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Posted 6/13/2007 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
What happens to our bodies when we have low grade and I'm talking like 99.5 and .6 every time we do things. Such as clean, laundry and even like me who walk my dog.

I started wondering that last night. I mean it can't be healthy even if it is low grade or as the drs call low grade.

Veronica

Posted 6/13/2007 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi veronica,

For most people, fever is your body fighting an infection. Even people with Lupus have to rule out an infection when they get a fever before assuming it is caused by their disease. I still haven't found out "why" a person with Lupus or autoimmune diseases get low grade fevers but I would guess its from the inflammation in the body. Physical activity can cause a slight raise in temperature as well. Due to different conditions, your body is always trying to keep your temperature regulated. I usually blame autoimmune on the faulty wiring but I'm careful to make sure that nothing else is causing it.
Posted 6/13/2007 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Veronica, Des,

 

that is a good question!!  I was never told to keep track of my temperature, and wonder, these low grade fevers pertain to all Lupus types?  Do you keep track of your body temps daily?

 

Take care,

Diane

Posted 6/13/2007 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Diane,

My rheumy asked me to take my temp three times a day for two months when I first started seeing him to get a baseline temp. That way I would know what a fever was for me because 98.6F could be normal for one and a fever for another. That is the only way to know personally if you have a fever. If you have taken your temperature for the heck of it many times and saw a trend and consistency in the temperature, you could probably figure out your baseline that way. Temps do fluctuate throughout the day though and tend to be slightly higher at night so that is why I had to take it 3 times.
Posted 6/13/2007 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Just different people suggested that I take my temp.

I take it at rest first thing in the morning, then after I do something I take it just to see how high it goes and then at night.

In the morning it starts off at 97.3 or .5 and then depending at what I do it will go to 99.3 or above. At rest it will go back down to 97.6 and in the evenings it will go to 98.8 and sometimes lower but never back to starting point.

I just worry that with it going up and down if it's not hurting my organs.

I had the test ran and everythink came back normal. My dr though never explained why I have low grade fevers when I do things.

Veronica
Posted 6/13/2007 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
Everything but my iron was low dr put me on iron pills. I forgot to mention that. Sorry

Veronica
Posted 6/13/2007 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
My understanding is that the fevers either mean infection or inflammation. I do think that most of the low grade fevers that people with lupus get are a result of inflammation. Someone on this forum once told me that as a rule of thumb if your temp gets over 100.5 to call your doc because then the fever might be due to an infection and needs to be checked out. Before I started prednisone I had low grade fevers almost daily. At first I just got them int he afternoons/evenings then I eentually started out my mornings with them. Now that I'm on prednisone I only get fevers when I'm flaring pretty bad, so mine seemed to be due to inflammation. Next time you go to the doctor it would be a good idea to continue to ask why you spike fevers during the day - it is something that the doc should take into consideration. Hang in there and take care
Posted 6/13/2007 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
When I told hr about it she acted like she didn't care just like when I told her about my rash on my arm that had already cleared up and that when in the sin or at the house and I go into bathroom with ultravoleit light. She told me she wasn't concerned about my rashes.

Veronica
Posted 6/14/2007 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
I'd say that when you are feeling up to it, that it's time for another doctor for a second opinion. One thing you can do to find a good doc is to find out if there is a local lupus support group anywhere near you and attend a meeting. At the meeting you can ask some of the members for about their docs. You can let them know about your situation and they might be able to recommend a good doc who will really listen and treat your symptoms instead dismissing them. You can find out about lupus support meeting by going to lupus.org and they have a link for local chapters and support groups by state. Take care
Posted 6/14/2007 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
I just wanted to mention this. At a time when my temp was going up to 99.7 or so every day, and all else had been checked out and was fine, my doctor gave me some good advice.

"Stop taking your temperature."

I had become so fixated on it, and was so sure that it meant something was wrong, that it literally ruled my life. I had that darn thermometer beeping in my mouth all day long.

If your really feeling sick or feverish, then go ahead and take it, but if your feeling the same as you do day in and day out, try focusing on other things.

I know it did me a world of good. I let go of the fact that my temps were abnormal for now, and tried to just get on the best I could. When I was having the temp swings, it was before my diagnosis and I felt sure that something was being missed. (It was Lupus hehe) And that drove me crazy. But I let go of having to find out NOW, and tried to take it one moment at a time. It did help me a whole bunch.

My physician explained to me that it wasn't hurting my body, that it even could be called a variation of normal. My rheumy did explain to me as well that the temps are generally caused by the inflammation.

I agree with hippimom too, you need a second opinion. Hopefully you will find a good doc who will take care of you.

Darlene
Posted 6/15/2007 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all.

Veronica
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