Dr. in St.Louis? Reactive arthritis

[Guest guest]

Hi, folks. I have been looking into the treatment of rheumatic disease with

antibiotics, and have recently come upon this list.

My situation is this: I came down with swelling, stiffness, and pain in my

ankles 11 years ago (I was 29, and am female). The onset was so sudden and

dramatic, I sought immediate help from my internist. Most of my lab tests at

that point were nearly normal, although I did have a low positive ANA

(varies from 40 to 160). The ankle swelling persisted, and the pain began to

spread to other joints, so I was referred to a rheumatologist. At my worst,

two or three months into the process, I ran a low-grade fever, had a

slightly elevated white cell count, and a slightly low red cell count. At

that time, he suspected a mild lupus, because of family history and lack of

other indicators.

However, as the months went by, no further indicators for lupus came up, and

I began to develop pain at tendon insertions, and the rheumatoligist began

to suspect reactive arthritis. Two years into the process, I developed

iritis, and the rheumatoligist finally made the reactive arthritis

diagnosis.

Over the years, the ankle swelling gradually subsided, and now my major

complaint is with shoulders, elbows and wrists, although the ankle, knee,

and hip pain can flare up and be quite bothersome. I reached a point about 8

years ago where I could no longer take nsaid's due to gi problems, and gave

up on the rheumatoligsts in disgust over their lack of effective treatments,

and dangerous lack of understanding of joint protection principles.

I see a sports medicine physician now. I have tried Celebrex and Vioxx. They

are better than nothing, but are not of any great benefit. I have had

significant relief from cortisone injections into the bursae in my

shoulders, but have limited the use of this treatment because of concern

over the potential for damage from repeated use of cortisone injections.

Coincidently, I had 3 urinary tract infections last winter and spring, and

noticed that each time I was on antibiotics (Cipro and Septra) my shoulder

pain began to subside on about the same schedule as the UTI symptoms. This

was the first time I had been treated with antibiotics since the arthritis

began. Unfortunately, the joint symptoms returned after the antibiotic was

stopped.

So now I want to find a doctor to try antibiotic therapy with. Can anyone

recommend a doctor in St. Louis? Has anyone had a successful experience with

antibiotic treatment and reative arthritis, or other spondylarthropy? I am

particularly concerned about the length of time which has passed since this

problem began (11 years) and the fact that mine is a less common diagnosis.

There are several doctors in St. Louis on the referral list, and I was

wondering if anyone has any more specific information for me. Because this

is a long-term situation, and not one of the more common diagnoses, I would

prefer to find a doctor experienced with this therapy. If I can not find a

doctor locally, I would consider travelling to Chicago or Washington DC.

Your help is very much appreciated.

Jean

[Guest guest]

Yes, Chris. I got the list a few days ago, Thanks. I think Dr. Mercola is in

Schaumberg, Il., in Case anyone else needs this info.

I am inquiring locally, and finding out more from the list and web site. I

would consider travelling to Schaumberg.

Jean

----------

>From: cadlard@...

> " Probert " <jpro@...>

>Subject: Re: rheumatic Dr. in St.Louis? Reactive arthritis

>Date: Tue, Aug 24, 1999, 12:21 AM

>

> Dear

>

> Did I already send you our list? Dr. Joe Mercola is in Plano, Illinois, not

far

> from Chicago - he is one of the most experienced doctors in the world with

this

> therapy.

>

> Let me know if you need the list,

> Chris.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> " Probert " <jpro@...> on 20/08/99 23:54:53

>

> rheumaticonelist

> cc: (bcc: Adlard/AUST/CSC)

> Subject: rheumatic Dr. in St.Louis? Reactive arthritis

>

>

>

> From: " Probert " <jpro@...>

>

> Hi, folks. I have been looking into the treatment of rheumatic disease with

> antibiotics, and have recently come upon this list.

>

> My situation is this: I came down with swelling, stiffness, and pain in my

> ankles 11 years ago (I was 29, and am female). The onset was so sudden and

> dramatic, I sought immediate help from my internist. Most of my lab tests at

> that point were nearly normal, although I did have a low positive ANA

> (varies from 40 to 160). The ankle swelling persisted, and the pain began to

> spread to other joints, so I was referred to a rheumatologist. At my worst,

> two or three months into the process, I ran a low-grade fever, had a

> slightly elevated white cell count, and a slightly low red cell count. At

> that time, he suspected a mild lupus, because of family history and lack of

> other indicators.

>

> However, as the months went by, no further indicators for lupus came up, and

> I began to develop pain at tendon insertions, and the rheumatoligist began

> to suspect reactive arthritis. Two years into the process, I developed

> iritis, and the rheumatoligist finally made the reactive arthritis

> diagnosis.

>

> Over the years, the ankle swelling gradually subsided, and now my major

> complaint is with shoulders, elbows and wrists, although the ankle, knee,

> and hip pain can flare up and be quite bothersome. I reached a point about 8

> years ago where I could no longer take nsaid's due to gi problems, and gave

> up on the rheumatoligsts in disgust over their lack of effective treatments,

> and dangerous lack of understanding of joint protection principles.

>

> I see a sports medicine physician now. I have tried Celebrex and Vioxx. They

> are better than nothing, but are not of any great benefit. I have had

> significant relief from cortisone injections into the bursae in my

> shoulders, but have limited the use of this treatment because of concern

> over the potential for damage from repeated use of cortisone injections.

>

> Coincidently, I had 3 urinary tract infections last winter and spring, and

> noticed that each time I was on antibiotics (Cipro and Septra) my shoulder

> pain began to subside on about the same schedule as the UTI symptoms. This

> was the first time I had been treated with antibiotics since the arthritis

> began. Unfortunately, the joint symptoms returned after the antibiotic was

> stopped.

>

> So now I want to find a doctor to try antibiotic therapy with. Can anyone

> recommend a doctor in St. Louis? Has anyone had a successful experience with

> antibiotic treatment and reative arthritis, or other spondylarthropy? I am

> particularly concerned about the length of time which has passed since this

> problem began (11 years) and the fact that mine is a less common diagnosis.

> There are several doctors in St. Louis on the referral list, and I was

> wondering if anyone has any more specific information for me. Because this

> is a long-term situation, and not one of the more common diagnoses, I would

> prefer to find a doctor experienced with this therapy. If I can not find a

> doctor locally, I would consider travelling to Chicago or Washington DC.

> Your help is very much appreciated.

>

> Jean

>

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Dear

The phone number on the web site for Ev is the latest update I have. I

hope you can find him to talk to.

Chris.

I have read some more testimonials on the web site, and came across Ev

' story. He seems to have been treated by a rheumatologist in St.

Louis a few years ago who was quite enthusiastic about the AP. I have been

trying to call him to see if he could give me a bit more info, but haven't

gotten an answer. Do you know if the phone number on the web site is

current?

We have had some changes in local phone numbers (I had to call information

to get an updated number for Madge Lowe-her number changed recently.) I

realize Ev could just be out of town for vacation or out working in

the yard when I try to call.

Thanks for your help. I definitely haven't ruled out Dr. Mercola. Just

looking for more info at this point. I am currently doing physical therapy,

and my pt has a friend who is seeing a rheumatologist here who seems to have

been using antibiotic therapy for a while. I will definitely forward that

information if it pans out.

Jean