The Lupus Forum banner

fevers

856 views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  greenhaggis 
#1 ·
When you have low grade fevers, how long do they stay? I've had mine for a week.

The fevers can range anywhere's from 99.1 or 99.8 and they do not go past 100.3. They vary through the day.

Is this called a flare?

Does your doc give you anything and are you supposed to take an anibiotic when that happens?

Postie
 
#3 ·
My low grade fevers tend to run 100-100.5 and last a day to several days and on rare occasion a few weeks. I would hesitate to call anything around the 99 mark as a fever, doctors certainly wouldn't consider it a fever. Our temperature normally starts off low upon waking in the morning and rise through the afternoon hours. So some of the fluctuation you see could be your body's natural fluctuation during the course of the day.

I usually have other symptoms when I get the low grade fever, most especially fatigue, joint pain, and a generalized flu-like feeling. I will also most definitely feel too warm too. When all these things combine, then I know it's a lupus flare when it is the familiar pain/fatigue that ratchets up a few notches plus the fever. There are other times when I know it's a viral or bacterial infection (usually get sore throat or sinus pain or GI troubles when it's something else than lupus).

I just ride them out too, and a doctor tends to not prescribe anything for a low grade fever likely due to lupus flare. If you have other symptoms consistent with an infection (sinus pain/headache, sore throat) then you should go in to your GP who will determine if you have a bacterial infection and need antibiotics.
 
#4 ·
I have my fever since last Saturday. But it's been pretty good today. It only ran around 99.1 or 99.3. That was really good. But I know at night it's not unusual to climb. I just took it right now and it's 100.6.

But The other day my temp was like 100.3. Never got any higher and it would fluctuate to lower and then back up in the day. I know when I go to bed the temp drops to 99 something.

Since it's just low grade fever I know I don't need to treat it. Also my doc said since I don't have any symptoms with it, then don't take ibuprofen or tylenol.

So since I'm able to do stuff and not feel sick, but have the temps where they are since last Saturday, could I have some infection or is just most likely related to my illness?

If a person has an infection, I always thought you have symptoms?

So do I just let this ride out since I've had it or a week? Is this usually what it does on others when they get fevers?

Postie
 
#5 ·
Postie,
I can say that I have them on and off through the day and night and sometimes it is a flare coming other times it is just the fever. Mine can be sle, infection, the change (have been having no reason fever since I was 22 years old). If it is bothering you call the doctor and ask if you should be worried. In the mean time try cool rags, comfie clothes, and maybe a little extra sleep would not hurt. Hope you feel better soon.
Tammy
 
#6 ·
Hi Tammy:

I didn't think having the temps. was bad. But I went to this specialist yesterday---but he was a jerk and said alot of stuff.

Anyways, I have low white count and low neutrophil. He said I had to be on Cipro right now. He said any fever is an infection.

So to me since I didn't feel sick, it didn't bother me. So that's what I was wondering.

If the fevers just gradually go away.

I haven't been diagnosed yet with Lupus, but am pointing towards it. I am diagnosed with CFIDS.

So just wondering your thoughts.

I already had called my doc the other day and she said I don't need to take anything for the fevers but she would have to see me to see if there's an infection. I didn't really want to go back again.

I don't burn up with the fevers. I feel ok so I don't need any cool rags or anything.

But I am going to bed now because I'm really tired. So maybe I'll get some input about my little problem.

Thanks,

Postie
 
#7 ·
Postie,

When you have a fever, it is normally your body's way of telling you that you have an infection be it viral or bacterial. Other people, like ourselves, who have an autoimmune disease, could also relate the fever to a flare. I have found that the best way for me to tell if I needed to see a doc and get any medication would be just how miserable I felt. Now, my white count runs low because I am on immunosuppressants and my medications are working. I'm not sure if you are on any certain medications that would lower your count, but it concerns me that the doctor gave you an antibiotic just because of that. Now, if you feel miserable then by all means, you may need it. Otherwise if you take an antibiotic that you really do not need, your body will build up a tolerance to it and eventually it will not work. Then you will have to go to the next level and so on and before long, you might start running ot of options. Some of the "super drugs" such as Vancomycin are highly expensive and your insurance could refuse to pay for it. Back in 2005, one of my doctors prescribed it to me. Insurance didn't think that I needed it and the cost of the medication would be $1009.00..............talk about heart failure! If you feel miserable, then by all means take your medication. I am not trying to tell you otherwise. When I get my fever, I do notice that my butterfly rash is more pronouced that normal. As for the time of day that a fever reaches its highest, I have found is usually between 3-8 pm. Gotta love those cirrcadium rhythms. Gotta love them. Hope you get to feeling like your old self soon.

Nancy
 
#8 ·
Postie,

Not sure if this helps as the medical profession seem to cotradict lots of things in Lupus, BUT I suffer with temps 99-101! My Lupus is not quite controlled yet and one of the pointing factors to this is my higher temps! I take Paracetamol every day and my temp still stays high - the only thing the helps my temps come down is Pred.

My Immunologist and GP both have the opinion if a temperature is high and I have no other viral type symptoms (sore, troat, runny nose, ear pain - any viral illness), then it is more likely to be connected to Lupus.

Take care,

Lesley
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top