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Fifth Disease
I can't believe I am reading all this. I know this discussion is old, but how did everyone make out? It is March 2008 that I am writing this in reply to the strand about Fifth's from 2002. I have had Fifth Disease since January. I too, went through much false diagnosis. I was taking Ibuprofren and even Tylenol 3s for pain with no effect. I couldn't walk, sit, sleep, work. There is a blood test that can test for Parvovirus B19, which came back positive. From what I've read on the internet, it seems to be much more severe in an adult than in a child. Children get a mild flu-like condition for a few days and a rash. Adults get all over joint pain and fatigue that they wouldn't wish upon their worst enemy. I am like a crippled woman twice my age! I'm 40. Everyone thinks of a rash when they hear I have this. Who cares about a rash? That's no even relevant to me, it's the never ending pain that is the only symptom I care about. My doctor put me on steroids, prednisone 20 mg a day for a few weeks. It was great symptom relief of pain and I stopped the Tylenol. Then I weaned off them, and all the symptoms returned. I am now back on, but only at 15mg strength. I have the worst headache in the world today, have taken seven Tylenol in 10 hours, three Ibuprofren and I just want to bang my head against a brick wall. How long does this last? What do I do next???? Is this related to stress, exhaustion, chronic fatigue? I definitely don't have mono, I was tested for that. I am shocked again that that doctor replied to you all those illnesses THAT YOU JUST SAID YOU WERE ALREADY TESTED FOR! Do they ever actually listen to the patient? He said it didn't sound like Fifth's. Why do doctors know so little about this? It sounds exactly like Fifth's! Because that is what my blood tests showed and it's exactly the same. Anyways, if you or anyone else is reading this, let me know how you got over it and how long it took. I need to know how far off the light is at the end of this tunnel!
This discussion is related to Mutated Fifth Disease?.
This discussion is related to Mutated Fifth Disease?.
Interesting and helpful thread. I had Fifths a year and a half ago after my kids caught it. They both had the face rash, but it was mid-summer and I thought at first that they'd just gotten a bit sunburned until I got a fever myself and a few days later the lacy rash on my body. Still no idea what I was dealing with until another week later when I experienced severe fatigue and joint pain in my hands, shoulders and knees. I felt like I was 100 years old. Doctor prescribed steroids which seemed to work and I thought it was over until the last few days when the fatigue and the joint pain came back. I might think it was something else except that I see here that people's symptoms return even after many months. If I could, I'd cross my fingers that this is the last of it for me, and I'll hope the same for you all!
I have had Fifth's for 2 years now. My story is similar to many of the others. The first 3 doctors I saw didn't know what I had. Then my 6 year old son came home from school with Fifth's disease and I took him to the Peditrician. When I was describing my symptoms to her she commented that I probably had the adult version of it. I had to ask to be tested and the test came back positive. I suffered months of severe pain. Then it started to get better, only to come back again, and again. I went for almost a year feeling pretty good while taking just advil every day, and then 2 weeks ago, it came back again. I went to another doctor, who said "it can't still be fifth's disease, you must have something else" and started running tests. Well, the tests started coming back negitive for everything else. But for some reason the doctor still doesn't believe I still have fifth's.
So, I am wondering, does anyone know what the longest reported case is? Does it, or can it go on forever, just periodically raising it's ugly head up to bite you when you think everything's ok? Any feedback is appreciated.
So, I am wondering, does anyone know what the longest reported case is? Does it, or can it go on forever, just periodically raising it's ugly head up to bite you when you think everything's ok? Any feedback is appreciated.
I just read you post from 2010 and at that point you had been suffring for 2 years with Parvo. I was diagnosed in 2011 andit is now 2 years for me....has yours improved? I sure hope you are doing better.
SO glad I found this discussion! I was exposed to 5th in 2011, my 5 year old nephew had it and my sis called to tell me to be on the look out for my 3 year old daughter to show signs....she never did. I however, a couple days before had started experiencing SEVERE wrist and ankle swelling and pain out of the blue. When researching symptoms to look for in my baby girl, I came across the adult symptoms....DING...it was all me. So ....I went to a dr. and he thought I was nuts.....he ordered all kinds of bloodwork...but not for Parvo...before went to tha lab I asked if he could please add Parvo, he said he wasn't familiar and I actually researched it and told him what to write on the lab script.....WHAT????!!!!
