u/Hot-Scheme4289

Hello everyone from Germany,

my brother was diagnosed on 23/07/2026 with early seropositive, ACPA-positive rheumatoid arthritis (Steinbrocker stage I). His blood tests show pretty high autoantibodies: CCP antibodies 114.0 (normal up to 17.0) and a rheumatoid factor of 25 (normal up to 14).

At the beginning of May, he had shingles, and in early July Lyme disease was found in his blood. He was treated with doxycycline for the Lyme disease. Not long after that, the joint issues started, with pain and swelling first in the knees and later in the shoulder and left wrist.

Since the diagnosis, he’s been on prednisolone: first 20 mg, which he didn’t tolerate well because of breathing issues, then 15 mg. Now it’s being reduced by 2.5 mg per week. Since lowering the dose, the pain and swelling have come back and his overall condition has gotten worse. He also has strong palpitations, feels like he might faint, occasional nausea, and this wave-like/pulsing inflammation feeling.

Another symptom is that he feels very unwell after eating, almost every time. He also experiences a noticeable pulsing sensation in his abdomen.

Has anyone had similar experiences – especially after infections like shingles or Lyme disease, or during treatment or tapering off cortisone? Could a weakened or dysregulated immune system be playing a role here?

Unfortunately, we can’t get a rheumatology appointment on short notice right now.

He has Hashimoto's for a few years and high blood pressure for even longer.

Thanks a lot for any experiences or replies!

Hello everyone from Germany,

my brother was diagnosed on 23/07/2026 with early seropositive, ACPA-positive rheumatoid arthritis (Steinbrocker stage I). His blood tests show pretty high autoantibodies: CCP antibodies 114.0 (normal up to 17.0) and a rheumatoid factor of 25 (normal up to 14).

At the beginning of May, he had shingles, and in early July Lyme disease was found in his blood. He was treated with doxycycline for the Lyme disease. Not long after that, the joint issues started, with pain and swelling first in the knees and later in the shoulder and left wrist.

Since the diagnosis, he’s been on prednisolone: first 20 mg, which he didn’t tolerate well because of breathing issues, then 15 mg. Now it’s being reduced by 2.5 mg per week. Since lowering the dose, the pain and swelling have come back and his overall condition has gotten worse. He also has strong palpitations, feels like he might faint, occasional nausea, and this wave-like/pulsing inflammation feeling.

Another symptom is that he feels very unwell after eating, almost every time. He also experiences a noticeable pulsing sensation in his abdomen.

Has anyone had similar experiences – especially after infections like shingles or Lyme disease, or during treatment or tapering off cortisone? Could a weakened or dysregulated immune system be playing a role here?

Unfortunately, we can’t get a rheumatology appointment on short notice right now.

Thanks a lot for any experiences or replies!

Hello everyone from Germany,

my brother was diagnosed on 23/07/2026 with early seropositive, ACPA-positive rheumatoid arthritis (Steinbrocker stage I). His blood tests show pretty high autoantibodies: CCP antibodies 114.0 (normal up to 17.0) and a rheumatoid factor of 25 (normal up to 14).

At the beginning of May, he had shingles, and in early July Lyme disease was found in his blood. He was treated with doxycycline for the Lyme disease. Not long after that, the joint issues started, with pain and swelling first in the knees and later in the shoulder and left wrist.

Since the diagnosis, he’s been on prednisolone: first 20 mg, which he didn’t tolerate well because of breathing issues, then 15 mg. Now it’s being reduced by 2.5 mg per week. Since lowering the dose, the pain and swelling have come back and his overall condition has gotten worse. He also has strong palpitations, feels like he might faint, occasional nausea, and this wave-like/pulsing inflammation feeling.

Another symptom is that he feels very unwell after eating, almost every time. He also experiences a noticeable pulsing sensation in his abdomen.

Has anyone had similar experiences – especially after infections like shingles or Lyme disease, or during treatment or tapering off cortisone? Could a weakened or dysregulated immune system be playing a role here?

Unfortunately, we can’t get a rheumatology appointment on short notice right now.

Thanks a lot for any experiences or replies!

Hallo liebe Community,

nach dem mein Bruder gerade Gürtelrose hatte, ist bei ihm jetzt auch Borreliose festgestellt worden. Er hat weder die Zecke bemerkt noch eine Wanderröte entdeckt. Er hat Schmerzen in den Gelenken (Knie, Hand, Schulter) und die sind jetzt auch geschwollen (auch in Nähe des Schlüsselbeins eine Schwellung). Er nimmt seit paar Tagen 200mg Doxycyclin.

Wer hatte schon einmal Borreliose und kann mir berichten, welche Symptome er anfangs hatte und welche Medikamente (mit Dosis) und welcher Einnahmezeitraum geholfen haben, dass die Borreliose komplett abheilt.

Danke schon mal.

Danke 😀

Wer hat Erfahrung? DANKE 🙂

It is often hard to be a person who feels deeply and is sensitive. Someone who cannot simply accept things as they are, but always looks beyond the surface.

It is hard not to lose yourself at times, and it can be exhausting.

But what would the alternative be?

People like this are hope. They are light. They are strength. They are the ones who remind us to care, to see, and to feel.

Just don't lose yourself along the way. Remember to care for yourself, too. The same kindness, compassion, and understanding that you give so freely to others—you deserve them as well.

You are worthy of being treated that way by yourself.

Thank you for being who you are.

It is often hard to be a person who feels deeply and is sensitive. Someone who cannot simply accept things as they are, but always looks beyond the surface.

It is hard not to lose yourself at times, and it can be exhausting.

But what would the alternative be?

People like this are hope. They are light. They are strength. They are the ones who remind us to care, to see, and to feel.

Just don't lose yourself along the way. Remember to care for yourself, too. The same kindness, compassion, and understanding that you give so freely to others—you deserve them as well.

You are worthy of being treated that way by yourself.

Thank you for being who you are.