Fever/sweats/chills/weight loss for 6+ mo. w/o diagnosis. Any ideas?!

Posted by kidprodigy @kidprodigy, Apr 12, 2020

CASE SUMMARY:
Ethnic background: Caucasian/White
Symptoms began: 7 months ago

BODY SYSTEMS AFFECTED:
* Abdominal or digestion (Primary Body Area Affected)
* Breathing
* Heart or cardiovascular
* Joint or muscular
* Mental health
* Skin or hair
* Whole body

SYMPTOMS DETAIL:
My primary symptoms include recurring abdominal cramping (i.e. 7/10) above the naval/below the sternum, unexplained weight loss (i.e. >20%), chronic fatigue, malaise, and recurring chills and low-grade fevers (i.e. <100 deg.F.). Shortness of breath and heart palpitations occur when the abdominal cramping is at its worst. I also suffer from night sweats, nausea and loss of appetite, feel foggy-headed on and off and have difficulty focusing on a task.

The abdominal cramping and nausea are usually worse upon waking in the morning and after meals and then resolve a few hours later.

The night sweats, chills and low-grade fevers are typically worse at night before I go to bed and while I sleep.

** Please note that diarrhea has never been and is not currently one of my symptoms. My stools are formed and normal in texture and color. **

CURRENT MEDICATIONS:
* Flonase Sensimist nasal spray 1 time daily for Seasonal allergies
* Azelastine HCl nasal spray 1 time daily for Seasonal allergies
* Optimum Nutrition Opti-Men multivitamin tablets 3 times daily for Nutritional supplement
* GNC Vitamin C 1000 mg tablets 2 times daily for Nutritional supplement
* Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard whey protein powder 2 times daily for Nutritional supplement

PERSONAL MEDICAL HISTORY:
I have never been hospitalized prior to this illness and only underwent a few minor surgical procedures. These include tonsillectomy when I was 2 years old, wisdom teeth extraction when I was 21 years old and a few other minor dental surgeries.

I was diagnosed with seasonal allergies as a child which have always been well-managed by Flonase Sensimist nasal spray, Azelastine HCl nasal spray and allergen immunotherapy (i.e. allergy shots). The seasonal allergies cause upper respiratory infections about twice a year when the seasons change (i.e. spring, fall).

Though I have never been formally diagnosed, I am a carrier of the human papillomavirus (i.e. HPV). I initially had active symptoms, but they disappeared over a decade ago.

FAMILY MEDICAL HISTORY:
My father was diagnosed with asthma, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety and severe sleep apnea about 10 years ago. He is 60 years old.

My mother was diagnosed with high cholesterol and diverticulosis about 2 years ago. She is 60 years old.

My younger brother was diagnosed with bee sting and monosodium glutamate (i.e. MSG) allergies as a child. He is 37 years old.

My maternal male cousin was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (i.e. AS) as a child. He is 21 years old.

My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer which eventually spread to other organs in her body when she was around 60 years old. She died around 63 years old.

I never met my paternal half aunt, but I learned that she was diagnosed with Lupus as a teenager. She died from complications of the disease at 33 years old. She and my father share a common father, but different mothers so it's impossible to tell whether this genetic disease could affect me.

DIAGNOSTIC OR IMAGING TEST ABNORMALITIES:
*** Stool Tests ***
All negative stool culture (x1), white blood cells (x3) and parasites (Cryptosporidium EIA x3, Cyclospora Smear, Stool x2, Ova + Parasite Exam x3 and Giardia Lamblia Ag, EIA x3)

*** Blood Tests ***
Hematology:
Slightly elevated WBC, MCV, absolute neutrophils, absolute monocytes and platelet count

Clinical Chemistry:
Slightly elevated calcium (CA) and BUN/creatinine ratio

Coagulation:
Slightly elevated D-dimer and anti-thrombin liquid

Immunology:
Slightly elevated C1q CIC, anti-histone and gliadin DP IgA

Endocrinology/Hormones:
Slightly elevated Vitamin B12

Lipids:
All normal

Thyroid:
All normal

Special Chemistry:
Slightly elevated apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio, and kappa lambda ratio; Slightly lowered lambda

Allergy:
Slightly elevated shrimp and alternaria alternata (i.e. mold)

Inflammatory Liver:
Negative

HIV/AIDS:
Negative

Hepatitis C:
Negative

*** CT Enterography ***
All normal findings

*** Capsule Endoscopy ***
Mild gastritis in the stomach and all normal findings in the small bowel and colon

*** Acute Abdomen Series X-Rays ***
All normal findings

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Hi @kidprodigy, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You have provided an extensive medical history. However, the members of this community are fellow patients, not medical professionals. What specialists have you consulted?

