Low grade temps - long covid?

[NeverTalksToStrangers]

This time last year I was pretty convinced I had covid. I had a slightly raised temp for over 2 weeks. No cough but chest tightness. The chest tightness could have been psychosomatic as there was no proof of it iykwim? And last spring was a worrying time, obviously. Unfortunately, at that time they were only testing people admitted to hospital, so I never got tested. I did have an antibody test in September, which was negative but also was the guts of 6 months after I think I had it.

Following that, my temp would rise regularly, quite often before my period. I had thought it was maybe a menopausal sign (I'm 41), but body temps don't normally raise even with hot flushes/flashes (whatever the feck they are actually called).

It continued to happen and so I had blood tests done (along with MANY covid tests , all negative). Bloods came back quite inconclusive. Raised for ESR and slightly above normal for 2 autoimmune related tests. Hormones definitely didn't suggest menopause.

Since Christmas the temp thing is just getting more regular. I have a slight temp most of the time, always over 37 (hubby and kids read in 36's consistently on same thermometer). If it's over say 37.8, I start to feel crap (achey with sore head), but otherwise I'm fine.

I went private to a rheumatologist and have had a ct scan (waiting on results) but she seemed to think it could be long covid and said she had seen other people presenting with similar issues, but that they were all sicker than me.

Is anyone here experiencing similar?

What do you mean by slightly raised temperature???

Something like 37.5 is normal. Not raised. It's only really raised when it's 37.8 or above.

It's normal for body temperature to vary during the day. E.g. fluctuating between 36.5 and 37.5c.

Every day I range from roughly 37.4 to 38.3. It has been over 37.5 at least once every day for months now.

And as much as 37.4 is, 'normal', it's still high for not being sick. Most well people read in the 36es. I used to.

@NeverTalksToStrangers

Every day I range from roughly 37.4 to 38.3. It has been over 37.5 at least once every day for months now.

And as much as 37.4 is, 'normal', it's still high for not being sick. Most well people read in the 36es. I used to.

Yes. Obviously 38.3 is raised.

But it's not true that most people always read in the 36s. It's perfectly normal to be higher at certain times of day. E.g. I'm always 37.3/37.4 in the afternoons. Always have been.

Now that might not be typical for you. But for many people it is.

But I'm referring to oral measurements. Armpit will be a bit lower.

Anyone else getting unexplained temperatures? Like I said earlier my ESR has been raised on 3 separate blood tests months apart (25-26) but with no obvious cause.

Nobody will be able to tell you for a long time.

The problem we have now is manyfold. We KNOW that covid can frequently cause long-term issues, but we don't know how. It can only be diagnosed by looking at symptoms and deciding it's not anything else, which is to an extent pure guesswork.

Coupled with that uncertainty, you have the stress of the last year - people's lives have changed immensely and the future is uncertain. Stress itself will cause elevated ESR and it's been linked to a whole array of different symptoms from headaches, dyspepsia, skin disorders, fatigue etc etc

Worrying about it - it's likely you do if you've had 3 blood tests, will simply make the stress worse.

I'd look at methods for reducing your stress level and see if that helps - it won't harm and since there's no treatment for long-covid currently, you have no alternatives.

Progesterone does make your body temp rise so after ovulation.

And as pp said temp rises towards evening.
But i have seen long covid people saying about temps.

Could you be hyperthyroid?

Fb groups on long covid can be useful.

You can also get temps from things like tic viruses (so if youve been in a lot of woods or grass in uk).

Or tonsilitis/ear infection etc.

Sorry haven’t read the whole thread, but can you try checking your temp with a different thermometer.
And also, I’ve always had and still have a high body temp 37.5 -37.7 is my norm and just before my periods it can be 38. I also had lots of blood tests done when i first noticed this and was eventually told it’s my normal. This has been the case for me since my early twenties so wasn’t menopausal.
The reason why I said use a different thermometer is because I used to get a much higher reading with a certain braun model, but then I bought a new one (also Braun) and compared and realised that thermometer readings do vary a lot.

