99.7 F and going up!

[Boule de feu]

I am not doing well at all. My face is flushed and my temperature now shows 99.7 F. I have been having episodes like these - on and off - for about four years now. When I told my GP, I was sent to an infectious diseases specialist who did an extraordinary amount of tests on me. He agreed that I was pretty sick (he wrote that I have a systemic illness) but could not help me and sent me back to my GP.

I have been dealing with a sore throat since November 2005. My GP prescribed a mouthwash (nystatin, hydrocortisone, Benadryl) to help relieve my razor blade throat. It does not do much for me.

I can't take this anymore. Each episode makes me more tired. Can anyone tell me why I have peaks of temp and chronic sore throat? What can I do to get better?

 

[caledonia]

Anti-fungals such as cats claw, caprylic acid or grapefruit seed extract work for me, indicating it was caused by yeast. However, I did not have the sore throats just fevers. I don't know if having also having sore throats would rule out yeast. However, if the ID doc didn't find any bacteria or viruses, it would be worth a shot.

 

[bakercape]

Sounds like

Maybe you should try another infectious disease specialist and also an immunologist to see why where your immune system is at.

Either you have an infection that needs to be pinned down to get appropriate treatment( Viral, Bacterial, Fungal , Lyme, Mycoplasma etc.. etc...

Or your immune system is being depressed for some reason and you cannot keep one or multiple infections down. Maybe a good immunolgist could shed some light on this.

Could your house be making you sick. I know this is an outside chance but did you move into a new place 4 years ago. If so Sick building syndrome or mold/air quality could be a problem worth exploring.

There are some good immune boosters on Prohealth Inc, they are supplements that have helped some people.
Good luck

 

[Boule de feu]

Anti-fungals such as cats claw, caprylic acid or grapefruit seed extract work for me, indicating it was caused by yeast. However, I did not have the sore throats just fevers. I don't know if having also having sore throats would rule out yeast. However, if the ID doc didn't find any bacteria or viruses, it would be worth a shot.

I will try it. At this point, I have nothing to lose. Thank you! =-)

 

[illsince1977]

My temp goes up like ours occassionaly and I feel much worse when it does. Funny thing is when it comes back down I usually feel a tad better, but please keep this in context as I am currently bedridden, so a tad better isn't saying much.

As far as sore throats go, I rarely get them and feel for me that they are a sign that I'm actually coming down with something. When it happens I gargle with salt water. It is thoroughly disgusting, but it's the only thing that works. It gets rid of them altogether. It's worth a try!

 

[Boule de feu]

Maybe you should try another infectious disease specialist and also an immunologist to see why where your immune system is at.

Either you have an infection that needs to be pinned down to get appropriate treatment( Viral, Bacterial, Fungal , Lyme, Mycoplasma etc.. etc...

Or your immune system is being depressed for some reason and you cannot keep one or multiple infections down. Maybe a good immunolgist could shed some light on this.

Could your house be making you sick. I know this is an outside chance but did you move into a new place 4 years ago. If so Sick building syndrome or mold/air quality could be a problem worth exploring.

There are some good immune boosters on Prohealth Inc, they are supplements that have helped some people.
Good luck

Add to my symptoms:
Spells of dizziness (I have to lie down)
I feel very weak and sick to my stomach.
Severe pain in my legs and weakness in my arms - 9/10.
Severe headache - 8/10

I believe the infectious diseases specialist I saw was very good. He looked for everything under the sun. Name it and he probably looked for it. He was like Dr. House (without the cane, he was Chinese and very compassionate), so eager to figure it out! The Lyme test came back negative but I'm starting to wonder if I will request the antibiotics for that. Name one Lyme disease symptom, and I probably have it.

I had a Mycoplasma infection (nearly fatal pneumonia) when I was a young adult. However, my GP told me that my tests are negative for that.

I am severely allergic to molds (pneumonia). We have re-built our house in 2001.

I have tried an immune booster a few weeks ago, but I could not tolerate it. I will give it one more shot.

Thank you for your advice.

 

[Boule de feu]

My temp goes up like ours occassionaly and I feel much worse when it does. Funny thing is when it comes back down I usually feel a tad better, but please keep this in context as I am currently bedridden, so a tad better isn't saying much.

As far as sore throats go, I rarely get them and feel for me that they are a sign that I'm actually coming down with something. When it happens I gargle with salt water. It is thoroughly disgusting, but it's the only thing that works. It gets rid of them altogether. It's worth a try!

