SPONTANEOUS REMISSION?

The latest theory that I have heard as to the reason why I am ill? That theory is that I am sick because I am a survivor of spontaneous remission from cancer! Wow, now that was an article that caught my attention.

They know that my illness has a high incidence of cancer connected to it (approximately 30% to 40% of us have cancer at the time that we are diagnosed) If a cancer is discovered and treated effectively, then not only does the cancer disappear, but often times so does the entire illness also disappear. They know that cancer and the illness are somehow entangled. Knowing this: the basic theory is that my body recognizes a cancerous tumor within it and my immune system sends out an all out attack on these cancer cells. The theory is that my body's assault on the tumor destroys the cancer, but unfortunately this also damages my muscles, and this muscle damage then creates a continuous immune system response within my body.

A recent article in the New York Times explains the recurring flares and their link to the theory of spontaneous remission in this way: "In a study published two years ago in The Journal of Experimental Medicine, Dr. Livia Casiola-Rosen, together with Dr. Rosen, Dr. Levine and others, reported that the antigens that produce the immune response are present in normal muscle tissue, but at low levels. They are much more prevalent in myositis patients' cells and in muscle cells that are regenerating, as after an injury.

Dr. Rosen believes a vicious cycle occurs when damaged muscle cells start to repair themselves. These cells express higher amounts of the antigens, causing the immune system to respond; the immune response causes further damage to the muscle, which in turn repairs itself, its regenerating cells expressing even more antigens and continuing the cycle.

Even more intriguing, Dr. Rosen said, was the study's finding that the antigens associated with myositis are expressed at increased levels in tumors of the breast and lung. The signature of the antigens expressed by tumors is the same as the signature of the antigens expressed by regenerating muscle cells."

So is it possible? Am I ill because I survived Cancer?

My Story

I was 26 years old when I became ill with a severe arthritic flare up. In addition to the arthritic symptoms I was also having difficulty swallowing and breathing. I was experiencing muscle spasms as well as severe fatigue, dopiness and confusion. My life was suddenly and dra

matically impacted by my illness's sudden onslaught and, from that point on, my life became a battle against the recurring flares.

About 2 years after my initial flare up it was discovered that I have a little something called a JO-1 antibody on my immune system. With this new information they were able to revise my diagnosis from one of arthritis to one of polymyositis. It would be years and much frustration later that I was to learn that JO-1 antibodies are actually a marker for people with a distinct syndrome known as "anti-synthetase syndrome". People with this illness suffer from polymyositis or dermatomyositis plus polyarthritis plus interstitual lung disease plus various other inflammatory illnesses and syndromes. In other words, instead of having one singular illness I have a number of inflammatory illnesses that come and go at any given time and to varying degrees.

My illness is very rare and, although they do not know why people like me have this illness, there are a lot of theories as to why it develops. The illness itself has a very high incidence of cancer associated with it and one of the theories is that we are actually survivors of spontaneous remission from cancer. But this is theory and yet to be proven. The good news is that this theory may open new research into my illness. Cancer does get a lot more research dollars invested into it than a very rare illness like myositis.

For information on myositis please visit: http://www.myositis.org/

For arthritis support visit: http://www.arthritis.org/
*

As for me, I am now 50 years old and I have adapted to living a modified lifestyle to suit my illness. I have incorporated numerous alternative therapies into my life and although I am not cured, I can usually live comfortably within my illness. Extreme fatigue is a major issue with my illness so this is one of the areas in my life that I have had to work around. Living an alternative lifestyle affords me the extra energy that I need to truly enjoy my life.

To read further about this illness visit:
http://www.squidoo.com/jo1antibodies
*
http://www.squidoo.com/raynaulds_phenomenon

Please stop by my stores or bookmark them so you can visit them another day:

www.ladymermaid.com

www.redneckgiftstore.com