Autoimmune disease articles

[sallyann]

Please see my post in the PPP thread.  I contacted roundworm we think from my cat.  I found a very interesting article which I am linking.  Roundworm can cause an autoimmune response.

I posted some of the information in the PPP thread.  for Now I am only including the link. http://members.aol.com/SynergyHN/roundworm


Bunnie should be very interested in this.

Sally

[gerrybhoy]

Hi all
 
i have being given the drug low dose naltrexone for mt ppp but since looking into it have found out that it dose cover alot more autoimmune disease's as well

some people having difficult in find site so ill leave a link to see what you all think or if you've hear of it before

www.lowdosenaltrexone.org

thanks gerald

[CalamityJane]

The link below is excellent article, only published last month, and makes reference to the difference between allergic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis.

Well worth reading for all of us with autoimmune diseases.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1049216-overview?src=emed_whatnew_nl_0#causes

Jane

 

[CalamityJane]

Hi all, received this today from an ezine that I subscribe to, www.drmirkin.com

Here it is:

"Women are three times more likely than men to develop lupus, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis, currently thought to be autoimmune diseases that are caused by a person's immunity attacking her own body, instead of doing its job of killing germs. This increased risk may be caused in some way by the process of pregnancy, or it may be due to the fact that women are twice as likely as men to become infected with a sexually transmitted disease and 10 times more likely to become infected with HIV. See report #G144 on mycoplasma, chlamydia and ureaplasma.

Several papers have shown that multiple sclerosis may be caused by infection with human herpes-6 (39,40), lupus by parvovirus B-19 (27,38) and rheumatoid arthritis by mycoplasma (2-26).

People with autoimmune diseases usually have proteins called antibodies that attach to and damage a person's own body proteins and cells, rather than attaching to and killing known germs that enter the body. For example, antinuclear antibodies, double-stranded DNA antibodies and anticardiolipin antibodies are often fond in people who have lupus and the rheumatoid factor is found in rheumatoid arthritis. These autoantibodies can be caused by infections with Hepatitis B and C viruses, the human immunodeficiency virus, and parvovirus B19 (1,38). Several papers have suggested that rheumatoid arthritis may be caused by mycoplasma bacteria (2-26), lupus by parvovirus B19 (27), Crohn's disease by bacteroides and klebsiella bacteria (28-37), and multiple sclerosis by HHS-6 and JC viruses (39,40) and many doctors are treating rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease with antibiotics. Future studies will show if these autoimmune diseases are really caused by infections."

[Seattlejeff]

Hi all, received this today from an ezine that I subscribe to, www.drmirkin.com

Here it is:

"Women are three times more likely than men to develop lupus, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis, currently thought to be autoimmune diseases that are caused by a person's immunity attacking her own body, instead of doing its job of killing germs. This increased risk may be caused in some way by the process of pregnancy, or it may be due to the fact that women are twice as likely as men to become infected with a sexually transmitted disease and 10 times more likely to become infected with HIV. See report #G144 on mycoplasma, chlamydia and ureaplasma.

Several papers have shown that multiple sclerosis may be caused by infection with human herpes-6 (39,40), lupus by parvovirus B-19 (27,38) and rheumatoid arthritis by mycoplasma (2-26).

People with autoimmune diseases usually have proteins called antibodies that attach to and damage a person's own body proteins and cells, rather than attaching to and killing known germs that enter the body. For example, antinuclear antibodies, double-stranded DNA antibodies and anticardiolipin antibodies are often fond in people who have lupus and the rheumatoid factor is found in rheumatoid arthritis. These autoantibodies can be caused by infections with Hepatitis B and C viruses, the human immunodeficiency virus, and parvovirus B19 (1,38). Several papers have suggested that rheumatoid arthritis may be caused by mycoplasma bacteria (2-26), lupus by parvovirus B19 (27), Crohn's disease by bacteroides and klebsiella bacteria (28-37), and multiple sclerosis by HHS-6 and JC viruses (39,40) and many doctors are treating rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease with antibiotics. Future studies will show if these autoimmune diseases are really caused by infections."

Dear Calimity Jane:

I am very impressed with your knowledge of autoimmune diseases and have some questions for you if you don't mind.  I am a 56 yr old man, immune depressed, who developed a strange rash in January 09.  My dermatologist suspected lupus and my Elisa came back as such.  However when I was referred to a rheumatologist his findings which were complicated and intricate tests done at the local University, concluded a false positive.  Relieved, I still have been dealing with this rash to this day.  My endocrinologist sees no connection as my thyroid functions are normal.  And my nephrologist said, even though my kidneys are functioning at a moderate level, he sees no correlation to a rash.

My derm took three biopsies, one showing folliculitus which was taken from this initial rash which is on my upper chest neck and beard area.  Also effecting my shoulders now.  And another taken shortly after on my back which showed Grover's.  In her mind they are completely seperate of each other.  The latest biopsy on my initial rash on my upper chest showed follicular distress, especially with an unusually high amount of white blood cells at its base.  It is my idea, as my derms, this could be an auto immune type situation, I think they call it auto immune reconstitution.

I saw an allergist/immunologist, although nice, my case seemed to complicated, and he was not helpful.  It does seem from the presentation on my neck, upper neck, beard, and upper back, symptoms that my CD 4s are over reacting and my body is sending too many white blood cells to  site causing all this inflammation.

I know this is rather vague, but since this is a public site, I don't want to get into a whole lot of specifics, but thought you may have some ideas of if indeed this is autoimmune related, if there is a particular type of physician I should see who I haven't, and if there is a medication I should be on.