Oh and forgot to add that when I had covid I didn’t have a high temp or any raised temp. My 2 sibling and DH were the same. We had covid without a temp at all

The blood tests were repeated at request of the doctor, not me being stressed.

My sister has an underactive thyroid, so this has been tested regularly over the years (any time I've been run down (I've had iron /folate issues several times)) but it's always normal.

Like I said before, I had thought it was hormonal myself, but it's now at all times of the month. I can't remember what stage in my cycle I had the hormone tests, but the doc described them as perfect and when I tried to compare them to menopause myself the figures seemed to be very much in the opposite direction (I think this may have been the time of the month though?!) My referral to rheumatologist was to investigate a possible autoimmune/lupus link. Despite having medical insurance I wasn't going to go for it because I felt ok most of the time, but it has definitely gotten worse since Christmas. Prior to last March, my temp was rarely above 37.

It quite often peaks after a flat out day at work (I'll get a headache by lunch and then it's over 38 that night). I'll think it's sorted as it'll be more normal one day, then high the next.

I have definitely taken my temp a LOT over the past 12 months, but that is mostly covid related. My son had a cough in the summer, for example. So I took his temp, which was normal. Mine was raised. Negative covid tests. Was chatting to friend for 20 mins in oct, she tested positive 2 days later. Took my temp... 2 negative tests that week. I was supposed to be back in the office at that stage (wfh most of the year including now). When I went in, I brought my thermometer. Everyone tested normal (sterilised it in between), bar me, 38.0.

I think I've had 8 covid tests to date. I felt like I couldn't take the risk to others. I struggle more with the throat than the nose. Last time I nearly threw up. Haven't been tested in about a month though now.

Oh and I've tried other thermometers. Mine is probably 10+ years old brain, but very reliable. The new ones seem to give readings that are all over the place. Bought a forehead one and it was like 37 one minute then 38.9.

We bought a forehead one for my workplace (most of the staff do shifts and are key workers). It read me as 37.4 iirc, but everyone else in the office was at least a full degree lower.

This isn't all in my head.

My temp rises a good 2 degrees when I'm approaching my period and when I'm ovulating. So I'll show a temp around 38 degrees but be fine,but a bit of a nightmare with the temp checks happening everywhere.

I only really realised it did this when I was tracking my temps when I was trying to conceive.

It may be that you've always had it, but are more twitchy and so tuned in to it more now or it might be new. No way to tell, but my first thought wouldnt be long covid/post viral syndrome given you havent had covid proven nor have antibodies.

@NeverTalksToStrangers

Oh and I've tried other thermometers. Mine is probably 10+ years old brain, but very reliable. The new ones seem to give readings that are all over the place. Bought a forehead one and it was like 37 one minute then 38.9.

We bought a forehead one for my workplace (most of the staff do shifts and are key workers). It read me as 37.4 iirc, but everyone else in the office was at least a full degree lower.

This isn't all in my head.

37.4 is a normal healthy temp.

I'm not constantly menstruating or ovulating though. I'm not imagining it nor was it always happening...

My gp was concerned enough to get full bloods done. And when I had an appt with the rheumatologist i said "it was 37.4 this morning, so normal" and she said "yes, but still unusual".

I was asking if anyone else was experiencing this with long covid. I didn't ask for a diagnosis.

And, yes, I had a negative antibody test but it was almost 6 months after I had initial symptoms. Antibodies are thought to only last for 3. I got tested because I signed up for a clinical trial with a university, which unfortunately got delayed until sept.

I know someone with long covid, and she spiked a temperature randomly for months. Yes it's a symptom of long covid. She also struggled with muscle aches and weakness, fatigue and problems with her heart rhythms.

I hope you feel better soon. Temps exist in a range but we all have a 'normal' for us. My temp generally runs between 35.8 and 36.5. A temp of 37.4 for me would indicate something was going on, no matter if it is 'normal' or 'healthy' for someone else. It's not a dangerous temp of course, but certainly a sign your body is reacting to something and it's natural to be curious/concerned.

