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What Causes Low Grade Fever, Night Sweats And Loss Of Weight?
Question: I had a ventral stomach hernia surgery in august, with a second surgery, due to bleeding and a blood clot that needed to be cleaned out. I also had a reaction to the medication that put me a sleep, with awful dreams, unable to sleep, etc. Also with this I had a low grade fever, and heavy nights sweats. I have been to see the doctor about this, and all they suggested is exercise and loose weight. Please advise me, as I think this is more than exercise and weight loss
before the second surgery, I was given cipro and for after surgery pain, percocet. I had issues with the percocet(dizziness, control, etc), and I was not able to finish the cipro before the second surgery. I did report issues with the sleep medication, fever and heavy night sweats. Other meds are citalopram, chlorthalidone, lorazepam. These were reported to the doctor before the first surgery.I was told this condition could last for a year..
before the second surgery, I was given cipro and for after surgery pain, percocet. I had issues with the percocet(dizziness, control, etc), and I was not able to finish the cipro before the second surgery. I did report issues with the sleep medication, fever and heavy night sweats. Other meds are citalopram, chlorthalidone, lorazepam. These were reported to the doctor before the first surgery.I was told this condition could last for a year..
Brief Answer:
Investigations and management accordingly
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
Yes, I do agree with you that the present problems of low grade fever, Heavy Night Sweats is more than exercises and loosing weight.
Please elaborate few more things to assist me to help you:
-Does the low grade fever and nigh sweats occur at any particular time or can occur any time and many times in a day?
-When was the second surgery done ?
-Was the mesh put in or removed at second surgery?
-What was done in the first and second surgery ?
-Is the problem with the medication sleep disturbance and dreams still there?
-Do you have any other associated symptoms :
Is there any urinary burning or frequency?
Calf muscle pain or tenderness and swelling?
Coughing ?
Constipation ?
Pain in local area or anywhere else in the body?
Any blood tests done to see CBC- blood counts ?
I would advise a patient like this the following::
Blood tests for CBC, sugar, thyroid function tests, Serum proteins
Urine tests for routine, microscopy, culture and sensitivity. Get a thorough physical examination of the local abdominal area and of the whole body.
Go for culture and sensitivity of the blood.
CT scan of the abdomen particularly of the operated area to see for any collection- if yes- aspiration and sending the material for microscopy and culture and sensitivity.
The treatment will depend upon the findings- may be with a broad spectrum antibiotic and supportive medicines. Weight loss and exercises do help in recovery and better outcome.
I hope this answer helps you to get a proper diagnosis and curative treatment. Please fell free to ask for more if you need to and you may please rate this answer f you liked.
Investigations and management accordingly
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
Yes, I do agree with you that the present problems of low grade fever, Heavy Night Sweats is more than exercises and loosing weight.
Please elaborate few more things to assist me to help you:
-Does the low grade fever and nigh sweats occur at any particular time or can occur any time and many times in a day?
-When was the second surgery done ?
-Was the mesh put in or removed at second surgery?
-What was done in the first and second surgery ?
-Is the problem with the medication sleep disturbance and dreams still there?
-Do you have any other associated symptoms :
Is there any urinary burning or frequency?
Calf muscle pain or tenderness and swelling?
Coughing ?
Constipation ?
Pain in local area or anywhere else in the body?
Any blood tests done to see CBC- blood counts ?
I would advise a patient like this the following::
Blood tests for CBC, sugar, thyroid function tests, Serum proteins
Urine tests for routine, microscopy, culture and sensitivity. Get a thorough physical examination of the local abdominal area and of the whole body.
Go for culture and sensitivity of the blood.
CT scan of the abdomen particularly of the operated area to see for any collection- if yes- aspiration and sending the material for microscopy and culture and sensitivity.
The treatment will depend upon the findings- may be with a broad spectrum antibiotic and supportive medicines. Weight loss and exercises do help in recovery and better outcome.
I hope this answer helps you to get a proper diagnosis and curative treatment. Please fell free to ask for more if you need to and you may please rate this answer f you liked.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
-Does the low grade fever and night sweats occur at any particular time or can occur any time and many times in a day?
