My daughter has acute rheumatic fever and is not doing well at all. I would like to know if anyone here as had this so I can ask some questions about their experience. She is in so much pain she can't even function. The cardiologist just says it will take time. But I'm wondering if there is something else going on here. Any comments will be appreciated. Thanks

Sorry to hear this. Have you done a google search?

I cant help..but i can pray all goes well.

Yes...everything is very simply explained. She is getting over the infection. Her strep antibody number went from 880 to 412 but she still has a ways to go. The CRP number also went down a little. I guess this all will just take time but I hate to see her suffer. She can barely get out of bed and this has been going on for 6 months!! She had to drop out of high school because of it. :cry:

I asked the cardiologist about going to a rheumatologist and he was ok with it but thought it wasn't needed. I just want my old Darcy back

Trust your instincts and accept the specialist's appointment. You need to advocate for your daughter. There's never anything wrong in getting a second opinion, to validate ... or to uncover further info regarding her condition.

Time is the ultimate healer but have you tried a anti-inflammatory diet? By eating foods that reduce the inflammation it will help reduce the pain. My sister has systemic psoriasis and has psoriatic arthritis as a result. The diet really helps her.

Here is a link with some recipes: http://www.epicurious.com/articlesgu...tiinflammatory

No experience with it, but you both are in my prayers.

Sorry, no experience. Depending on what kind of pain it is, something like Emu oil or Mobisyl might help. Emu oil has anti-inflammatory properties and both help with certain kinds of pain.

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-basic/hug.gif

so sorry...definitely go for the second opinion w/ the specialist...for sure wont hurt anything...

Sometimes it takes many specialists before you get the right one. if you feel something is not right then it's not.

2nd opinion! It's hard to see our babies suffer no matter how old they are!!

I will keep your daughter in my thoughts and prayers. Hope she recovers quickly. There is not much worse than the feeling of not being able to do anything but wait. Take care.

Always get a second opinion!!!!!!

I had rheumatic fever when I was 9 (almost 60 yrs. ago) and I was in bed a year with it and it left me with a heart murmer that the Lord healed when I was in my 30's. I remember the pain well. I had to exercise twice a day and it was painful. I don't think they treat rheumatic fever the same way these days. I am praying for Darcy and you. I understand all too well how she feels. Even after 60 yrs. I well remember that year in bed.

I don't know what the laws in your state say but in the local districts in my county and possibly state wide, when a child is out of school for a set amount of time (I believe 2 weeks) FOR MEDICAL REASONS, the school district is required to send an at home tutor for that child. Your child should not have been forced to drop out of highschool. They should be doing something for you. Call the school. If you get nowhere, call a child advocate or lawyer who SPECIALIZES in this. Get a firm outline of exactly how they will help you with timelines!! Then give them some $$. PM me if you have questions. I will help you research to the best of my ability. I work in a school district and we are here to help kids. Best of luck.

I'd get another opinion - at least you'll feel better about it!! ***hugs*** to you both!!!

Hi I had rheumatic fever as a kid, I was in the 7 grade. and I to had to be out of school for 6 weeks, I was in the hospital for 2 weeks. I don't remember being in any pain except for my knee I had hit it and it swelled up , that is how they found out I had it. I also was sleeping a lot. I can remember when I was in school and we had to run it felt like i had bricks on my feet. I was getting penicillin shot for a long time. plus I also was taken penicillin pills for a long time. left me with a heart murmer, But now that I'm older they docs say they cant not hear it anymore. I now am 65. The treatment today I would think would be different that when I had it. I have lived a normal life. Hang in there it will take time, Hugs to you and your daughter.
P.s. I to had strep throat before I had found out I had rheumatic fever. If you want to pm you sure can.

Our daughter had rheumatic when she was 7 yrs old. She is now 47. It was rare back then, only discovered because of excellent pediatrition. Very scary. We had to enroll her in public school (she was in a private school)for the state to send a tutor to our home3 -4 times per week. State paid for tutor, who ended up being her regular teacher. She was out of school from Jan to the following Sept.

Following the rheumatic fever she was put on daily penicillium for many many years to keep strep away. In high school she went out for cheerleading, made the team and also cheered in college. She started running and has competed in triatholns, and to this day runs almost daily. A few years ago she was taken off the pencillium. She is a very busy mother of 3. I think she still has a slight murmur, but otherwise very healthy.