REPLY

Hi @colleenyoung

I've consulted an allergist, multiple gastroenterologists and am currently scheduled to visit a second infectious disease specialist.

REPLY
@kidprodigy

Hi @colleenyoung

I've consulted an allergist, multiple gastroenterologists and am currently scheduled to visit a second infectious disease specialist.

Jump to this post

@kidprodigy You sound like you have some medical training in your past. Do you? Have you tried going to a large medical center or university hospital. When I was so sick and not getting answers, my husband looked up the university near us and found the right clinic. We went there and they helped me and continue to do so. Do you have a university medical center near you? Can you look into this?

REPLY

@kidprodigy As Colleen said, we are not doctors, but many of us have had baffling medical symptoms that defied diagnosis for a time, and we'll support you on your quest for answers. I second Becky's suggestion to find a major medical center where you can have a multi-disciplinary workup.
I do have 2 suggestions, though, since, aside from the fevers, many of your symptoms present as abdominal/digestive - Vitamin C CAN in some cases make gastritis worse, so perhaps try stopping it to see if there is any improvement. Whey powder and other dairy derivatives can also cause or increase gastric symptoms, so again try stopping it. If the symptoms subside, even a little, consider whether the Vitamin C is absolutely necessary, since between your diet & multivitamin you should have an adequate amount. And consider whether you have, or have developed, an sensitivity or allergy to milk products (of which whey is one). I suggest this because you seem to have a history of allergies. Again, if symptoms ease, consider whether you need a protein supplement at all, and if you do find a different one that has no dairy components (Orgain makes on called Protein & Greens, there are others.)
Good luck finding answers.
Stay calm, stay safe.
Sue

REPLY
@becsbuddy

@kidprodigy You sound like you have some medical training in your past. Do you? Have you tried going to a large medical center or university hospital. When I was so sick and not getting answers, my husband looked up the university near us and found the right clinic. We went there and they helped me and continue to do so. Do you have a university medical center near you? Can you look into this?

Jump to this post

No, I do not have any formal medical training. I have 2 college degrees in Electrical Engineering and enjoy working on electronics designs and developing computer software.

I have had some medical testing performed at a large medical center nearby and a few of the physicians I've been seeing are affiliated with this medical center. It is not a university-affiliated medical center, but there are two that I can think of and they are Baylor Medical Center and UT Southwestern Medical Center.

If I cannot get a diagnosis from the physicians I'm currently seeing, I'll pursue Baylor or UT Southwestern before making an attempt at the Mayo Clinic. They're both local to me which would be a significant cost savings.

REPLY
@sueinmn

@kidprodigy As Colleen said, we are not doctors, but many of us have had baffling medical symptoms that defied diagnosis for a time, and we'll support you on your quest for answers. I second Becky's suggestion to find a major medical center where you can have a multi-disciplinary workup.
I do have 2 suggestions, though, since, aside from the fevers, many of your symptoms present as abdominal/digestive - Vitamin C CAN in some cases make gastritis worse, so perhaps try stopping it to see if there is any improvement. Whey powder and other dairy derivatives can also cause or increase gastric symptoms, so again try stopping it. If the symptoms subside, even a little, consider whether the Vitamin C is absolutely necessary, since between your diet & multivitamin you should have an adequate amount. And consider whether you have, or have developed, an sensitivity or allergy to milk products (of which whey is one). I suggest this because you seem to have a history of allergies. Again, if symptoms ease, consider whether you need a protein supplement at all, and if you do find a different one that has no dairy components (Orgain makes on called Protein & Greens, there are others.)
Good luck finding answers.
Stay calm, stay safe.
Sue

Jump to this post

These are great diet tips and I'll be sure to try these suggestions to see if they bring me any relief! Thanks!

By the way, aside from the whey protein powder and 1 serving of Greek yogurt per day, I've eliminated all other dairy products from my diet.

I've also reduced my gluten intake to 1 Hawaiian dinner roll each day.

REPLY

Baylor is the better of the two

REPLY

Howdy, Ya'all!

I want to let you know that I finally have the RIGHT diagnosis. I'm on Day 10 of the 14-day treatment plan for my H. Pylori bacterial stomach infection and I feel fantastic! The abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue and weight loss are almost a thing of the past. I've gained 2 lbs of body weight since I began treatment 9 days ago! I feel like I've been given a whole new body and a second chance at life!

Thank you all for your support during this challenging, 10-month long living Hell that I wouldn't wish upon even my worst enemy.

-kidprodigy

REPLY

@kidprodigy This is wonderful news! Especially since undiagnosed H Pylori can lead to stomach ulcers, and ultimately stomach cancer. I'm glad someone figured it out.
Sue

REPLY
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