Can E-coli trigger an autoimmune response?

[spastic]

Hi Everyone!!!  Well life has been throwing me for loops lately.  The kids started school yesterday (yippee).  My rescued rabbit passed away :(  Our water is contaminated with E-coli and nitrates....  I get a call the other day from one of my Dr's and she asks me if I knew I had arthritis in my spine.  I said yes and asked her about the zaps of electricity and the snapping feeling were coming from that.  It could be but lets set up some tests and see.  I am going to have an MRI of my spine next week.  I have to see my Endo the same day as well.

In the meantime I found out that our water has been contaminated again with E-coli and I had noticed for the last couple of weeks that this flare I am in has increased.  My joints are swollen and the worst pain is the spine snapping and my heels.  But can E-coli start a chain of events like worsening a flare?  Can it cause an autoimmune respone?  I have heard but never have been confirmed that it can actually cause certain types of arthritis?  Does anyone have any insight into this?  It is so hard to redo everyday things with this contamination, carry in bottled water, make sure that you don't accidently brush your teeth with it, get the ibby-jibbys when you are taking a shower.  I can go on and on about it....

Love You All,

Ada

[Quixotic1]

Hi, Kiddo!  Sorta the last thing you need, huh.  Just so everybody knows there are dozens of types of E.coli.  It makes up 90% or so of the bulk of our stools.  So finding it in our water means there has been fecal contamination.

Then, there are the deadly E.coli strains and the strains the cause the famous "tourista" when we travel.  (You know, the Axtec Two-Step?).  Most of these strains cause an intestional infection of vomiting and diarrhea and diarrhea (the world's most most to spell word.)  

THEN there are the toxigenic strains that cause major organ system failure and the horrible illness Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (the blood cells dissolve and the kidneys fail), which I have diagnosed and sent far, far away to a major pediactric ICU somewhere.

Any infection tends to set off relapses of MS.  So, do take care.  Anytime there is E. coli (which is one of the main things they screen for) there can be other bad bugs and parasites.

Take care, dear heart!

Quix

[Fluffysmom]

I personally think it would be a good idea to call your doctor.  I think E coli in water is a definite health issue that needs to be addressed, and maybe your doctor will have the pull to find out just how high the levels are, and how concerned people should be.

Especially people already experiencing serious health issues!

Don't worry about the conspiracy theory thing; I still think my pesticide exposure in "07 has something to do with how quickly my health has gone downhill. :o) Sometimes the truth is elusive.

We do need to find out as much of it as we can, especially when it comes to someone as special as you.  So, call the doctor, or the city, or the EPA, or whoever it takes to make sure that your health isn't any more at risk, please.

Love,

Kathy

[Wobbly]

my goodness Ada...just another thing on the pile for you...I don't know why you get to be so lucky that way...sorry honey...

take care and drink bottles..

andi

[spastic]

oh boy, here goes the word recall or typing a different word when thinking of another!!!  I hate the brain mush!!!!

[spastic]

Thank you all for thinking of me, I appreciate it so much.  I have been researching this to death this morning and it can be pretty serious stuff.  When I was at the hospital I took a sample of the water, they weren't interested in it all. I even took them the letters we got stating our drinking water has been contaminated, nobody cared about this there at all.

I believe that this might of triggered something in me, when I first went on my medical leave it was just the back pain but right after the water thing and it seemed like the joint pain and swelling started migrating to other places.  I have to wonder about this now.  Okay, so here goes my conspiracy theory!!! hehehe  I am sick from drinking water!!!  

I don't know, should I call my Dr and let her know about out water?  What do you all think?

Love You All,

Ada

[Fluffysmom]

Gosh, I'm sorry.  What a mess!  You really do deserve a break from all this stuff.

I was about to say about the same as slightlybroken about the E coli worsening a flare.  

Please be very careful about the water; keep your mouth and eyes closed in the shower, and all that.  They probably warned you about that stuff.

Is the city handing out free clean drinking water?  I think they should be, but that's just my opinion.  

Hope things get better soon.

Love ya',

Kathy

[slightlybroken]

I'm so sorry about your bunny. You think you should be able to drink your own water. Something definately needs to be done about your town.

My guess is that it probably could worsen a flare. Stress and illness is all triggers of an autoimmune response so I would think that being exposed to E-Coli (bacteria) it could send you into a flare.

E-Coli can be very dangerous to the elderly, the very young, and people whose health is immunocompromised due to disease or health problems.

{{{hugs}}}

[MCBCON]

S.H.I.T.

[mokibear]

We must have posted at the same time. lol Your town should be held liable for the illness it has caused. It is appalling that they have gotten away with this!!!!

I'm so sorry that your bunny suffered because of this. How sad.


Moki

[mokibear]

Dear Sweet Girl, you really have your share of trouble don't you? I too don't know if the e coli can cause a flare but it would not surprise me if it did. I sure hope you get answers soon.

Have you found out how the water got contaminated? In this day in age, one wonders how that could happen.

Hope you feel better soon.
Hugs and prayers
Moki

[spastic]

Yes, I think the water is what killed my wittle bunny.  He was so precious.  Our town here has many secrets and I said that cautiously.  A year ago, a sewer pipe was hit by a backhoe and that started the contamination.  The town started chlorinating the water and it has been strong, smells like pool water.  I got a letter stating the town has violated the federal drinking water standard 4 times after the initial contamination.  

Sunday, an elderly man was taken to the hospital and he has e-coli poisoning, and after talking to many people here in town, I have found 20-30 people who have had horrible belly aches, me and my family included.  The DNR has been coming and taking samples but the general public here has not heard any results yet.

It is scary thinking that something you drink can poison you.

Oh Sweetie, you can take a sample of your water to your states extension office to get it tested.

I love you too, Earth Mother :)

Ada

[doni54]

Hi,  it just keeps coming at ya don't it??  It is time you had a major break in the chaos!!  I don't know about the e coli or what it might do to you as far as the flair.

Please be extra careful with that water, I'm sure it is a real pain not being able to use it straight from the faucet.  That's what you really need, more work!!

I hope you feel better, you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs
doni

[Heather3418]

I wish I could answer your questions about flare up and E-coli poisoning.  Is the E-coli responsible for killing your 'bunny wabbit?'

Ada, I am so fearful for you and your family.  How do you treat your water to make it safe to drink?

I am so sorry that you are feeling so poorly.  This extra burden is something you can do without.  Please keep us updated.  We live on a well system and I'll tell ya, I worry about what is coming out of the ground, since it has not been tested.  I just don't know enough about all of this, to be able to be of some help to you.  How stupid I feel.

I will pray.  You know I will.  I love you Ada girl...You know that.

Big Hugs and Much Love,
Heather