The battle has shifted to another front for me. In mid September I wrote that I felt a viral infection coming on. At the time, I had some pain in my right hand around the knuckles and a small lump under the skin. Dr. Powell tested me for some viral infectionsi and on Nov 1st, the results came back that I had an acute recently acquired Epstein-Barr infection. i started on Valtrex that day (2 grams a day). I was curious about the incubation period (adults 4-6 weeks) that places me right at the time of my dental appointment in mid August. Where else would I come into contact with saliva from another person? Some sloppy sterilization practices probably to blame. Damn them!
I thought the infection was tough (insomnia, chills, sore throat, swollen gland and
weight loss)...
but wait--it just gets better. The joint swelling seemed to go away and then a few weeks later spread to knees and toes. The right hand and wrist are swollen and very painful. It seems to ebb and flow with the time of day--getting worse in the evening and better in the afternoon. Talking with Dr. Powell, seems it is RA. Grandpa had it. Had some more blood tests done last week. Began to take Planquenil this weekend.The pain and disability are so much worse than some of the MS symptoms I had (except for the fatigue). I am right handed and have only about 30% use of that hand. I am hoping I can overcome this one. EBVi was the trigger, then perhaps the Valtrex treatment may help.
It's a crying shame as I was feeling so good for two and a half months--just like my old self. I keep telling myself that there are others who are much worse off and just hope I don't get worse. The pain is one thing but the inability to use my hand is making me feel very depressed. I have some vacation time coming up and plan to do nothing but rest.
The cats keep me entertained and I rely on them for much comfort. The little tabby is addicted to a laser pointer---she cries for it to come out. We call it the Red Bug. Playing with the cats helps keep me from being swept up by despair. That's one way to cope.
that's all the news from this corner of the battlefront,
Raven
CAPi since 8-05 for Cpni and Mycoplasma P. for MS and/or CFSi. Now treating for EBV and RA.
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Feeling 98% well and going for 100! Still testing + for Cpni since June '08.CAPi since 8-05 for Cpn and Mycoplasma P. for MSi and/or CFSi. Also EBVi and HHV6
NACi, Iodoral, T3, BHRT, Methylcobalamin injections, Nitro patch, LDNii and Methylation supplementsii
This confuses me since CAP
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CAPi since 11/06 for Cpni, Lyme, Bartonella, Myco P, CMV, HHV-6 infectionsi. Doxyi 200mg daily, Zithromax 250mg MWF. NACi 2250mg daily. All other supplementsi.
Raven, I'm so sorry to
Raven, I'm so sorry to hear of this new battle front. The saving grace in your situation, of course, is that you are thankfully already in the right hands with Dr. Powell. You and he will beat all of your bugs together!
It's a blessing that your cats are keeping you entertained. My auburn tabby who always lies in the middle of my computer desk as I spend time with Cpnhelpers has been irritating me by swishing his tail back and forth across the keyboard...maybe tomorrow I'll think it's cute.
Joyce~caregiver-advocate in Dallas for Steve J (SPMSi) / Cpn indicated by reactions; Mpn, EBVi, CMV positive; elevated heavy metals; gluten+casein sensitive / Wheldon CAPi since Aug. '06 - doxycycline+azithromycin+flagyli pulses; antivirals; chelation; LDNi.
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Joyce~caregiver-advocate in Dallas for Steve J (SPMSi). CAPi since August 06, Cpni, Mpn, B. burgdorferi, systemic candidiasis, EBVi, CMV & other herpes family viral infectionsi, elevated heavy metals, gluten+casein sensitivity.
Raven- What a bummer! Just
Raven- What a bummer! Just after you had turned a big corner too. We keep telling folks that every situation is different, every person, so I'm real glad you have a doc who understands not only Cpni and looks beyond it to your body and your situation. I know it's frustrating to get blind sided like this, and I can only imagine how you'd be tanking if you hadn't had so much recovery on the CAPi.