There are 2 tests one to see if you were exposed and immune....and one to show recent exposure and current activity....you guessed it... I had recent and current action revealed thru bloodwork....ok....FFWD several months...crazy dizziness, loss of balance, bumping in to doors and wall...thinking I had a brain tumor... I went to an ENT and he ordered a VNG test and I found out that "some sort of virus" attacked my vestibulo-occular nerve....destroying 85% of it's function....it cannot recover BUT peripheral nerves will eventually compensate...and they have greatly done so over the past 2 years. This mainly affected my equilibrium but not my hearing...FFWD 2 years... In the past few weeks, I have had the same type of 5th pain in my ankles and wrists (we have just gone thru and extremely stressful out of state move.) I have also been experienceing tinitus and muffling in the same ear as effected before by nerve damage. I have just gone thru testing that shows 30 decibel hearing loss in that ear as compared to my 2011 tests. :( I feel very fatigued and extremely frustrated. The dr. prescribed a 15 day course of prednisone (yuk) and bloodwork. My follow up is this Friday......I'm thinking of going on A cleansing juice fast to see if I can't get regulated and boost my immunity.
Has anyone seen anything on the ****** Theory? I guess"I'll give it a go.
There are 2 tests one to see if you were exposed and immune....and one to show recent exposure and current activity....you guessed it... I had recent and current action revealed thru bloodwork....ok....FFWD several months...crazy dizziness, loss of balance, bumping in to doors and wall...thinking I had a brain tumor... I went to an ENT and he ordered a VNG test and I found out that "some sort of virus" attacked my vestibulo-occular nerve....destroying 85% of it's function....it cannot recover BUT peripheral nerves will eventually compensate...and they have greatly done so over the past 2 years. This mainly affected my equilibrium but not my hearing...FFWD 2 years... In the past few weeks, I have had the same type of 5th pain in my ankles and wrists (we have just gone thru and extremely stressful out of state move.) I have also been experienceing tinitus and muffling in the same ear as effected before by nerve damage. I have just gone thru testing that shows 30 decibel hearing loss in that ear as compared to my 2011 tests. :( I feel very fatigued and extremely frustrated. The dr. prescribed a 15 day course of prednisone (yuk) and bloodwork. My follow up is this Friday......I'm thinking of going on A cleansing juice fast to see if I can't get regulated and boost my immunity.
Has anyone seen anything on the ****** Theory? I guess"I'll give it a go.
I got it 5 years ago in 2008. Now in 2013, my hands still swell during the night usually when I am asleep. By the time I wake up between 6-7am, the swelling has subsided for the most part. I know that is wierd, but this final symptom has never gone away! I think I'm ok otherwise. I don't get it, but luckily it is not severe and I will just continue living with it. I refuse to spend hundreds of dollars and time asking doctors to figure it out when I know what the cause was. I did ask my primary doctor a couple of years ago about it and he said, "oh it couldn't be from the fifths disease." After that, I never brought it up again.
I am so sorry that you all have Fifth Disease. Parvovirus is such a maddening and hard thing to diagnose and treat. I don't have it - just Fibromyalgia - but I can understand and sympathize with your pain. I was reading about Boswellia and how it can help people with RA and other forms of arthritis. Personally, I take Essiac and Apis to help me with the pain. When it gets too bad I do take a Naproxen - but very seldom. Boswellia is also known as Frankincense. It is also known to treat cancer. - Bromelain is also a good anti-inflamatory - comes from Pineapple. - I wish I could hug all of you and take your pain away.
I know these posts are old but perhaps someone could let me know if there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have what I think is Fifths Disease severe aching joints for the past 6 days been to lots of GP's who told me to rest and take pain killers. Problem being I can't rest as pain so severe in hands especially at night, it wakes me up. So another GP prescribed a NSAI used for arthritic patients, it still hasn't done much. I am 43 years old work as a teacher (suspect I picked it up from nursery environment) would like to hear how long this goes on for .... it's really debilitating can't do anything hands are so swollen and painful.
