6 weeks of fever and no answers

[ec0301]

I am a 34 y/o female with 2 young children and declining health and activity level.  I am known as a type-A type, highly active, very athletic person.  However in the past 12 months my health has steadily declined.  I have been ill regularly (every month at least) with respiratory, sinus, and terrible stomach viruses (vomiting and high fever).  Since November 07, my health seems to have turned even worse.  I was hospitalized for shortness of breath (I have always had mild asthma, but never like this!) at the beginning of December.  Though chest xrays didn't indicate pneumonia, doctors suspected a hidden bacterial infection and prescribed Zithromax for 5 days.  No improvement on Zithromax, so Levoquin plus prednisone 60 mg and steroid inhalers for 10 days.  No improvement to weakness and fatigue and frequent shortness of breath.  Also I have been running a fever for 5+ weeks (still); usually low grade (99.8-101) but occasionally over 103.  Still on steroid inhaler and albuterol for asthma, but now doctors are suspecting autoimmune disorder.  I have lost 20+ pounds in 10 months (at 5'7 was 151 - healthy weight for me, now 129), though I have been monitoring food intake and been eating normally (in fact have tried to increase fat intake, i.e. more red meat, 2% milk instead of skim, etc.).  Joints ache reguarly.  I have night sweats at least 4 times/ week.  I have not had my period for 6 months.

Chest x ray and CT at beginning of December did reveal a noncalcified, 1 cm pulminary nodule.  However recent PET showed no metabolic activity anywhere in body (AMEN!).  Will have another CT in 6 months to look for changes in the nodule.

EKG and Echo were normal at beginning of December.

Recent blood work showed negative ANA, but "Positive" ASCA IGG (46.7), and "Negative" ASCA IGA (15.4).  Also slightly low MPV (8.8) but otherwise normal CBC.  TB test negative.  MRSA test negative.

One more "clue"... recently tested vent system in home (new construction) and found positive for mold???  Doctors are stumped on what to do with this information.

I did some research on "Positive ASCA IGG" and this appears to point to Chrons?  This is very odd to me as I have always had a very healthy digestive tract and no stomach pain.

Any ideas on where to look next?
What does a "Positive ASCA IGG" mean if not Chrons?  Can Chrons have no digestive symptoms?  Any chance the mold has something to do with this?  My family and I are getting scared, and to say the least, frustrated.  Thank you!

[PlateletGal]

You may want to ask your physician to rule out Celiac Disease. If your physician rules out autoimmune diseases (including Celiac Disease), then you may want to ask him/her about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Good Luck !

[PlateletGal]

P.S. --- Also, I would definitely follow-up on that report of mold in your home.

[HUMANROADRUNNER2]

My husband has had a combination of your complaints and recently diagnosed with Post Viral Neuro Syndrome. After studying this we found numerous people with this have a history of Viral Meningitis as he does.  However, he to has a history of our home having black mold years ago. It would be interesting to see if you went to a pulmonologist or infectious disease doc and their response. Please let me know...

lynda in s.c.