10 year old child with Crohn's and Juvenile Arthritis

[princesspea]

Hi. My 10 year old has Crohn's and Juvenile Arthritis. It is hard for me to write this through all my tears. She is all ready on Methotrexate for the Juvenile Arthritis. Now we are looking at either Etanercept or Remicade being added in for the Crohn's. I feel like I am sending her of to her death bed, that the chances of her getting Hepatosplenic T-Cell Lymphoma (or HSTCL) are increased. Especially for a child taking both Methotrexate and either Etanercept or Remicade. Does anyone know the chances of getting HSTCL on a combination of these medicines for a 10 year old girl? I just pray and pray and pray. On the other hand if I don't give it to her the chances that she could end up crippled from the arthritis or serve side effects from the crohn's are of course, there. She will have to be on these medicines for the rest of her life. I just feel sick about it and can't stop crying (when she's not looking). Thanks.

 

[izzi'smom]

I am so sorry for your struggles. The med decisions are the hardest decisions to make for your child...made me wish I could have the disease for her some days. I don't have any advice but wanted to lend you some support, and invite you to check out the parents of kids with IBD forum if you haven't already. (((HUGS))), and it will get easier.