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!

[mygoode]

I would also ask your doctor to check into the autoimmune disease sarcoidosis.  Sarc symptoms can include night sweats, joint pain, shortness of breath, granuloma formation, enlarged lymph nodes, weight loss, chronic fatigue, fevers of unknown origin and several other odd things like swelling of the eye (uveitus), parotid (salvary) gland and lymph nodes, facial palsy (as is the case with neural sarc) and a whole host of other weird stuff which makes it really hard to diagnose.  Typically a lymph node biopsy is required to diagnose it with any amount of accuracy.  They're not sure what causes it, as biopsies don't reveal any foreign bodies, but mold is one of the many suspects.  This disease can range from symptom free to fatal so you should discuss it with your doctor.

Good luck!
Misty

[emmymaupin]

I have had similiar symptoms...mild asthma and then a spasming cough that lead to brought to the ER on a stretcher, followed by almost 6 weeks of a low grade fever, usually from 99.2-100.5, with a 3 day break and then returned.  I have had an X-Ray on my lungs, which came back okay, CatScan on my lungs, also okay.  I have been on 2 sets of Antibiotics, the first for 5 days, and the second dose of 875mg's twice a day for 10 days.  Yesterday I started my third dose of predizone.    Upon my first blood test, the only thing out of wack was that I had 14500 white blood cell count.  They are performing a second blood test now.    I'm 5'1, and have dropped from 102lbs to 92 during all of this and am really fearing getting any thinner.  

If you ever figured out what your illness is I would love to hear!! My doctor has, "run out of ideas."

[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.

[PlateletGal]

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

[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 !