For your daughter the most important thing to do immediately is listen to her DR. If she needs bed rest, there is no substitute. Talk to guidance councler of her school for tutoring services.

Rheumatic fever is always preceeded by a strep infection that never quite goes away. Sometimes it goes into a kidney infection before the rheumatic fever shows itself. Be very grateful your Dr found it.

Keeping you in my prasyers. They helped my daughter like nothing else.

My sister was ten back in 1952 when she became ill. She was in the hospital for 30 days, but they couldn't figure out what it was. When she was 15 they discovered her heart was affected and finally figured out it was rheumatic fever brought on by a strep infection. Her mitral valve had to be replaced eight (8) times, starting when she was 18. She is in the medical records. She married and had two children who are now 49 and 47.

Your daughter will be in my prayers. I know it's tough, but God will see you through.

Have you gotten a second opinion on the diagnosis? if not you might want to get another opinion. Good luck and hope she starts to feel better.

I havent had it but my Dad did when I was a child, I remember he had to have a special diet ,it contained heavy cream with ginger in it, I still like it over my cold cereal like that as he shared his with me. lol

I know you have a lot on your plate...but in the school arena, have you considered homeschooling your daughter? There is so much information on the internet on how to get started...try simplycharolettemason.com for some direction. At the very least, you could begin reading to your daughter (if she is too tired to read to herself) from the classic stories and talk with her about what you are reading together. This is an amazing level of learning when you read and your child narrates back to you. The library is a wonderful resource of good books to choose from.

It's just a thought...seems to me that you have so much to think about right now, that the worries about your daughter's education and trying to get the public school system to send out a tutor would be overwhelming to any of us. I know that reading to your child, regardless of age, is really good for all. So sorry you are going through this....hang in there.

I had the same thing when I was little. It did leave me with a heart murmer and an irregular heart beat. I am now in my (CHOKE) late 60's and still live a very active life.

I am sending Prayers!

Hope to quilt is right. They might even have to write an IEP and extend the school year for her. PM me for more info.

My son had rheumatic fever when he was 11. It took a long time to get over the physical pain from it. He was able to go back to school, but had to come home and rest every day.
We did have a rheumatologist in on the treatment. He, too had to take penicillin for several years, but now only before, during, and after dental work. He is 32 now and it is as though it never happened. We will be praying for your daughter.

I will keep her in my prayers... and you. Being a mom is one of life's toughest and most rewarding gifts...

Thanks everyone for your comments. I will try to respond to all comments in one message here.

As to school. She is in high school. The dr refused to sign the home hospital papers for us so we have decided to do internet high school.

I guess what I was wanting to know most was about the pain. Is it really this bad or does she have something else going on. Sounds like it is normal.

We will watch her diet better and try to eat foods that help with inflammation.

I am a little worried about the comments about the heart murmur. The cardiologist did an echocardiogram and said that her heart was normal so I'm hoping that this means she won't have later complications. He says no if she stays on her antibiotic and keeps those strep antibodies down.

Thanks again. Since this came up I'm amazed at how many people have had rheumatic fever. The cardiologist says that usually it doesn't get caught and then he sees them later to deal with the damage to their heart. I had two drs in on the discovery and it was me that kept asking about rheumatic fever until I finally got one to do the blood test. It is so frustrating when you have to force drs. to open their minds and do the tests that are needed.

Thanks again, you quilters are the best!!!!

My mom had that when I was in junior high. She did get over it, but it did take time (but not a year). I'll be praying for the two o you.

Always get a second opinion!!!

OMG ... my co-worker is still recovering from this. She is now back to work and doing better. Darn it ... I'm going back to read the thread now to see if I can answer any of your question ... was so astonished at the post I hit post too quick :oops:

You and Darcy will be in my thoughts and prayers. Will lift both of you in prayer. Hang in there. The road is very bumpy. She is young and will bounce back. If you get a second opinion, maybe that DR. will sign papers for home tutoring. Worth a try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

