My Partner -- High Morning Fever and other symptoms

Andie3
Andie3 Member Posts: 39
Hi, all!

I decided to start a new thread, because of all that's going on this morning. My partner, who almost never has a fever, woke up today with a temp of 101. In addition, she's got a rash all across her chest and burning in the lower part of her body. I've gotten her to drink a protein smoothie this morning, and she'll call the doctor at 8:30. But this really is scary. Has it happened to anyone else? I'm grateful, as always, for any shared experience and wisdom.
Thank you so much,

Andie
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Comments

  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    Listen...
    To what her oncologist tells you...any fever needs to be reported pronto.....as does the rash....until you reach her physician, have her stay VERY, VERY hydrated! The rash could be indicative of a reaction to chemo Keep us posted..we care and understand.
  • Andie3
    Andie3 Member Posts: 39
    MAJW said:

    Listen...
    To what her oncologist tells you...any fever needs to be reported pronto.....as does the rash....until you reach her physician, have her stay VERY, VERY hydrated! The rash could be indicative of a reaction to chemo Keep us posted..we care and understand.

    water
    Thank you so much for your response and the reminder about water. I'll be sure she has fresh water before I leave for work. I had some plans for tonight that had been scheduled months ago...as a panel speaker. I'm going to cancel these so I can be here to help, whatever this means. Low-grade fevers are tough enough, but this is one scared me.

    She's going to call the oncologist office at 8.

    Thanks, again, majw.
  • grams2jc
    grams2jc Member Posts: 756
    Andie3 said:

    water
    Thank you so much for your response and the reminder about water. I'll be sure she has fresh water before I leave for work. I had some plans for tonight that had been scheduled months ago...as a panel speaker. I'm going to cancel these so I can be here to help, whatever this means. Low-grade fevers are tough enough, but this is one scared me.

    She's going to call the oncologist office at 8.

    Thanks, again, majw.

    Hang in there
    Calling the dr office is the right thing to do, just hard to wait until they are open.

    Both of you are in my thoughts and prayers, I was lucky not to experience the fever but did have some skin flushing and rash during chemo.

    Jennifer
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    Andie3 said:

    water
    Thank you so much for your response and the reminder about water. I'll be sure she has fresh water before I leave for work. I had some plans for tonight that had been scheduled months ago...as a panel speaker. I'm going to cancel these so I can be here to help, whatever this means. Low-grade fevers are tough enough, but this is one scared me.

    She's going to call the oncologist office at 8.

    Thanks, again, majw.

    Do not have to wait to call
    At least at the CCI I went to, you did not have to wait til "Office Hours" to talk with a RN, PA, or DR - there was always someone on call for emergencies. There is no guarantee that you would talk to your Dr or his staff as 'on call' duty was roataed through the staff of the facility but you can talk to someone who can advise. Thankfully, I never had to call but it was there 'just in case'.

    Susan
  • Andie3
    Andie3 Member Posts: 39
    Rague said:

    Do not have to wait to call
    At least at the CCI I went to, you did not have to wait til "Office Hours" to talk with a RN, PA, or DR - there was always someone on call for emergencies. There is no guarantee that you would talk to your Dr or his staff as 'on call' duty was roataed through the staff of the facility but you can talk to someone who can advise. Thankfully, I never had to call but it was there 'just in case'.

    Susan

    Hard to know
    With the chemo, I think it's hard to know what is an emergency and what isn't, but Susan, it's great to know that there's the possibility of emergency hours. I'll try and get her to check on that.

    She was able to reach the onco nurse she's been working with. They told her to just take an ibuprofen to keep her fever down. The doc is probably going to want to see her tomorrow. Nurse told her that her white blood count had been 300 when she went in for her post-chemo check-up. Apparently normal is 1400? Hopefully, the shot they gave her managed to elevate that number.

    Jennifer, those thoughts and prayers are invaluable; thank you so much. I'll also let her know that you experienced the rash.

    She doesn't feel like she has teh energy to come on here, so it looks as if I'm going to be the one on the boards...for now, anyway.

    Thank you all for your shared info and for letting me know abut your experiences.
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    MAJW said:

    Listen...
    To what her oncologist tells you...any fever needs to be reported pronto.....as does the rash....until you reach her physician, have her stay VERY, VERY hydrated! The rash could be indicative of a reaction to chemo Keep us posted..we care and understand.

    Please just call her
    Please just call her oncologist and do what he or she says.


    Hugs, Megan
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    Megan M said:

    Please just call her
    Please just call her oncologist and do what he or she says.


