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Rheumatic Fever

Submitted by Mistica on Thu, 2011-08-04 19:10

Hi,

Has anyone here had Rheumatic Fever?

I am asking on behalf of someone else who does not use a computer. 

The standard protocol from my understanding, is penicillin for life. I wondered if that is necessarily correct these days and whether anyone knew if the CAPi could treat it effectively?

The person I am asking about is 80 yrs old and in pretty good health given her age, but I am not sure she could tolerate aggressive treatment. She has a heart murmur from the RF and more recently developed what appears to be arrhythmia, (tests are currently taking place). She has arthritis.

Thanks.

‹ Viral and fungal re-activation Kill viruses 1st? ›
Submitted by Mistica on Thu, 2011-08-04 19:51.

I should add,  there is a theory that strep pyogenes can reactivate. I have yet to see  research which supports this.

And, if it does, is something else driving it,  such as Cpni?

Has anyone had an increase in antibodies to RF years after the initial infection?

Started CAPi on 9 Nov 2010.

Primary health issue, a severe, flushing neuropathic syndrome. Plus rosaceai.

Mild CFSi, flu type syndrome, muscular aches, headaches, digestive issues. Current meds: NACi 600mg, x2 daily. 250mg Azithromycin (M,W,F).

Submitted by MacKintosh on Thu, 2011-08-04 23:05.
My dad had rheumatic fever. It caused an enlarged heart and a leaky heart valve, which required replacement when he was in his 60's. As for penicillin for life, I've never heard of that.

The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems. Mohandas Gandhi

Submitted by Mistica on Fri, 2011-08-05 09:26.

I had not heard about the 'penicillin for life' until recently, either.

Perhaps it is just those who develop an on going syndrome? I really don't know.

Started CAPi on 9 Nov 2010.

Primary health issue, a severe, flushing neuropathic syndrome. Plus rosaceai.

Mild CFSi, flu type syndrome, muscular aches, headaches, digestive issues. Current meds: NACi 600mg, x2 daily. 250mg Azithromycin (M,W,F).

Submitted by paron on Fri, 2011-08-05 10:46.
I had RF as a child of 4. I took penicillin for 4-5 years (this was in the mid-late 1950's.) I don't know of any permanent effects from the disease or the treatment for RF.

Ron

On CAPi for CFSi starting 01/06 (NE Ohio, USA)

Began rifampin trial 1/14/09

Currently: on intermittent

Submitted by Marz on Fri, 2011-08-05 23:44.

Hi, I have never posted here before (was intending on introducing myself at some point and still will) but thought I'd comment since I had researched this very thing recently.

Rheumatic Fever is triggered by the same bacteria that causes strep throat but some of the symptoms are caused by the immunei system response (antibodies to strep damage heart muscle).

The treatment in the acute phase is antibioticsi to kill the strep infection until there is no sign of it. This treatment phase is very short.

The problem is that once the immune system response is underway, there is nothing that has been shown to prevent or reverse any heart damage (high dose aspirin and prednisone have been studied and shown to be ineffective).

The other problem is that once a person has had rheumatic fever they are likely to have it recur upon subsequent strep infection. And if heart damage has occured, they are likely to have further heart damage upon subsequent infection, even if it is treated with antibiotics right away (since your immune system has already started the response before you are even aware you have a strep infection).

So after the acute phase, long term low dose penicillin is used prophylactically to prevent another infection.  The dose is just one injection per month, or one dose per week of oral.  Your friend should not be infected during this prophylactic phase, so theoretically should not have any negative die-off effects.

It isn't really known how long is long enough for this phase, but current American Heart Association guidelines are 5 years for RF with no cardiac damage, 10 years for mild damage (such as murmur), lifetime for more severe damage. 

Submitted by Mistica on Sat, 2011-08-06 00:03.

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback. I am clearer on the penicillin treatment now, thank you.

Have either of you had repeat antibody tests recently, just to see if  the disease is still active in some way?( I am assuming you have had RF, Marz?).

I am wondering if it can cause an on going systemtic inflammatory response, which is missed by the majority of the medical community.  As I mentioned, there is a theory that strep can reactivate, elsewhere. If it can,  I wonder if Cpni is the cause?

Just tossing thoughts around.

 

Started CAPi on 9 Nov 2010.

Primary health issue, a severe, flushing neuropathic syndrome. Plus rosaceai.

Mild CFSi, flu type syndrome, muscular aches, headaches, digestive issues. Current meds: NACi 600mg, x2 daily. 250mg Azithromycin (M,W,F).

Submitted by Marz on Sat, 2011-08-06 01:42.
I have not had RF.  I had an infection last winter that I suspect was untreated strep and have been increasingly ill since with mysterious myopathy, developed carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve entrapment, a host of things.  Recently I went to the ER with shortness of breath and my EKG showed enlarged left ventricle and mitral regurgitation (consistent with rheumatic carditis).  An EKG I had one month earlier was normal.   I suspect, like you do, that I have an ongoing systemic inflammatory response to the strep (have had past recurrent infectionsi) missed by the majority of the medical community.  This is why I happened to be googling rheumatic carditis and strep when you posted your question!  I am going to request the ASO test when I see my rheumy next week, but the possible heart damage scared me into starting self treatment with abxi two days ago.

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