I have been diagnosed with Fifth's Disease, and I am going on five months of it. My doctors have all said that it will take 6-8 months to run its course. My symptoms come and go. I'll have up to 5 decent days, but just when I think I'm getting better, I relapse. I can't work. It seems like all I am able to do is lie on the couch all day. I would love it if anyone could tell me how long their case lasted. Thank you!
m44 where do i start Parvo is no joke . I have been tested for it and I do have it. its been a few months now and Im starting to get concerned about my condition. Ive read alot of comments and none come close to what I experienced and its nothing to brag about. I had been sick one eveing kind of wobbly and really tired and then I started having a deep aching pain in my arms around 2 in the morning. The ach was now turing into pain so sever that even now it is hard to describe because of the layers of pain. these are somethings that come to mind. A Bear chewed my arm. somebody had slamed my arms with the car door and left them dangleing. The nerves in my skin were screaming with the slighest movement. The nerve shockwave would run down from arm to the end of my fingers. There is more I could say about my arms but lets move on to my fingers. Oh my hands hurts so bad they were stiff and swollen where they felt as though they were going to explode. I cant hardly even think about it. Time for a break
I sufferd with this disease and it was debilitating for nearly 3 months or more. I could hardly walk up stairs and I was 42 at the time. I thought it would never end. Please trust me that it does. It seemed like it took me an extraordinary amount of time and I was depressed and concerned. My sister-in-law had it and my wife, but one had symptons mild for a week the other for a couple of weeks and was closer to my swelling and joint pains. I have had my spleen removed and I have had a sever case of Mono 5 years earlier, so I am not sure if that caused some of the complications. Good luck all and know it does get better!
If your symptoms persist, try the doctor. In the meantime, Aleve 2 of them, twice daily. It doesn't get rid of the pain, but will take the edge off. The average time for the pain and swelling to go down is two weeks. But of course it can take longer. If it's not noticeably better after two weeks, I would try the doctor. Most will be unwilling to treat with steroids before then. The swelling I've had is horrific. Entire body with edema, even face. Crippling pain. Drink adequate amounts of water - not sodas. Try to rest as much as you can.
I was sick about 10 days ago with a lowgrade fever, chills, aches, sore throat. Extreme fatigue. Yesterday I woke with a red, lacy rash. Now my fingers/hands, feet and ankles are so swollen. I itch everywhere. Fifth's is going around my sons' school. I am completely depressed reading about this disease. My question is...do I even need to bother going to a doctor?
Even if Fifths isn't what I have, I am wondering why (at least in Texas where I am) it's not a "reportable illness" that schools and health departments have to keep track of. I know this, because I recently asked our local school district if they'd seen much Fifths disease based on my symtoms, and "not reportable" is the response I got. I'm not around children all that much, but I travel alot for work, and airplanes are basically flying Petri dishes full of God-knows-what bugs, germs, viruses and parasites.
My story:
--Had a cold and sore throat last week of December 2009.
--On Jan.1, first developed a mild "crick" in my neck that disappeared only to be followed by first stiffness in the shoulder and 12 hours later complete immobilization and severe pain in the shoulder. Followed a few hours later by severe right hand swelling & pain, then ankles, hips, elbows, wrists, knees...with redness and swelling in all but the hips & shoulders. The pain was CRIPPLING. Also had fever, teeth-chattering chills, etc. The above symptoms were only slightly relieved by round the clock Advil.
--Finally went to the ER ten days later, where a shot of methylprednisone permanetly took away the redness and swelling and about 50% of the severity of the pain...at least I could function. Also was put on 10 days of tapering oral prednisone. Oh, also had a shot to calm my burning stomach due to all the Advil I'd been inhaling.
--Pain would get severe about once daily for the next 5 days, and on the 5th I saw my primary doctor. He prescribed an antibiotic in case it was bacterial arthritis. That night, and the next day was much better, and improvement has been slow but steady since then.
--Today, I just have shoulder pain that jumps from shoulder to shoulder and is bearable without Tylenol and almost nonexistent with. I have a little stiffness and fleeting pain in my hands and hips occasionally, but I do have very stiff/knotty upper back (but I always tended to have this due to a stressful desk job). But I can't stand or walk for very long in my really great (good-looking) shoes/boots without getting tired. I do better in ugly shoes but that's just not me! In fact, the worst part of this for now is the incredible fatigue and tiredness, and the worry and wonder about what it is that I have.
