her thorough exams?? Our previous doctor NEVER checked for these things!)
In addition to joint pain, he has also had tummy troubles since he started the naproxen. We started him on Zantac two weeks ago (1mls - 3x a day) and he still has stomach pain. So, because the naproxen is not taking care of all of the joints and because he is still having stomach pain, Dr. Miller is switching him to a new medicine - Mobic (Meloxicam). It is still an NSAID, but it is supposed to be easier on the stomach. And, the nice thing is he only has to take 0.5 mls once a day! He is to continue the Zantac while he is on Mobic (Meloxicam).
Dr. Miller was concerned that JJ has not put on any weight since March. So, because of all the tummy trouble he has had and no weight gain, she wants labs done to have him tested for Celiac Disease when he comes back in a month for a follow-up appointment.
In the meantime, when Mia goes in for her post-surgery follow-up appointment on Tuesday, August 9 with Dr. Vecchiotti to check to see how everything looks after the tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy she had a few weeks ago, Dr. Miller wants ultrasounds and x-rays done of several of JJ's joints: neck, elbows, wrists, and hips. It will be one very full, very long day for us at Tufts - JJ's ultrasounds and x-rays will be all morning long, then a break for lunch and then off to see the ENT at 1:15 p.m.
So, we will start this new medicine and see how he does on it. Unlike naproxen where I know what the side effects may be (stomach pain, bruising easily, etc.), Mia has never taken Mobic (Meloxicam) before. I am praying this new medicine will be easier on his system and bring his joints some much needed relief.
Up next: August 19 - Uveitis appointments at MERSI for both Mia and JJ.
In the meantime, we will be enjoying the rest of our summer. It has flown by so quickly! Can you believe Halloween has already hit the stores?? Before you know it, school will be in full swing with Mia in kindergarten and JJ in preschool five days a week. I am hoping to catch up on my sleep a bit this month and enjoy these last few weeks with my kiddos before things really start to speed up! :)
Happy summer to you all!
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