Junior Rheumatoid Arthritis, or JRA, is a condition that appears in children and teens and presents as chronic joint pain

Summer’s coming to a close, and school is starting. A new start, new teachers, new opportunities, and a chance to reunite with friends and classmates. But certainly, there are challenges that can come with it too. Add a chronic medical condition to the mix, and things can get complicated.

Junior Rheumatoid Arthritis, or JRA, is a condition that appears in children and teens and presents as chronic joint pain.

So how does life look for a teen with JRA?  Yes, they can experience all the fun and wacky aspects of being a teen, but depending on the severity of their condition, physical mobility and function may be affected for days, weeks, or even longer for some. Pain might be a chronic companion. Participating in usual teen activities can sometimes be physically impossible. Understandably, this can all be  emotionally taxing, and in the already emotionally charged years of teenagehood, it takes a lot of inner strength to get through this challenge. But it can be done!

Life with JRA

Knowing what you’re dealing with can be a big step towards dealing with JRA effectively. But often, it can be hard to get an accurate diagnosis. Teens often need to undergo many tests and doctor visits until they are finally diagnosed with JRA.

Eventually, the first major hurdle is overcome: a pediatrician or a rheumatologist (a doctor with specialized training in treating inflammatory  rheumatic disease) diagnoses JRA. And then comes the (not so) fun part : finding the right treatment that will consistently and effectively relieve the symptoms.

Treatment isn’t always straightforward — take a pill twice a day and poof, you’ll be fine. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. It can take a long time to get the right meds, at the right dosages, and the medications themselves are no magic bullet — they often come along with tough side effects.

“It’s very hard at the beginning, when it isn’t clear what’s going on,” shares Amy, who suffered from JRA as a teen. “You’re looking for a diagnosis, some name for this monster taking over your body — because when you get a diagnosis, you hope you can finally get effective treatment. But at the same time, you’re being given all these meds to help control the pain and internal swelling, and they all have side effects. I was constantly wondering if what I was experiencing was part of whatever was wrong with me, or if it was just because of the medications I was taking.”