--I've tested negative for everything except I do have a low thyroid (for years) and my blood sedimentation rate was sky high at 91 (inflammation).
--I've seen a rheumatologist who said we'd see if this went on longer than 6 weeks and then go from there. I will suggest to him that we "go" for a parvo test.
I do hope this is not rheumatoid arthritis (seronegative) and that it is something that might be more short term like Parvo. I cannot believe there isn't more publicity and reportability about this disease that affects adults so severely but not children that severely. Well, maybe somebody if a media person gets it...nah, I wouldn't wish it on anybody!
My story:
--Had a cold and sore throat last week of December 2009.
--On Jan.1, first developed a mild "crick" in my neck that disappeared only to be followed by first stiffness in the shoulder and 12 hours later complete immobilization and severe pain in the shoulder. Followed a few hours later by severe right hand swelling & pain, then ankles, hips, elbows, wrists, knees...with redness and swelling in all but the hips & shoulders. The pain was CRIPPLING. Also had fever, teeth-chattering chills, etc. The above symptoms were only slightly relieved by round the clock Advil.
--Finally went to the ER ten days later, where a shot of methylprednisone permanetly took away the redness and swelling and about 50% of the severity of the pain...at least I could function. Also was put on 10 days of tapering oral prednisone. Oh, also had a shot to calm my burning stomach due to all the Advil I'd been inhaling.
--Pain would get severe about once daily for the next 5 days, and on the 5th I saw my primary doctor. He prescribed an antibiotic in case it was bacterial arthritis. That night, and the next day was much better, and improvement has been slow but steady since then.
--Today, I just have shoulder pain that jumps from shoulder to shoulder and is bearable without Tylenol and almost nonexistent with. I have a little stiffness and fleeting pain in my hands and hips occasionally, but I do have very stiff/knotty upper back (but I always tended to have this due to a stressful desk job). But I can't stand or walk for very long in my really great (good-looking) shoes/boots without getting tired. I do better in ugly shoes but that's just not me! In fact, the worst part of this for now is the incredible fatigue and tiredness, and the worry and wonder about what it is that I have.
--I've tested negative for everything except I do have a low thyroid (for years) and my blood sedimentation rate was sky high at 91 (inflammation).
--I've seen a rheumatologist who said we'd see if this went on longer than 6 weeks and then go from there. I will suggest to him that we "go" for a parvo test.
I do hope this is not rheumatoid arthritis (seronegative) and that it is something that might be more short term like Parvo. I cannot believe there isn't more publicity and reportability about this disease that affects adults so severely but not children that severely. Well, maybe somebody if a media person gets it...nah, I wouldn't wish it on anybody!
Wow! I was diagnosed with Parvovirus in January 2008 and have not felt 100% since. Over the last several months I have been having low grade (99 - 100.5) fevers just about every day between 1 & 3pm. Did a Google search and keep coming up with different links on Fifth's disease. Went to a rheumatologist last fall because of all the joint pain, but nothing. There is a family history of RA, Fibro and diabetes, so I thought my time had come! Anyway, I was diagnosed with low vitamin D levels, treated for that and felt better. Still have joint pain all over and the fevers. Since the Parvo diagnosis in January '08, I have had periods where I felt pretty good, but only temporary. Can't believe this would last 2 years!?
