My seventeen year old daughter has been having swelling in her joints. It started with her back about 6 months ago, she had x-rays, and an MRI that were inconclusive, she went to physical therapy for about 3 months with little relief. About 2 months ago she started having problems with her knee swelling, 1 month ago her thumb swelled up, 3 weaks ago pain in her shoulder and now all of her fingers are swollen and painful to bend. The pain and swelling moves around gets a little better than worse. She is going in for bloodwork today and she has a referal to a pediatric Rheumatologist but they cant see her for 4 1/2 months. I m getting really concerned that the swelling in her fingers could cause permenant damage. Should i take her to the ER or keep going the route we are and waiting for appointments?