Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: David Larson is No Longer in Pain
"I have a brand new body"
David playing at Cincinnati Children's.
Right before David Larson's third birthday, doctors diagnosed him with systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. He wasn't able to run or play, and had constant fevers and rashes. David tried high doses of several drugs, but received no relief. Then, at age 4, a seven hour drive to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center changed everything. Today, David enjoys playing soccer and inline skating.
Becki and Allan Larson live seven hours from Cincinnati Children's in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with their two children, Shelby and David. Both children seemed to be healthy, until, at age 2, David endured 21 days of high fevers and a rash that covered most of his body. "He couldn't walk, use the bathroom or feed himself," Becki says. "He just screamed in pain, and every day we knew we were getting one day closer to losing him."
Doctors diagnosed David with systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which is characterized by fever and a light skin rash, and may also affect the internal organs. They prescribed him high doses of Prelone", methotrexate and ibuprofen, but nothing proved to be successful.
David needed help just using the bathroom and getting out of bed. He woke up painfully stiff every morning and couldn't run or play with his friends.
Six months later, David suffered a systemic flare. Becki and Allen then applied for Enbrel", a fairly new drug that has shown dramatic advancement is treating JRA, in hopes of it taking away David's pain.
Months went by and they received no response to their application for Enbrel". During those months, David, at age 3, weighed as much as an average 8-year-old and had to use a medical stroller. Doctors added the drug Plaquenil" to David's list of medications, but still there was no relief.
A Seven-Hour Drive
Finally, Becki learned about a drug study for Enbrel" at Cincinnati Children's. She immediately called the number and talked to Daniel Lovell, MD, MPH, associate director of the Division of Rheumatology. Dr. Lovell notified her that David was eligible to join the study.
After talking to Dr. Lovell, the Larsons embarked on a seven-hour drive to Cincinnati Children's. "It was the best drive of our life," Becki says. "We came home with a simple piece of paper but a powerful piece of paper. It gave David the permission to obtain Enbrel"."
With that powerful piece of paper, David received his first shot of Enbrel" in September 2002.
Reason to Celebrate
"Nine days after the first shot David woke up jumping and running – not the stiff 80-year-old man we were used to," Becki says. "He was so happy that he didn't hurt."
Three months after David was able to take Enbrel", he regained complete control of his disease and has been doing well ever since. "I have a brand new body," David says.
Now, age 6, David enjoys playing with his hot wheels, inline skating, and playing soccer. "He is tall and lean and can run like the wind," Becki says. "Nothing tires him, and nothing stops him."
Daniel Lovell: A Life-Changing Doctor
Becki and Allan believe the care David received from Dr. Lovell has made all the difference. "We owe everything to that man," Becki says. She notices that he always takes thorough exams and looks at every joint in David's body.
Becki and Allen hope David never has to go through the same pain again. They know that a recurrence could happen at any time but feel confident knowing Dr. Lovell is by their side.
"Someday right out of the blue the arthritis will come back," Becki says, but knowing that Cincinnati Children's is only a seven-hour drive away gives us hope that we will beat it again."
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