I also think that a lot of us are quite sensitive to any immunei activation. In the first year and a half of the CAP if I got merely a cold virus I would be floored by broad inflammationi and huge fatigue. We know that EBVi generates inflammatory responses, as well as effects red blood cells and so on. Give the Valtrex some time to work, and you could find you bounce back better than you were, as viral henchmen could have been lurking about anyway. Wishing you the best.
CAP for Chlamydia pneumonia since 11/04. 25yrs CFSi & FMSi- Currently: 150mg INHi, 300mg Rifampin, 200 Doxycycline, 500mg mwf Azithromycin, plus 500mg Tinidazole 2x/day pulses every two weeks. Whew! That's a lot! about 60% recovery. Ohio,
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CAPi for Cpni 11/04. Dx: 25yrs CFSi & FMSi. Currently: 150mg BID Roxithromycin, Doxycycline 100mg BID, Tinii 1000mg/day pulses; Vit D2000 units, T4 & T3
Talking about battle
Talking about battle fronts, isn't it strange how this infection and its henchmen always seem to attack you from the side you least want it? As you said, pain is one thing but the inability to use your right hand properly, for you is something else. I do feel for you, because I know what it was like for nearly six months, just carrying my hand around like a useless lump and fighting off people with their "helpful suggestions" re: foot and mouth painting. As if! This made me more depressed than I had ever been about anything, I felt so useless. I did get it back, though, as I am sure you will too. Its not as though it is something that has been slowly building up over a number of years. A good thing that the winter vacation is nearly here, so you can rest and be spoilt by the rest of your family......Sarah
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Hi Raven, hang on in
Hi Raven, hang on in there, things will get better. In my limited experience, viral infectionsi have caused, both me and Ella some pain and 'relapses'. Eventually though we will win out against all these invaders.
Michele: on Wheldon protocol since 1st May 2006 for a variety of long standing ailments including IBSi, sinusitis, alopeciai, asthmai, peripheral neuropathy, also spokesperson for Ella started Wheldon CAPi 16th March 2006 for RRMSi
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Michèle (UK) GFAi: Wheldon CAPi 1st May 2006. Daily Doxyi, Azi MWF, metroi pulse. Zoo keeper for Ella, RRMSi, At worse EDSSi 9, 3 months later 7 now 5.5 Wheldon CAP 16th March 2006
I am sorry virus henchmen
I am sorry virus henchmen struck you. I hope you improve rapidly.
Combined Antibiotic Protocol for chlamydia pneumoniae in fibromyalgiai, interstitial cystitisi, sinus: minocycline, Zithromycin, Tinidazole or Flagyli
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Combined Antibiotic Protocol minocycline, azithromycin, metronidazolei for muscle pain, insomnia, interstitial cystitisi, sinus, disphonia, dry eyes, stiff neck, veins, thyroid, TMJ.
Hey Chris, here's a very
Hey Chris, here's a very good paper that talks about the link between RAi and EBVi:
http://arthritis-research.com/content/8/1/204
I was astounded too that this could happen. Maybe by knocking down the infection with anti virals I can minimize the damage. We will see.
I did find out a few days ago that eating potatoes makes my joints flare up. Goodbye to a favorite food!!! I'm thinking of trying a modified macrobiotic---it's close to what I already eat now.
Thanks everyone for all your encouraging words,
Raven
CAPi since 8-05 for Cpni and Mycoplasma P. for MSi and/or CFSi. Now treating for EBV and RA.
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Feeling 98% well and going for 100! Still testing + for Cpni since June '08.CAPi since 8-05 for Cpn and Mycoplasma P. for MSi and/or CFSi. Also EBVi and HHV6 NACi, Iodoral, T3, BHRT, Methylcobalamin injections, Nitro patch, LDNi and Methylation supplementsi
Try this link:
Try this link:
http://arthritis-research.com/content/8/1/204
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Feeling 98% well and going for 100! Still testing + for Cpni since June '08.CAPi since 8-05 for Cpn and Mycoplasma P. for MSi and/or CFSi. Also EBVi and HHV6 NACi, Iodoral, T3, BHRT, Methylcobalamin injections, Nitro patch, LDNi and Methylation supplementsi