I have just been diagnosed with this. It
mimics rheumatoid arthritis and the first
doctor I saw thought it was ra, becuase my
mother has ra. Has anyone ever heard of
parvo? I can't find a lot of information
on it or anyone who has had it. My
doctor didn't seem very concerned about
it. Put me on steroids and an anti
inflammatory. Any information would be
appreciated!!! Thanks
|
mllenieslen
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 5
Parvovirus Posted: 05-15-05 21:30pm
As I understand it - this is also the
virus causing fifth disease, and it's
usually pretty insubstantial. Kids get
it all the time as just a "lacy rash" or
"slapped cheek look" and sometimes slight
fever...Adults sometimes have the same
symptoms but get r.A. Like
swelling/pain/tightness as well. Time it
lasts varies - our kids had it, then my
husband, then me - about a week. It is
usually not serious at all and goes away.
They say that by the time the rash
appears, the contagiousness has gone away
so they don't even send kids home from
school when they have the rash. Hope
you're feeling better!
|
stephane
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Dec 2004 Posts: 50
Posted: 05-24-05 10:47am
Strengthening your immune system is a must
and can be done naturally…drop me an
e-mail and I will send you some
information.
I would be cautious about settling for a
diagnosis of parvovirus. Especially with
a first-degree relative with ra. I am a
physician who was initially diagnosed with
parvovirus. Six months later, they
decided it really was ra. Unfortunately,
I got started on treatment late and had
already suffered some joint damage. I
wouldn't want this to happen to someone
else.
Both parvovirus and ra are clinical
diagnoses: there is no definitive test for
either one. So what you are getting are
opinions. They thought I had parvovirus
because I was positive for the antibody
(like 60% of the adult population) and
lacked enough criteria for a diagnosis of
ra; the problem is that those criteria
were based on patients who had had ra an
average of 8 years. So you could have ra
and not fulfill the criteria for diagnosis
- yet.
Arthritis from parvovirus seems uncommon;
my rheumatologist had seen only 3 (!)
people with it. Compare that to the
hundreds in her practice with ra. Also,
there is some speculation in the research
community that ra may be triggered in a
genetically susceptible individual by a
virus - like parvovirus.
Not to be a downer! I hope this does just
turn out to be parvovirus for you. As I
understand it, the viral arthritis can
last (uncommonly) for up to 2 years and
leaves no permanent damage. I am posting
this in the hopes that someone else may
avoid a late diagnosis like mine and get
proper treatment early; my ra turned out
to be quite aggressive and took forever to
get under control.
Good luck.
|
Nurse Jennifer
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 6 Location: New York
Parvovirus Posted: 07-21-05 20:37pm
How did you finally get your ra under
control?
|
sasha66
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Toronto
Re: Parvovirus Posted: 07-21-05 21:25pm
Well, to be honest, my ra is not under
control. I am currently on what I
understand to be standard triple-therapy -
plaquenil, methotrexate, sulfasalazine.
Despite this, since my last posting, my
symptoms have gotten worse. I recently
went back on steroids to try and get some
relief, but didn’t respond as well as I
did to them the first time. It’s true
what they say about steroids: it’s never
as good as the first time!
I suppose second-line agents will be the
next thing i’ll try (the biologics).
I’m not sure how long my rheumatologist
plans for me to stay on this current
regimen before deciding it’s not
working. Being a doctor, you’d think
i’d remember to ask these things, but I
always seem to leave appointments having
forgotten to ask something key!
