Reactive Arthritis & UTI

tinab631 · 11-20-2004, 07:47 PM

I have a urinary tract infection (UTI). However, I have something that has decided to tag along with it. Has anyone ever heard of reactive arthritis? It can be caused by several different infections, one being a UTI. One night I went to bed pain free and woke up the next morning and could barely walk. My feet hurt so bad that it felt like I was walking on bruises. And the inside (where the creases are) of my albows hurt when I bend them.

Now after about a month, it has decided to go to my knees, wrist and a few fingers. Right now I can hardly walk. My feet and legs stay swollen most of the time and I run a low grade fever every evening. I am being treated with c-pro for the infection now. They had already treated me for the UTI about 3 weeks ago, but the antibotic they gave me before didn't get rid of it. One Doctor tried to tell me my other condition was a seperate condition, which is just arthritis. He obviously doesn't know about reactive arthritis or he would have put the 2 together. I am being treated by another Doctor now who knows about the condition. I now have to get a ct on my kidneys just to check them and make sure they are okay. If anyone has ever experienced this, please write me. Does it come back once it clears up and how much time passes before it returns? Any info would be much appreciated. I just need to talk to someone that is going through this or knows someone who has. The Docs don't know everything, so I feel better talking to other people. Thank you in advance for your help.

Tina

JOB517 · 11-22-2004, 02:49 PM

also called reiters syndrome.

the enzymes in your body are out of wack now. The invading bacteria caused this. The enzymes are called collagenase. This enzme destroys collagen (joint tissue). The body is attacking cells that have a similar cell surface as the bacteria.

The Cipro isnt good for people with arthritis (read package insert warnings about tendon damage). You may want to switch. Biaxin is the best! Do not come of the antibiotics! The bacteria is probably still in your body. Also The drugs have anti-inflammatory effects and also modulate the immune system! Long term usage of a antibiotic called minocycline is used to shut down this syndrome!

Ureaplasma, mycoplasma, chlamidya, gardnerella, and Gonnorhea are all linked to reactive arthritis.

keep your water and protein intake high. supplement with vitamins/minerals and essential fatty acids to protect the joints!

xander028 · 07-25-2005, 01:55 AM

I am going thru a very similar thing now. Minocin has a few side effects that I had to get off it, I am now on doxycycline and the stiffness has gotten a little better.But I know that this flare up for me is going to be a long one. I was sorry to hear that your feet felt bruised cause thats how mine are every morning.. My Rhumatologist said it's tendonitis best luck

frankiedia · 07-15-2007, 10:25 AM

thank you john 22 , i will look into to what you wrote, i did have all the symptoms you described and the dr's could not figure out for over a year what was wrong with me. This has been very trying for me and I am still on sufa and relafin and now my strernoclvicular joint is inflamed and im very worried. Do you have reactive arthritis as well and how have you dealt with it?

frankiedia · 07-15-2007, 10:46 AM

john 22, thanks again for the information, can you give me any references or sites i can give to my doctor, as i feel ther is not a lot of knowledge about my condition.