jdms what can you give child for pain
JDM - Juvenile Dermatomyositis: Treatment options
There is no cure for JDMS, but treatment can help prevent or control most serious problems. Your child's treatment plan will be based on the severity of the illness. The goals of any treatment program for JDMS are to:•control muscle inflammation and damage
•maintain and improve muscle strength and function
•relieve pain
•control or prevent other symptoms
•help child and family learn to live with the illness.
To reach these goals, treatment usually includes:
•medication
•exercise
•a balanced diet
•education
As your child's symptoms change, the treatment plan may also be changed.
Medication There are several medications your doctor may use to treat JDMS. The specific drug or combination of drugs your doctor uses depends on the type and severity of your child's symptoms. Since only common side effects of each drug are listed here, you should discuss your child's medications with the doctor.
Prednisone (also known as: steroid, corticosteroid, cortisone, solumedrol, prednisolone)
Prednisone is by far the most common and most important of the medications used in autoimmune diseases. It works quickly to slow down the immune system and help control inflammation in the muscles and joints. This drug is similar to cortisone, a natural body hormone. When children take this medicine, their body stops producing the natural hormone and your child becomes dependent on the medication and cannot simply stop it. In order to allow the body to resume production of the natural hormone, your doctor will slowly lower the medication so the body can gradually make it again.
Steroids can be given as pills, or as a large intravenous infusion weekly, or both. Some pediatric rheumatologists prefer to give a large dose intravenously initially and repeat this dose several times while giving a lower daily dose. Other doctors give only pills, while another one may advise both. No matter how it is administered, steroid is very successful in controlling your child's inflammation.
Prednisone is used to:
•relieve muscle and joint pain
•improve muscle strength
•control fever
•control skin rash
Dose: At first, high doses of this drug are given until your child's muscle enzyme tests and strength improve. As your child gets better, the dose will gradually be lowered.
Common side effects: The side effects your child may have depend on how much medicine the child takes, and how long she has taken it. Common side effects include:
!doctype>