Best of luck.
|
Sissytoo
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 10 Location: Kentucky
Parvo Virus Arthralgia For 3 Yrs Now Posted: 10-07-06 05:47am
hi,
i am a 33 yr old nurse and approx 3 yrs
ago I started with horrible stiffness,
pain in my fingers and wrists almost
overnight. I worked full time and went to
school full time and thought stress. Well
it continued to get worse and I went to
family Dr. He sent me to rheumy who said
not ra, blood work negative, also negative
for lupus. I did test positve for parvo
and was told that arthralgia may last for
months. Well, 3 yrs later and the flares
get worse and worse and now involve my
ankles and knees. High doses of
prednisone and ultram are the only way I
can even start my day, and even now they
don't help as much, pain keeps me up alot
at night...Very tired. I just saw an
immunologist that is running all autoimmue
and rheumatology tests. Every year I go
back and am told that this is all parvo
virus s/s and this year the prednisone had
to be an even larger dose as did the pain
meds...Not hardly touching it...Doing
injections and pills and this dose almost
done and no relief...I was informed that I
could suffer this for up to 10 yrs with
possible increase in severity...I feel
like I am trapped in a 70 yr old body...Is
this possible, all fall out from parvo
virus??? Is anyone aware of any clinical
research going on anywhere in the country?
At this point I am game for anything that
will releive suffering. I love being a
nurse and am having so much dexterity
difficulty, not to mention my fingers are
beginning to twist unsightly, but I go to
drs at least 3-4 times a year for flare
and they are shocked at how red and
swollen my hands, fingers, wrists and now
knees and ankles are and even mention the
twisting of the tips of my fingers...But
again they say parvo..Sorry to vent, so
hard to find any research or info on the
stuff...I guess all we can do is hang in
there and hope...But I have yet to find
anyone who has had this arthralgia as long
as I have...Anyone?? Thanks
|
lexus
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 18 Location: usa
Parvo Virus, My God Please Help! Posted: 10-22-06 21:24pm
Omg I was so surprised to see all this on
parvo virus, I was diagnosed with it like
6 months ago and I do have ra and have had
it for 12 yrs. I have severe pain 24/7
and I would love to hear from anyone out
there please email me,,, dall
yspot85@hotmail.Com
|
KM315
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 1 Location: new york
Parvovirus Posted: 08-17-07 13:05pm
I am 45 years old and I was diagnosed with
Parvovirus B19 27 months ago. I also still
have swollen joint, joint pains, red rash
on face occassionaly, extremely fatigues.
Every morning I barely can walk until all
my joints loosen up. I have headaches all
the time because the joint pain is in my
neck alot of the time. My doctor sent me
for blood work in the beginning which came
back positive for parvovirus. I recently
asked him when all these symptoms will go
away and he told me that what ever I still
have from the original onset of my
symptons is what I am always going to
have. I sometimes get really depressed
because I get real tired of being in pain
and extremely fatigues. The days are few
and far inbetween when the symptons seem
to dissapate....but they always come back
within a day or two. I just wanted to let
you know that you aren't alone in this. I
hope you are feeling better soon
|
artmom
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Mar 2008 Posts: 2
parvovirus treatment Posted: 03-30-08 12:20pm
I know there is one type of treatment for
people with parvovirus who continue to
have arthritic symptoms and chronic
fatigue symptoms. It's called IVIG
(immunoglobulin) treatment. It's
something they give you through an IV, and
apparently you need 5 days of treatment.
I have had parvovirus for three months
with all the arthritic symptoms, fatigue,
rash, dizziness as well as blurred vision.
I am planning to seek treatment if my
symptoms don't get any better. People who
get IVIG treatment typically see relief
from all symptoms from the case studies I
have found on the web.
I am surprised they don't have a vaccine
for parvo considering all the serious
symptoms adults can have as a result of
this virus.
|
keepthefaith
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 2
Parvo Posted: 04-04-08 07:58am
I’m 43 and was diagnosed with Parvo B-19
about 3 yrs ago, after being exposed to
someone's child that came to visit where I
work. The first 3 mos with the virus were
awful, for 3 consecutive months almost to
the day. I came down with 102+ fever for a
wk and could not walk because of all the
joint pain. By the 2nd month my Dr. began
testing me for all kinds of things until
by the 3rd month, the mother of the child
that visited told me I may have been
exposed to Parvo b-19 and sure enough,
when tested had the antibodies to the
virus and all the classic adult symptoms.
