Low Grade Fever, Allergies, and Dysautonomia???

[DizzyGirls]

Hi all!  My mind is a bit muddled at the moment and I can't remember if I asked this question already, so please excuse the repeat if I have!  My daughters have been having these consistent low grade fevers for the past several weeks.  Both of them!  Thought it was a virus, but it's lasting too long.  I know viruses can vary, but this kind of comes and goes.  Since you all have some form of dysautonomia, thought I'd ask if any of you have problems with fevers and allergies.  Their PCP told me that it's not unusual to have a fever with allergies hence the name "hay fever".  I've had bad allergies all of my life and don't normally run a fever with mine, but I don't have dysautonomia.  So this is where you all come in.  From the pool of dysautonomia sufferers, do you have fevers with your allergies?  I've got this weird feeling that this is not allergy related.  My oldest already has Mast Cell issues (youngest doesn't) and mild autoimmune issues.  That being said, my gut is telling me this is more than just allergies.  What do you all think?

[Pistol]

Hey there @DizzyGirls - just wondering: could it possibly be the hot summer temps? I am not sure where you live but I know that my temp is up in the hot, humid weather. Also I feel worse when it is hot - I have to stay inside to function. Could it be the sane with your daughters? 

 

[DizzyGirls]

Hi @Pistol - It's weird, but normally my youngest loves the heat!  We live in CA and our area is very mild.  Not too hot, not too cold.  Humidity is mid 60's which is average for us.  This year the heat has been affecting both of them, even though it's not real hot.  It is about 73 today, so shouldn't even break a sweat, but she's felt terrible.  My oldest (who always has trouble with the heat) was having these low grade fevers today, too.  The fevers never get above 99.7, but when their normal is 97.6, that's quite a jump.  Oddly enough, too, they don't feel as bad at 99.7 as they do at 98.9 or 99.1.  My worry is that this is autoimmune.  Hoping you're right and it's just summer!

[Pistol]

@DizzyGirls - if you suspect autoimmune maybe you could ask your doc to run ESR, CRP and ANA labs? If the temps are caused by AI then the labs may show something since that would mean they are in an AI flare right now? My PCP often runs the labs when I am active with AI issues nd often something is elevated. 

[p8d]

I get these low grade fevers from my AI disease flares.  It’s one way I know the AI is flaring.  Are either of them being treated for one?  My fevers lessened when I started Plaquenil and are even fewer now on SCIG. I also get malaise and generally feel awful.  I don’t get them from allergy flares.

[DizzyGirls]

Hi @Pistol and @p8d!  My oldest daughter is being treated for AI.  They don't really know what kind she has (other than Hashimoto's), but her ANA titer had gotten to 1:160, which I know isn't high, but doctor said a definite positive.  My mom has lupus, dermatomyositis, and Sjogren's, as well as EDS (which is not AI).  So, my gut has been telling me what you both have said.  The low grade fevers, generally not feeling well, and extreme fatigue.  My oldest is on Plaquenil and had gotten her fevers under control for about a year, but now they have popped up again.  What is SCIG?  My mom had been receiving Rituxan infusions, but had to stop for some IVIG.  Think this will warrant a message to their PCP.  Thank you both for confirming my gut, it's usually right, but occasionally is just indigestion!

[toomanyproblems]

I get low grade fevers a lot but I have known AI conditions.

I'm going to say this with the risk of people getting so mad that they fly over to my house and set me on fire  But temps lower than 98.8 don't mean anything (short of actual hypothermic temps or course) except that's your normal. It doesn't mean, for example, that when you have a temp of 98.8 or 99.0 that it's more of a temp for you than somebody else. High temperatures considered fevers are a response to inflammation or infection. Actual fevers are the body's response to infectious agents that will be killed or subdued by them. Infectious agents don't respond to variation from personal temperature normals (say a rise from 97 to 98), only to the normal physiologic rise of above 98.8 that inhibits or kills them. I realize people will disagree and that this is a widely held belief. My mom used to get so mad at me over this. But my ex husband is an infectious disease specialist and it's one of his pet peeves. I personally also have a normally low temp but I don't consider myself to have a fever until I get to around 100. Maybe this will make you feel better about their higher variation from their normal that's still below normal fever range?

[DizzyGirls]

Ha ha!  Well, I think flying over to your house and setting you on fire would not be a good thing to do!  I do understand what you are saying and it brings me to the thought that I shouldn't probably describe them as "fevers", but as a fluctuation of normal body temperature that makes them feel unwell.  A true "fever" per se, maybe not, but rather an uncomfortable state to be in.  I know that when my oldest was having her first go around with rise in body temp, her PCP had run another ANA and it was positive, also the titer had doubled since the previous test was run.  She was started on Plaquenil and the temp fluctuations went away.  She also started feeling much better!  This may be nothing more than just ol' dysautonomia and temp fluctuation, but, I have a gut feeling that this might have an AI component to it as well.  I'm not worried about the temp fluctuation, it's the fact that it makes them feel like they've got the flu.  If they didn't feel bad, I wouldn't even give it a second thought. 

[Pistol]

@DizzyGirls - you should go with your gut instincts b/c you have been right so often when it comes to your girls!!! -- My temps vary greatly from lower-than-normal to low grade fever ( 99.7 or so ). I can definitely tell when it is up but also sometimes feel like I am running a fever when I don't. That feeling like having a fever is part of dysautonomia I was told by my specialist. I have noticed that many people have issues with temperature regulation on this forum so I assume that low grade temps can be part of it too ( but that is just my observation ). Although not yet diagnosed with definite AI ( will see the rheumatologist next month ) I have many AI symptoms and when they flare I usually run a temp, so I believe that it is possible your daughter is having AI issues. However - the fact that they both run these temps at the same time is odd and makes me wonder if it is something else. Regarding allergies and fever - my daughter has severe allergies and asthma but does not usually run a fever when her allergies flare, so I am not sure if allergies normally cause an increase in temperature. So - I guess I am saying that I suspect it is possible that they both are fighting off an infection since they also both feel bad? 

[p8d]

@DizzyGirlsSCIG is subcutaneous immunoglobulin.  Same as IVIG but subcutaneous infusion.  Less chance of the headaches, cannot remember the medical term today, bad brain fog.  When I get the low grade fevers (or not quite!) I get the terrible flu-like malaise, achy, joint pain, just feel horrible.  This also happens if I overdo it, so I know to allow plenty of rest.

[DizzyGirls]

Thanks @p8d and @Pistol! Sent a message to her PCP this morning requesting some AI labs, just in case.  It's something you don't want to let go.  I'll keep you updated!