Well, it's been awhile since I posted to this forum and I am ABSOLUTELY AMAZED by all the chatter here and the similarity of experiences!!!! Especially considering that most doctors and specialists (not to mention the common public) are completely ignorant to all of this. FRUSTRATING!!!! I have to say, my mental health has deteriorated a great deal because of my illness, and the lack of validation that I have received in the medical community. Thank goodness for forums like this. It is now September 27, 2009 that I write this and I first got sick on January 27, 2008 so it has been 21 months for me, just about two years that I have suffered with Parvo. I have given up trying to get a cure or an explanation or a treatment. I have given up researching and going to specialists. Since January, I have seen three family doctors, several on-call clinic doctors, two rheumatologists, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a naturopath, a chiropractor, a physical therapist, an acupunctur(ist?), have had TENS therapy, macro-faschial therapy, massage, sacro-cranial therapy, auricular acupuncture in the ear (the shape of the body is mapped in the ear). Have tried rest, exercise, challenging my metabolism, "listening" to my body signals, supplements and homeopathic medicine, diet, re-examining my childhood, changing my life habits to reduce stress and I have now officially read every book there is on the mind-body connection, autoimmune disease, chronic pain, and stress. Right now, my doctor says she is not trying to diagnose me, I will just have to lump myself in the category of chronic pain and just continue to ride it out, like so many with chronic pain, chronic fatigue type illnesses, just treating the pain and not bothering about the cause. She says I will probably never return to how I once felt (healthy). Encouraging! The weird thing is that when I took steroids, I felt better and they work by lowering the immune response. So obviously, this is an immune system problem, so why are they just treating the pain, which is just a symptom? Recently, I moved and now have a new doctor. Unfortunately, she is totally oblivious to what I am going through and is also undertreating me for pain. Thank goodness I have weaned myself down to smaller and smaller doses of pain meds. Unfortunately however, I am no longer working. Thank goodness my husband is able to work. We had to move and buy a new house in order to afford the lifestyle of just one income. All this because of Fifth's Disease. My daughter drew a picture of me yesterday, and I am slumping. She says, "That's because you are always sick, Mommy". How's that for a glimpse into my new "quality of life"? Anyways, with all this talk of viruses, pandemics, and H1N1 in the news, I am really scared. I had no idea a virus could wreak such havoc on your life. In case we are surveying locations, I am nowhere near Texas, as someone was curious about. I lived in Nova Scotia, Canada when I contracted the illness (northeast of Maine). Now I live in southern Ontario, Canada, near Detroit. I have to say, however, that the warmer climate here in Ontario has done me a lot of good. I seem to have less syptoms in warm, dry weather as opposed to the wet, damp weather of the North Atlantic. To all of you who are thinking about the H1N1 pandemic, my advice is to get a flu shot this year and for sure the H1N1 shot when it comes out. Good luck!
I believe I contracted 5ths disease sometme in May/June. I have had moderate to severe joint pain ( no swelling) since then, and was finally diagnosed 2 weeks ago. I also have had the itching... but only when I go for a walk. Everytime I walk my dog I have to stop because my thighs turn red and itch like crazy. it's almost painful. It feels like the blood flowing through my legs is on fire or somthing. I didn't even think it could be from the 5ths disease. I just stopped going for walks to prevent it from happening. LOL
I also read that 5th disease can lead to RA or Lupus, or FMS/CMS. I hope that is not what is happnening to me...
My doctor said If I still have pain after 3 more weeks she will refer me to a Rheumetologist :(.
Did your doc's give you anything that actually helped ofr the pain? Mine gave me Mobic/Meloxicam and it does nothing but give me a stomach ache. A different doctor gave me tylenol 3 which kinda helps, but my PCP said I shouldnt take them because Opiods do nothing for Joint Pain. LOL even after I told her they WERE helping. .. Let me know what medicines helped you
I also read that 5th disease can lead to RA or Lupus, or FMS/CMS. I hope that is not what is happnening to me...
My doctor said If I still have pain after 3 more weeks she will refer me to a Rheumetologist :(.
Did your doc's give you anything that actually helped ofr the pain? Mine gave me Mobic/Meloxicam and it does nothing but give me a stomach ache. A different doctor gave me tylenol 3 which kinda helps, but my PCP said I shouldnt take them because Opiods do nothing for Joint Pain. LOL even after I told her they WERE helping. .. Let me know what medicines helped you
Yes, I had intense itching too. For nearly ten years my doctor has been saying that I have sero-negative RA (25 percent of RA patients don't test positive for the RA factor). So when I had the swelling and intense pain over labor day weekend, my doctor thought it was RA getting worse. However, we live on the East Coast, so she tested for Lyme and Fifth Disease as well. My kids weren't sick, no rash, so I didn't take it seriously. Two days ago my three-year-old had the slapped cheek rash and lacy rash on his arms... I called my doctor and my blood test was in - sure enough, I had 5th's disease.
