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By Jamie Berke, About.com Guide to Deafness since 1997

Possible Effect of Congenital Rubella Syndrome?

Tuesday May 20, 2008
Sherry Wallis has posted a new response to the earlier post, "Desperately Seeking..Rubella Babies." Wallis, in comment #10, says she is experiencing a very unusual symptom as follows (I did some slight editing):

My mother came in contact with rubella while 3 months pregnant with me. I’m 44 yrs old now. I’ve had many health issues, congenital cataracts, chronic bronchitis and asthma, osteoarthritis of the middle spine, left knee and ankle, and a narrow urethra. But what brought me to this site is a digestive problem I’ve had for 9 months now. The doctors are stumped, so I’ve been searching for answers. My esophagus and small bowel are narrowing, so I live on baby food, prunes, and milk of magnesia. I’m trying to find out more information on Congenital Rubella Syndrome, this could be a breakthrough for me and anyone else that has or may have GI tract problems, as Crohn’s, IBS and IBD have been ruled out. Feel free to contact me, the more information we have, the better for all of us.

Comments

June 3, 2008 at 1:43 pm
(1) Susan Hall says:

The Helen Keller National Centre is a good place to contact for more information about Congenital Rubella Syndrome and late manifestations of medical issues associated with CRS. Nancy O’Donnell has done a considerable amount of research in this area. This would definitely be a good place to start. Good luck!

December 2, 2008 at 12:47 pm
(2) Shay Moore says:

Sherry, I to have CRS and have had digestive problems. I had a hernia that was corrected by surgery years ago. It took a long time to diagnos. I also have congenital cataracts, glaucoma,hypothyroid,asthma, a seizure disorder and other neurological symptoms with no known cause. It was by accident that I was told that I had CRS. I hope it helps to know that you are not alone. For years I thought that I had mental problems as some Doctors felt that some symptoms were all in my head.

December 12, 2008 at 2:18 pm
(3) Bonnie Maiello says:

I am 43 and have ear deafness a closed eustatian tube, 2 blood tumors, hashimotos thyroid all before I was 12. I had learning issues in school, OCD issues, anxiety, epstein barr virus, swollen spleen, GI issues, hernia, gallbladder, and now appendix removal. My mom “says” she had rubella in her 5th month. Seemed no big deal to her. MY ENT dr says I have CRS. It finally explains everything. I am in search of any information I can find. Does anyone know if I have this could I transfer it to my 3 daughters? I would love to know if there is a forman we can all talk about this.

December 16, 2008 at 7:42 am
(4) Sue says:

Hi everyone. I’m 52 years old and was diagnosed with CRS as a child. I have bilateral deafness, blind left eye and glaucoma in both eyes, heart operation at 4years of age, diabetes needing insulin, thyroid problems, psoriasis (a skin disease) and arthritis which has meant three operations. I have also be told I have GORD Gastric Oesophagical Reflux Disorder. So it does not surprise me to hear that you are having this problem. I wish I could give you the magic answer but I don’t have it. I wish you well. You are not alone. There are many people with CRS. I live on disability benefits but I have a wonderful partner and a mostly happy life. We don’t have children. I have friends and have had a good education. So CRS does not spell disaster. I wish you well.

July 10, 2009 at 1:07 pm
(5) Fatema says:

I am 67 years old and I have CRS. I was born blind and deaf on my right side. Also born with heart mummur. I am a small woman with a small head. Doctors do not seem to interested that I have CRS. I have stomach and intestinal as well as a little swallowing problem at times. I also have Diabetes and a little bit of a balance problem.

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