Question about fever and microscopic colitis

[littlemary]

I having been flaring for the past 1 1/2 days. I think it is stress-related, because my little dog, Betty, almost choked to death the other day. She is fine, but it scared me to the point where I was physically shaking. I actually had a temperature of nearly 100 degrees this morning. Does anyone else experience this during a flare? During the summer, if I wasn't feeling well, I would wait until I got into the air conditioning, to get an accurate reading, and my temp would be up to nearly 101 at times. I have a very accurate Braun thermometer, because my rheumatologist wanted me to monitor my temp. My gastroenterologist says that it is coming from my joint inflammation, not the gut. But I am on Humira now and still getting elevated temps, so it can't be joint related. I feel exhausted during these times because of the elevated temps. What can be done to lower my body temp so I am not so fatigued and can still go into work?? I am feeling scared and alone.

[Linda in BC]

Gosh, little mary, I don't know anything about elevated temps other than taking tylenol (not an NSAID)) or a cold bath, because i haven't ever experienced that with MC (I'm the opposite.. always cold because of my thyroid) but I just wanted to respond to your post so you would not feel so alone.

Yes, that stress can really do a number on our whole bodies including our digestive tracts. I am glad to hear your little dog is OK, but sorry you had to go though that. What kind of dog is he/she and what is her name? You can post a picture on here you know. A lot of us have... there seem to be lot of dog lovers on here...

Hope you are feeling better soon,

LInda

[littlemary]

Thanks, Linda. I was thinking Tylenol too. I know it doesn't do diddly-do for pain, but I think it is a good fever reducer. Betty is my little Jack Russell Terrier, who was a shelter dog. I rescued her from a shelter about 1 1/2 years ago. She was an abuse case, and still remains very fearful of people. She has very similar tummy issues like her mommy (me), and has to have special food, and special supplements. I love her to death. I have another Jack Russell, Snowy, and a mixed breed, Sherman. I will try to figure out how to put pictures of them in my profile.

[littlemary]

Linda, I can't figure out how to make the picture of Betty small enough to use for an Avatar.
My file size is too large. Can you or anyone help me figure it out?

[Linda in BC]

littlemary,

Tex is the webmaster of this site and he helped me do mine, but I think he said it has to be 6kb or less. I am not sure what you have for a photoediting program, but most of them allow you to change the size of the pic either by dimension ( so many inches) or by pixels. I just kept making mine smaller and then right clicking on the changed picture, choosing properties and looking at how many kbs (kilobyes) it was until lI got it below 6 . Unfortunately, when I made mine less than 6 kilobytes it was microscopic on the page... so I sent it to him and he overrode the system to get it in at a viewable size.

Hope that helps otherwise private message tex and he will help you.

Jack Russels have so much character! Poor little Betty. I am so glad to know she has found such an (obviously ) good home with you! Two Jack Russels and another dog.. wow, lots of energy and excitement in your house, I bet!

Linda

[tex]

My gastroenterologist says that it is coming from my joint inflammation, not the gut.

How would he/she know that? Obviously, that's just a wild guess.

Actually, Humira can cause fever as a side effect, to further confuse the issue. Fever is usually due to an infection, and of course, Humira increases the chances of developing an infection.

Could you possibly have diverticulitis? That can cause fever. Have you been checked for hyperthyroidism? That can cause elevated body temperatures.

And yes, stress can definitely cause an MC flare.

I responded to your other post about the avatar - just e-mail the image to me, and I'll be happy to take care of it.

Tex

[littlemary]

Thanks, everyone, and Tex, the elevated temp must be due to my flare, because the flare is over and my temp is back to normal. I feel a whole lot better. I work in a hospital laboratory, and Purell is my new best friend. Because of being on the Humira, I am almost becoming a germaphobe. I wipe everything down with a disinfectant and even keep Purell in my car. So far, no infections but I am being very cautious. When I have had some very bad flares, there was even nausea and sometimes vomiting. My doc prescribed Phenergan for the nausea, but it was like Heroin in pill form! I couldn't function at all. So now I have gotten some ginger drink to take when that happens. I will email you a picture of Betty.
Thanks so much.

[littlemary]

Linda, I love the Jack Russell energy. My dogs make me smile even when I just think about them at work. They are my family. I even provided for them in my will, them and my African Grey Parrot, Smokey, who will be 20 years old in Feb! I've had her since she was 8 weeks old. My animals help heal me with this crappy disease in a way that people cannot.

[Linda in BC]

Your parrot, though 20 years old, is still just a baby, by parrot standards, I am told. Now that's a pet that certainly is like a person. What is her name? A friend of mine has a cockatoo and what a personality she has! I am glad to hear that your animals bring you comfort and companionship. Yes, they are wonderful!

Linda

[littlemary]

Smokey is my parrot's name, Linda. Basically when I got her, all she did was eat, sleep, and poop. I hand-fed her three times a day for a few months. It's like having a baby. African greys take over a year usually to start talking. I had just about given up on her talking, till one night I was coming home from work and was ready to put the key in the door when I heard voices coming from the other side! I was a little scared at first, and then I realized it was Smokey! She has been a chatterbox ever since, and even makes all kinds of bodily function noises, pretty much making me a social outcast! If anyone goes near the bathroom door, she makes peeing noises. She even belches and farts! I love her to death!

[Polly]

Oh Mary,

I LOVE this thread!!!! Another animal-lover here. PLEASE figure out how to post photos of all of your pets. I can totally relate to your stress over the choking incident. I had a normal colonoscopy on July 2 (multiple biopsies were negative) and after my beloved golden retriever died in late August, I went into an MC flare like nothing I had experienced in the last 10 years. Stress is a major factor in our disease, I have learned.

BTW, it is entirely possible to have fever along with an MC flare. Anytime there are antibody/antigen reactions taking place in the body (like in MC when our bodies make antibodies to the good bacteria in our guts, or to the gluten we ingest) fever can be a result. Just like the fever that occurs when we make antibodies to viral/bacterial invaders like the flu bug. Happy to hear it's gone.

I LOVE birds but have never owned one. I understand they need more attention than most pets. Is that true? I laughed so hard about the bathroom noises yours has learned to make. Another down side to MC! LOL! It's a good thing the smells can't be reproduced!

Love,

Polly

[littlemary]

Polly, Smokey also preens my hair, and that is so soothing. She also has several different barks, and yells commands at the dogs. She yells "Cut it out!" if they get too wild and "Where did Mary go?" when I am in the shower. But the potty noises are her favorites. How did your multiple biopsies get negative. Is that what happens when you are treated for MC? Will I have negative biopsies too? I understand that this is a life-long condition. I'm so sorry about your dog. When my little diabetic Rudy died (15 yrs old, and yes, a Jack Russell), it just about killed me. That was the worst day since my mom died Christmas day 7 yrs ago. Even the vet was crying. My pets are my family.

[starfire]

I'm really glad you have you pets. Smokey sounds absolutely wonderful. Bird lover here.

Love, Shirley

[Gloria]

She has been a chatterbox ever since, and even makes all kinds of bodily function noises, pretty much making me a social outcast! If anyone goes near the bathroom door, she makes peeing noises. She even belches and farts!

Gloria

[Linda in BC]

Mary, I howled out loud, too, at your description of Smoky's antics. My brother had a Myna bird that made the sound of the dominant animal of his area.....the streetcar that rolled by his apartment in Toronto. but the peeing noise, now that is precious!
Thanks for the guffaw,
BTW, Betty is just so gosh darn cute with her little black head

Linda