I don't understand how a few degrees extra can make me so sick. We are not talking major fever, here. It's low-grade fever. The highest my thermometer goes is 99.9 F. Very rarely 100 F. My children don't look as ill as me when they have a fever of 101-102 F! How is it possible?

When I was younger, I would have a sore throat every time I would spend a night at the club (lots of smoke) or when I was too tired. It makes sense that I have them non-stop, now. CFS is the ultimate fatiguing-illness. I have tried so many things for my throat... I searched the Internet to see what could cause it. My GP did many swab tests without any luck. It's red. It's burning. That is the only thing we know. It feels like I have been screaming all night at the hockey game.I will start the water-salt treatment on top of my magic mouthwash that the doctor prescribed. One or the other will eventually do the trick (I hope!).

So sorry that you are bedridden, too! =-(

 

[bakercape]

I've heard

Add to my symptoms:
Spells of dizziness (I have to lie down)
I feel very weak and sick to my stomach.
Severe pain in my legs and weakness in my arms - 9/10.
Severe headache - 8/10

I believe the infectious diseases specialist I saw was very good. He looked for everything under the sun. Name it and he probably looked for it. He was like Dr. House (without the cane, he was Chinese and very compassionate), so eager to figure it out! The Lyme test came back negative but I'm starting to wonder if I will request the antibiotics for that. Name one Lyme disease symptom, and I probably have it.

I had a Mycoplasma infection (nearly fatal pneumonia) when I was a young adult. However, my GP told me that my tests are negative for that.

I am severely allergic to molds (pneumonia). We have re-built our house in 2001.

I have tried an immune booster a few weeks ago, but I could not tolerate it. I will give it one more shot.

Thank you for your advice.

The Lyme tests are notoriously bad or so many Lyme docs say. I live on Cape Cod and the best Lyme docs seem to diagnose based on symptoms often. Maybe its worth considering like you seem to be already.

Do you live in a Lyme endemic area? Do you have pets that could have brought in a tick?

Have you had a stool sample to check for parasitic infections?

My CFS started with Mono and the chicken Pox but after about 8 months I shook the fever but was left with most of the rest of the symptoms of the mono. I hope you find some answers.

 

[soxfan]

I had a sore throat for 10 straight months in 2007-2008. It all started when I went on abx for Lyme Disease. I had it every day and it was like barbed wire in my throat. It went away in October 2008 when I went on IV rocephin for Lyme. I started IV and 3 days later the sore throat went away and I haven't had one since...
My husband (pharmacist) use to mix me up a solution called magic mouthwash and it worked great. I believe many dentists use this for canker sores. I don't know all the ingredients but some of it was maalox, benadryl and I think lidocaine but not positive. You might want to check into that. It relieved the pain unbelievably..

 

[Boule de feu]

The Lyme tests are notoriously bad or so many Lyme docs say. I live on Cape Cod and the best Lyme docs seem to diagnose based on symptoms often. Maybe its worth considering like you seem to be already.

Do you live in a Lyme endemic area? Do you have pets that could have brought in a tick?

Have you had a stool sample to check for parasitic infections?

My CFS started with Mono and the chicken Pox but after about 8 months I shook the fever but was left with most of the rest of the symptoms of the mono. I hope you find some answers.

I have heard the same thing about Lyme tests, but when I brought it up, my GP told me that I had the most reliable test for Lyme and it was not that. So, I did not insist. But now that I am looking at the list of symptoms, I'm starting to think that maybe...

Lyme in Canada is pretty new. We thought we were "safe". However, they find new cases almost everywhere now. We have a cottage and we had a dog. It could be a possibility.

Yes, parasites were checked.

I had what looked like mono when I was young but the test came back negative.

What causes low-grade fever and chronic sore throats besides CFS?

 

[Boule de feu]

I had a sore throat for 10 straight months in 2007-2008. It all started when I went on abx for Lyme Disease. I had it every day and it was like barbed wire in my throat. It went away in October 2008 when I went on IV rocephin for Lyme. I started IV and 3 days later the sore throat went away and I haven't had one since...
My husband (pharmacist) use to mix me up a solution called magic mouthwash and it worked great. I believe many dentists use this for canker sores. I don't know all the ingredients but some of it was maalox, benadryl and I think lidocaine but not positive. You might want to check into that. It relieved the pain unbelievably..

Thank you for your reply. In your case, it is the antibiotics that caused the sore throat or you were taking the abx to cure your sore throat?

BARBED wire - that's it!

I'm already taking a magic mouthwash (nystatin, hydrocortisone, benadryl) - not working too well.

