LymeNet Flash: Anyone misdiagnosed with RA?

This is topic Anyone misdiagnosed with RA? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by KrisKraft (Member # 4329) on :

I have a friend whose daughter has been diagnosed with Idiopathic Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis for the last 2 years. Her daughter came down with these waxing and waning symptoms in Rhode Island about 2 years ago, and the mother came down with TMJ and facial nerve twitching/sagging at the same time.

Any advice or stories that I can pass along to them, to motivate them to get tested? Here's the case in her own words:

"My daughter has been diagnosed with Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. The idiopathic part means of no known cause. However, genetics sometimes plays a role. The only thing with my daughter is when her condition does flare up, it occurs in both the left and the right side. If her right elbow is inflamed, her left one is too. This time it was found through an MRI in her jaw; on both sides.

I don't know if Lyme affects both sides of the body at the same time as in JRA. She is now on Methotrexate. When we were in RI, her fingers were very bad. Again on both sides. They immediately put her on Metho, and we were very thankful that her fingers within a couple of months went back to their normal condition."

Thank-you!
KrisKraft [confused]

Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :

Kris,

I have been diagnosed with RA.

I don't consider it a misdiagnosis, but rather a symptom of Lyme disease.

Please have your friend buy the book "Arthritis Breakthrough". It can be found at www.roadback.org. In fact, there is a lot of good information and 50 years of solid research showing a bacterial cause of rheumatic illnesses.

Even though the methotrexate appears to be helping, it is actually a disasterous thing to do if bacteria is the cause. MTX works by suppressing the immune system. Makes you feel good for a time, but in truth it is allowing the microbes to grow. They will eventually overtake the drug and it will no longer work. At that point, the patient will become horribly ill.

Please check out the website above. Many LLMDs experience has been that when the lyme is gone, so is the RA. In addition to lyme, mycoplasma and streptacausus (sp?) bacteria have been identified in the synovial fluid of RA victims.

Posted by VEE VEE (Member # 5060) on :

Hi Kris, [hi]

I know how frustrating it is to get someone to try and get tested or see a LLMD.

I have a very good friend in the same boat. But her mother is a doctor and refuses to think lyme.

so what does the RA doctor treat with?

You got it....PREDNISONE!!!

I begged, please get tested before you go crazy with that stuff cause she will crash. BIG TIME!!

They just think I am crazy. It is so sad. I guess people have to get to the point where they are open for it.
[bonk]

What does it hurt to get checked for it? She could barely walk and was worried about functioning at her job. She has a ton of major lyme sympstoms. Also affecting her brain as well.

It is so frustrating. What can we do?

Posted by KrisKraft (Member # 4329) on :

up

Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :

up

Posted by lymster (Member # 5964) on :

My son was, he has congenital/breastfeeding Lyme.

Lymster in WA

Posted by 6t5frlane (Member # 8628) on :

Get a Rheumatoid factor blood test. This can help with a diagnosis