Re: OT? Rheumatic Fever

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/21/2006 11:10:52 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, erythema_nodosum_Group writes:

The antibiotic I have to take for RF is temporary depending on how my body responds to the treatment and if my heart scan comes back without heart valve damage. Right now my rheumo says I need to take it for a year, but that he wants to check me every few months. A year from now will be in January, so I imagine he'll want me to stay on the meds until at least spring since the winter months are known for more strep infections. So I'm looking at about a year an a half (at least).

This is interesting to read for me because when I was a kid my younger brother had rheumatic fever, at age 8. He was on bed rest for just ages and ages, even though he wanted to be up and about. He took penicillin during the active fever and continued until he was 21! He has a minor heart murmur and apparently nothing else wrong now. He's 62. My mother also had rheumatic fever and afterwards developed rheumatoid arthritis--a rather mild case. I did not have rheumatic fever but I do have rheumatoid arthritis which came with EN at onset. Neither my mother nor my brother ever had EN. Such a tangled tale--but it sure seems like genetic predisposition must have a lot to do with it.

lie

[Guest guest]

This is interesting to read for me because when I was a kid my younger brother had rheumatic fever, at age 8. He was on bed rest for just ages and ages, even though he wanted to be up and about. He took penicillin during the active fever and continued until he was 21! He has a minor heart murmur and apparently nothing else wrong now. He's 62. My mother also had rheumatic fever and afterwards developed rheumatoid arthritis--a rather mild case. I did not have rheumatic fever but I do have rheumatoid arthritis which came with EN at onset. Neither my mother nor my brother ever had EN. Such a tangled

lie,

I agree. I don't think RF is genetic, but I think it's genetic to have a compromised immune system. Even though I have not been personally diagnosed with low immune, my mother has been dx with low IGA, Fibryomialgia and a few other things I can't remember, but all are due to her body fighting itself.

Personally, from the cases of RF that I read, they are put on antibiotics for years, not just one year. I don't think that just because I'm an adult, doctors should not be "cautious" with my medical treatment and treat me for many more years, too. Before I even agree to stop the antibiotic next year, I'll get a second opinion, if my rheumo doesn't think I need to stay on the medication. If it's rare for an adult to get RF, and they get it, then I think they should be cared for just as strongly as a child would who gets RF. Don't you agree? I think they treat the kids for a long period of time because they are susceptible to strep infections, but I am a mother of 5 young children (2 of which have strep right now) and so I think my chances of reinfection are much higher than an older adult who isn't around children all the time.

Lorri

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/22/2006 8:17:37 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, erythema_nodosum_Group writes:

If it's rare for an adult to get RF, and they get it, then I think they should be cared for just as strongly as a child would who gets RF. Don't you agree? I think they treat the kids for a long period of time because they are susceptible to strep infections, but I am a mother of 5 young children (2 of which have strep right now) and so I think my chances of reinfection are much higher than an older adult who isn't around children all the time.

What you say makes perfect sense to me.

lie

[Guest guest]

Lorri - from what i understand the longer you are on an antibiotic the less effective it gets for you and the illness you are treating. does your doctor plan on testing you periodically to see if your RF has become resistant?

this happened to me when i was 17 with strep - i got to the point where i was taking Cipro and doubling up on the first 2 or 3 days - i have not taken antibiotics now for over 15 years so this past bout with strep i was able to treat with just penicillin

or is RF different?

~

Re: OT? Rheumatic Fever

This is interesting to read for me because when I was a kid my younger brother had rheumatic fever, at age 8. He was on bed rest for just ages and ages, even though he wanted to be up and about. He took penicillin during the active fever and continued until he was 21! He has a minor heart murmur and apparently nothing else wrong now. He's 62. My mother also had rheumatic fever and afterwards developed rheumatoid arthritis--a rather mild case. I did not have rheumatic fever but I do have rheumatoid arthritis which came with EN at onset. Neither my mother nor my brother ever had EN. Such a tangled

lie,

I agree. I don't think RF is genetic, but I think it's genetic to have a compromised immune system. Even though I have not been personally diagnosed with low immune, my mother has been dx with low IGA, Fibryomialgia and a few other things I can't remember, but all are due to her body fighting itself.

Personally, from the cases of RF that I read, they are put on antibiotics for years, not just one year. I don't think that just because I'm an adult, doctors should not be "cautious" with my medical treatment and treat me for many more years, too. Before I even agree to stop the antibiotic next year, I'll get a second opinion, if my rheumo doesn't think I need to stay on the medication. If it's rare for an adult to get RF, and they get it, then I think they should be cared for just as strongly as a child would who gets RF. Don't you agree? I think they treat the kids for a long period of time because they are susceptible to strep infections, but I am a mother of 5 young children (2 of which have strep right now) and so I think my chances of reinfection are much higher than an older adult who isn't around children all the time.

Lorri

[Guest guest]

Lorri - from what i understand the longer you are on an antibiotic the less effective it gets for you and the illness you are treating. does your doctor plan on testing you periodically to see if your RF has become resistant?

this happened to me when i was 17 with strep - i got to the point where i was taking Cipro and doubling up on the first 2 or 3 days - i have not taken antibiotics now for over 15 years so this past bout with strep i was able to treat with just penicillin

or is RF different?

~

Re: OT? Rheumatic Fever

This is interesting to read for me because when I was a kid my younger brother had rheumatic fever, at age 8. He was on bed rest for just ages and ages, even though he wanted to be up and about. He took penicillin during the active fever and continued until he was 21! He has a minor heart murmur and apparently nothing else wrong now. He's 62. My mother also had rheumatic fever and afterwards developed rheumatoid arthritis--a rather mild case. I did not have rheumatic fever but I do have rheumatoid arthritis which came with EN at onset. Neither my mother nor my brother ever had EN. Such a tangled

lie,

I agree. I don't think RF is genetic, but I think it's genetic to have a compromised immune system. Even though I have not been personally diagnosed with low immune, my mother has been dx with low IGA, Fibryomialgia and a few other things I can't remember, but all are due to her body fighting itself.

Personally, from the cases of RF that I read, they are put on antibiotics for years, not just one year. I don't think that just because I'm an adult, doctors should not be "cautious" with my medical treatment and treat me for many more years, too. Before I even agree to stop the antibiotic next year, I'll get a second opinion, if my rheumo doesn't think I need to stay on the medication. If it's rare for an adult to get RF, and they get it, then I think they should be cared for just as strongly as a child would who gets RF. Don't you agree? I think they treat the kids for a long period of time because they are susceptible to strep infections, but I am a mother of 5 young children (2 of which have strep right now) and so I think my chances of reinfection are much higher than an older adult who isn't around children all the time.

Lorri