Discussions

The other thread gave me the idea to try, this and why I have not asked sooner I don't know..  
 
My daughter is 9 years old, in grade 4, she has JRA, she was diagnosed at 5 years old, however we noticed issues sooner so I know she had it at a much younger age. She is being treated with anti inflammatories, Di-mods, and pain meds when needed. However the past week has been out of this world bad for her, she has been very stiff and in massive amounts of pain. We do the baths, the hot cold, ect.. I had this as a child too so I know what to expect and what to do. But it is so so very hard to watch your own child suffer through this.  
 
She is such a tough amazing kid, she will push herself way too hard, especially at school, when she is sore she will still try to keep up with other kids and participate in gym. then when she gets home she is in tears and is too stiff to move the next day. Some teachers are hard to deal with with this, one has told her she needs to push through the pain, and that is actually the last thing that she should do. I don't want her to get special treatment, but some understanding and empathy might be nice. Too many people think this is an old persons disease so therefore it cannot be real and is all in our heads...  
 
I am wondering how many other people have kids with this? And if so how severe? What do you do for days like this? And how do you deal with the school? She is really in the middle of the worst flare up I have seen, she is very puffy and in tears all day from the pain, she cannot walk without limping, and even then cannot go far. She even said she doesn't think she can go riding today on her pony, THAT has NEVER happened before, I thought she would go ride on her death bed so I know it is bad. I have until monday until I can get into the doctor and see if we should do a changeroo on her meds... Any advice appreciated! Thanks.