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Arthritis (Expert Forum)
RA or Mycoplasmal Infection?
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions and support regarding arthritis issues such as: Arthritis, Autoimmune Disease, Bursitis, Fibromyalgia, Gout, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Myositis, Neuralgia, Osteoarthritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sciatica, Tendinitis, Vasculitis.
RA or Mycoplasmal Infection?
by brenz, Jan 11, 2005 12:00AM
Over the last ten years, I have been diagnosed with numerous health conditions. Although doctors tell me they aren’t related, I feel that somehow they are. I would like to know what you think. I have been diagnosed with:
Bronchiectisis – chronic cough and throat clearing. Left lung found to have damage due to “untreated pnemonia” in childhood, or so the doctors surmise. CT scan done in 2002 and bronchoscopy in 1994. Both showed scaring.
Rhemetoid Arthritis – Also diagnosed in 2002 through blood tests (Rheumatoid factor was 126, and ANA was 2.2,)after seeing a neurologist, but now my Rheumatoid factor is normal. Been taking Remicaid treatments every 6 weeks for the past year. Also take sulfasalazine, not methotrexate, neurontin
Severe Degenerative Disk Disease in my neck causing pain down my shoulder and arm,found in CT scan 2002 w/ severe narrowing. Need surgery.
Thyroid Disease – my eyes were protruding for many years, but they are not now. Blood tests have never come back positive, but was told I might have Graves disease back in 1994.
Chronic yeast infections
Vulvadynia – obviously affects sex drive – diagnosed by Gyn (but inconclusive testing)
Anemia – Blood tests always show borderline low blood. I have had an endoscopy and colonoscopy with no positive results. A blood test in April/04 revealed the latest red cell count – 3.71, and my Eosinophils count was 9. In Oct, 2004, red cell count was 3.53, hemoglobin was 11.4, and hematocrit was 33.9. My eosinophil was 6 at that time. – I had endometrial ablation this past Dec. that is supposed to help with anemia. I just received a report on the blood test taken 1/05/05: Red Cell Count – 3.58, Hemoglobin 10.7, and Hematocrit was 31.9. Eosinophils was 4.
Miscroscopic blood in urine with every test
Chronic dry eyes
Chronic sinus infections – CT scan done in 2002 was normal
Short term memory loss – continually getting worse, loss of concentration, unorganized
Depression
Insomnia
Muscle cramps, muscle tenderness,Tingling in hands and arms – Had nerve conduction test between 2002/2003 - negative
Night sweats – better since taking Ambien for insomnia
Had hives in 2002. Unknown reason
Periodontal disease - ongoing since late 1980’s
Through the years, I have seen every “ologist” you can think of. I have done some recent internet research and found a study done by the Insititute of Molecular Medicine which suggests that mycoplasma detection in blood and other body fluids can cause these symptoms and that treatment of long term antibiotic can be helpful to radiate these problems. What are your thoughts on this possibly being the cause of my problems?
Or…As a footnote, my mother died from chronic myelogenous leukemia when I was 4 years old. We believe her leukemia was as a result of radiation exposure. She worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory from 1943-1945. Is it possible that my problems could be a result of long-term effects of radiation exposure from my mother?
Bronchiectisis – chronic cough and throat clearing. Left lung found to have damage due to “untreated pnemonia” in childhood, or so the doctors surmise. CT scan done in 2002 and bronchoscopy in 1994. Both showed scaring.
Rhemetoid Arthritis – Also diagnosed in 2002 through blood tests (Rheumatoid factor was 126, and ANA was 2.2,)after seeing a neurologist, but now my Rheumatoid factor is normal. Been taking Remicaid treatments every 6 weeks for the past year. Also take sulfasalazine, not methotrexate, neurontin
Severe Degenerative Disk Disease in my neck causing pain down my shoulder and arm,found in CT scan 2002 w/ severe narrowing. Need surgery.
Thyroid Disease – my eyes were protruding for many years, but they are not now. Blood tests have never come back positive, but was told I might have Graves disease back in 1994.
Chronic yeast infections
Vulvadynia – obviously affects sex drive – diagnosed by Gyn (but inconclusive testing)
Anemia – Blood tests always show borderline low blood. I have had an endoscopy and colonoscopy with no positive results. A blood test in April/04 revealed the latest red cell count – 3.71, and my Eosinophils count was 9. In Oct, 2004, red cell count was 3.53, hemoglobin was 11.4, and hematocrit was 33.9. My eosinophil was 6 at that time. – I had endometrial ablation this past Dec. that is supposed to help with anemia. I just received a report on the blood test taken 1/05/05: Red Cell Count – 3.58, Hemoglobin 10.7, and Hematocrit was 31.9. Eosinophils was 4.
Miscroscopic blood in urine with every test
Chronic dry eyes
Chronic sinus infections – CT scan done in 2002 was normal
Short term memory loss – continually getting worse, loss of concentration, unorganized
Depression
Insomnia
Muscle cramps, muscle tenderness,Tingling in hands and arms – Had nerve conduction test between 2002/2003 - negative
Night sweats – better since taking Ambien for insomnia
Had hives in 2002. Unknown reason
Periodontal disease - ongoing since late 1980’s
Through the years, I have seen every “ologist” you can think of. I have done some recent internet research and found a study done by the Insititute of Molecular Medicine which suggests that mycoplasma detection in blood and other body fluids can cause these symptoms and that treatment of long term antibiotic can be helpful to radiate these problems. What are your thoughts on this possibly being the cause of my problems?
Or…As a footnote, my mother died from chronic myelogenous leukemia when I was 4 years old. We believe her leukemia was as a result of radiation exposure. She worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory from 1943-1945. Is it possible that my problems could be a result of long-term effects of radiation exposure from my mother?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jan 12, 2005 12:00AM
, Jan 12, 2005 12:00AM
It is possible that mycoplasma may have many manifestations throughout the body. This can include hematologic (blood) disorders, skin rash, joint involvement, GI involvement, central nervous system involvement, and heart disease.
Some joint conditions can include tender joints and muscles, as well as polyarthritis.
To test for this, you may want to consider sending off cold agglutinins - but this is not the most sensitive nor specific test. The other option would be the complement fixation test which can measure antibodies for mycoplasma.
If these tests are positive, you may want to consider antibiotic therapy.
Regarding radiation exposure - it is certainly possible that exposure to radiation may lead to some of the symptoms. It can be difficult to confirm this possibility however.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
Some joint conditions can include tender joints and muscles, as well as polyarthritis.
To test for this, you may want to consider sending off cold agglutinins - but this is not the most sensitive nor specific test. The other option would be the complement fixation test which can measure antibodies for mycoplasma.
If these tests are positive, you may want to consider antibiotic therapy.
Regarding radiation exposure - it is certainly possible that exposure to radiation may lead to some of the symptoms. It can be difficult to confirm this possibility however.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
Member Comments
by md1johnson, Feb 14, 2005 12:00AM
To: brenz
Do you have any edema in your legs and feet? and have yo been tested for pulmonary hypertension?
by bria, Feb 25, 2005 12:00AM
I had similar symptoms for years...It was endometriosis..I had a hysterectomy and all symptoms subsided.
