Does anyone have periodic fever episodes that last less than 12 hours?

Posted by taonamission @taonamission, Feb 13, 2021

For the past 3 years, I have had unexplained fever spikes that last a short period of time. Usually less than 12 hours. They always start between 4 and 6 A.M. I have body rigors and temperature that spikes sometimes as high as 102.5. I generally take 2 tylenol and go back to bed and fall asleep for a couple hours. When I wake up, my temperature is usually less than 100 degrees, but not down to normal. Lasting effects are sore muscles from the excessive shivering from the rigors. But that's it.

I can generally go about my normal business once my temp falls below 100. Other than that, I have no other symptoms.

I have had extensive blood work ups and everything is normal. My gall bladder was removed but no difference. No doctors can seem to find a cause. I suspect it may somewhat related to times of elevated stress, but not always. Food and drink don't affect when it happens. In the beginning I was having them once a month, and a couple months, twice a month. Lately, it's been a few months between episodes.

Trying to find others who may have these fever episodes. I feel so alone. And the fact the doctors can't seem to find anything, doesn't help.

Any insight is appreciated. Thank you.

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Hello @taonamission, I don't really have any answers for you but I am struck by the similarities of your post with those in the following discussion -- Autoimmune Disease? Adult Onset Still’s Disease? EBV?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/autoimmune-disease-adult-onset-stills-disease-ebv/

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@johnbishop

Hello @taonamission, I don't really have any answers for you but I am struck by the similarities of your post with those in the following discussion -- Autoimmune Disease? Adult Onset Still’s Disease? EBV?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/autoimmune-disease-adult-onset-stills-disease-ebv/

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Thanks @johnbishop . I looked over your links. Not sure I really fit into the Still's category. I'm hoping at some point to find someone, anyone, suffering from these short term fever episodes, so I won't feel so alone and freaky.

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My grandson started having periodic very high fevers when he was about two years old. Temps went dangerously high and he was hospitalized numerous times. His parents took him to many different hospitals and tests showed nothing irregular. Finally, after nearly a year of continuous tests and hospitalizations they took him to Mayo in Rochester, MN. Within hours a diagnosis was made.....PFAPA. It is an autoinflammatory disease, with at that time, no known cause. It almost entirely occurs in children, and though it happens, it is rare in adults. My grandson was prescribed prednisone, which he is given immediately when his temp starts to rise. Works promptly and cancels out the temperature spike. He is now seven years old and though he still has an occasional episode, they are much less frequent. Reports are that most children outgrow it eventually. In any case, PFAPA certainly may have nothing to do with your temperature spikes, but thought I'd just share my grandson's story with you and perhaps you might want to research PFAPA a bit and and also some of the other reasons that could cause temperature to rise periodically.

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@cherriann

My grandson started having periodic very high fevers when he was about two years old. Temps went dangerously high and he was hospitalized numerous times. His parents took him to many different hospitals and tests showed nothing irregular. Finally, after nearly a year of continuous tests and hospitalizations they took him to Mayo in Rochester, MN. Within hours a diagnosis was made.....PFAPA. It is an autoinflammatory disease, with at that time, no known cause. It almost entirely occurs in children, and though it happens, it is rare in adults. My grandson was prescribed prednisone, which he is given immediately when his temp starts to rise. Works promptly and cancels out the temperature spike. He is now seven years old and though he still has an occasional episode, they are much less frequent. Reports are that most children outgrow it eventually. In any case, PFAPA certainly may have nothing to do with your temperature spikes, but thought I'd just share my grandson's story with you and perhaps you might want to research PFAPA a bit and and also some of the other reasons that could cause temperature to rise periodically.

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Thanks for your reply @cherriann . I did some more research on that and other similar things this weekend. Most periodic fevers start in young children. There was only one thing I found with adult onset. I'll keep researching.

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@taonamission

Thanks for your reply @cherriann . I did some more research on that and other similar things this weekend. Most periodic fevers start in young children. There was only one thing I found with adult onset. I'll keep researching.

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@taonamission I also did a little research and, you’re correct, most of these fevers are in children.

https://www.the-rheumatologist.org/article/recognize-diagnose-periodic-fever-syndromes-adults/

Have you tried a Google scholar search? On the Google search bar, type in Google scholar. This will take you to a new search bar where you can find more in depth articles. Let us know what you find!

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