Answer: at times the fever goes the whole day, and other times its start about 5pm and goes through the night. The night sweats are a regular occurrence, and that starts around 10pm and goes until I wake up at about 3am. I am usually covered in sweat and bed sheet wet. My wife says I am burning up, and she is unable to sleep next to me.
**Meds taken for this is night quil and naproxen
-What was done in the first surgery? On August 13, 2014, I was in for a ventral hernia due to a work related injury. I was prep, and had a mesh over the hernia. I had a reaction to the Sleep meds. I had some awful dreams of falling and getting hurt. I was not able to sleep for 2 days, with additional issues of shakiness, lack of concentration, etc.
-When was the second surgery done : I started bleeding from the operated area, and on August 27, 2014, I had the second surgery, area was rinsed out, and a small blood clot was removed. I then had a drain tube inserted, and had this for 5 days. I was still pulling out fluid 5ml, the doctor felt the drain could come out. It was removed. I was not able to sleep for 1.5 days, again having a reaction to the sleep meds.
**Meds before surgery 2: Cipro, and Percocet for post op pain.
**The low grade fever and sweats started after the surgery 2. Temp range 99.9 to 101.5, my normal temp is 97.5. This temp/night sweats has been with me since this surgery.
-Is the problem with the medication sleep disturbance and dreams still there? No, it was over two weeks to recover from the affects. I did report this, and I was told “this sometime happens”
-Do you have any other associated symptoms: from the first surgery, I was in a lot of pain in my body, joints, with headaches. This went on for over a month, I reported this, and I was told this was part of the recovery process, and that I needed to get out and exercise. I was feeling out of sorts, and low on energy… The Percocet did help with the pain, but I had issues with dizziness, lack of control, etc.
Is there any urinary burning or frequency? I had a little dark yellow urine, then it went away. I reported this to the doctors nurse, she advised me that I had a bladder infection or uti, and that they would not see me. I was advised to go to my primary care doctor. I was disappointed in this, as they knew I had to drive 55 miles to go to the VA Medical Emergency room. I was tested for a bladder infection, uti, and it was negative. I had a xray, and Ct scan, and fluid was found in the operated area, but the VA could not id the issues. I unable to give blood as I very dehydrated. I was sent home, and was given 500mg naproxen to take for fever and pain.
Calf muscle pain or tenderness and swelling: I had tender calf’s for a few weeks, and had to rub them just to get the pain to stop, small amount of crapping.
Coughing? I have a cough, and reported this to the doctor, but there seem to real worry about it. This cough doesn’t hurt, but it’s a real bother.
Constipation ? Yes, for a few weeks, doctor told me this was normal.
Pain in local area or anywhere else in the body? Yes, but now just lower back pain, fever, night sweats, some headaches.
Any blood tests done to see CBC- blood counts: elevated when I had the first surgery, doctor did not pull blood for second surgery, and VA was unable to get blood.
Here is what I have had done:
VA Medical
CT Scan, small amount of fluid in operated area
X ray, not much found
UA-negative for bladder/UTI
Blood Tests: Unable to take, veins unable to locate or somewhat collapsed.
There were no other tests offered from the doctor that did the work
I have a doctors appointment on 27th of October.
I need some direction to help this doctor to find the issues
Thanks for your help..
Answer: at times the fever goes the whole day, and other times its start about 5pm and goes through the night. The night sweats are a regular occurrence, and that starts around 10pm and goes until I wake up at about 3am. I am usually covered in sweat and bed sheet wet. My wife says I am burning up, and she is unable to sleep next to me.
**Meds taken for this is night quil and naproxen
-What was done in the first surgery? On August 13, 2014, I was in for a ventral hernia due to a work related injury. I was prep, and had a mesh over the hernia. I had a reaction to the Sleep meds. I had some awful dreams of falling and getting hurt. I was not able to sleep for 2 days, with additional issues of shakiness, lack of concentration, etc.
