Flu Symptoms, fever

[Sparkle2012]

I have read but can't find the threads that Crohns can cause flu symptoms. I woke up on Thursday with a stiff muscle in my neck/shoulder - sleeping funny I supposed. On Friday, woke up and was feeling slightly "off". Later in the day, all my joints started feeling really achy and I had a slight headache and was really sleepy/exhausted. As the evening progressed, neck issue and headache became worse and fever 97.3. As I'm waiting in bed for someone to buy me some Tylenol....30 minutes or so....fever went up to 101.7. Head now throbbing and I can hear/feel blood pulsing in my ears. Took Tylenol and went to bed. Saturday not much better but no fever. Later, upset stomach, nausea, heartburn and a rumbly tummy with some bowel upset. That night headache miserable and tylenol didn't help. Finally took migraine meds and got thru the night fairly comfortably. Better Sunday with little residue other than a slight rumbly tummy and slightly sore neck which is still slightly sore. I have asked around and no one has heard of any flu type symptoms going around. This was not fun. :shifty:

Is this an extension of Crohns? Has anyone experienced these symptoms that are not the flu? I'm not on any meds yet so....

 

[Jennifer]

Quick curious question, why no meds yet? Waiting on insurance or something of that nature?

Yes flu like symptoms are possible as I had them while I was in a flare. It does seem a short amount of time if it were Crohn's related but not that it isn't possible. It could have been a virus of sorts even though you don't know of anyone being sick. I somehow got bronchitis a little over 2 weeks ago. Don't know anyone who has it. Just picked it up somewhere.

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Personally I would be more willing to put it down to a bug rather than CD... of course sometimes it can be impossible to tell!

I hardly go out of the house at the moment, yet seem to get bugs the other person who lives with me doesn't.

 

[Sparkle2012]

Crabby - Waiting for Humira to arrive this week. Then I will schedule my loading dose appt. I've heard now that you should have your immunities first so I'm going to talk to the doctor today to see if I can wait until those are done. I have been told that I need to get the pneumonia shot bccause of my asthma. I don't want shingles and I have had the c/p virus. Flu shot I've heard miht be a good idea. Thoughts on that?

 

[Jennifer]

I take 6MP and didn't get my flu shot right before and don't even get it yearly. Its not flu season anymore but its up to you. I don't think it will hurt you any.

 

[Sparkle2012]

Innoculations

Mostly I'm worried about shingles (the innoculation is a live virus) and pneumonia shot (innoc. is a dead virus). I believe they will let me innoculate with a shot that uses a dead virus. Shingles is another thing - I will keep my fingers crossed that I don't contract it.

 

[Clash]

Clsparks- My Mom takes Remicade same precautions with live virus vaccinations so before strting she got the shingles shot the pharmacy and doc said it does not always prevent it but it will be a lighter case. She ended up with Shingles 8 mos later and took 6 mos to overcome completely. Mind you she is on Remi for RA not IBD.

 

[Sparkle2012]

How bad were the shiingles? Was it truly a lighter case?

 

[Sparkle2012]

My GI first told me, you can't take any live virus but pneumonia shot OK. Flu shot with non-live virus is OK but it's out of season. I have an appt with someone who is the Biologic genius supposedly in my GI group on Wednesday to discuss further. I wonder if your mother got shinges because it was a live virus innoculation?

 

[Clash]

I don't know how you would compare cases to light or severe as the symptoms of shingles affect each person differently. My Mom has a high pain tolerance and she said for the first two weeks it was extreme constant pain for which she had prescribed pain meds for. But her RA could've played a role in how she was affected by shingles. She has had the pneumonia shot and flu shot while on her biologic as her rhuemy suggested it. Unless there is some underlying reason you have to start the biologic right away I see no reason not to wait long enough to get the shingles shot. I'd just talk it over with the biologics expert first, of course. Good luck with the biologic hope it brings you some relief!

 

[Sparkle2012]

Good advice. I'm going to ask him just that on Wednesday. My mom has RA....and she did get shingles. I might post a follow-up just in case anyone else ever has the question. Thanks for your reply!