Fever - Need Advice

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davidfortune

Hi all,

I felt a little tired this afternoon and was a little cold (in the house which I haven't been so far). So I took a nap (a couple actually) and just took my temp...

102.3 = is the current temp. Not sure how long its been elevated (maybe a few hours).

I ran 100 - 101.5 in the hospital so that level wouldn't freak me out. When I checked it at home (which wasn't all that often) - it was a 99 for a couple days then was normal earlier this morning.


I'm inclined to wait it out for a while to see if it breaks. What would y'all do at this point?

Thanks,
David (9 days post surgery)
 
If your temperature is still high tomorrow, I would call the cardiologist, and if not the cardio, then your GP or PCP.
 
David -

When I had that experience, (> 102+ for several hours) I placed an after-hours call to my cardio, who called back and advised me to go to the ER. I was admitted when my white count indicated an infection. I was plugged into some IV antibiotics for 4 days. I had some kind of deep wound infection, and the concern was that I might have contracted endocarditis (again). It turned out my valve was OK, but there was definitely concern on the part of my doc.

I recommend you get it checked out.
 
My post-surgery instructions said any temperature over 101 necessitated a call to the surgeon.
I'd call and not wait around until the week-end.
 
CALL YOUR DOCTOR!!
I have never been the type to call the Dr. for what I believed to be minor medical issues but while in for my 6 month check up I mentioned that I had a low grade fever for a few days so it was off to the lab and I was shocked that the blood cultures were positive. A TEE revealed vegetation on my valve confirming endocaditis. From my limited experience I believe all fevers merit medical attention for all with valve problems. The possibility of endocarditis should not be taken lightly. I am now 37 days into IV antibiotic treatment and hopefully on the mend. I am optimistic about escaping this without additional surgery because it was caught early.
Philip
 
****'s instructions also said to take the temperature daily and report anything over 100. Check it out before the weekend!
 
A call to the doctor won't hurt and might help. It might help a lot. Call.
 
You received the right advice here. Now take care of yourself and I hope you feel better very soon.
 
Hi David, IMHO you should not wait. Call the doctor now or go to the ER. Intervention early with appropriate antibiotics could make the difference between something that could be just a nuisance and something more serious.

Please consider calling or going now!

Let us know how you make out!
 
take your temperature often

take your temperature often

Endocarditis is very serious. Call a doctor. It's not worth the risk.

At the very least, keep hourly records of your temperature (or as often as possible). That will give the doctors some data to work with. Get some rest.
 
Let me preface my comments by saying I agree with all the above advice. Post-op I had more than a few bouts with recurring fevers, both low and high grade, for several months. I think I went to the PCP or Cardio at least three times to get them checked out, and each time it turned out to be nothing. That's not to say that you shouldn't head to the doctor. I'm really just saying that there's no reason to panic and that it is probably nothing. Just get it checked out and confirm that for everyone's piece of mind.
 
There's a high probability that you're coming down with a cold or flu, as they are rampant right now, rather than anything related to your surgery. Although they are viruses, and not affected by antibiotics, they will want you to get checked out and at least take a course of antibiotics to protect the surgical site. Depending on their observations, they may want to give them intravenously.

That doesn't necessarily preclude you going home, as I believe they have semiportable units that strap to your arm now.

I know it's a pain, but let them look. It's the sensible thing to do. You're in a weakened state still, and you don't want to damage the fruits of the surgery you've been through.


Very best wishes,
 
I hope by now you have called and been seen..
Let us know an update!
 
So the 102+ fever hung out for few hours yesterday afternoon/evening. I finally decided to take a pain pill (as I hadn't had one all day) and my evening aspirin. Over the next hour, the fever declined to 99.

This morning temp was normal and all day has been sub-normal (96.4 - 98.4). I called the surgeon anyway. He suggested probably post-surgery inflamation especially since my steroids ended yesterday morning.

He wants me to take ibuprofen 3x daily for the next couple weeks. If fever comes back, call him (but he doesn't think it will come back).

I have felt more "punk" today than in previous days. I was expecting that somewhat since the steroids were ending and they pretty much almost prevented chest and back soreness and gave me alot of energy.

Thank you to all who responded.

David
 
Glad you called, glad the fever has abated. Do what your body tells you. If you are feeling more sore and tired today, it may be because the steroids allowed you to feel better being more active, but your body was still getting a bit too much activity. So give yourself permission to rest and veg out for a while. Keep doing the moving and breathing, just don't push yourself because you could do more a few days ago.

I also don't think it's unusual for temps to jump up when you are experiencing pain. So it made a little more sense when you said you hadn't had any pain meds in a while.

Best wishes!
 
davidfortune said:
I felt a little tired this afternoon and was a little cold (in the house which I haven't been so far).
Click to expand...

I'm glad that you checked in with the doctor. If you are still feeling cold, it is possible that you are somewhat anemic. I got tired of feeling cold so I went in to have my blood tested and I was slightly anemic, not enough for supplements, just enough so that I went home and dove into steak and spinach (I'm tissue valve) and after several days the discomfort subsided.

The explanation given to me was that the heart lung machine leaches iron from your blood as it is working and can sometimes leave you deficient.

I think if you rest abit longer than you have been, you will notice your energy returning slowly but surely. As soon as you feel tired, just go lie down for awhile. Listen to your body!! ;)

Happy Holdiays!

Marguerite
 
I'm glad it has stabilized. Most of these things do. Your thermostat is a bit wanky for a while after your extended cool-down during surgery.

However, your surgeon has given you some cryptic advice.

I'm not trying to be a downer here, but I don't know how you'll accurately measure any tendency to fever if you're taking ibuprofen, which reduces fever. I note that it went down in the first place after you took aspirin - another fever reducer. Granted, they both also reduce inflammation.

I would be concerned that the NSAIDs would cover up a fever.

Give it some thought. Maybe call your GP or regular cardio for a quick opinion about that course of action. It's normal to feel punk at times during recovery (and don't push yourself when you feel that way), but do keep a weather eye on how you feel, to be sure that it was just inflammation or a fluke. If you feel worse or start getting sick, you'll want to act on it.

Best wishes,
 
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