Guest guest Posted July 26, 2001 Report Share Posted July 26, 2001 Hello Joe, I'm sorry my reply is so late. I have been on vacation. Yes--I did have Rheumatic Fever as a child. Although I don't recall the dose or exact medication, I was on an antibiotic for about 20 or 25 years. I am 47 years old and probably stopped that treatment around age 30. I was diagnosed with PA about 6 or 7 years ago but believe I have suffered the disease (undiagnosed) in varying stages for at least 15 or 16 years. This is the first time I have realized that very near the period I stopped the antibiotic is the same period I began to feel the pain of the arthritis. That makes me really want to try the antibiotic therapy. However, there are 3 Rheumatologists in my small town--I've visited 2 (neither will try the antibiotics) and the 3rd isn't taking new patients. I'm currently taking Remicade and have seen some relief but I want to stop the designer drugs and find something a little more gentle. Did you take antibiotics as a child? Are you still taking them? I've asked my doctors about the connection between Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatoid Arthritis before and have been told there is no connection. But I have never asked about the antibiotic connection. You can be sure I will ask the next time. Jeanne in Idaho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 28, 2001 Report Share Posted July 28, 2001 In a message dated 7/26/01 12:05:11 PM US Eastern Standard Time, now4now5@... writes: << That makes me really want to try the antibiotic therapy. However, there are 3 Rheumatologists in my small town--I've visited 2 (neither will try the antibiotics) and the 3rd isn't taking new patients. >> This never ceases to amaze me. OK, yes, doctors go to school and are trained in their specialty (supposedly!). Why won't they ever listen to what a patient wants and try to go along with it? I know if I told my rheumy about antibiodic treatment, she might not agree with it, but if I wanted to try it, she would either research it herself and let me try or refer me to a rheumy who had experience in it (I'm lucky that I found a really good one). I know doctors can be stubborn, but I would try again with one of them and tell them " look, I really think this treatment is the way I want to go - why won't you help me or refer me to someone who can? " Don't take their word as a final answer. Sometimes the patient knows as much as the doctor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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