If you don't mind, could you ask your husband what he would give to a patient that has been suffering from a chronic sore throat since November 2005. I'm pretty desperate right now. So fed up with this.

 

[Boule de feu]

Oops!

I forgot. One more symptom:

Earache.

They seem all related.

 

[bakercape]

I wonder

I have heard the same thing about Lyme tests, but when I brought it up, my GP told me that I had the most reliable test for Lyme and it was not that. So, I did not insist. But now that I am looking at the list of symptoms, I'm starting to think that maybe...

Lyme in Canada is pretty new. We thought we were "safe". However, they find new cases almost everywhere now. We have a cottage and we had a dog. It could be a possibility.

Yes, parasites were checked.

I had what looked like mono when I was young but the test came back negative.

What causes low-grade fever and chronic sore throats besides CFS?

If it could be some kind of strep that just won't go away. Just one more thought to throw out to you.

 

[Boule de feu]

If it could be some kind of strep that just won't go away. Just one more thought to throw out to you.

I appreciate any ideas/suggestions.

But strep would show on swab test, wouldn't it?

The fever has dropped a bit. With a good night sleep (I hope!), I should be able to get rid of it.
But, the sore throat - earache - headache are getting worse.
I have done the salt-water treatment and the burning is a bit better. I am gradually losing my voice.

 

[bakercape]

Ya

I appreciate any ideas/suggestions.

But strep would show on swab test, wouldn't it?

The fever has dropped a bit. With a good night sleep (I hope!), I should be able to get rid of it.
But, the sore throat - earache - headache are getting worse.
I have done the salt-water treatment and the burning is a bit better. I am gradually losing my voice.

it would. I hope you get better. :worried:

 

[Otis]

I'm already taking a magic mouthwash (nystatin, hydrocortisone, benadryl) - not working too well.

If you can, get some lidocaine for that throat pain.

I once had a sore throat so bad that a cough would knock me to my knees. The nurse practictioner gave me some lidocaine gel to gargle. Worked like a charm. That's one of those things I keep for rainy day.

Best wishes,
Otis

 

[Victoria]

I have had so many sore throats & low grade fevers over recent years & am currently having thyroid investigations due to my hoarse voice (of 4 months duration, as well as other symptoms).

I always feel that my body, during these episodes, is fighting some sort of virus , and the fact that it goes away after a certain period indicates to me that my immune system has fought off the attack. Most of the last 3 years, my "episodes" have not turned into anything in particular, although my GP acknowledges my temperature & agrees that I'm not well at the time (if I have actually gone to see him - I don't usually see him for a sore throat or low grade fever, it's usually something else).

I take good supplements & especially vitamin C (which seems to be working).

Gargling with salt & water is good too.

Some herbal teas could help eg Sage tea.

A steam inhalation of essential oils could help.

Rest, plenty of fluids ie water.

Try deleting dairy products for a week & see if there is any difference. Mould allergies as well as other food/chemical allergens may induce a permanent sore throat.

But I would see the low grade fevers as the body's response to viral attack & possibly might actually be a good thing.

If you're in constant pain, you may be breathing very shallowly. You may be breathing through your mouth with your mouth slightly open all the time, this may be drying out your throat & giving that sensation of sore throat. Ensure you are breathing through your nose.

 

[Boule de feu]

If you can, get some lidocaine for that throat pain.

I once had a sore throat so bad that a cough would knock me to my knees. The nurse practictioner gave me some lidocaine gel to gargle. Worked like a charm. That's one of those things I keep for rainy day.

Best wishes,
Otis

You can gargle with lidocaine gel?
Is it an over-counter medication or I need to see my GP for this?

Is there a link where I could find this product on the internet?

 

[Boule de feu]

I have had so many sore throats & low grade fevers over recent years & am currently having thyroid investigations due to my hoarse voice (of 4 months duration, as well as other symptoms).

I always feel that my body, during these episodes, is fighting some sort of virus , and the fact that it goes away after a certain period indicates to me that my immune system has fought off the attack. Most of the last 3 years, my "episodes" have not turned into anything in particular, although my GP acknowledges my temperature & agrees that I'm not well at the time (if I have actually gone to see him - I don't usually see him for a sore throat or low grade fever, it's usually something else).

I take good supplements & especially vitamin C (which seems to be working).

Gargling with salt & water is good too.

Some herbal teas could help eg Sage tea.

A steam inhalation of essential oils could help.

Rest, plenty of fluids ie water.

Try deleting dairy products for a week & see if there is any difference. Mould allergies as well as other food/chemical allergens may induce a permanent sore throat.