The temp thing could be autonomic dysfunction, which can be caused by long COVID but also other things. I have difficulty maintaining my body temp (but also read hot sometimes) due to another condition that causes autonomic dysfunction so it is a thing. How’s your heart rate-do you ever run fast? Ever feel faint, especially on standing? Slightly raised ESR can also be caused by autonomic dysfunction as it can cause inflammation.

But it could be autoimmune. Rheumatology disorders can be notoriously difficult to diagnose and can sometimes take years.
I had on/off symptoms for 4 years of spiking temperatures, raised ESR/CRP, joint pain and feeling generally unwell. Joint pain always happened in conjunction with a raised temp; same as you.
All apparently symptoms of long COVID too, though.
Eventually, a rheumatologist with an interest in ultrasound of joints found something. Further scans and I had a diagnosis of a rheumatology condition, after years of symptoms. The same has happened with other family members; we’re genetically pre-disposed.
Don’t assume it’s long COVID. See the rheumatologist but be careful with your insurance policy. Rheumatologists do lots of expensive bloods and scans. Make sure your policy can afford it; check the limits on it first.

Thanks to those actually listening to me.

Did the temps and other symptoms stop for her @lovestonap? I'm very quick to get exhausted these days, but I'm also a lazy mare (even more so in lockdown), so I'm not sure what to blame for that. I am used to aches if I over exert myself anyway as I am very hypermobile in certain places, so again I can't say I'm definitely more achey than before (apart from when temp has gone above 37.8 or so).

@jeanniethezebra I don't think my heart rate runs fast but I do remember feeling slightly light-headed maybe 14 months ago after turning in my chair quickly in work. Happened a few times but not for ages I don't think.

@Lupinhere37

But it could be autoimmune. Rheumatology disorders can be notoriously difficult to diagnose and can sometimes take years. I had on/off symptoms for 4 years of spiking temperatures, raised ESR/CRP, joint pain and feeling generally unwell. Joint pain always happened in conjunction with a raised temp; same as you. All apparently symptoms of long COVID too, though. Eventually, a rheumatologist with an interest in ultrasound of joints found something. Further scans and I had a diagnosis of a rheumatology condition, after years of symptoms. The same has happened with other family members; we’re genetically pre-disposed. Don’t assume it’s long COVID. See the rheumatologist but be careful with your insurance policy. Rheumatologists do lots of expensive bloods and scans. Make sure your policy can afford it; check the limits on it first.

This policy (through work) isn't as good as previous one we had, but CT and MRI are covered. Other than that it's £1000 for outpatient (with £100 excess ) but had to pay for more bloods (which I haven't heard about yet despite it being weeks ago). Expect to hear on weds.

I took a weird (but brief) reaction to the contrast dye IV during the CT. That was fun. My teeth keep chattering, whole body shaking. But I wasn't cold.

I'm thinking that whether it's simply long covid or not, I probably did have it last year and it has triggered this. A few of my colleagues were unwell within days of my symptoms starting and one lost taste and smell, which at the time we didn't realise was a symptom.

@NeverTalksToStrangers

Ask them for the cost of the bloods upfront. You should be able to keep an eye on it. My full total for bloods came to about £400 but obviously you have the costs of the consultant’s fees each time you see them as well.
To be honest, I think you’re better off in the NHS for rheumatology because if you do get a diagnosis and require treatment, you can be looking at ongoing monitoring, shared care agreements etc.
Rheumatology departments have taken a beating during COVID though. I think waiting lists are probably affected in lots of areas tbh.
Good luck; these low level fevers and symptoms are very irritating and can be exhausting at times. I do feel for you.

Thanks @lupinhere37
Waiting lists here were awful before covid. I'm in NI. Much worse than England.

Planning on going back to NHS if/when I get a diagnosis. Who knows how long that will take though. Consultant leaning towards long covid I think. What sort of treatments are you on? Steroids?

@NeverTalksToStrangers

Not started any treatment as yet, due to COVID but the discussion seems to be methotrexate. That is why I needed to go back to the NHS.
I’m Wales, by the way. Waiting lists shocking here too, although I doubt they’re brilliant anywhere currently