Managing Your Health with DADA2
Once you have a diagnosis of DADA2, you or some members of your family may be referred to a major medical center that offers specialized care. You may begin to meet with doctors who have in-depth knowledge to treat some of the features of DADA2. These may include rheumatologist, immunologists, neurologists, and hematologists as well as other specialists. One advantage of working with a specialist is that he or she will likely be familiar with the latest research and clinical knowledge to manage your DADA2 symptoms. If you do not receive a referral, consider asking your doctor if this would be helpful.
![patient patient](https://dada2.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/patient.webp)
Your Care Team
It takes a team of doctors to help you navigate everyday life. Below is a list and how they can interact with your care. Oftentimes, you can ask your medical center for a patient care coordinator to help this team work together.
Making Injections Easier
Taking TNF inhibitors with a needle stick can be difficult, especially for children. We hope these tips help.
- Magic Cream – Lidocaine and prolicaine topical anesthetic to numb around the injection. This usually requires a prescription from your doctor.
- The Buzzy Bee – A buzzing device that dissipates the pain of injection and also distracts the child. You can purchase it or something similar on Amazon and explore the company.
- Cooling Pack – Apply after an injection to provide extra relief. Again, there are many options on Amazon that work well for kids.
Kids' Corner
Being a kid with a rare disease can be hard, so we wanted to give you a few ways you can make life a little easier. Have an idea? Send it to us to feature here!
![Kelsey Hates the Needle Kelsey Hates the Needle](https://dada2.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Kelsey-Hates-the-Needle.jpg)
Kelsey Hates the Needle by Mary Wagner
Written by the grandmother of a DADA2 patient, Kelsey Hates the Needle helps kids find their courage in the face of all of the medical appointments and tests they have to endure.
Buy it on Amazon.
![Jose Saves the Day Jose Saves the Day](https://dada2.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Jose-Saves-the-Day-300x233.png)
Jose Saves the Day by Jennifer Connell
Written by the mother of a DAD2 patient, Jose Saves the Day helps kids normalize when they have a medical issue that makes life different for them.
Buy it on Amazon.