Mycotic Arthritis - Start asking your doctor about it.

Glad to hear it resolved your sciatica!

How did they diagnose it? Usually a culture is needed (synovial fluid) to determine what type of fungus is reponsible in order to prescribe the right medication? Did you have any other symptoms besides sciatica? Often those with compromised immune systems are susceptible to fugal infections and arthritis is not the first symptom. They are often region specific, so if you live in certain regions and have certain initial symptoms, this might lead one to ask their doctor sooner and get treatment before the arthritis can do its damage. Do you have any residual symptoms?

Hi Mastdoc

Thanks for your reply. 

I diagnosed the condition myself about 7 weeks ago self medicated. I asked for a prescription of terbinafine from the doctor and also consumed 200g boxes of Creamed Coconut. 1 a day for 3 days, less so after, coconut being a natural antifungal treatment. A bit unorthodox I know, but given the situation, being unable to walk or work for several months and facing financial ruin I was a bit desperate. Regarding the health service in my area. I have had no help at all over the past 6 years other than an Mri scan that took some persuasion. and of course, the offer of pain management and totally ineffective and pain worsening physiotherapy . The main clue to my diagnosis was that in 2010 I took a course of Terbinafine for a nail infection and in retrospect I realised that the back pain and sciatic pain had subsequently diminished and was able function fairly well for a year or so. The rest was guess work. The symptoms were, worsening severe lower spine pain and stiffness and immobility, paralysing sciatic pain, a slight bulge to a lumbar disc though not impinging on the nerve (MRI scan a year ago), a minor though persistant fungal toe nail infection, minor fungal infection to insect bites on my back ( a few years ago). A major clue was, I had some ostepath treatment including back cracking over the past 2 years and though it helped ease the stiffness and pain in the short term, the pain seemed to spread through the spine. I concluded that due to the spread of the condition that it must be an infection due to the joints being opened and exposed to the infection. Other linked symptoms in retrospect are, generally feeling not right, intolerance to dairy products and wheat (causing depression, 2 day lag time) and generally down and feeling a bit spaced out after rich food  and sugar. As of today, I am 95% ok, which mostly occured in week one of the treatment. If i sit badly, I get a bit of back pain, which I guess is the result of damage done to the spine over the past six years.

I'm not sure how I contracted the infection, but it's possible that a holiday vaccination (badly administered to lower back) , toe nail infection, insect bites (Sri Lanka) maybe the cause. Just guessing.

Re. Terbinafine and Coconut - On their own (individually) the effect is ok, but for some reason, and a buy pure luck, the combination was amazing. Literally less than a week to sort out the spine and sciatic problems. I was bed bound one week and two weeks later I was working agian like the past six years hadn't happenned.

Hi max21068,

Thank you for your message and the advice you have posted. Unfortunately, my back problems relate to rapid growth in my teens, 8-inches in 14 months, a prolonged growth cycle, as did not stop growing until I was 25, and a nasty back injury from tampolining when I was 17. Suffered with muscle spasms in my back and bouts of sciatica on and off for years, but it never stopped me from living my life I have broken my coccyx and apart from needing to sit on a cushion when driving or at work, it had very little impact. I then suffered a slip-fall when on holiday in Majorca which started back flare-ups once again. I then suffered from a herniated L5 onto S1 which caused pro-longed and agonising sciatica which refused to respond to drugs or a spinal epidural. I was on huge doses of Tramadol, Gabapentin and Diclofenac which did little to relieve either the spasms or the pain. The micro-disectomy I had in Dec 2012 was brilliant and apart from the obvious initial recovery and physio, I remained pain free, until I started getting recurring bouts of sciatica in June 2013. I was sent for an MRI which showed that the remaining part of L5 had prolapsed, along with L4. That was in September 2013. The referal back to the Consultant was sent on the 10 Oct 2013 but somehow got lost so it wasn't until May this year that I saw him again. Unfortunately, there is a significant narrowing which is putting pressure on the S1 nerve but the pain is different and the loss of sensation in my foot and leg have been a totally new experience. Have trained myself to look at my foot so that the brain connects to that fact before standing as have suffered a number of 'splats'  The word 'Spondylolisthesis' was being used & didn't really know much about it until, like you, I did my research. It was an easy diagnosis from that point! Have had a guided HC injection into the hip and another spinal epidural, neither have been effective although there was a slight improvement in the consistency of the numbness in my foot. Having now had the standing/flex x-rays, it has shown a significant slippage of the vertebrae with the prolapsed discs adding to the fun. Have had the weekend to think about things, discuss with family etc. and, following these and a little more research, am opting to have the surgery. This is not a case of 'wanting' surgery, it is a case of favourable factors now rather than putting it off & suffering muscle degenaration and progressive loss of mobility. I am not kidding myself as I know this is 'major' surgery with medical 'Mechano', lamination etc'. but, as the Consultant has told me that I will have 75% immediate pain relief following the recovery period of 4-6wks, I'd rather have the surgery now with age and relative fitness being on my side!

Just as an aside to the above missive, I have been on a few courses of anti-fungal drugs in the past year and regularly consume coconut too. I am a big fan of natural substances and essential oils and regularly make my own face/body oils etc. I hope that you continue to be well and my thanks once again for the contact/info.

Best Wishes,

Kimb63

I'd like to add an important point the my initial posting. I forgot to mention that I did recently see a back specialist on the NHS, and his observation of some tissue damage to an area near to the spine  was very helpfull in leading me to make a diagnosis. 

To Kimb63

Thanks for your posting. Your condition sounds very complex and more of a mechanical issue. I wish you good luck with the treatment. 

kind wishes

Max

Hi max21068

Was the tissue damage to an area near to the spine deep or superficial? MRI or cutaneous observation?

Thanx!

The tissue damage was under the skin. not obvious. though visually observed. I think there were some undulations on the surface. 

Thanks max21068, glad you got your life back. Hope Doctors will pay attention as well. Although rare, you have given us all some great information that may save alot of pain and suffering.

Well Done!

Hi, I have had sciatic pain for a few months and a fungal toe nail for over 10 years and now a partner of mine in South America has been prescribed a fungal treatment ..she had pain in the hips similar to me and her doctor to.d me to take anti fungal anti biopics for 3 days ...seems that my living in South America has not helped as I have picked up all the local health problems over the years .but at least they have the knoowledge and the medicine to treat them ..apparently this type of problem is common in South America..