New Member - Odd Story, maybe?

[Guest guest]

Hi!

My name is , and I've joined the group due to being newly diagnosed with

Reactive AS.

In July of 09 I was bitten in the ankle by a brown recluse spider while sitting

in my office at work. I had an open wound for about two months, and by this

time last year the wound had finally closed. I took oral antibiotics for

several weeks.

Around last Christmas my ankle became discolored, swollen, and warm. I was sent

for an MRI that showed two pockets of fluid concerning for infection. I had

urgent surgery to I & D the ankle. Was started on PICC line antibiotics but they

were discontinued within two weeks as the cultures came back negative. Biopsy

of the synovium showed synovitis and the posterior tibial ligament was also

inflamed per the MRI.

After 8 weeks of recovery I returned to work. During recovery we had to cancel

PT as the surgery wound spewed more of the same thick yellow green fluid that

was aspirated during surgery.

Pain continued about the same, and finally a second MRI was ordered in April.

The radiologist indicated that the foot needed to be " filleted " , but the surgeon

said no. He sent me to Rheumatology and Infectious Disease. Rheumatology said

one joint, hx of trauma, we are obligated to do an I & D, biopsies and a 6 week

course of antibiotics, regardless of the culture outcome. Indeed, negative

cultures but we did 6 weeks of Vancomycin and Invanz. I felt somewhat better

during that time. Within 2 weeks of stopping the antibiotics I began to feel

worse. And arthritic symptoms followed.

Upon seeing the rheumatologist in September she gave me a tentative DX of

Reactive Ankylosing Spondyloarthritis. She ordered xrays of the L shoudler,

pelvis and an MRI of the L foot and ankle.

The x-rays were positive for arthritis and the MRI revealed more fluid

collection about the ankle as well as a fractured calcaneus and baby toe.

She called my surgeon and he refused to see me again. Asked for a second set of

eyes. So I have been walking on this fracture for nearly a month. Next week I

will see the new surgeon.

I've started on sulfasalazine and have been given Vicoden for pain. My symptoms

have really worsened during the last 4 weeks and life is miserable.

So, with that I will close my story. Anxious to see what kind of feedback I

might get from those of afflicted with arthritis.

Thanks much,

I quilt and have plenty of material witnesses.

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Don't Needle the Quilter

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Flinchbaugh

saflinch@...

DNTQUILTER@...

www.bassy.smugmug.com