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Posted Today 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Good afternoon-

   I am not firmly diagnosised with anything but have been battling something for a full year now.  Recently, I had a Doctor mention Fibro, though I am not sure...Any opinions would be great.

   I have had a fever for an entire year.  Last December, I started with a viral bronchits which lasted for 6 weeks...from there I continued with the fever and fatigue and mild joint pain. It then progresses into a viral thryoiditis.  Fever continued even when thyroid levels were good again. Infectious disease doctor couldnt find any problems. Last may, joint pain started bad with fever, fatigue and facial rash.  All bloodworks were good but sent to Rheumy.  He wasnt too interested when bloodwork showed normal.  All symptoms continued and was sent to the Cleveland Clinic for a workup...they did not find anything.  Local Rheumy dismissed me and my primary care doctor has run out of tests and referrals. I contacted the Rheumy from Cleveland who after hearing I am still suffering fevers, joint pain, muscle aches, exhaustion etc...mentioned fibro and last friday prescribed doxepin and suldinac (anti-inflamatory). I am just not convinced because of the fevers.  The anti-inflamatory is bringing my temp down, but it still comes back when it wears off. (Fevers never responded to OTC meds).

I am not sure what I am asking, but I guess any thoughts I would greatly appreciate as i have learned that I have to be the biggest advocate for myself as some specialist are pretty uncaring.

Thanks for reading and any thoughts!!

Teresa

Posted Today 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
Did they run an ANA test with titers, ESR, RA, CRP, lymes, or Comp 3 & 4?

If you don't know get a copy of the bloodwork from them ASAP.
Get back to us with the results and scores.
Meanwhile, try to find a different Rheumy, even if it means traveling some.
Posted Today 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the quick response.

Yes, several Ana all negative with the last in August being negative 1:40. Crp has been 1, lyme negative, sed 14 (normal).

The first Rheumy was local and he dismissed me with nothing wrong. The Cleveland Clinic Rheumy is 5 hours away and he is the one who I called this week (I saw him in Aug) and suggested Fibro though he didnt sound convinced but was willing to prescribe those meds.

I have seen so many doctors in the last year, I was relieved that the Cleveland Dr is at least interested. Though my primary care doctor is been great in this ordeal.
Posted Today 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Tah, and welcome!  I used to live in the Cleveland area and the doctors at the Clinic are surpurb!  That's why you got an interested doctor.  Is there a teaching hospital near you?  You might find a really good rheumy through that hospital.  I have an excellent one and I think he is affiliated with USF medical school here in the Tampa Bay area.  If you do your homework, check on line for patient reviews, ask friends...my hairdresser helped me....you hopefully can find a good, thorough doctor in your area.  I always look for board certified doctors and also doctors that are diplomates. 

 

Because of the rash on your face it made me wonder if they have ruled out lupus?  We with fibro can have what feels like joint pain but it's the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the joints we are feeling.  Some of us have arthritis, too, so it makes it difficult to tell what is going on.  I have quite a few other health issues along with fibro so I never know what is causing my problems!  smhair

 

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  Good starting links would be Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia.  You just might see yourself there.

 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

Posted Today 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Sherrine,

Thanks for the warm welcome.  I actually have been thinking lupus for awhile, but my bloodwork has been negative.  The Cleveland doctor is the one who casually mentioned the fibro and has put me on meds.  Yes, there is a decent teaching hospital locally and that is the Rheumy who basically dismissed me. (Though, the infectious disease doctor and endo were very concerned...that rheumy was a waste for time, so that is why I called the Cleveland dr again.  I know I should keep trying locally, but it gets aggreviating when I have had a fever for a solid year and the local doctor dismisses me.  Thankfully my primary believes in me or I would be in the funny farm. 

Does a fever resemble fibro?

Thanks again,

Teresa

Posted Today 9:56 PM (GMT 0)

Usually we get below normal temperatures.  A fever usually is an indication of some sort of infection.  How high is it?  I'm surprised that you are getting some of the responses you are getting because having a fever for over a year definitely isn't normal.  I think that can happed with Lyme.  Be sure you see a Lyme literate doctor, too, and they use the lab in Palo Alto, California called Igenex.  I think that's the name.  The Lyme forum could help you better with this info.

I hope you get to the bottom of this soon.  This has to be so frustrating for you...just not knowing what really is going on.  You could have fibro and something else, too.  Don't give up the search.  There could be a simple answer and then you would be given correct medication, too.  Please let us know what you do and what you find out.  We really do care about you.

Sherrine

Posted Today 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
You don't have to have a positive ANA to have lupus. You just need to meet 5 of the 11 indicators. They can be found on lupus.org or lupus.com. Check it out.
Posted Today 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Joy is right.  Check out our Lupus forum, too.  That rash is what is on my mind.  There has to be a reason for that.

 

Sherrine

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