But I would see the low grade fevers as the body's response to viral attack & possibly might actually be a good thing.

If you're in constant pain, you may be breathing very shallowly. You may be breathing through your mouth with your mouth slightly open all the time, this may be drying out your throat & giving that sensation of sore throat. Ensure you are breathing through your nose.

It's amazing to see all the answers I'm getting. I am not the only one suffering from this. =-(

I can't sleep. My throat is still burning. You are right about the breathing part. I find that my CPAP machine helps me solve that problem. I can breathe more deeply with it. At least, I'm not sleeping with my mouth opened like I used to.

My GP makes me drink a glass of orange juice before going to bed but it is probably not enough vitamin C. I take a multi-vitamin which has 90 mg of vit C. I was wondering what would be the right dosage?

I have been drinking a lot of ginger tea for the nausea, and I find that it helps my throat a bit. It's like a soothing sensation, but it does not last long. I will alternate with the sage tea (thank you!) and see if it makes a difference.

The intolerance test showed that I can't eat eggs and other things, but nothing on dairy products. However, I had quit all dairy products a while ago to see if it would make a difference. You might be right. I had an ice cream (bad bad girl!) just before the sore throat started. I wonder if it is a coincidence. It could be it.

The problem with always having a sore throat is that after a while you start thinking that it is cancer. It becomes a psychological problem as well as a physical one. I've never met someone who had had a sore throat as long as me (almost 5 years now) and I wonder when it will stop. And since no one can tell me why I have it, I'm starting to worry that it might be something bad. Usually, I can live with the pain. But, most of the time, I can't stand it and my GP does not know what to do anymore. At some point, I was taking Benzydamine (a gargle). My throat was burning more, so I would not take it.

You are mentioning that a virus is in there. That's what I think, too! I can feel when it shows up and when it leaves me alone a bit (like the cold sore virus). In November 2005, my doctor told me that a virus really really liked me. In February 2006, the virus was still there. I had to stop working because of this bad virus... I'm afraid it will never leave me unless some genious specialist finds a cure for what I have.

Would the virus be XMRV? Could it give a sore throat?

One more thing before I go. A few months ago, they found nodules on my thyroid. After several tests, the specialist assured me that everything was fine. So, I know what you are going through. Hang in tight!

 

[taniaaust1]

I suffered badly from the feeling like swallowed razor blades kind of sore throats for the first 2-3 years of CFS/ME along with fever (my fever my body used to usually have almost constantly was 39C /102 F) .. nothing seemed to work on it and I couldnt eat sometimes as it was that bad, it hurt too much for me to swallow. I myself think it was some "virus", one thou the doctors couldnt find so they just kept on telling me it must be just another virus. whatever it was, with all their tests, thou they could see i was sick, they were unable to work out what was the cause.
it was the same thing either constant or coming and going.
........

Make sure it isnt mold sensitivity (thou sore throats I get from mold arent as sharp as the sore throat i had back then).
............

One of the best things Ive found for sore throats is propolis extract or propolis lozengers. Something bees make to protect their hive from infection. Its soothing on the throat and very antibacterial so not just soothing but also boosts immune system.

My GP makes me drink a glass of orange juice before going to bed but it is probably not enough vitamin C. I take a multi-vitamin which has 90 mg of vit C. I was wondering what would be the right dosage?

Orange juice from supermarket is usually not actually a good source of vitamin C as they pick the oranges before they are fully ripe and oranges develop most of their vitamin C when they are ripe and need to ripen on tree to get it. (hence why one sometimes see that vitamin C has actually been added to the orange juice!!).

90mg of vitamin C if you are trying to use it theraputically will do next to nothing. If im coming down ill I take up to 6 grams (6000 mg per day broken up in 2-3 doses, with also the addition of bioflavonoids which help the absorption of vitamin C. Without bioflavonoid we dont absorb much).

I used to get allergy symptoms in the morning (possibly throu mold) and taking a large dose of vitamin C in mornings got rid of my blocked nose and allergy sore throat. So i you take a more suitable amount for this kind of thing, it may really help.
........

Orange juice before bed gives me heart burn.. Heart burn of cause may cause sore throat, often i dont get any other sign of the heart burn except a burning throat (which feels different to the sharp pain of the more infectious feeling throat soreness i used to get). But anyway.. take care that orange juice before bed isnt making things worst as its acidic

Would the virus be XMRV? Could it give a sore throat?

One would only think possibly yes. Viruses commonly give sore throats due to our bodies trying to fight them.