Help please.

[Charley123]

For about 1 month I have had a fever of 99º-101º and my doc has just run a 3rd set of blood tests.  My body feels sore and my sed rate and WBC rate is up.  So far no virus or bacterial tests came back positive, including H1N1.  My doc put me on steroids for a week and my fever and ON symptoms left for about 5 days, but returned and have not left.  
Antibiotics did nothing.  
My question is this, does anyone have fever with Optic Neuritis flare ups, or MS flare ups?  Does anyone have an elevated rheumatoid factor during flare ups.   I am getting really weak and it's getting really hard to do just about anything.  My doc thought I might have rheumatoid arthritis, but I don't have any joint pain-it's all in the muscles.  Thanks, Charley

[borntolose102]

How in the hell can a doctor say a "mild case of ms"..that is insane

[chas05]

Saw my PC this AM. He is sending me to an Oncologist to "rule out" leukemia Aug 5th. He also mentioned something about bone marrow. I'm 69 now and can't remember all details anymore. Fever is somewhat better and I'm not quite as weak.

Appreciate your response!!! Will let you know results.

I've had IC for 30 years. Very painful stuff especially with the bladder lesions. Was hoping I could avoid other painful conditions for a little longer!!! But I guess it just comes with the "territory"!!! Nothing like growing older!!!!!  "Ain't for sissies" for sure!!!!

Charlie

[Charley123]

I was sent to a rheumatologist as the first dose of prednisone only stopped the fever and aches for a couple of days.  My sed rate was about 154.  I was told I have Polymyalgia Rheumatica and possibly Giant Cell Arteritis.  I was put on antibiotics at first before the prednisone, and that didn't do anything.  I had lots more blood work done and am waiting to see what that is all about.  The rheumatologist put me on 40mg of prednisone for 2 weeks, then possibly stepping down the dose for another 3 weeks.  My mother, who is 93 has had MS for many years and told me that she also had PMR for 6 years and was on prednisone for that time.  Not sure of the accuracy of her memory there.  

After a few days that took the fever down and most of the body aches away, but not the visual problems.  They seem to be getting worse. I have a lot of pain in the right eye and now some in the left and am having more pain in both temples and tender, sore spot on the top of my head.

This week I am going to see a surgeon about a possible biopsy of the artery in my head for GCA.  My MS symptoms are more active and I'm now walking with a cane as I am very out of balance.  I fell a couple of weeks ago and it wasn't pretty.  My own fault though as I stayed too long in the garden on one of those rare sunny New England days and the heat caused my right side to get numb and my balance to get crazy.

Chas05, how long have you had the fever and have you had your RH factor and Sed Rate checked?  That's what got me to the Rheumatologist.  
My Rheumatologist said that sometimes these inflammatory diseases come in a group-how wonderful.  She also told me that I might have the beginning of Fibromyalgia and that she could see arthritis in my hands. How nice.
My eyesight is blurry some of the time and I really am having trouble adjusting to this and being on prednisone and having all these other things besides MS.
My mind wanders and I am in brain fog most of the time...

On Friday, I go to my neurologist for another MRI and consult..whoopee.
Then early August I go to the Infectious disease clinic because even though I've been tested for Lyme twice and told that the tests were negative, I want to make sure that the tests I've had were done by people in labs that specialize in Lyme
Disease.  

Ever wonder-what next?  What a silly question to ask this group.  I don't know if I am coming or going.  Friends and family have been really a big help to me.  They even planted the vegetable garden for us this year.

Even though I haven't written in a few weeks I do read as much as I can so I know what is going on here.  I hope your feel my good thoughts coming your way because as much as I've wanted to write to some of you, my fingers have not paid any attention to what my brain wants them to do on the keyboard.  So this morning I feel a bit clearer-miracle for today-and just want you to know how grateful I am to be part of this group because I don't feel so alone in all this. Charley

[chas05]

I've had a fever for about 14 days now. Between 100 and 101.5 with the upper occurring early evening. Sometimes it's normal early morning. Eyes hurt, night sweating, weakness in my legs. Will finish antibiotics in two days. Dr indicates more tests this coming week (said white cells look "funky").

Charlie

[Charley123]

I haven't, but she is checking the rheumatoid factor.  She suspected rheumatoid arthritis.  My body has been grand central station for aches and pains, eye pain, fever and you-name-it.  

[kmil1999]

Have you been to a Rheumatologist yet?  Fever and high sed rate could be autoimmune.  K

[Charley123]

I was tested for Lyme and will not know until next week.  I am seeing my PCP.  She took 5 vials of blood and is going to do lots of tests. She is also sending me to an infectious disease clinic to be tested.  4 weeks is far too long to have a fever.  She is also testing me for mono.  If nothing conclusive comes back, I'll call the neuro.  

[Lulu54]

Besides Lupus have they screened you for Lyme Disease?  That pops into my mind as a possibility as well.

Fever doesn't fit the MS profille - at least not as you are experiencing it.  Are you seeing your PCP or the Neuro?  I would go back to the neuro if you're not already.

feel better,
Lulu

[Charley123]

I don't know if that's in the new series of blood tests.  I was tested several years ago for all the MS mimics and they came up negative.  My neurologist told me I have a mild case of MS, but lately it doesn't feel so mild.  Something else is happening and I do hope they find out what.  Thanks for your post.

[wadeheather]

Are they looking at Lupus as a possibility?