I have a strange health issue

[Hull-onian]

Are there any nurses on Intercot? I have been running a temperature since about last October. In order to bring it down, I take two aspirin. It seems to help. It is about 100 degrees to 100.6. I feel weakened by it. :( I have been to the doctor (who is very good) but he didn't offer me any advice. I like my nurse practioner (she is excellent) she even writes me notes to get me out of work. She gives me short courses of antibiotics. I do feel better, but only for a brief time. I want to be healthy when I go WDW. But I am not feeling it. Any suggestions, any oned?:confused:

[Stitchahula]

I would definately try a different doctor then. I'm not in the medical field but I feel strongly that you get checked out.

[betteratmk]

:ill: I woulddefinitely get another opinion. Has your group done any testing at all? At the very least blood work? A urinalysis as well. Any inflammatory conditions in your family? Arthritis?

[Hull-onian]

:ill: I woulddefinitely get another opinion. Has your group done any testing at all? At the very least blood work? A urinalysis as well. Any inflammatory conditions in your family? Arthritis?
Those are all good questions. Yes, I have had blood work done. A urinalysis too. Yes I have arthritis really bad. This is why I am so concerned, because, when I go to Disney (and everyday life) I want to feel well. Not :ill:.

[crazypoohbear]

have you been tested for allergies?
I have tons of envirnmental allergies and sometimes I get a low grade fever, feel punky, tired and just "not right"
When I start taking my allegra 180 religiously I start to feel better.

[MNNHFLTX]

Definitely get a full work-up done by a doctor, if possible. Running a fever (even low-grade) for several months is not normal. And being on short courses of antibiotics is probably not doing anything for you except making any bacteria in or on your body resistant to treatment. Plus taking aspirin fairly frequently is not good for your stomach.

It could be something viral or an inflammatory reaction related to the arthritis, but once again that is a really long time to have a fever.

[garymacd]

I am not a doctor and I am going out on a limb here, but has your doctor run a test for Lyme disease? Also check yourself for signs of tick bites. They leave a distinctive "bulls-eye" where you were bitten. It may have faded by now. You may be completely unaware that you were bitten.

Watch for weakness, dizziness, low-grade fever, flu-like symptoms. In later stages, watch for extreme weakness, balance problems, feeling "muzzy" headed, difficulty concentrating, difficulty speaking, stiff and sore joints like arthritis.

Warning: First Aid lesson coming!

If you find yourself in tick infested areas, tuck your pants into your socks, button your shirt up to the neck and cuffs. Wear light coloured but not bright coloured clothes (they are easy to see on light coloured clothes, but they are attracted to the ultraviolet reflections from really bright colours). Ticks are jumpers, so stay on the path. Try to keep your dog on the path as well.

When you get back to the cottage or home, check yourself and pets over for tick bites. They jump on and bury their heads under your skin. They are black, about the size of a pin head.

If you find a tick, don't pop it with a pin! Take a pair of tweezers, grasp the tick's head and gently pull it away from your skin. When it's out, then you can pop it. Wash the area with soap and warm water and call your doctor, especially if you left mouth parts under the skin.:ack: He should do a blood test and put you on antibiotics, then follow up with a second blood test about two weeks later. Could be wrong here. I have been before.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Hope0277]

Is the doctor you are seeing a primary care physician or a specialist? If you are not under the care of one already, you may consider making an appointment with a rheumatologist. Do you know if they just ran a regular metabolic panel and complete blood count when doing your labwork? Your physician may want to run more specific tests (thyroid, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody). If you have no liver problems, I would recommend acetaminophen (tylenol) instead of aspirin for your fever. Do not take more than 1 gram per dose and no more than 4 grams per day. There are less gastrointestinal side effects with acetaminophen. Please find an alternate physician who will take the time to investigate this. Hope you feel better soon!!

[mrsgaribaldi]

See another doctor and I hope you're feeling better soon.:pixie::pixie::pixie::pixie:

[AHOTE]

I'm not a nurse or a doctor but...
Years ago I ran a low grade fever for almost 10 months. :ill: It would come and go. I never felt like I was 100% at any time. All the testing, which was extensive, came back inconclusive. Antibiotics and aspirin seemed to help but the fever would come back. It ran between 99 & 100. Well to make a long story short I went to a gastroenterologist and he discovered that I had a bad appendix. He did an ultrasound of my gallbladder, pancreas and appendix. The appendix wasn't inflamed, as in ready to burst or causing pain, but it was leaking very small amounts of fluid that my body was able to absorb and fight off the resulting infection. Stress or over exertion turned out to be a trigger that released more fluid causing the fever response. The appendix came out the next day and no more fever. I can't say whether or not you have a similar problem but an ultrasound might just find out. I know how it feels to go though test after test hoping that they'll find something. I hope you find a solution soon and get back to feeling your best.

