Anyone familiar with this? My nurse friend who has been having a horrible
time was diagnosed with this this week. I'm trying to read up on it. Does
anyone have this diagnosis and if so, how are you being treated for it?I wanted to post this as I have been researching it . A friend has been
diagnosed with it. It has a bacterial/viral cause they think. I just wonder
if she would be a good candidate for AP therapy. It has debilitated her
quickly.
Note: All links within content go to MayoClinic.com
Diseases and Conditions
Adult Still's disease
From MayoClinic.com
Special to CNN.com
Introduction
Adult Still's disease (ASD) is an inflammatory condition in which you may
experience daily spiking fevers, have achy or swollen joints and discover a
salmon-pink rash appearing on your body. The disorder is rare. As it
progresses, Adult Still's disease may lead to chronic arthritis and other
complications.
Still's disease is named after an English doctor named George Still, who
described the condition in children in 1896. Still's disease is now known
as systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). In 1971, the term
"Adult Still's disease" was used to describe adults who had a condition
similar to systemic onset JRA. There's no cure for Adult Still's disease;
however, treatment may offer symptom relief for Adult Still's disease and
help prevent complications.
Signs and symptoms
Most people with Adult Still's disease experience a combination of the
following signs and symptoms:
Fever. You may experience a daily fever of at least 102 F for a week or
longer. The fever usually peaks in the late afternoon or early evening.
Between episodes, your temperature will likely return to normal.
Rash. A salmon-pink bumpy or flat rash may come and go with the fever.
The rash usually appears on your trunk, arms or legs. Physical contact
such as rubbing your skin or exposing it to hot water may provoke the
rash to appear.
Achy and swollen joints. You may find that your joints — especially your
knees, wrists, ankles and elbows — are stiff, painful and inflamed.
Usually, the joint discomfort lasts at least two weeks.
Muscle pain. Muscular pain associated with Adult Still's disease usually
ebbs and flows with the fever. It may be severe enough to disrupt your
daily activities.
Other signs and symptoms may include:
Sore throat
Swollen lymph nodes in your neck
Enlarged liver or spleen
Having any of these signs or symptoms doesn't necessarily mean that you
have Adult Still's disease. The signs and symptoms of this disorder may
mimic those of other conditions. These include other infectious diseases
such as infectious mononucleosis, a type of cancer called lymphoma or
other rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.
Causes
Although it's not certain what causes Adult Still's disease, it may be that
the condition is triggered by a viral or bacterial infection.
Risk factors
Age is the main risk factor for Adult Still's disease, with incidence in
adults peaking twice: once from 15 to 25 years and again from 36 to 46
years. Males and females are equally at risk of acquiring the disorder.
Multiple cases of Adult Still's disease in families are uncommon, so it's
unlikely that this disorder is inherited.
When to seek medical advice
If you have a high fever, rash and achy joints that have persisted for at
least two weeks, see your doctor to determine what may be the cause.
Also, if you have Adult Still's disease and develop a cough, difficulty
breathing, chest pain or any other unusual symptoms, call your doctor.
I know there were posters on the Roadback with Stills. I think its a precurser to RA from what they've said. Can you search over there?
I think she would be a good candidate for AP. This is one that they seem to see the bacterial link. If it's viral, it still can't hurt lowering the microbial load so, in theory, the body can fight back.
Pip
I've seen some post on here about this strange non itchy rash. My friendLori -
I think the connection to the thyroid is one of the main ways we get hit. You know me, 'pancreas, thyroid and/or gut!'. LOL
Pip
Actually i was trying to look up symptoms to a rash thing i was doing and this adult stills was one that sort of fit. However so did others i will just call it AI for now. I do not know how reume's fiqure all this out. I also had the infection and it said abcess tooth could cause similar symptoms. But i doubt on my hands elbows and feet ect. I had a bit of all of this last flare. But it is worse this time. I hope your friend gets some help and feels better soon. As for me i just do the lotion and vitamin E will start back on the fishoil. I will the reume decide. I give myself a mixdiagnoses. Based on my medical history and all the different things i have going on. I have some wrinkles on my face that a women with lupus pionted out to me on her face a few years back. I do not test positive for lupus but i do for RA but really i am tired of trying to fiqure it out. Am going back to neurologist to recheck vascular problems.