For the last 3years I suffered on and off
with joint pain, mostly neck, hip, knees,
and back. I finally went to see my Dr.
yesterday because the pain in my hip was
so bad; I was walking with a limp. She
sent me for X-rays to see if anything
would show up, they just called and they
could not see anything wrong. It's weird
I was fine the day before and suddenly at
3:00 am woke up with extreme hip pain.
This has happened on and off for the last
3yrs. Then last night I slept on my back,
because the side position was out of the
question, and now my back and neck is so
painful, I couldn’t even go to work
today. This is the first time I've missed
work since the first 4 mos with the virus,
usually I just go and tuff it out, but I
can't even turn my neck and I keep getting
spasms shooting in the middle of my back
and under my scapulars, never mind my hip.
This really stinks. Golf season is
starting soon here in the NE and I keep
hoping this goes away, but it doesn't.
Another frustrating part is the Dr.’s
really don’t know too much about this
virus. Has anyone seen a doctor that
really helped with dealing with the
symptoms of this virus? Any help would be
great! Thank you!!
|
artmom
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Mar 2008 Posts: 2
parvovirus treatment Posted: 04-04-08 12:24pm
Keep the faith,
I have only had this for over 3 months
now, but have been doing a lot of research
since my symptoms are driving me crazy. I
have found several forums with people with
parvo who have had symptoms on and off for
years. It is very frustrating with how
little docs. seem to know about the
seriousness of this virus. I have seen 8
docs. so far. I am trying to find one who
will do IVIG (immunoglobulin) treatment.
From the case studies I have read this is
the only treatment that can help
permanently. Since I have had this only
for 3 months, there is still a chance all
my symptoms could go away. But besides
the fatigue, body ache, dizziness, I'm
also having vision problems and hair loss
which is scaring me. Also, my symptoms
don't seem to be letting up at all. At
this point I'm trying to remain vigilant
in finding a doctor. What has also been
frustrating is that I will call an office
ahead of time and tell them I have parvo
and seeking IVIG treatment. They tell me
yes, we do that treatment. Then I go to
the appointment and they have no idea what
I'm talking about. If you want to look at
some of the case studies do a web search
for parvovirus B19 and chronic fatigue.
And another study is rheumatoid arthritis
and parvovirus B19. It does help to know
that there are other people out there
dealing with this too.
Holly
|
keepthefaith
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 2
Parvo treatment Posted: 04-04-08 15:40pm
Hi Artmom,
Thanks so much for your response. I will
check out your suggestions. It really
drives me nuts when I keep reading that
this is just a mild illness, and maybe for
most people it is, but where is the help
for the 20% that are really suffering.
Before getting this, I was a very healthy
person, pretty much had my yrly physical
and mammogram and was sent on my way. So
this tells me that even real healthy
people can have a difficult time with this
virus. I have a feeling there are more of
us out there, but like me, most people
with severe joint pain, just deal with it.
Dr's tell you to take ibuprofen, that's
it... I do take care of myself, I don't
smoke, drink alcohol, I eat lots of fruits
and organic vegs, I juice every day, and
try to exercise on the good days, which
has kept me healthy from colds and
flu’s, but for some reason this virus
still wants to attach my body. Your visit
to the Dr’s and them not knowing what
you are talking about in reference to the
IVIG treatment doesn't surprise me. That
is so very frustrating. I have gone to
see a couple of doctors, because when I
first got sick, it also brought on some
weird allergies to foods and such, (weird)
and it's a long story, but when I
mentioned having the B-19 virus they all
seem to glaze over and offer no help.
Please keep us posted on your condition
and if you try the IVIG treatment, I may
look into that myself. I thank God for the
folks out there that are willing to share
thoughts and information and for my
understanding husband.
Take Care.
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