[VWL Mom]

I am not a doctor and I am going out on a limb here, but has your doctor run a test for Lyme disease?

This was one of the first things that came to mind when I read the post. A friend of mine went over a year before she was diagnosed.

[Mickey91]

I would definitely see a different doctor. Not that you don't have a great doctor, but a new perspective seems to be in order. Also, the Lyme disease idea is worth checking out. As is the ultra sound. A friend of mine had a diseased gal bladder that took a very long time and several different tests to diagnose. A temporature for that long a time is not normal and like another poster mentioned, continuing small doses of antibiotics will only make the bacteria resistant to it. I would start with a rheumatologist. If you have arthritis, he/she will be able to determine if it is a factor in your temporature. I will keep you in my prayers.

[WDWFanatic]

This was one of the first things that came to mind when I read the post. A friend of mine went over a year before she was diagnosed.

Ditto, the first thing I thought of was Lyme. It can be very tricky.

Please continue to get checked out.

[DisneyDog]

Lyme was the first thing that came to my mind too. The fever and the arthritis can be symptoms.

[Hull-onian]

have you been tested for allergies?
I have tons of envirnmental allergies and sometimes I get a low grade fever, feel punky, tired and just "not right"
When I start taking my allegra 180 religiously I start to feel better.
Yes, I saw a pulminary/respertory doctor. He diagnosed me with asthma. I went to Quincy Medical Center last week for a breathing test. I didn't get the results yet. Dr. Tarpy gave me Advair for a prescription. I do breathe better with it. I see him next week, and he will give me the results. Thanks

[Hull-onian]

Is the doctor you are seeing a primary care physician or a specialist? If you are not under the care of one already, you may consider making an appointment with a rheumatologist. Do you know if they just ran a regular metabolic panel and complete blood count when doing your labwork? Your physician may want to run more specific tests (thyroid, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody). If you have no liver problems, I would recommend acetaminophen (tylenol) instead of aspirin for your fever. Do not take more than 1 gram per dose and no more than 4 grams per day. There are less gastrointestinal side effects with acetaminophen. Please find an alternate physician who will take the time to investigate this. Hope you feel better soon!!
Thanks for the tip on Tylenol. I just take the aspirin and think it is okay. I am seeing an artheritis doctor this Thursday, March 12th. Now when I see him, I will ask him if he can look up my blood tests and see the results. If that doesn't show anything, I will make an appt. with my regular gp again.

[Hull-onian]

I would definitely see a different doctor. Not that you don't have a great doctor, but a new perspective seems to be in order. Also, the Lyme disease idea is worth checking out. As is the ultra sound. A friend of mine had a diseased gal bladder that took a very long time and several different tests to diagnose. A temporature for that long a time is not normal and like another poster mentioned, continuing small doses of antibiotics will only make the bacteria resistant to it. I would start with a rheumatologist. If you have arthritis, he/she will be able to determine if it is a factor in your temporature. I will keep you in my prayers.
Yes, when I go to the doctor's on Thursday, I will ask about Lyme disease. The only thing is, is that I live on the Atlantic Ocean, really not in the woods. But you bring up a good point. I am tired of being so tired. I will know more on Thursday. Thanks for keeping the thread going, because someone else out there might have a similar problem.

[Stitchahula]

ticks aren't only in the woods. In fact you can just as easily get a tick in your own yard as in the woods.

[Hull-onian]

ticks aren't only in the woods. In fact you can just as easily get a tick in your own yard as in the woods.

Thanks Coreen. Never thought of that. If you come to Nantasket Beach look us up. Would love to meet you.:mickey:

[Stitchahula]

Would love to meet you too. Let me know if you ever get out towards the Worcester area too. I used to think ticks were only in the woods too until grooming school many years ago. The flea and tick lecture I was scratching so hard I almost drew blood, I really hated that class.

[Hull-onian]

Would love to meet you too. Let me know if you ever get out towards the Worcester area too. I used to think ticks were only in the woods too until grooming school many years ago. The flea and tick lecture I was scratching so hard I almost drew blood, I really hated that class.

