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  • Fever anyone?

    Ok, this is beginning to get old. I was having trouble initially with a fever but it was determined it was being caused by the lining of my lungs needing more exercise. I don't know how many of you had to use a spirometer post op but I did. You emply your lungs as much as you possibly can and then slowly suck air in through a tube to inflate your lungs as much as possible. This registers the air volume in the lungs. It has something to do with exercising the lining to prevent pneumonia. You all are probably familiar with this exercise but thought I'd explain just in case. I quit using it too soon and started running a fever but took care of it by beginning the process again. I'm now almost 3 weeks post op and find myself running a fever of almost 101* again. My temperature normally runs a little low. GRRRRRRRRRRR! I just can't imagine it's that again. Can anyone shed any light on the situation? My husband thinks it's because I overdid it yesterday but I don't think so. I felt really great this morning and like s&*# tonight.

    Help?
    Becky, 46 years old
    Diagnosed at 13 with mild scoliosis
    Ignored until 448/07
    Left thoracic 49* T5-T11
    Right thorocolumbar 60* T11-L4
    Surgery Monday, June 9, 2008 Oklahoma Spine Hospital
    Fused T-10 to L-5
    14 titanium pedicle screws
    Corrected to approx. 10* YEA!!!
    Email

  • #2
    Could it be something else such as a urinary tract infection? I had a fever of 100 degrees due to a UTI after my surgery. I was also told it's normal to have a low grade fever after a surgery as your body is working overtime, but 101 is kind of high. Do you have any pneumonia symptoms or possibly a sinus infection? How does your incision look? Is it warm to the touch? Sorry I couldn't be of much help.

    Shell
    Chemist, 30

    1998- 18 degrees
    2003- 33 degrees
    2005- 37 degrees
    2006- 44 degrees
    May 2007- 47 degrees
    December 2007 - 50 degrees X-ray

    Surgery May 27, 2008
    Fused T1 to L2
    Curve corrected to 15 degrees X-ray

    Comment


    • #3
      Sweetheart, you ARE a help simply by responding! I'm not ruling anything out so any and all ideas are welcome.

      As far as I know I don't have any pneumonia symptoms. I've never had it so I'm not sure I'd know. My scar looks wonderful! I really don't think it's a UTI since I'm drinking about a gallon of water a day. No exageration. I used to be a Diet Cokeaholic, now it's unusual if I have one a day. Water is all I want.

      I don't have any sinus symptoms but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. I think I'll go back to making myself lightheaded on the spirometer and see if that helps. If it's not better by Monday, I'll call the doc.

      I'm still open to anything so keep the ideas rollin' in!
      Becky, 46 years old
      Diagnosed at 13 with mild scoliosis
      Ignored until 448/07
      Left thoracic 49* T5-T11
      Right thorocolumbar 60* T11-L4
      Surgery Monday, June 9, 2008 Oklahoma Spine Hospital
      Fused T-10 to L-5
      14 titanium pedicle screws
      Corrected to approx. 10* YEA!!!
      Email

      Comment


      • #4
        Becky, pester your doctor to find out what's going on ... I don't think you should be running fever (particularly 101°) from "overdoing it". You need to find out what's causing it, and it could be something completely unrelated to surgery.

        And, yeah. I used the inspirometer post-op ... and even longer than I was told to when my ribs hurt, and to increase my lung capacity for the 5K: It's a great way to combat lung/rib discomfort - AND HEAL - so don't be lax about it, Missy !!

        (I still actually pull mine out occasionally at almost 5 mo's post-op)

        Regards,
        Pam
        Fusion is NOT the end of the world.
        AIDS Walk Houston 2008 5K @ 33 days post op!


        41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
        Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
        Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston


        VIEW MY X-RAYS
        EMAIL ME

        Comment


        • #5
          In the hospital, the nurse told my daughter that she can bring down any mild fever just by using the spirometer. And as far as I can tell, it worked.

          That said, I think there must be some limit on when you should be running a fever due to the surgery alone.

          I think you need to rule out some other reason, especially if you can't bring the fever down by breathing.

          Good luck.
          Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

          No island of sanity.

          Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
          Answer: Medicine


          "We are all African."

          Comment


          • #6
            Thanks!

