Long term low grade fever, malaise and allergy symptoms

[GT500Girl]

I have had low grade fever for over a year now. I get malaise feeling that lasts for 2-3 months, then I seem to feel somewhat better for 2-3 months.  I believe I still have the fevers at that time though.  I also have allergy symptoms which include stuffy runny nose, inner ear itch, sore throat and burning eyes. I've been to see a ENT.  They thought it was allergies, but I'm not getting relief from the medications.  I did allergy testing and it came up with mild allergies to 3 molds, 5 of 6 grasses, 1 weed and cockroach dander.  I also have acid reflux or he believed that to be.  My throat looked like a cobblestone road when I first visited.  I take Nexium, Clarinex, Zyrtec and Nasonex.  I have done several blood tests, MRI and everything came back normal with exception of a little congestion from the MRI of my sinuses.  The next step is they want me to go to a Rheumotologist.  It's hard for me because I have no insurance.  The feeling of ill is really getting to me.  When I have my down months when I'm feeling really sick I feel like I have some kind of flu virus without the stomach part of it and really tired, no energy and just feeling sick.  I haven't lost my appetite or lost weight.  I've actually gained weight not feeling like doing anything.  This last time around I only got about a month break before the sick feeling came back again.  Please help.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree with the rheumatology referral.  Testing for various rheumatological conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can be considered with blood tests like an ANA or rheumatoid factor.

I would also rule out any infection.  A blood culture test looking for blood infections can be done.  If present, infections like endocarditis can be considered.  I would also obtain an HIV test and a PPD test to rule out TB.  

If infection has been ruled out, a thyroid test can be considered to rule out any abnormalities there.  

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_

[PlateletGal]

Just a suggestion... when you see one of these specialists, I would check with their office first to make sure this physician knows how to diagnose and treat CFIDS.

[CC2007]

Check into Lyme disease.

Musculoskeletal System
Joint pain or swelling or tenderness
Stiffness of joints, back, neck
Muscle pain or cramps
Bone pain
Heavy feeling in one or more limbs

Neurological System
Tremors or unexplained shaking (especially at night)
Burning or stabbing sensations in the body
Weakness or partial paralysis/stroke-like symptoms
Pressure in the head
Numbness in body, tingling, pinpricks
Poor balance, dizziness, difficulty walking
Increased motion sickness
Lightheadedness, wooziness
Sudden jerking of fingers or entire limbs
Pain in spinal column

General Well-being
Unexplained weight gain, loss
Extreme fatigue
Swollen glands
Unexplained fevers (high or low grade)
Continual infections (sinus, kidney, eye, etc.)
Symptoms seem to change, come and go
Pain migrates (moves) to different body parts
Early on, experienced a "flu-like" illness, after which you have not since felt well.  (If it was mild, you may not even recall this.)

Eyes/Vision
Double, blurry or dim vision
Increased floating spots
Pain in/behind eyes, or swelling around eyes
Over sensitivity to light
Flashing lights
Optic neuritis

Ears/Hearing
Decreased hearing in one or both ears
Buzzing or clicking noises in ears
Pain in ears or sound sensitivity
Ringing in one or both ears
Pressure or feeling of fullness in ears

Digestive and Excretory Systems
Diarrhea, irritable bowel
Constipation
Irritable bladder (trouble starting, stopping)
Frequent urination that is not normal
Upset stomach (nausea or pain)

Respiratory and Circulatory Systems
Shortness of breath, cough
Chest pain or rib soreness
Night sweats or unexplained chills
Heart palpitations or extra beats
Heart blockage

Psychological well-being
Mood swings, irritability, rage
Unusual depression
Disorientation (getting or feeling lost)
Feeling as if you are losing your mind
Overemotional reactions, crying easily
Too much sleep, or insomnia
Difficulty falling or staying asleep

Mental Capability
Memory loss (short or long term)
Confusion, difficulty in thinking, brain fog
Difficulty with concentration or reading
Going to the wrong place
Speech difficulty (slurred or slow)
Stammering speech
Forgetting how to perform simple tasks

Head, Face, Neck
Unexplained hair loss
Headaches, mild or severe
Twitching of facial or other muscles
Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy)
Tingling of nose, cheek or face
Stiff or painful neck or creaking
Jaw pain or stiffness
TMJ – sudden onset, jaw spasms
Sore throat, hoarseness
Loss of sense of taste
Difficulty swallowing, throat spasms

Females only:
Unexplained menstrual pain, irregularity
Unexplained breast pain, discharge

Males only:
Testicular or pelvic pain

LYME FACTS
1. You do not have to recall a bite or have gotten the target rash to have Lyme disease. Less than 50% of people with Lyme do.
2. The tick that carries Lyme is as small as the period at the end of this sentence and their nymphs are nearly microscopic.  Ticks are on the move at 35º and above. It’s a year-round problem.
3. You do not have to experience ALL of these symptoms to have Lyme disease.  It is also typical for many of these symptoms to come and go or occur once and never occur again.
4. It is possible to have Lyme disease and have a negative test result.  After Lyme bacteria enter your system, it tricks your immune system into no longer producing antibodies to fight it, hence, a negative test result. There are also other numerous factors that can affect the results. (Google: Lyme disease negative test results.)
5. Lyme bacteria hide in the spinal fluid, bone, tendons, muscle and nerve fibers and tissues and in many cases are not “floating” around in the bloodstream where they can be picked up on a test. It is a cousin to the syphilis bacteria and very difficult to eradicate.
6. It takes a LYME SPECIALIST to diagnose, test for and treat Lyme disease and any of its associated co-infections. To find one go to www.LymeNet.org.
or www.ilads.org.  Lyme specialists do not require a referral.  

NOTE: Everyone may have symptoms that appear on this list; however, it does not mean he/she has Lyme disease.  If one has numerous symptoms on this list and no other explanation for them, consider Lyme.

[Juliann99354]

Hello..
I've had a low grade fever as high as 102 and have constant sweats, chills, nasty neck pain, headaches, bad upper to lower back pain, can't sleep. I'm sooo tired and have gone into the ER tons of time and all my blood work comes up ok, other than my RDW SD I believe thats the one? That one for 2 months has been high? All the doctors just treat me for migraines and send me home... Never a CT scan or MRI or anything.. Just remind me of how many times I've been into the ER.. I am in consistant pain, wakes me up and I do very little with my daughter do to being sick and tired.. I am at a loss? I know it's not in my head, because I will be with my daughter at a friends house and be the only one dripping in sweat and pale? I have 2 herniated disks L5 & L4... I guess surgery is the next phase, but right now... I can't even work due to whats going on and the pain medications aren't working...
  Please, help me... I'm getting scared... My own family doctor just referres me out to specialists which I see in 2 months! and said I am going to get hooked on these pain meds.. Thats the less of my worries right now... Anyone has any advice, please tell me... OR just go to the ER with me and help me make the doctors see this is getting worse... 3 weeks of fevers and pain is getting out of control...
***@****
write me please and on here too!!

Thank you, Juliann Carlson

[khrizzy]

A related discussion, long term low grade fever was started.

[kayus]

A related discussion, Low grade fever was started.

[lilylilac]

A related discussion, do i sound like hiv was started.