Uh,oh, with a class like that, I'd be scratching too. LOL.:puppy:

I only know how to get to Concord. I go there all the time. It is 45 minutes from my house.

[pdrlkr]

You may have an entity known as Fever of unknown origin (FUO). Basically it is a low grade fever that occurs on several occasions and lasts for at least 2 weeks in duration. There are many causes for FUO that range from infections (Bacterial or Virial) to collagen vascular diseases such as lupus. There are in fact many things can cause a FUO. However, in a large number of patients (about 10-15%) the etiology is never found. I suggest that you get a second opinion from an infectious disease specialist. By the way I am a Doctor (Radiologist) curently practicing in MI but moving to WV in less than 4 months. Let me know how things work out.

[betteratmk]

ticks aren't only in the woods. In fact you can just as easily get a tick in your own yard as in the woods. That is so true, my brother was diagnosed this past summer with Lyme Disease and he is definitely not an outdoor type of guy. Unfortunately it was 2 months after he had a heart attack. What type of arthritis do you have? rheumatoid or osteo? Another possibility is Chronic Fatique.

[Marilyn Michetti]

My DD was the third DOCUMENTED case of Lyme disease in 1989. She was taking care of the horses in an agricultural high school in Phila. The deer were everywhere. Not knowing much about the disease, they dx'd her with Mono because of the low grade temp.

Definately, check that possibility.:ill:

[Hull-onian]

You may have an entity known as Fever of unknown origin (FUO). Basically it is a low grade fever that occurs on several occasions and lasts for at least 2 weeks in duration. There are many causes for FUO that range from infections (Bacterial or Virial) to collagen vascular diseases such as lupus. There are in fact many things can cause a FUO. However, in a large number of patients (about 10-15%) the etiology is never found. I suggest that you get a second opinion from an infectious disease specialist. By the way I am a Doctor (Radiologist) curently practicing in MI but moving to WV in less than 4 months. Let me know how things work out.

To prove I have sense of humor, you will be a lot closer to Disney, and now you won't have to travel so far. :D

[Hull-onian]

That is so true, my brother was diagnosed this past summer with Lyme Disease and he is definitely not an outdoor type of guy. Unfortunately it was 2 months after he had a heart attack. What type of arthritis do you have? rheumatoid or osteo? Another possibility is Chronic Fatique.

It's osteo. Pretty painful. I always have fatique. I am thinking of just quiting my job and staying home. That way I can do Intercot all day.;) I get to retire in 21 months, but I don't know if I can wait that long. I have an appointment today March 12th, so we will go from there. All you guys on Intercot are great, really, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.:mickey:

[garymacd]

I have an appointment today March 12th, so we will go from there.

Keep us posted. And keep in mind that if you are too sick to work, there is always disability pensions from the government. I don't know how they work in US, but my beloved wife got one due to her condition, and also got her company pension plan disability. Makes life much easier.

[Hull-onian]

Thank you for your concern. I just booked one more doctor's appt. It isn't for three weeks yet. But that's okay I guess. Today they (the lab) took blood, so maybe they will see something, or nothing. I will keep you all posted. You are all very kind.

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

My first thought was something like Epstein Barr/Chronic Fatigue as well. I know it took forever for the doctors to diagnose a co-worker of mine when she had it years ago. She was always so tired she couldn't even function. She had to stop working for a while and she had 3 little kids at home at that time.
Good luck & let us know how you make out.

[adoptionislove]

Keep us posted!!!

[Hull-onian]

Well, the fever part is still on going. I have an appt on Friday March 20th. But I got back a blood test, and believe me I do not know how to translate any of it. One of them was, Cardio CRP 6.6 H. It represents a high cardiovascular risk. I don't smoke or drink, so I figure I am safe. Maybe not.:unsure:

[Hope0277]

While CRP (C-Reactive Protein) can predict coronary events, it may be elevated in other cases such as infection, autoimmune diseases, and other inflammatory conditions (arthritis). It is often elevated in those who have hyptertension and/or high cholesterol. Please keep us updated and feel better!!

[Hull-onian]

I just wanted to give a little update. My temperature has regulated between 99.3 and 100 degrees. Better than 103.6 etc. I am feeling a little tiny bit better. I am not taking aspirin or tylenol because I don't want to mask anything when I go to my appointment. That is all I can report for now. Thanks again to all of you for caring so much.:cloud9:

[WDWFanatic]

Thanks for the update, I'm glad you are feeling a bit better. Hopefully this is the start of only feeling great.

I also hope they are able to figure out what you have soon!