Rheumatic Fever

[katy2575]

33 yr. old F, disabled for 3 yrs due to severe pelvic neuropathy, and burning in hands and arms w/ radiation into face. All are triggered by position. Dx. with Pudendal Neuralgia and TOS. Treated unsucc. w/ steroid and botox injections. Long hx. of recurrent strep infections with tonsellectomy in 1999. 1-2 episodes of knee inflammation a year since 1998 (triggered by activity or heat).  

Two months ago dev. shortness of breath, pain in L chest, tightness in chest, worse when laying down. Two weeks ago used steamroom and went on walk w/ incline. Next day knees flare, dev. fluid filled inflammation over ankle joints, sensation of freezing/burning in entire feet and ankles. Cannot walk as pressure triggers pain.  Echo reads: Abnormal echocardiogram consistent with valvular heart disease. Frequent PVC's, Ventricle Bigemy, bowing of the mitral valve. Physiologic mitral regurgitation w/ thickening. Aortic regurgitation, Pulmonic valvular regurgitation. Everything is normal in size. Streptozyme Titer 200, Microplama pneumoniae .24, DNase-B Antibody 135, CIQ complement 8.3 -L
I am being told that I have an untreated and reactivated Rheumatic Fever.  Please help, what are your thoughts?

[bobie]

after surfing the web about rheumatic fever, i  find myself surprised that someone of your young age has ended up with this fever.  it is true that it is caused by untreated strep infections.  but since the birth of anibiotics, it is rare.  as my doctor told me " its just your bad luck".   he told me that i must have had it  as a child and now at age 60 the stenosis of the aortic and mitral valves have shown up.  did you have strep as a child or recently, i am curious to know?

[katy2575]

Thank you for your reply.  I had recurrent strep my entire life.  In 1999 I had a tonsellectomy.  I believe it is more common to be diagnosed with RF before the age of 15.  I am suprized at this dx. so late in life.  I also am confused as to how this would explain the polyneuropathies.  Are they recommending Penicillin for you?

[bobie]

no one has recommended penicillin. do you have an on going strep infection?  have you taken other antibotics?  as a child,my parents did not take me to a doctor often.  when we got sick, we all toughed it out.  never remember having antibotics back then and even if there were, parents would not have taken me to the doctor for what they thought was a common sore throat and cold.  i actually remember being in early grade school , wondering why my mother was making me go to school, when i was so sick!    
          i didn't know about thr rheumatic fever until five years age when my health started going downhill and the doctor told me that was what caused it!
        i also wanted you to know that i also have polyneuropathy and i find it interesting that you do to!         bobie