Guest guest Posted January 24, 2004 Report Share Posted January 24, 2004 In a message dated 1/23/04 9:26:21 PM Eastern Standard Time, sonia1md@... writes: << Aundrea had a major flare last february. They thought it was scarlet fever following strept throat. They did 2 rapid strep tests and grew two cultures 3 out of the 4 tests were negative. She had a full body rash that later developed water blisters and then peeled until her skin felt like sand paper. Seemed like classic scarlet fever. >> Hi : Because the 2 rapid tests came out negative did they start her on antibiotics or not? If they didn't, how soon after the rash appeared did they treat her with antibiotics? << Then in September she developed the same high fevers, same rash, and more intense joint pain. Strep tests were negative. (rapid and growth) They did blood work also. >> With these strep tests being negative, did they treat her with any antibiotics? Did they check her ASO or DNASE level in the blood for strep? <<egative. (rapid and growth) They did blood work also. Thats when she was sent to a rheumatologist. The fevers went away and the body wide rash left. She now has a fleeting rash that comes >> How quickly did her fevers go away? Did they go away on their own, or help with medicine? Did she have steroids for the rash? How long did it take for the rash to leave. Sorry for the questions, but this sounds so much like Caitlin. I want to know if there are other children like Caitlin out there who presented similarly and how they have done. << She now has a fleeting rash that comes and goes almost daily and joint pain that migrates quite frequently. Its rare for her to have swollen joints but this week her wrist was red and swollen and is still bothering her along with lots of other achey joints.>> Caitlin has spots now only in the evening and usually on one or both hands. Sometimes joint pain and some swelling, but sometimes no pain or swelling just spots. Last night was the first time in a long time that she actually had a small rash area on one hand. So far tonight, nothing showing, but it's still early. <<She gets frequent sorethroats and sometimes swollen lymph nodes but the strep tests are always negative>> I have had Caitlin swabbed twice already (her illness started in November) and one sister twice within two weeks and her other sister once. I keep waiting for the doctor's office to say " not again, your children don't need to be swabbed, they were just swabbed " etc. Do you worry a lot about strep now? <<don't know if this whole problem started out as a virus that awakened the arthritis which was laying dormant. I guess that is one theory that is out there. >> I have heard this theory too. That it lays dormant until an illness or injury kicks it into overdrive. <> I know 's nephew had strep induced arthritis and is now doing great:) Let's hope and pray it is the same for Aundrea and Caitlin. << I think they wait 6 months for a child to have joint pain before labeling with the diagnosis. >> Interesting. I didn't know they waited 6 months to determine diagnosis. We still have a way to go. Thank you for Caitlin's well wishes with school:) She will start off 1/2 days and work up to full days. When she comes home, I will make her rest. I want her to ease back into everything, not push it. Did you get snow? We got a light dusting today, enough to tease the girls LOL. We are expecting 4 inches tomorrow - YEAH. The girls are psyched. Take care. Patty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2004 Report Share Posted January 26, 2004 In a message dated 1/25/04 3:29:38 PM Eastern Standard Time, sonia1md@... writes: << am not sure about the DNASE? Seems like they did check ASO but I dont recall the results and I left all of her lab work at my office so I can't check that right now. >> Hi : I would be interested to know if her ASO was positive or negative. If you don't mind, of course. << She was only on a 20 day taper down. The rash doesn't really bother Aundrea. Most of the time she doesn't even know that she has it. For some reason there are nights that it will itch but this generally goes away by the next day.