JIA and severe but brief back pain?
Has anyone else here with JIA experienced severe back pain that lasted just 10-12 days then relieves without medications?
Could it be due to a new exacerbation of RA or the first onset of a new autoimmune disease?
Hint: my RA supposed to be controlled with medications, and it's the first time I’m experiencing back pain and with such a character (there is no morning stiffness as usual, and it starts with standing and/or sitting for long periods of time, and relieves by changing the position into the opposite situation) then the pain disappeared suddenly without medications.
Hi Hazha - sorry to hear you're having so much trouble with your back (on top of the JIA).
I can't personally speak to having the same experience, but I want to share an article from another community member, Kelly, who wrote a great article about JIA which might be interesting based on what you wrote.
https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/compare-jia/
Other community members might have other experiences who can weigh in, but I wanted to share the above.
Welcome to the community here!
-Reggie (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member)
Hi Hazha. First, let me echo Reggie in saying sorry you are having this issue. Second, I happen to be the husband of the author (Kelly Mack) of the article Reggie linked to. Kelly was diagnosed at two and has had JIA for over 40 years, so there is quite a bit of experience there.
Concerning your issue, the first question is whether you have had a chance to speak with your doctor about this? I ask because, while it certainly may be related to JIA, there are other possible explanations (which may still be connected to the JIA). Just recently Kelly was having neck and shoulder issues, mostly upon waking in the morning. Her rheumatologist had her go for some physical therapy were she learned some new exercises and stretches that seem to help. We never actually learned what may have been the original cause, but she is seeing improvement. A few years ago she wrote about the benefits of refresher PT sessions here:https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/return-to-physical-therapy/. Also last year, Kelly had an exacerbation of a long-standing ankle issue and wrote here about how the podiatrist and, again, some PT helped: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/ankle-tendonitis/. These issues are absolutely related to years JIA and illustrate the need to keep on top of new pains with one's medical team.
You may be interested in browsing Kelly's articles for more on living with a lifetime of JIA (although I'm sure much of it is your experience as well). As a side note: in the research Kelly mentioned in the article Reggie referenced it was interleuken-6 that was found to be a primary driver of inflammation in JIA patients. Your doctor may be able to provide additional information. Wishing you the best. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)Kelly’s story seems quite similar to mine, it gives me so much energy to see someone having common points with me as we can support each other, x-ray and lab tests are normal, but what makes me worried is that its the first time I’m experiencing such kind of pain, I hope It would be due to JRA itself not a new autoimmune disease. I’m very afraid of Myasthenia Gravis, I feel weather I have it, or will get it one day although I have negative antibodies, but lab tests alone sometimes could not exclude absence/presence of the disease, and its better to know about the condition before it becomes too late to prevent irreversible complications, I hear from JRA patients that they have symptoms similar to those of MG including me too, but to be sure weather its JRA or MG unfortunately it seems to be difficult.
Thank you for your response, physiotherapy and stretching always make the situation better.
