Growing pains Sixth-grader doesn't let arthritis get in her way

Belleville News-Democrat

March 08, 2008

Every morning, Gabrielle 'Gigi' Lewis wakes up with pain and stiffness in her joints. But she refuses to let juvenile rheumatoid arthritis ruin her day.

'You've got to stick it out and take your medication,' said Gigi, 11, sitting on her bed, massaging both knees.

Stretching each morning helps her get moving.

'It's a pain you get in your joints, like you fell on them,' said Gigi.

Arthritis isn't a disease just for older people. About 300,000 children have it too, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

Gigi also has had stiffness in her ankles, fingers, wrists and toes and has some joint damage in her knees, ankles and fingers. But it doesn't bother her as much now that doctors have prescribed the right combination of medicines.

Shots have successfully alleviated joint pain for the past few years. Most medication works by inhibiting enzymes which cause joint inflammation.

'I give (the shots) to myself sometimes, but my mom usually does it,' said the 4-foot-1 sixth-grader at Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Bethalto, who started calling herself Gigi at age six months.

On a recent Thursday after school, she and brother A.J., 7, played hockey on the hardwood kitchen floor of their East Alton home. She wasn't worried about getting hurt

Staying active helps Gigi stay flexible.

The Lewises, including Gigi, mom Chrissy, 34, dad Pat, 34, A.J. and Maria, 5, will lace up their walking shoes May 31 for the annual Arthritis Walk in Fairview Heights' Longacre Park. The youngest Lewis, John Paul, 2, likely will ride in a stroller.

Classic symptoms

Chrissy knew something was wrong soon after Gigi turned 15 months old.

'She used to want to run everywhere, then she started walking with a limp. She didn't want to get down off the couch and play.'

She lagged behind Chrissy walking to children's play group.

'We'd walk from the car to play pals (play group) and she was always way behind me. I'd look back at her and say 'What's wrong?''

Gigi had the classic symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. At age 2, doctors diagnosed her with the disease.

Dr. Terry Moore, director of pediatric and adult rheumatology at St Louis University Medical Center urges parents to watch for sudden lack of movement. He's not Gigi's doctor but treats children and adults like her, and fields questions for the Arthritis Foundation.

'Watch for stiffness in the morning. Especially for chubby babies, it's harder to see swelling in the knees. Look for any decrease in physical activity.

Like Gigi, many children don't cry.

'Children are usually very stoic,' said Moore.

Getting ready for kindergarten each morning was tough on Gigi and Mom.

'I had to carry two babies out to the car, and a lot of times I had to carry her out, too,' said Chrissy.

Gigi lost range of motion in her wrists and needed physical therapy. She received steroid injections in her ankles to help alleviate pain.

Often, she was late to school that year but she never got behind. She mastered printing her name even though her wrists ached.

'In kindergarten, we had to write our name 100 times. All I remember is writing for a long time and it hurt,' said Gigi, who has long straight hair like her mom and sister Maria.

The drug Remicade helped Gigi through fifth grade, then knee pain began flaring up and Gigi had to quit gymnastics. Now she takes Enbrel and Arava, to relieve her pain.

So far, none of her siblings has shown signs of arthritis.

Staying active

It's important for Gigi to remain active.

'The best medication is exercise,' Moore said. 'Something that keeps the body flexible and promotes range of motion.'

Chrissy, who teaches aerobics and kickboxing, encouraged Gigi to walk as much as possible on family outings.

The Lewises also have a pool in the backyard, one of Gigi's favorite spots during the summer.

Moore doesn't suggest skateboarding or jumping on a trampoline because of the chance of falling and jarring the body.

Gigi used to take gymnastics before her pain medication quit working after her body had built up an immunity to the drugs. While the stretching is good for her muscles, she has to be careful tumbling.

'I loved doing back handsprings on the trampoline, but it hurt my knees,' she said, pulling out her favorite poster of Miley Cyrus, better known as Hannah Montana.

She may start gymnastics again if her current medications continue to work.

'I have to make sure my knees are ready,' she said.

The medicines help to prevent further joint deterioration so that Gigi may be able to avoid joint

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