I've been learning a lot about autoimmune disorders lately, so I wanted to share a few tidbits.
Anyone with an autoimmune disorder (rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, MS, etc.) should
immediately go off gluten. See
this link for an explanation.
There is a prescription medication called
low dose naltrexone that is showing promise in treating autoimmune disorders. It is best used in conjunction with the GAPS diet. This is one of the few synthetic drugs the "natural" doctors will consider because it has virtually no side effects. The most common side effect is vivid dreaming. The typical dose is 4.5 mg for an adult, though I don't know what it would be for a child. You take it right before bed and it stays in the system for 1 to 4 hours. A very rudimentary explanation of how it works: People with autoimmune dz have low endorphin levels. The immune system is loaded with endorphin receptors--second only to the nervous system. The body responds to the low dose naltrexone by increasing endorphins to a normal level. It is especially effective for Crohn's, Lyme's, and MS. I have not taken this drug, I am merely sharing information that might be helpful to someone.
And
here is a link explaining why diet is more effective at treating arthritis than anti-inflammatory meds.