Fevers

[mumofR]

My son with adrenal insufficiency recently had a crisis. Since then he had tonsilitis requiring 2 different courses of antibiotics.

He is running a low grade fever most of the time now but spiking high at times. He had a throat swab done after the antibiotics finished and has no strep and his bloods for Epstein Barr are negative so no glandular fever which is good news.

He pulse rate is erratic going between 80+ and 120+ whilst sitting still!

THe doctors can't find a usual focus for infection so does this mean his body systems are just out of whack completely or do I need to be making the docs explore further for an infection?

He is already on a stress dose of steroids and we have been told to keep him on that till symptoms settle.

I am so confused!

Any suggestions as to how to proceed?

[mumofR]

Thanks! It certainly has been a reality check for me.
Son is now about back to normal. Almost back to maintenance dose and all is well so far.
I think I have to learn that it is going to take him even longer for his body to normalise and fully recover after following any major stress, in his case a crisis followed by tonsilitis! I guess expecting him to be recovered in a couple of weeks is too much to ask now.
A very steep learning curve.
Paeds tomorrow for, hopefully, full test results including his last synacthen! Maybe, just maybe, some answers!
Thanks again
R

[calamfred]

So glad he is feeling better! It sure is a "reality check" to see how the AI effects everything...even eustress (good stress) can effect the AI. My husband's Endo has given him a list of things that may precipitate stress dosing, from illness to vacation...
Take Care,
C

[mumofR]

Thanks for the replies.
The good news is he is doing better today, at last!
We have been in contact with the paediatriians all the way through. At the moment we don't have an endo specifically as we are still waiting for his paediatric team to reach a decision on why he is having adrenal problems!

We have increased his salt. He has been having salty crackers and drinking gatorade but I think he needs more. His sodium level was okay when he had his bloods done on Tuesday.

I think I am still having to learn that recovery from anything will take a lot longer for him now.

[rumpled]

Are you increasing his salts as well to help his through this - this well help lower his pulse and keep his sodium where it needs to be.

I know it takes me a lot longer to recover from anything. I got the flu (bleah) in early August and it took me a month to get over it!

[calamfred]

Have you spoken with your son's Endo Dr., too? I am sure you have, I know my husband's Endo Dr. has us call him as well as whichever Dr. we are also seeing, like if my husband has a sinus infection, and sees his ENT, we have to call the Endo as well, for the stress dosing, etc...I know that having fever can make the pulse increase. I am guessing the Dr.s also cultured some of your son's blood to see if there was anything? It may be that it just seems to take longer for people with ai to get over illnesses, stress, etc...it sounds like the Dr. is on top of things, what with your son being on stress dosing, and you are doing what you can to help...I wish I could help more, I am sure there will be others along who will have suggestions...I hope your son feels better soon, as a mom, I know when your child feels better, then you feel better...
Take care,
C