Okay, so my mom has been known to over worry about certain things. But, as I get older, I am starting to find that it's often better to listen to my mom than to fight her. For example, after my twitch was diagnosed and Sydenham's Chorea, my mom immediately looked up everything she could find on it. This usually drive me nuts because my mom is not a doctor and she sometimes researches different problems too much.
Anyways, after I was diagnosed, my mom kept insisting that I be on penicillin or some other kind of prophelaxis. It wasn't until I was recovering from heart surgery in Sooke and had another case of chorea that my mom printed out an article for me and again explained why I needed it.
There is no specific treatment for SD. For people with the mildest form, bed
rest during the period of active movements is sufficient. When the severity of
movements interferes with rest, sedative drugs, such as barbiturates or
benzodiazepines, may be needed. Antiepileptic medications, such as valproic
acid, are often prescribed. Doctors also recommend that children who have had
SD take penicillin over the course of the next 10 years to prevent additional
manifestations of rheumatic fever.
rest during the period of active movements is sufficient. When the severity of
movements interferes with rest, sedative drugs, such as barbiturates or
benzodiazepines, may be needed. Antiepileptic medications, such as valproic
acid, are often prescribed. Doctors also recommend that children who have had
SD take penicillin over the course of the next 10 years to prevent additional
manifestations of rheumatic fever.
Finally I understood. I was never treated for the antibodies that caused the SD, only the SD symptoms (the twitching and stuff). Anyways, I've mentioned this to all of my Dr.'s, but I had to see my neurologist to finalize everything. I saw my neurologist today and, after saying multiple times that I don't need to be on prophelaxis, he came to the conclusion that I do, in fact, need to be on prophelaxis for at least five years. The confusion: SD is considered Acute Rheumatic Fever and requires the same treatment as Acute Rheumatic Fever.
I can't believe I have been diagnosed since June and haven't had anything to stop the problem. My poor vulnerable new valve is probably being attacked by these dangerous antibodies as I type. Even more frustrating, I have to wait until Wednesday before I can get a prescription for the medication.
That's crazy. Do you think you picked up the rheumatoid fever while in Korea, since you're so many years above the usual age for getting it in Canada?
ReplyDeleteAnd your poor valve! It's so soon after that it should be okay, though, since it took a while before your non-pig-donated one had problems.
Darn doctors, you'd think they'd do as much research as your mom if they weren't experienced with something.
(My verification word is "throbler." Heartthrobler!)
No, apparently I had it just over a year ago when I was working in an ESL school in Vancouver. But I didn't have any of the symptoms of strep, so I never had it treated.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree, you little heartthrobler!