[bpssuzy]

Hi,

I've got a question regarding lupus and low grade fevers. I was diagnosed with lupus just over a year ago and at that time I mentioned to my rheumy that I had been running low grade fevers on and off for quite some time, she chalked it up to one of my many lupus symptoms. Once I started on Plaquenil the fevers eased up for a while...until about 6 months ago. I have run a fever of approx. 100 to 101 for 6 month straight with an occasional fever as high as 102. I was placed on Prednisone 10mg in November which helped the joint pain considerably but no help with the fevers. My rheumy feels that the fever should have come down with the prednisone and therefore believes that it is not a rheumatalogical issue. I've since been through every blood test, ct scan, mri, echocardiogram, etc. and the doctors have found nothing...they want to send me to an infectious disease specialist (not sure what is left to test for!).

Sorry for the ramble but my question is this...can it be normal to run a consistent low grade fever while on a low dose of prednisone? Especially considereing that the fevers have been present from about the time that my other lupus symptoms began. It would seem to me that if this is in fact possible that maybe all this testing is really a waste of time and money. Please let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Suzy

 

[tbunny1]

I've run prolonged (months) fevers at or above 100 degrees while on predisone, and recently spent a week at around 101-102 while on methotrexate and pred. I know it can and does happen.

I just think it supprises the medical world, because all they have been taught says it can't. Prednisone is suppossed to hide all the symptoms of infectious disease.

Lupus is just weird, and refuses to play by the rule book!

 

[Pink Pearl]

Hi Lucy,
Have you kept a chart of your temps? I think this may show your rheumy that you are not as well controlled as she thinks you should be.
Personally, I would delay the ID doctor. They don't, as a general rule, have much experience with autoimmune diseases.....they aren't infections after all. If you get pressure to go, and you don't think it is important, then maybe get a consult with a different rheumy.
Sally

 

[onetay]

Suzy,
Yes you should keep a book of your temps and see if there is any pattern that might help find another reason for it. I too have off and on low grade fevers and it is part of the lupus as most will tell you, but it can also be a sign of some kind of infection so that would be my guess as to why they want to send you to if this is what is going on or it is just the lupus. I would think (but am not a doctor) that it is lupus related and depending on your age it could also be medipause starting. Just one more thing to think of and if you have had a hystor. then it might start even sooner mine did and is still in full swing. Unless you have other symptoms other than the fever I would not be so concerned about it at this time.
Tammy

 

[bpssuzy]

Thanks for your responses. I really feel like I've been put through the mill lately with all the tests. Just knowing that this could in fact be lupus related despite the prednisone, makes me believe that I should pursue the possiblility further with my rheumy before seeing an infectious disease specialist. I appreciate everyones input!

Thanks again,

Suzy

 

[Zoi]

Hey there,

Fever can definitely be a lupus symptom but please bear in mind that prednisone can sometimes mask and dull the symptoms of infections, turning what might have been a case of full blown pneumonia for example to a mild cough and a low grade fever....

I realize you've had the fever for quite some time and granted if you've had the fever for a long time it's probably due to your lupus, but I do think it might be an idea to go to that infectious disease specialist appointment and talk about your fevers with the specialist just to be on the safe side.

Hope you get to the bottom of this very, very soon!

:flowery:

Zoi