            Originally posted by txmarinemom
            Becky, pester your doctor to find out what's going on ... I don't think you should be running fever (particularly 101°) from "overdoing it". You need to find out what's causing it, and it could be something completely unrelated to surgery.

            And, yeah. I used the inspirometer post-op ... and even longer than I was told to when my ribs hurt, and to increase my lung capacity for the 5K: It's a great way to combat lung/rib discomfort - AND HEAL - so don't be lax about it, Missy !!
            Yes, ma'am! And I agree on the rib discomfort. I really didn't believe it would help but it does. I'll be very diligent with it this weekend but if I show even a sign of a fever Monday, I'm calling the doc.

            By the way, Pam, I was hoping you'd come up with the proper name for the little device. The meds still have my brain a little foggy. Alright, a lot foggy!

            Thank you too, Pooka1. I agree. I think something else is going on and it needs to be checked into.

            Thanks all! You're the greatest!
            Last edited by skoshi314; 06-28-2008, 10:20 PM.
            Becky, 46 years old
            Diagnosed at 13 with mild scoliosis
            Ignored until 448/07
            Left thoracic 49* T5-T11
            Right thorocolumbar 60* T11-L4
            Surgery Monday, June 9, 2008 Oklahoma Spine Hospital
            Fused T-10 to L-5
            14 titanium pedicle screws
            Corrected to approx. 10* YEA!!!
            Email

            Comment


            • #7
              Becky-- I was gone yesterday... but yes, I agree you need to contact your doctor. Maybe even call him today if your fever is still high... I know that my initial release papers said to call if a fever went over 101º, and those instructions were for the first 3 weeks after surgery, until my 1st appointment. It's always better to be safe than sorry, and something's causing the fever. I don't see any way that overdoing it could be the culprit...

              Let us know how you are getting along and what the doctor says. Susie
              71 and plugging along... but having some problems
              2007 52° w/ severe lumbar stenosis & L2L3 lateral listhesis (side shift)
              5/4/07 posterior fusion T2-L4 w/ laminectomies and osteotomies @L2L3, L3L4
              Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Rush Univ. Medical Center in Chicago

              Corrected to 15°
              CMT (type 2) DX in 2014, progressing
              10/2018 x-rays - spondylolisthesis at L4/L5 - Dr. DeWald is monitoring

              Click to view my pics: pics of scoli x-rays digital x-rays, and pics of me

              Comment


              • #8
                Becky, you haven't said ... are you taking anything (i.e., pain meds) that contains a fever reducing drug? I got to thinking how likely it is you are (so soon after surgery) and wondering "Is it 101° ON meds?!?". If so, I'm really concerned.

                I think Susie's suggestion to contact your doctor is prudent. Ask if he'll meet you at the ER, and if not, at least go ahead and have bloodwork done so you're ahead of the game this week when you can get in to see him ...

                As I said before, it may be *completely* unrelated to surgery, but the last thing you need right now is to get sick (I can't recall now who the poor person was here that got the flu after surgery, but I just remember thinking "UGH!").

                Take care of yourself, girlie ...

                Hugs,
                Pam
                Fusion is NOT the end of the world.
                AIDS Walk Houston 2008 5K @ 33 days post op!


                41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
                Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
                Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston


                VIEW MY X-RAYS
                EMAIL ME

                Comment


                • #9
                  Thanks, ladies, you're the best! The thing is it isn't all the time and that's part of what confuses me. It tends to come and go. Pam, I'm on Oxycontin, OxyIR which is Oxycodone Immediate Release and Soma. I don't think any of those have any fever reducing properties. I'm also taking Keflex which is an antibiotic. I seem to be fine this morning so I think I'll wait until later today and see if it comes up again. I just keep thinking how much I don't want an infection in the hardware. I know it's extremely rare, but still........

                  I'll let you know how it's going. I just don't have the words to tell you all how much it means to me that you care. You are the greatest group of people anywhere! Thanks!
                  Becky, 46 years old
                  Diagnosed at 13 with mild scoliosis
                  Ignored until 448/07
                  Left thoracic 49* T5-T11
                  Right thorocolumbar 60* T11-L4
                  Surgery Monday, June 9, 2008 Oklahoma Spine Hospital
                  Fused T-10 to L-5
                  14 titanium pedicle screws
                  Corrected to approx. 10* YEA!!!
                  Email

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Yea, I am feeling pretty good this morning, but that kind of seems to be the pattern. Yesterday, for instance, I woke up feeling really good. I even got the bills caught up, so filing done and some other little jobs done, nothing tough I promise. About 7pm I felt the fever start up. Sure enough when I took it there it was. I used the inspirometer hoping that would take care of it but it didn't. I finally took some Motrin and that helped to a certain degree but I just felt achy all evening. Then I got up this morning ready to start in again.

