What is a low grade fever? Everyday I feel "sick" and like I have a fever but (and I know this isn't the best way to check) when I ask someone to feel my forehead, they say I am fine. I need to get a thermometer to really follow it but now adays I feel like it's all in my head
I have experienced the same thing! I often feel feverish, and one of two things happens. Either my boyfriend tells me that my forehead feels fine. Or I take my temperature and it's only about 99.6 or so (that's the higher end, sometimes it's lower - around 99.1). My rheumy tells me that anything ABOVE 100 is a fever. She is fairly adament about this even when I explain that my normal temperature is around 97.7 or 97.8.
So I have chosen to agree to disagree with my rheumy on this point. I consider anything above 99 a low grade fever for me. I admit that this isn't very scientific, but I know how I feel, and as much as I respect my rhuemy, she doesn't know how feverish I feel when this happens. So who's right?!?
I think the famous Lupus hardcover actually agrees with me on this point...
I know that this wasn't very helpful, but it might be nice to know that you aren't alone...
Yep, a low grade fever is different for each person, so it's confusing. That's because each person has their own "normal" temperature. For most people, it really is about 98.6*F., but some are normally a little higher and others are lower. My normal temperature is about 97.8*F., and I consider anything about a degree above that as a low grade fever for me. When I'm feeling rotten and in a lupus flare, my temperature is often about 99*F. It's not enough to be really sick, but is enough to let me know it's not in my head. For a low grade fever, your forehead is not a reliable gauge - you're just not hot enough!
You do need to get a thermometer. I like the digital one we have because it's quick, easy to read, and it was less than $15 at the pharmacy.
I am picking up another thermometer today! (Forgetten where I put the others ). Also, I read on some posts that mornings are best to take your temp and gauge it. Is that right?
The only time it was essential to do a morning temp was to know your basal temp (resting from a night's sleep) was to try to get pg or not!
For our purposes, I cannot see any reason not to check your temp. when the thought crosses your mind about feeling unwell. I could be wrong, but I was dxed in 1999 and it's worked for me so far!
Hope each day away from sunshine is helping you feel better!
Hello,
My average morning temp is 95.6-96F.I thought maybe that my thermometer was broken or something, so I went out and bought a new one. Well, it is the same.... and when I feel ill my temp is usually 98- 99.7F.
So.....do I have a fever????
Blessed, are you on steroids or other immunosuppresants at all? Correct me if I am wrong, but don't these all suppress a fever? I know I read this in more than one place. So, if a fever is suppressed (because these drugs suppress the entire inflammatory response, which includes fever), then one could be ill with something that would normally cause a fever, but not have a fever. I think this must be why infections or other illnesses that cause fevers tend to get out of hand in those with lupus because one of the main indicators of infection, namely fever, is suppressed. Not that this is your situation. When I first got diagnosed, I kept a fever journal for at least three months. Every day, I would take my temp and record it, usually twice a day at the same time. I stopped once it occured to me that since I was taking prednisone, it might keep me from having an elevated temperature reading, even if I really was sick.
I really need to start keeping a temp log. Well, I was on prednisone but only for a week. The feeling sick and fevers were both before and after the steroid. Thanks for your response.
Fevers 