I'm kind of at my wit's end.....  I should underscore this I have made very healthy diet changes, and exercise regularly.  But have been under some stress lately.

Thanks for any opinions you might have,

SeattleJeff

[CalamityJane]

Hi Seattlejeff, we are geographically neighbours, and thank you for your post.

I'm not a doctor or a nurse or an expert in auto immune diseases (but thank you!). I'm just somebody who has one. I'm glad to see you are investigating and learning on your own. It's good to research, be informed and take an active role in your condition and treatment.

From what you say, it seems that you have seen all the right doctors and specialists who can help you. As some tests came back a false positive, perhaps you could consider repeating them?  Your derm in discussion w/your other specialists would have prescribed something for the inflammation you have. Or the other way around, the other specialists in consultation with your derm.

Auto immune diseases are difficult and treatment can be problematic because so many things are involved. They come and go at will adding to the problem. I understand you being at your wit's end. I've been at my wit's end, along with many others. It's a long and twisting road it seems. What helped me will not necessarily help you. It's individual and is "in" you so to speak, like freckles, wavy hair, etc.

"Auto immune reconstitution" is a new one to me. Tell me more!

In my humble opinion, you are doing all the right things and seeing all the right people, who will follow the trail and eventually all the pieces will fit together to solve your puzzle. I know it's frustrating but it seems to be the nature of the beast. Have you tried a course of antibiotics?

You might glean some more info by going to the site that produces the ezine I receive. It's well worth signing up, again my opinion. It's www.drmirkin.com

I wish I could be of more help.........

Jane

[Seattlejeff]

Hi Seattlejeff, we are geographically neighbours, and thank you for your post.

I'm not a doctor or a nurse or an expert in auto immune diseases (but thank you!). I'm just somebody who has one. I'm glad to see you are investigating and learning on your own. It's good to research, be informed and take an active role in your condition and treatment.

From what you say, it seems that you have seen all the right doctors and specialists who can help you. As some tests came back a false positive, perhaps you could consider repeating them?  Your derm in discussion w/your other specialists would have prescribed something for the inflammation you have. Or the other way around, the other specialists in consultation with your derm.

Auto immune diseases are difficult and treatment can be problematic because so many things are involved. They come and go at will adding to the problem. I understand you being at your wit's end. I've been at my wit's end, along with many others. It's a long and twisting road it seems. What helped me will not necessarily help you. It's individual and is "in" you so to speak, like freckles, wavy hair, etc.

"Auto immune reconstitution" is a new one to me. Tell me more!

In my humble opinion, you are doing all the right things and seeing all the right people, who will follow the trail and eventually all the pieces will fit together to solve your puzzle. I know it's frustrating but it seems to be the nature of the beast. Have you tried a course of antibiotics?

You might glean some more info by going to the site that produces the ezine I receive. It's well worth signing up, again my opinion. It's www.drmirkin.com

I wish I could be of more help.........

Jane

Thanks so much Jane for getting back to me so quickly.  It's nice that we are geographical neighbors.  A small world it is.

You point out some very good ideas.  I am seeing my dermatologist and GP this week.  I think a round of antibiotics might help, although about three months I was on a three week course of Avelox and didn't see much improvement.  Prendisone (sp) helps while I'm on it, but I relapse even worse soon after.  I think a round of tetracycline or something like that might be of help.

Also, I feel I do need to repeat my ANA lupus tests.  Thyroid tests all check out fine.  And kidneys too.

I'll check the link you gave me as well.  Thanks for that.  I hope you are doing well.

Will be in touch, and thanks so much for responding.  By the way, I have Grover's as well, so I am in the Grover's group on Skin Cell, and a wonderful group they are as is yours.  I feel so blessed to have found this site.

Best wishes to you Jane,

Jeff

[Seattlejeff]

Hi Seattlejeff, we are geographically neighbours, and thank you for your post.

I'm not a doctor or a nurse or an expert in auto immune diseases (but thank you!). I'm just somebody who has one. I'm glad to see you are investigating and learning on your own. It's good to research, be informed and take an active role in your condition and treatment.

From what you say, it seems that you have seen all the right doctors and specialists who can help you. As some tests came back a false positive, perhaps you could consider repeating them?  Your derm in discussion w/your other specialists would have prescribed something for the inflammation you have. Or the other way around, the other specialists in consultation with your derm.

Auto immune diseases are difficult and treatment can be problematic because so many things are involved. They come and go at will adding to the problem. I understand you being at your wit's end. I've been at my wit's end, along with many others. It's a long and twisting road it seems. What helped me will not necessarily help you. It's individual and is "in" you so to speak, like freckles, wavy hair, etc.

"Auto immune reconstitution" is a new one to me. Tell me more!

In my humble opinion, you are doing all the right things and seeing all the right people, who will follow the trail and eventually all the pieces will fit together to solve your puzzle. I know it's frustrating but it seems to be the nature of the beast. Have you tried a course of antibiotics?

You might glean some more info by going to the site that produces the ezine I receive. It's well worth signing up, again my opinion. It's www.drmirkin.com

I wish I could be of more help.........

Jane

Hey Jane:

forgot to answer your question.  IRIS or Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome is where the CD 4s begin to attack healthy cells.  In other words your body begins attacking itself. I pasted a link which might be helpful!!  It generally affects people who are immune compromised with AIDS and such.

Thanks again for your caring and advice!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_reconstitution_inflammatory_syndrome

You will need to copy the link and then paste it to your address bar.  Hope this answers your question.