                    Pam, in my opinion, you aren't nagging. You simply care enough to ask the questions and for that I'm so grateful. You are all such a caring group. I know I keep saying it and maybe I'm feeling a little sappy this morning, but I just appreciate you all so much.
                    Becky, 46 years old
                    Diagnosed at 13 with mild scoliosis
                    Ignored until 448/07
                    Left thoracic 49* T5-T11
                    Right thorocolumbar 60* T11-L4
                    Surgery Monday, June 9, 2008 Oklahoma Spine Hospital
                    Fused T-10 to L-5
                    14 titanium pedicle screws
                    Corrected to approx. 10* YEA!!!
                    Email

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Becky,

                      Please check with your surgeon, I was not allowed to take Motrin until 8 or 9 months post op, it will keep the bones from fusing in some.
                      Patty 51 years old
                      Surgery May 23, 2007(43 Birthday)
                      Posterior T3- L4
                      Pre surgery curves
                      T-53degrees
                      L-38degrees
                      and a severe side shift to the right.
                      Post surgery curves
                      Less than 10 degrees
                      Surgery April, 2006
                      C4 - C6

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Oh, wow, I hadn't even thought of that! Thank you so much for the advice and yes, I'll check with them first thing tomorrow.
                        Becky, 46 years old
                        Diagnosed at 13 with mild scoliosis
                        Ignored until 448/07
                        Left thoracic 49* T5-T11
                        Right thorocolumbar 60* T11-L4
                        Surgery Monday, June 9, 2008 Oklahoma Spine Hospital
                        Fused T-10 to L-5
                        14 titanium pedicle screws
                        Corrected to approx. 10* YEA!!!
                        Email

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Hi Becky, I've been following your recovery, but haven't had much time to post since I only had three weeks notice for my surgery date, which is coming up this Thursday, 7/3. I'm having the save levels fused as you. I've been very, very busy getting everything in order... I would be concerned about an intermitent fever - to me it seems like your immune system is really trying to fight something off, and does so effectively for a while, but every so often it is overloaded, and hence the fever starts in again. I once contracted Viral Meningitis only because my immune system was working overtime because I was working in a medical clinic in a sugar cane field in the Dominican Republic, where the water we had to wash our hands with was bacteria laden... We all get exposed to the VM virus, but it only gets through when the immune system is overloaded. Kind of a long explanation/example, but I would be very careful to document what you do every day, and each time the fever starts, and how long it lasts, to try and give the docs something concrete to start with. I hope this will all be resolved for you very soon. Take extra good care of yourself! You don't need any extra complications at this time! Blessings, Lisa
                          Lisa, Portland, OR
                          49 y.o.
                          46 degree curve L1-L5, mild T curve
                          L5-S1 healthy, thankfully
                          Lumbar stenosis, osteoarthritis, lumbosacral sponsylosis
                          T11-L5 fusion 7/3/08

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Becky

                            If your fever returns or your pains increases go to your surgeon and ask for a blood test to check for an infection.

                            Sue

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              PLEASE PLEASE check with your surgeon! I don't want to scare you but my low grade fever skyrocketed to 104 and I had a staph infection. I will be fighting this a while after having been opened up again and cleaned out. NOT fun! Better safe then sorry.
                              Good luck, maybe it won't be anything serious.
                              2 60* curves, DDD, left trunk shift, some rotation, rib and lumbar humps, annular tear at L5-S1
                              surgery 5/08 planning fusion T3 or T4 to sacrum with iliac fixation
                              Dr. Anderson at Rothman Institute
                              5/16/08 ALIF L1-L5
                              5/23/08 fused T2-sacrum w/fixation and I'm all Titanium
                              6/4/08 open all back up to clean out for Staph infection
                              (left open with just clear dressing)
                              6/6/08 recleaned and closed
                              3/30/2012 revision planned, broken rod and removal of iliac bolts

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