Post 4: Remission

I'm pleased that I can end this blog series on a positive note. With the medication doing its job, Eve had gone more than two years without a flare-up, so the doctors gave us three choices: she could keep taking the medication because we knew it was preventing the inflammation, she could stop taking one of the injections for six months and then stop the second if everything was okay, or she could stop taking all medication straight away but with the warning that the arthritis may return.

Despite the risk, for us, it was an easy decision, we wanted to try cutting out the medication completely. Eve was excited that she wouldn’t need the weekly injections and we were relieved because on a few occasions her markers had been high on her liver function tests. Although we were reassured that there was nothing to worry about, it was hard not to worry that the medication was harming her organs. She has now been off medication for just over a year and everything has been going well so far.

The video below shows Eve's improved mobility as she enjoys the sport she loves most!

According to a 2018 study in Arthritis & Rheumatology, when children with polyarticular (multiple joint) JIA achieve clinical inactive disease (CID) quickly, it reduces their risk for a flare in the future. This supports my theory that the GP's prompt diagnosis and the speed with which the rheumatology team were able to control her flare-ups, played a significant role in Eve currently being in remission.

My advice to anyone reading this who has a child who has recently been diagnosed, is to connect with other parents through SNAC. Any questions or worries you have can be posted to their parents' group on Facebook and you will get answers back from other parents who are or have been in similar circumstances. SNACs day events are an excellent opportunity for your child to interact with other children who have JIA, letting them know that they are not the only children experiencing this, and they also allow parents a chance to share their experiences over a cup of coffee. We attended their family weekend at Crieff Hydro last year and the whole family loved it! You can find SNAC online at https://www.snac.uk.com or on the usual social media networks.