>> So she is now completely off the steroids? Caitlin is on a 21 day taper, tomorrow being her last dose, supposedly. She is scheduled to see the rheumy tomorrow, but I don't know if we will be able to get there. We got our snow YEAH, but tomorrow it's supposed to be an inch to two inches of ice down. Snow is one thing, but ice, well, you can't do much to stop your car if you slide on ice. I am hoping it will not come and if it does, that they rheumy can fit her in somewhere this week. I want to have her seen, we need a script for 1/2 day school and limited writing, see if he's closer to a dx and get her recent lab numbers. Caitlin will have the rash/spots/itching at night only now. Weird, why does it show at night and not during the day? I am thrilled it's not there in the day time, but it would be great if it was gone at night too. << I do encourage Aundrea to use good handwashing and I worried when my whole family had the flu. But, Aundrea was the only one to not get it. (answered prayer) >> Caitlin has gotten a whole refresher course from mom about washing hands, don't put your fingers in your mouth, turn away if someone is coughing/sneezing etc. She is a nail biter, but she seems to be learning to stop that - hopefully she will have this habit broken by the time she returns to school. Glad to hear the Aundrea was spared the flu. Do you and/or your family get the flu vaccine each year? Take care. Patty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2004 Report Share Posted January 26, 2004 Hi Patty, If Caitlin is taking her steroid dose in the a.m. only now maybe as the strength of the medication decreases over time, through-out the day, that might contribute to why she has the itchy rash only in the night-time now? I remember once seeing a website that had the actual half-lifes, I think it's called, for various arthritis medications. How long they stay active in one's system. Arava, for instance, stays for a very long time. There's a very long wash-out period. Prednisone stays for much less time. Just a thought. Take Care, Georgina Emeraldsx3@... wrote: > Hi : > > I would be interested to know if her ASO was positive or negative. If you > don't mind, of course. > > So she is now completely off the steroids? Caitlin is on a 21 day taper, > tomorrow being her last dose, supposedly. She is scheduled to see the rheumy > tomorrow, but I don't know if we will be able to get there. We got our snow > YEAH, but tomorrow it's supposed to be an inch to two inches of ice down. Snow > is one thing, but ice, well, you can't do much to stop your car if you slide on > ice. I am hoping it will not come and if it does, that they rheumy can fit > her in somewhere this week. I want to have her seen, we need a script for 1/2 > day school and limited writing, see if he's closer to a dx and get her recent > lab numbers. > > Caitlin will have the rash/spots/itching at night only now. Weird, why does > it show at night and not during the day? I am thrilled it's not there in the > day time, but it would be great if it was gone at night too. > > Caitlin has gotten a whole refresher course from mom about washing hands, > don't put your fingers in your mouth, turn away if someone is coughing/sneezing > etc. She is a nail biter, but she seems to be learning to stop that - > hopefully she will have this habit broken by the time she returns to school. Glad to > hear the Aundrea was spared the flu. Do you and/or your family get the flu > vaccine each year? > > Take care. > Patty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 In a message dated 1/26/04 8:02:03 PM Eastern Standard Time, sonia1md@... writes: << I dont know what ASO stands for but I see they did a BASO test and she was within normal limits. (is that the same thing?) >> Hi : I am not sure what the BASO test is, but the ASO is: A blood test to measure anti-streptolysin O (ASO) antibodies in the blood. Alternative Names: Anti-streptolysin O titer. << sure hope that you are able to keep her appointment and will have a safe trip. Is Caitlin able to dictate her assignments to you? I have this as part of Aundrea's 504 plan and there are many times that her wrist is bothering her and so I write out the answers. I have also heard of kids using tape recorders or having the teacher photo-copy notes for them. Did you see Georgina's post regarding only 6 weeks of continued joint pain/swelling needed to make a jra diagnosis. I sure was wrong on that one.> Thank you. We were able to make our appointment YEAH, I will post about it after I answer some email, so far behind on them. The Asst. Principal has said that they will adapt her writing work at school. The home bound teacher writes for her if needed, so I will do the same. I don't think they will mind, unless, of course, it's a writing excercise. I did see Georgina's post. Thank you for double checking:) Take care. Patty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 A good thought Georgina. Thank you. I am just happy it's now what it was in the beginning and the other meds are appearing to take some effect now. Take care. Patty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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