-When was the second surgery done : I started bleeding from the operated area, and on August 27, 2014, I had the second surgery, area was rinsed out, and a small blood clot was removed. I then had a drain tube inserted, and had this for 5 days. I was still pulling out fluid 5ml, the doctor felt the drain could come out. It was removed. I was not able to sleep for 1.5 days, again having a reaction to the sleep meds.
**Meds before surgery 2: Cipro, and Percocet for post op pain.
**The low grade fever and sweats started after the surgery 2. Temp range 99.9 to 101.5, my normal temp is 97.5. This temp/night sweats has been with me since this surgery.
-Is the problem with the medication sleep disturbance and dreams still there? No, it was over two weeks to recover from the affects. I did report this, and I was told “this sometime happens”
-Do you have any other associated symptoms: from the first surgery, I was in a lot of pain in my body, joints, with headaches. This went on for over a month, I reported this, and I was told this was part of the recovery process, and that I needed to get out and exercise. I was feeling out of sorts, and low on energy… The Percocet did help with the pain, but I had issues with dizziness, lack of control, etc.
Is there any urinary burning or frequency? I had a little dark yellow urine, then it went away. I reported this to the doctors nurse, she advised me that I had a bladder infection or uti, and that they would not see me. I was advised to go to my primary care doctor. I was disappointed in this, as they knew I had to drive 55 miles to go to the VA Medical Emergency room. I was tested for a bladder infection, uti, and it was negative. I had a xray, and Ct scan, and fluid was found in the operated area, but the VA could not id the issues. I unable to give blood as I very dehydrated. I was sent home, and was given 500mg naproxen to take for fever and pain.
Calf muscle pain or tenderness and swelling: I had tender calf’s for a few weeks, and had to rub them just to get the pain to stop, small amount of crapping.
Coughing? I have a cough, and reported this to the doctor, but there seem to real worry about it. This cough doesn’t hurt, but it’s a real bother.
Constipation ? Yes, for a few weeks, doctor told me this was normal.
Pain in local area or anywhere else in the body? Yes, but now just lower back pain, fever, night sweats, some headaches.
Any blood tests done to see CBC- blood counts: elevated when I had the first surgery, doctor did not pull blood for second surgery, and VA was unable to get blood.
Here is what I have had done:
VA Medical
CT Scan, small amount of fluid in operated area
X ray, not much found
UA-negative for bladder/UTI
Blood Tests: Unable to take, veins unable to locate or somewhat collapsed.
There were no other tests offered from the doctor that did the work
I have a doctors appointment on 27th of October.
I need some direction to help this doctor to find the issues
Thanks for your help..
Brief Answer:
Investigate to find and treat the cause...
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for an elucidate feedback.
All the history you have provided indicates that there is a focus of infection in the body. Insist your Doctor to get fully investigated and treated.
It is usually seen that the mesh once infected should be removed ( if infected) as it acts as a foreign body.
Request to confirm that there is no Deep vein Thrombosis in the calf.
Three is no UTI as per the reports.
If you are dehydrated and having such a problem , why is not that you are admitted and investigated and kept on broad-spectrum antibiotics till a cause is found and well treated?
Although I may not be conversant with the medical system at your place, the basics of proper diagnosis and treatment remains the same all over the world.
Insist on admission, full investigations directing to a proper diagnosis and treatment. You need one.
Please give the feedback about your consultation with the Doctor on 27 th...
Investigate to find and treat the cause...
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for an elucidate feedback.
All the history you have provided indicates that there is a focus of infection in the body. Insist your Doctor to get fully investigated and treated.
It is usually seen that the mesh once infected should be removed ( if infected) as it acts as a foreign body.
Request to confirm that there is no Deep vein Thrombosis in the calf.
Three is no UTI as per the reports.
If you are dehydrated and having such a problem , why is not that you are admitted and investigated and kept on broad-spectrum antibiotics till a cause is found and well treated?
Although I may not be conversant with the medical system at your place, the basics of proper diagnosis and treatment remains the same all over the world.
Insist on admission, full investigations directing to a proper diagnosis and treatment. You need one.
Please give the feedback about your consultation with the Doctor on 27 th...
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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