As a mom this is where you have to get nasty- if the doctors are giving the -just wait it's not good enough. They need to be very specific.
Regarding school- and Mom's this is to all of you...
We are finding more and more that schools are telling parents what to do instead of parents putting their foot down and demaning the schools do as they are supposed to and be accountable to parents.
When I was in high school (29 years ago) I faced a dilemma that no kid should have to. My Algebra teacher insisted I was unteachable and whined so much about it she had me forced out of the class with a audit on my records. At the time I was releived not realizing the trouble this would cause.
I took the only class still open that late in the year which was drivers ed- a 1/4 credit. Come my senior year I was told I did not have enough credits to graduate and would have to go elsewhere to get a GED. When I went to the school I was told so sorry you're not our problem. I becamed furious and waited for hours for the principle to finally give up and admit he was in his office. He sat smuggly behind his desk explaining this wasn't their problem and I needed to leave. Now normally I am very withdrawn and avoid confrontation but this was not the time for it. I pointed out that he was the one who signed off the demands for me to be removed form a class based soley on what a teacher said and at no point was there verification of her claims or any disruption or conflict caused by me to her classroom mearly a student who sat at the back of the classroom doodling because nothing made sense.
It eventually came down to threatening him with a visit to the school board and media release of his mismanagement and abuse of his position. In order to get my diploma I had to return for another semester following me senior years and was required to take a full class load even though I needed a 1/4 credit which I did and recieved my diploma even though it was a year late. Do not let the school tell you this is you're only option. You have to fight for her and sometimes that isn't pleasent but if you won't no one will.

I read somewhere reciently that measles was making a return to the states. People who travel abroad don't always get all the shots they need and bring it back home with them on their return.

Check 3 web sites: National Institutes of Health (nih.gov), Mayo Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic to verify if your daughter's prescribed treatment coincides with the standard treatments shown on these sites. I expect that there is a contact place on these web sites to get your questions answered. Also, some health insurances (like the Blues) have a nurse hotline that you could use.

I can pray for all of you

Have you thought of a child cardologist? ( heart Dr.) I would think they would be good for a second opinion.I had rheumatic fever as a child but that was many years ago and it can affect the heart. What ever you do I would get a second opinion even if it is just for your own self to deal. I am going to be 77 this year so I survived my bout.
Hope this helps and doesn't scare you but if it was my baby I would want a second opinion.
Love and prayers. Pickle

I had rheumatic fever when I was 10 yrs old. It came from strep also. I remember pain in my joints (mostly legs) for a mo. or so before I could not walk at all, one night I screamed until they call ed a dr. He made a house call at 6:A.M. I remember talking a lot of pills, I missed 6 weeks of school, which I made up later. It seams I never had much energy, but always tried to keep up with my farm chores. Now I`m 72 yrs old, we have 5 kids, we worked very hard all the time, @ the age of 23, I got a severe case of arthritis(could not pin a diaper or lift a pitcher of milk) I say get a new Doctor now! It shoulden`t take this long. I was in bed 3 months.

The school did not refuse, the doctor refused to sign the note. I handle all the homebound paperwork for the school district where I work and without that doctor's signature saying homebound instruction is necessary, the student is not eligible for tutoring. Your situation and this one are entirely different, so demanding solutions from a school that is following state and federal requirements is just going to create more problems than it solves. I support those who have said a second medical opinion should be sought. A doctor that refuses to sign for a student who is in that much pain, isn't much of a doctor in my opinion and I would definitely take my child to another doctor for help.

- I'm confused by this reply- are you infact the parent of the child who originally posted this and the same parent of the child who had to drop out of school due to illness? No school can force a drop out like this though they believe they have the right to do so and it is not the doctor who is responsable for their education- the doctor in the case you are refering to must be held accountable for his care and his/her superiors must be contacted and held accountable- if not the medical board of the state- however- it is the school district who are mandated to ensure every child recieves that education unless the parents refuse to comply and provide an alternative educational program for the child. In that case it is turned over to welfare agencies who will intervene on behalf of the child when the parent does or can not. As I said above- whether you like to or not- you have to fight for your child- frankly I don't care anymore who might not think I'm the perfect school Mom. You have one oppurtunity to give your child what they need to achieve any thing in life and sitting on your hands not wanting to ruffle a few feathers says nothing more then others opinions of you are more important then your child. And if you work in an office that handles 'homebound' paper work what exactly is done to ensure that parents are made aware of every step needed to get the help they are elegible for. Ensure means more then a blind letter or email.