Hello,

I’m happy to have found this forum and I hope I will be able to share, learn as well as provide support.

After seeing many specialists (internal medicine specialist and infectious disease specialist, fertility specialist) to rule out anything infectious, bacterial, viral, cancers, etc. etc. I've left them, more or less, all scratching their heads as to what is wrong. I’ve had a low grade fever (from 99.4 to 100.1) every day for the last 8.5 months. This was my only symptom until almost two months ago where more symptoms have begun to surface. Foremost is my joints (especially my hands) have been swollen and painful. I’m now scheduled to see a Rheumatologist next as they feel it’s rheumatoid based even if my blood tests (ANA and a couple others that I can’t remember the names of) came out normal 2 months ago. They tell me it can take a while for the blood tests to confirm their diagnosis for a rheumatoid based diagnosis with strong possibility of Lupus. Lupus is present in my family (paternal uncle and possibly my paternal grandmother).

I’ve read that even Lupus patients who have tested positive in ANAs etc. during a flare-ups can test normal during a dormant period. Since I’ve tested normal for ANA and other blood count tests while my fever was my only symptoms, is it possible to retest me while my other symptoms are present and get a positive for Lupus (or other rheumatoid condition) result? If so, has anyone experienced this and know when would be the best time to “catch” an accurate result (eg. After X number of days or weeks after your joints or other symptoms start?).

Here's a brief history of my symptoms.

Recurrent (4) late 1st trimester or early 2nd trimester miscarriages for "no known reason". They did do autoimmune, ANA testing which was fine at that time.

Yearly pneumonia (bacterial) for the last two years. Very aggressive and hard to treat which takes a minimum of three types of antibiotics.

Low grade fever since early December 2007 (from 99.4 to 100.1 and lasts from 2 to 12 hours each and every day)

Joint pain, inflammation which mostly affect my hands but still affects my other main joints (started 2 months ago and I’m now on Celebrex).

Muscle stiffness and inflammation.

Almost daily headaches local to top left side of head.

Mild chest pains. Infrequent.

Bloated/full feeling in my abdomen. Dr. confirmed with examination but organs tested normal through ultrasound which could only be performed 2 weeks after the symptom were gone (real shortage of ultrasound technicians in my area).

Off and On sun sensitivity and I NEVER had any skin changes (no tan, no burn) for all my adult life as a result of the sun. Even if I spent an entire full sun day on the boat with no sun screen. Now, 20 minutes and my skin blotches.

Weakness and fatigue. Mostly during fever spikes.

Thank you for your help in advance. It’s very much appreciated.

DC