    Hugs, Megan

    Call!
    This is probably too late but never hesitate to call. Usually there's someone on call at all treatment centers - it may not be your oncologist but someone is there. I picked up a cold or something this winter during rads and my onc had said "I'm your doctor, you call me if there's anything going on", so I called on a Saturday morning. I got the on call nurse who had a doctor call me back and it was my regular GP. She said no one wanted to takes chances with me and called in 2 prescriptions right away. They don't like to mess around so usually have those phones covered. Let us hear from you.
  • mollieb
    mollieb Member Posts: 148
    Emergency Room?
    When I had a fever outside of office hours they told me to go to the emergency room. 101 is the cutoff. She really needs to get her white count checked -- of course low blood counts are the big risk with chemo, and serious infection can result. Plus, since her white count is likely low (fewer symptoms of fighting off infection), she may not feel that bad, and so underestimate the risk. Get this settled for the future so you know exactly what to do. Also, if I remember correctly, she is in the early stages of chemo -- ask about a shot (can't remember the name) that she takes 24 hours after chemo to keep blood count high. I had it after my last A/C and didn't have nearly the same side effects as with the previous treatments.

    If she is feeling lousy you need to be her advocate. Don't worry about being nice. Insist that you understand everything. Good luck!
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    I had low grade fever a
    I had low grade fever a couple of times during chemo. They told me to call if it reaches 104. I believe the nuelasta shot does that - not sure about all chemos - my AC/T listed this as a side effect, low grade though. Still, I would call right away and get it checked. I called, and they told me to keep checking temp. every few hours, and if it went higher than 104 to go to ER. It should clear after 24-48 hrs., if related to treatment(s).
  • Andie3
    Andie3 Member Posts: 39

    I had low grade fever a
    I had low grade fever a couple of times during chemo. They told me to call if it reaches 104. I believe the nuelasta shot does that - not sure about all chemos - my AC/T listed this as a side effect, low grade though. Still, I would call right away and get it checked. I called, and they told me to keep checking temp. every few hours, and if it went higher than 104 to go to ER. It should clear after 24-48 hrs., if related to treatment(s).

    calling and ER
    Good feedback, thanks to all! I was glad to hear, Love, that fevers are sometimes a side-effect of the nulasta; she hadn['t been told that.

    The doc did call her and suggested she keep monitoring temp and taking ibuprofen to keep it down.

    I never even thought of the ER as an option, either. You start thinking of things in these really sometimes narrow funnels, and it starts to narrow your options.

    Andie
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    Andie3 said:

    calling and ER
    Good feedback, thanks to all! I was glad to hear, Love, that fevers are sometimes a side-effect of the nulasta; she hadn['t been told that.

    The doc did call her and suggested she keep monitoring temp and taking ibuprofen to keep it down.

    I never even thought of the ER as an option, either. You start thinking of things in these really sometimes narrow funnels, and it starts to narrow your options.

    Andie

    I hope this helps....
    Side Effects of Neulasta - for the Consumer
    Neulasta

    All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Neulasta:

    Bone or joint pain; constipation; muscle pain.

    Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Neulasta:

    Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; dizziness; fast heartbeat; increased sweating; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); fast breathing; fever; left-sided shoulder tip pain; left-sided upper stomach pain; a lump, swelling, or bruising at the injection site; severe or persistent bone, chest, joint, or stomach pain; shortness of breath; swelling of the hands, feet, arms, or legs; wheezing.
  • Andie3
    Andie3 Member Posts: 39

    I hope this helps....
    Side Effects of Neulasta - for the Consumer
    Neulasta

    All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Neulasta:

    Bone or joint pain; constipation; muscle pain.

    Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Neulasta:

    Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; dizziness; fast heartbeat; increased sweating; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); fast breathing; fever; left-sided shoulder tip pain; left-sided upper stomach pain; a lump, swelling, or bruising at the injection site; severe or persistent bone, chest, joint, or stomach pain; shortness of breath; swelling of the hands, feet, arms, or legs; wheezing.

    Helpful Info
    This is actually extremely helpful...especially because she's also got hives on the back of her neck and a rash. It could all be tied in with the Neulasta.

    She's also got a lot of swelling in her private areas. Not sure why that's happening, either.

    You have great information...actually everyone on this board does.

    You've made me feel welcomed and you've helped me a lot!

    Andie
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    Andie3 said:

    Helpful Info
    This is actually extremely helpful...especially because she's also got hives on the back of her neck and a rash. It could all be tied in with the Neulasta.

    She's also got a lot of swelling in her private areas. Not sure why that's happening, either.

    You have great information...actually everyone on this board does.

    You've made me feel welcomed and you've helped me a lot!

    Andie

    Hi Andie -- I am glad all
    Hi Andie -- I am glad all the information helped. How is she doing?
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598

    Hi Andie -- I am glad all
    Hi Andie -- I am glad all the information helped. How is she doing?

    Wondering also how your
    Wondering also how your partner is doing. Praying she is better!

    Lex
  • Andie3
    Andie3 Member Posts: 39
    Alexis F said:

    Wondering also how your
    Wondering also how your partner is doing. Praying she is better!

    Lex

    my partner is now on the boards
    Thanks so much for asking about her. She's going into her second week of the first chemo treatment. The first week was a complete bust. She had clients scheduled and cancelled them all. On Saturday night, we were even able to walk over and attend a 70th birthday party for someone in the neighborhood. it felt good to be out again.

