Chronic Adult Human Parvo (bladder, cysts, pain, kidneys)

[blessedrus]

I was diagnosed with parvo in 2005 after getting it from my daughter. It's been 3 years and I am feeling terrible. I have awful joint pain in my feet, ankes and hands with lots of edema. BUT, fatigue is absolutely the worst part of this for me. I have also developed LOTS of cysts in my kidneys. I am awaiting labs results now - looking for lots of different things. I just can't believe I feel this bad 3 years later. I will start on prednisone tomorrow with hopes that helps. I am having definite shortness of breath as well. I guess my fear is that my husband will never truly know how bad I really feel.

[baileyQ]

I was also diagnosed with adult parvo. My blood work expressed that I had the virus for 2.5-3 years. I had been feeling VERY achy and had been 'swollen in general' (ears, throat, hands, knees, bladder, feet...) for some time and we could not determine what the problem was until my friend suggested I had Rheumatoid Arthritis. I had fevers, shortness of breath, fatigue, joint pain, headaches... My rheumatologist ran a test for the parvo along with lupus, et-cetera... I was told to make appointments with a nutritionist and an endocrinologist. With the help of my nutritionist I was able to get my white blood cells back to a normal level and most of the symptoms had gone away. Recently the pain has returned. I am now taking mobic for the joint pain and am preparing for a cartilage replacement procedure due to the damage to my knees from the rheumatoid-like effects that adult parvo can have. I am also going to start medication to help my kidneys maintain a healthy state, apparently this virus can effect them in a terrible way also. The strict diet that my nutritionist has had me one has helped me drop a lot of weight and has lowered my 'swelling' tremendously, unfortunately the very high protein levels can cause kidney problems, so this is one point of conflict that I wish I did not have to withstand. I found some studies that mentioned a specific 'iron deficiency' may cause the RA symptoms in adults with parvo virus. I am now looking into this with my nutritionist in hopes that establishing the correct iron absorption levels will defeat the RA symptoms. This is the pits, I am sorry to hear you are feeling so terrible. It is a truly upsetting state to be in. I was feeling VERY depressed for quite some time, simply not knowing what was wrong with me was so stressful too. I have NEVER been prone to depression - it is such strange territory for me. I hope your husband never has to go through the same terrible pain that you are experiencing, but I hope he understands how difficult it is for you and is as supportive as someone can be while you suffer from something that id not visually scarring. I will let you know if anything positive happens in response to the iron theory... I wish you well.

[cmacf1]

I was diagnosed with adult parvo in June of 2006 and my arthritic symptoms in my hands have never gone away. Most of my joints ache at times and my doctor keeps telling me that it's because I'm 50, not because of anything else. I don't know why more isn't written about adult-onset parvo because it's a horrible, horrible disease. My joints in my fingers hurt to the touch and I can no longer bend them all the way down due to the swelling. It's gotten much worse in the past 6 months (right about the time of my 50th birthday -- hahaha.) Perhaps I'll ask my doctor for a referral to a rheumatologist or endocrinologist or nutritionist or all of the above. I have no advice and can only offer sympathy.

[cmacf1]

Originally Posted by blessedrus

I guess my fear is that my husband will never truly know how bad I really feel.

I just reread your post and saw this part of it. I feel exactly the same way. My husband has never been one to easily give sympathy, but with parvo, I feel like he hasn't had a clue how awful the pain has been. There have been times when I wish for just 24 hours he could have my joints to feel how I feel. I have two kids, 4 and 6 (got it from them as well,) and there are moments when caring for them is truly exhausting. Some of this could be from my age or my perimenopausal state, but the joint pain, especially in my hands, is just awful. Do women get this more as adults than men???? I've heard of LOTS of women with this, but no men.

[nmurley13]

I was so relieved to read these posts! I am 29 years old and was diagnosed with Parvo over a year ago, and I have never felt the same. it is terrible. it comes and goes, but I was never told that the virus/symptoms would last more than a month or so. My pain is arthritic in my hands and feet. I am also at times exhausted. Any sort of insight or what doctors to go to, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

[sharirich]

I was recently diagnosed with parvo (having it in the past 2 years) and have suffered joint pain, chronic fatique and just an all over awful feeling. My doctor put me on CYMBALTA; which is an anti-depressant and it actually has eased the pain. It blocks certain receptors in the brain. Other than that, a heating pad seems to help for the time being. Does anyone know if this is permanent?

[sharirich]

I noticed that no one stated whether they are employed while suffering with Adult Parvo Disease. I have a cleaning business (owner/operated) and have had to reduce my work load due to painful joints, swelling etc. My thumb joints are 3 times their normal size and painful. I have been placed on MOBIC, a pain reducer/anti-inflammatory that eases the condition slightly. I see disability in my future unfortunately. It has so far affected my hands, elbows, right shoulder, right knee and feet. Any comments?

[squeakiecat]

I have heard it is not possible to catch Parvo Virus more than once, although I am interested in debating that. Two of my friends were diagnosed with it last summer, and I also had the very same strange, painful symptoms. After 7 months my symptoms were finally almost gone. Within the past few days I have gone tanning twice (in prep for a trip) and the symptoms are returning. All the doctors I have seen think nothing is wrong with me. With the pain and itching, I feel so frustrated and like I am going crazy. Can anybody help? I also work full time and have young children.

[Flathy]

I have read all the postings on this website, and thought to share my experience over the past 10 years with parvo, in the hopes it will help someone else. I originally contracted parvo about 10 years ago, which took 16 months to diagnose. Throughout the years I have had repeated flare ups. I was athletic and strong before my illness, now I am profoundly weak so I empathisize with all of you. Yes I am employed, actually in a very high stress position, which I believe contributes to my outbreaks. I have had every symptom you read about from rashes to multiple neurologic issues, to swelling, anemia, rapid heart beat, shortness of breath. But I have something positive to share. I recently got Bells Palsy following some surgery and was put on Valtrex as Bells Palsy is believed to be caused by a herpes doctor. My wonderful (and yes I mean awesome) infectious disease doctor decided to retest my titers for parvo even through it has been 10 years -and they were high. She has kept me on the Valtrex because it has helped with the parvo symptoms - my blood pressure is even back to normal. The doctors I have found to be best in treating this illness are infectious disease and neurology. They understand that viruses are odd and affect people differently and don't work out of a textbook box like many other doctors.

[emilybh]

I would run not walk to my nearest health food store and buy Sovereign Silver (a very diluted Colloidal silver) that has been proven to kill viruses. Take 2x the recommended amount and I bet in a few weeks or a month or two you will be completely free of the virus. Additionally I would find a good naturopathic doctor to work with if you have ANY chronic problem. Naturopaths are the true experts in helping people GET RID of chronic and degenerative diseases. Conventional Medical Doctors on the other hand only know how to deal wth the symptoms of the disease and help you LIVE WITH THE DISEASE for the REST OF YOUR LIFE. So, you need to ask yourself if you want your health restored or do you just want to live with the disease? Then go to the appropriately trained doctor that can help you depending on how you answer that question.