Parvovirus Slapped cheek arthritis in adults

[Beccabooboo]

As anybody here have any experience of adult symptoms of slapped cheek / parvovirus? 15 months ago I started with sudden joint pain starting in my knees and elbows and within a few days it had spread to every joint including my jaw and feet causing swelling and excruciating pain .I was extremely unwell and fatigued and developed a mild rash over my knuckles thighs and stomach . The GP did all the standard tests which came back fine and after 3 months referred me to a rheumatologist. Again they did all the tests for autoimmune stuff , arthritis etc which came back fine apart from slightly raised inflammation. The rheumatologist suggested it was likely to have come from my then one year old who had what was most likely slapped cheek a few weeks prior to the start of all this. They tested for this but it came back inconclusive in that they were unsure if I had had it recently but had definitely had it in the past. Since then the symptoms come and go in flares and any bug, infection and sunlight seems to trigger it . The rheumatologist doesn’t seem that interested and feels it will settle eventually. After this length of time I am am so frustrated and fed up and questioning if this is really what it is. It’s affecting so many aspects of my life. Has any one had this form of arthritis and did I go eventually ? Thanks xx

Hi,
I can't actually answer your question I'm afraid as I've only had the symptoms you describe for a month but as with you, mine started after my daughter had possible Slapped Cheek. I'm almost certain I have parvovirus but have not had the blood test yet. I know two other adults who have had it in my area so perhaps there is a bit of an outbreak and you're body just hasn't recovered from it yet. It is a horrible thought though that it might never go away. I have another chronic health condition and I know the feeling of despair at never feeling well again. I suppose if you still feel deep down that something else is going on then you need to keep pushing them for a diagnosis otherwise it is about believing that your body will recover eventually from whatever it is.
I have read that some people can suffer with parvo for a long time so maybe it will ease soon.
Not been helpful at all have I!

Thanks for your reply. I think my immune system was particularly down at the time I must have caught it as after having my daughter I had a minor stroke then surgery , so this on top of all that has been rough ! You are right I do need to keep hopeful this will eventually go , it just so difficult and frustrating I hope you feel better soon.

I ended up being seen at the hospital in the rheumatology clinic for around 2 and a half years with this, the acute stage which lasted a few months left me unable to carry my 13 month old baby down the stairs. I had to use my elbows to unclench my hands in the morning. The pain was in every joint of my body to the point they were considering acute onset rheumatoid arthritis as a diagnosis.

With medication this passed, I was able to come off that around the two year mark, 2O years on, I would say I have more aches and pains than other people my age (53) but I do have some other health problems as well. Cold or hot weather do seem to be a problem at times. I have a gluten intolerance associated with an autoimmune condition and any gluten makes me get joint pains.

If I have a flu virus I tend to have joint pains after that, but they do clear up after a few weeks. There was an epidemic of parvovirus in the village where I lived and only 2 people had long lasting symptoms including me and the other person got better around the year mark.

I think it is quite unusual to have long lasting problems and wish you a speedy recovery.

Thank you evenstar, yes I would say the first 6 months were the worst , couldn’t sleep etc . I’m glad you got better in the end . Can I ask if you vacant remember what medication you took thanks