My temp runs from 97.1 in the am to 100.5 in the pm so my rheumatologist won't change my meds until we find out why. Does any one else's temp do this? Blood work came back clear. Some days it stays normal, usually days off work. If I have to go out and do anything (like socialize) I come home with an elevated temp.
1/ 5/10 1:35pm
When you RA's flaring, it can be expressed, among other things, with running a low-grade fever. However, it can also be a sign of infection, plus a number of other things, so your doctor's advice is sound - you'll definitely want to find out what's going on before adding new medication.
That said, the fact that your temperature increases with activity sounds to me as if it could be related to your RA. Keep in mind that I'm not a doctor and I'm basing this purely on my own experience with the disease, but it's possible that you start running a temperature when you overdo. I'd recommend keeping a symptom diary for several weeks where you list your activities, the weather, what you eat, your temperature and your other symptoms, as it may help establish a pattern.
1/10/10 8:01pm
Hmm. Weird. Can your temp be affected by dislike? Your doctor has no idea what's going on?
Does your temp go up at bedtime when you don't have to go to work the next day?
1/11/10 6:30pm
I can drop my blood pressure (or raise it if necessary) if I have peace and quiet to do it, so I don't see why my subconcious couldn't tinker with my temperature. Rheumatologist said RA flares do not cause "fever". GP says fibromyalgia and RA flares can cause "elevated temps". Rheumatologist considers 99.5 fever, GP says is not fever but elevated temp, 101 constituting fever. My neighbor says her daughter has temp swings with fibromyalgia flares, but she's the only other person I know who does. Several of the ladies at work have RA and/or fibromyalgia and don't have the temp swings.
Yes, sometimes my temp goes up the nights before a day off, but usually the day off has things like grocery shopping or something else involved that I don't particularly care to do.
Thanks, I appreciate your interest and help!
1/11/10 7:10pm
Fascinating... I know a few people with fibro (and have it myself) and will mention the elevated temo thing to them. One in particular could maybe benefit - thanks for sharing this info!
Not sure where your rheumatologist is coming from - I've had RA since I was a kid (over 40 years) and fevers were always part of the flares for me. A reminder that doctors are human, too, with all their foibles and biases. Have you considered getting a second opnion?
1/12/10 7:18pm
I haven't really considered a second opiniion, although I was rather set back by the vehemence of his statement that he'd never seen fever with RA (except one really bad flare in the ER) after I told him my GP thought it might be RA related. I did cancel the next appointment because the temp thing is still not settled, I'll reschedule when I know better what is going on.
If only I could prove it is work related, maybe I could file for disability. I can see the headlines tho, "Taking Calls From Verizon Wireless Customers Makes Customer Service Rep Sick". AT&T would eat it up! :-)
1/12/10 8:42pm
Maybe AT&T would hire you as a consultant? 
1/ 2/10 7:13pm
Yes, I had the same problem for the first 6 or 8 weeks I was on MXT. Now, I don't have many fevers that I notice, but still get them occasionally. For me, however, I had them regardless of exertion.
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I kept an Excel spreadsheet of the temp changes and made a chart. My GP said it looked like the stock he'd invested in. He's the one that had my lab work done, even checked thyroid and other things. Nothing. Right now I have a chest cold (hack hack) and temp is staying normal until bedtime. I can point on my chart where I went to the Christmas social, but other spikes seem to be unrelated to anything.
I shall try adding activities, etc, like you suggested. Knowing me, it's psychosomatic. (I hate my work. I like where I work and who I work for, but I don't like the work.)
Thanks for the suggestion.
PS yours is one of the posts I read, along with Sara Nash.