The pain really was excruciating. I was very itchy, too. Low grade fever. Insomnia. I had no idea that Fifth's affecting adults this way!
The pain really was excruciating. I was very itchy, too. Low grade fever. Insomnia. I had no idea that Fifth's affecting adults this way!
I also got Fifth's in June. It is now August and I still get joint pain on and off, extremely tired some days. And very strange severe itching and swelling in just my hands and feet with no rash. Did anyone else ever get this itching?? I can only believe it is from the fifths since I never had it until I tested positive for this disease. I only wish we got the disease the same way as children with a rash and that's all. I ended up giving it to my 6 yr. old daughter and five neices and nephews. They are all under 10 and just got a lacy rash that wasn't itchy and went away after about a week.
i've had fifths for almost four weeks now. i've had some really good days where I think i'm getting better and then it comes back.. I was wondering if anyones symptoms have changed over time?? I had the severe joint pain and swelling for two weeks but now i just feel like every cell in my body hurts. My back and neck hurt and i have no energy. I keep thinking something else is wrong with me i am so miserable and almost feel like i am getting worse.
Hi, I am 1 month shy of 36 & in south TX. I am healthy, active, not overweight & have NO health concerns to my knowledge. My two young children had Fifth's Disease within the last 2-3 weeks. One followed the other within a 7-9 day time frame. They both started with the red face/cheeks & the body rash. I don't recall them being itchy from the rash. They each recovered without any noteable 'problems' or issues. Again, about 7-9 days after my yougest recovered, I now have just started experiencing some of the same above symptoms as I have been reading about. I have the lacy rash, but it is very itchy. March 6/7, '09 - Mine started with massive back/shoulder pain. It hurt to sit or even lie down even. Then the pain went to the back of my legs/into my knees (that same night). I was hoping it would continue down & out my toes. March 10, '09 - continued joint pain, itchy rash & now a very uncomfortable swelling in my hands & feet. I think it is interesting to read of the 'near the ocean' theory....wondering if there is an unknown, undiagnosed strand. I am remaining hopeful for my recovery as I have not experienced this for a long enough period of time. I pray that each of you have found relief since your last post. Thank you all for sharing your experiences here.
My Dr suspects I have the 5ths diesease too. I came down 2 weeks ago with a headache for 2 days then t went into muscle aches and chills and a low grade fever. That lasted about 5 days and then I noticed my lympth node swollen on the back of my neck at the base of my skull. I FREAKED out totally. I went to the DR the next day. She gave me an antibiotic and said it was probably a head infection. I was on the antibiotic for about 6 days and alomost 2 weeks since my first symptom and I woke up to a rash on my face and for the past 2 days my elbows hurt and my hands hurt bad. So I freaked out and just knew I had lupus.....but then I took a shower and the rash turned HOT and burning and all over my face and down my arms. I then remembered my children just a week before with a little bug, lots of itching and only a red face. I blamed that on winter weather. Then I remembered a friend mentioning to me about 5th diesease. I went on the internet and it just sounded like what I was experiencing. I went to the Dr and he said I think its 5th disease. Lets get the test run to make sure. It takes forever to get the results back.........Good luck to you all!
I know what you're talking about. I got it when I was 18, and I re break out with it all the time. My doctor that diagnosed me with it told me that I would. They just gave me anti itch cream, told me to take Ibprofen and not scratch. Hope you get well soon.
I am wondering if any of you have any problems with your kidneys, high amounts of protein in your urine? I am 18 weeks pregnant and they are doing a biopsy on me this week because my kidneys are spilling protein. I also just found out tonight that I have fifths disease and I have many of the above symptoms. I am wondering if this is related to my kidney problems or if this is just a coincidence.
My otherwise very healthy daughter has just contracted 5th disease and is desperate for something that will help her get better and able to function for her senior year at college and beyond. Does anyone have experience of steroids helping in cases like this? Have they done studies to see if stress triggers, exacerbates, and/or makes people more susceptible to Fifth disease? Does treating the anemia she is experiencing help reduce any of her symptoms? Thanks so much in advance.
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