    Today was another good day. After talking ith the oncologist, she's begun taking things to address the coughing that she was afraid would degenerate into bronchitis if it was just ignored. I guess we're just waiting to see what's going to happen next.

    You can find out more about Pam from her, actually. She's started a thread called two time survivor back for the third time. As always, the outpouring of knowledge, heart and generosity has just spilled over and touched both of us.

    There are so many practical suggestions and just so much boosting. I will continue reading the boards when I can and might infrequently post. It's great to know that if I do, I'llbe elcomed.

    How are you feeling?
  • KJ
    KJ Member Posts: 2
    Swimming
    I am currently taking Halaven, after not tolerating Doxil and having limited success with Abraxane. I was on Zometa and Fosladex for two years previously. I was diagnosed 15 years ago and had successful treatment at the time. The cancer came back in my bones in March of 2009. One activity that has been a constant through all my treatment is a swim when I can manage it. I have been able to swim even if I was feeling pretty rotten and I usually felt better after. It is my mood booster. It is important to keep up your strength so you can enjoy the good days. Here's to the good days! KJ
  • KJ
    KJ Member Posts: 2
    leukine fever
    I am currently taking Halaven, after not tolerating Doxil and having limited success with Abraxane. I was getting low white counts, consistently and suffering through fevers and flu symptoms that kept me in bed for 2 days. My fevers never got higher than 101 but I had them after every shot. I learned that if I took a Claritin one hour before treatment I did not get a fever or any of the other nasty aches. My regular allergy medicine, Allegra, does not work. Everyone is different, of course, I heard of the Claritin working for people taking Neulasta, but not always. I had a 360 in my toleration of the Leukine with this change. I hope this helps. Those fevers are tough. They seem to make me weaker,losing my balance, as well as causing aches. Blessings and abundant love. KJ P.S. I am tolerating the Halaven well, only one cycle so far.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    Andie3 said:

    my partner is now on the boards
    Thanks so much for asking about her. She's going into her second week of the first chemo treatment. The first week was a complete bust. She had clients scheduled and cancelled them all. On Saturday night, we were even able to walk over and attend a 70th birthday party for someone in the neighborhood. it felt good to be out again.

    Today was another good day. After talking ith the oncologist, she's begun taking things to address the coughing that she was afraid would degenerate into bronchitis if it was just ignored. I guess we're just waiting to see what's going to happen next.

    You can find out more about Pam from her, actually. She's started a thread called two time survivor back for the third time. As always, the outpouring of knowledge, heart and generosity has just spilled over and touched both of us.

    There are so many practical suggestions and just so much boosting. I will continue reading the boards when I can and might infrequently post. It's great to know that if I do, I'llbe elcomed.

    How are you feeling?

    Glad to know that Pam had
    Glad to know that Pam had another good day. You are such a wonderful partner to her!


    Praying for many more good days for her!
  • Andie3
    Andie3 Member Posts: 39
    KJ said:

    leukine fever
    I am currently taking Halaven, after not tolerating Doxil and having limited success with Abraxane. I was getting low white counts, consistently and suffering through fevers and flu symptoms that kept me in bed for 2 days. My fevers never got higher than 101 but I had them after every shot. I learned that if I took a Claritin one hour before treatment I did not get a fever or any of the other nasty aches. My regular allergy medicine, Allegra, does not work. Everyone is different, of course, I heard of the Claritin working for people taking Neulasta, but not always. I had a 360 in my toleration of the Leukine with this change. I hope this helps. Those fevers are tough. They seem to make me weaker,losing my balance, as well as causing aches. Blessings and abundant love. KJ P.S. I am tolerating the Halaven well, only one cycle so far.

    Here's to the good days
    First, Love, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and your care so generously...and, again, to everyone on the boards. As she talked about on another thread, Pam did get her head shaved the other evening, thanks to a good friend who sadly has had to do this before for other women she's known.

    I think that's still a little unsettling for Pam, but I think she really does look good. And so far, she's able to coordinate the scarves she has with her outfits.

    Kylez, I definitely appreciate the thoughts and your prayers. And whenever I need a boost, I'm going to return to these boards and read the threads and all of your caring responses.

    KJ thanks so much for your information about the Halaven; I'm glad you're tolerating it will and only hope that continues. re the Cliritin, Pam says they give her a variety of medications pre-chemo, and it sounds as if some might address the same things as the claritin.

    Anyway, I was also super glad to read that you're swimming. That's one of my favorite things to do, though I don't have ready access to a pool at this point. I'd think that would be so energizing for you and would also aid your balance. In general, how weak have you been?

    You honestly sound like a fighter, and I'm cheering for you--all of you actually--all the way.

    Keep up the good fight, and hopefully, we can all celebrate the good days!

    Andie
  • Andie3
    Andie3 Member Posts: 39
    Alexis F said:

    Wondering also how your
    Wondering also how your partner is doing. Praying she is better!

    Lex

    double post
    I deleted this, because it was a double post.