Are you aware of any new research being conducted regarding a possible connection between Fibromyalgia, RA, and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency?

My 17 year old daughter has an early onset (RFpositive, polyauricular) RA that was diagnosed at age 16. It has not responded well to mtx, prednisone, Enbrel, Humira and is doing best with Xeljanz, She also has FMS/CFS and we recently learned she has alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (ZZ). (She had constant sinusitis as a child which may be related to the alpha-1 and infection possibly triggering the RA) I would love to get her enrolled in a clinical trial involving augmentation therapy (Prolastin) replace the antitrypsin since it appears to have an important anti-inflammatory and immune system modulating role in the body. Thanks

Answer

The key would be the frequent infections could cause Candida overgrowth which can cause and/or flare the fibromyalgia. The fibro symptoms are often confused as coming from the RA, so if she has severe red swollen joints then that to me is from the RA, but other symptoms may not be. Treating the Candida and treating the fibro with our SHINE protocol may result in marked improvement. For the RA, adding antibiotics

can be helpful as can many natural supplements.

L&B,
Dr. T