Sexually Aquired Reactive Arthritis
Posted , 22 users are following.
Hi,
I am wondering what the symptoms of sexually acquired RA might be and can you get it from Oral sex. I thnk I have them but my doctors insist not. I first had joint pains (elbows, ankle) in Sept 06, then have had at various times sticky eye, mouth inflamation, slit tongue, prostate/testicle/penis burning problems, itchy/flaky skin, chapped skin on knuckles - currently have bad ache in lower back, joints ache in big toe, knees, ankles and fingers/wrist and kneck beginning to go. Still have sore/tender genitals, mouth inflamation and really tired.
Have had so many STD tests, Gon and Cham neg (inc blood antibody test for Cham), HLA 27, stools, rheumatoid factor, prostate infection etc etc and all neg. At leat 5 different types of anti-biotics (and just started another 6 six week course) none seem to really be doing anything.
Any ideas/help?
2 likes, 166 replies
bill92494 Guest
Posted
Check the discussions on Reiter's Syndrome (aka reactive arthritis), STDs, and bursitis. Then, search the web with what you find. Since bacteria and virus can cause an immune response, I find it difficult to believe that you can't get a reaction a sexual infection. Plus, oral sex transmits STDs, cancer, and HPV; see: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/healthreport/warts-and-all/4674400
andrea05399 Guest
Posted
hi everyone. i have not had time to read through every response but enough to know you all sound soooo familiar. i want to share my story which had a good outcome. i am a 47 year old female in good health. in 2007 about 3 months after the birth of my second child, i got herpes 2 from my husband. we had been together many years without me getting it. he had since a teen. i became very ill with high fever, muscle pain and what seemed like a vaginal infection. went to ER where they diagnosed. about a month later i was woke up with what seemed like the flu with severe lower back pain on one side. this progressed Into severe pain in both Achilles tendon’s. So severe I could not walk. then severe rib pain-costochondritis. X-ray and then later MRI showed severe edema and partial fusion in the sacroiliac joint on one side. Diagnosis was ankylosing spondylitis by three different rheumatologists. 2 blood tests showed i was HLA B27 negative. Took Humira shots for one and a half years. Started to feel better. Wanted to stop taking the Humira so I could get pregnant with my third child. Follow up MRI showed completely absolutely 100% normal. No signs of disease. I have been disease free since. rheumatologist maintains remission doesnt happen like that with ankylosing spondylitis. now i know it was reactive arthritis presenting as AS on MRI. and the cause was HERPES infection. i know thats viral not bacterial but i know after all these years it was the trigger. good luck to all.
bill92494 Guest
Posted
It is good to hear that your system is clear of AS, but I wouldn't gamble with it. Since HLaB27 is an inherited gene you might want to check your first child's and husband's genes. You might not to consider just having HLAb27 as a death sentence as it appears the existence of ales plays a significant but unclear role. Here are a few links:
I have tried Enbrel, Humira, Cosentyx, and Otezla. I have been on methotrexate for most of the past 40 years except for the nine years while I took Enbrel (it only masked the pain while the swelling continued moderately until it became quite active). I now take Remicade every four weeks and MTX.
I consider myself extremely lucky. BUT I have made a conscious effort to keep physically active for the past fifty years. If I hadn't, I am quite certain I would be in a wheelchair by now.
garvin36901 Guest
Posted
Has anyone come out the other end resolved and able to identify the pathogen that caused the reactive arthritis? what worked for you in resolving the reactive arthritis? was it time in the end? I'm currently having a really difficult time with this and whats different is I have had headaches too along withe reactive arthritis so I'm worried theres something more sinister although all doctors are adamant I'm completely healthy and this was stress triggered.
bill92494 Guest
Posted
Hello,
Any bacteria can cause an arthritic reaction of varying intensity. I got one bout of gonorrhea that had a mild arthritic outcome; I had one bout of staph infection in my leg that nearly took my leg, caused me to lose 14 pounds in 14 days, and hobbled me for nine months. Each episode you have can be unique.
Don't forget that pain in one area of your body can cause referential pain. Google for more info!