your advice is urgently needed

[k_poh]

Good day to you all, I found this site because I was looking for more info about this "secret disease" called valley fever. I am suspected of having it and am waiting for my blood result.

Here is my story:

I was currently taking co-amoxiclav antibiotics because my doctor said I have otitis media (I wnet to him because I had a blocked ear, which happens to me maybe every other year because my earwax is dry, and it sometimes needs to be pulled out using a crocodile forceps).
Anyway he said my ears were clear but red so he sent me home with the antibiotics for 10 days.

The Next day, I had a little fever and cough. I just ignored it becaue I was already on the antibitoics anyway.

I noticed on the seventh day that my very dry cough got worse, and fever got higher like 102 -104F. If I stopped Acetaminophen, my fever shoots up.

On the eighth day, my symptoms were, High fever, very dry explosive and continuous cough, malaise, chills, an episode of urticaria on my wrist, neck, and inner thigh which I attributed to maybe having a simple reaction with the meds I am taking, and I also felt musculoskeletal right shoulder pain which radiated to my right chest, and that I thought maybe I lied on it overnight.

On the 10th day, and last dose of my augmentin, I went to the doctor for a checkup as my condition did not get any better (but my ear was ok).
Actually my fever has already stopped, I was only concerned with the dry cough.

He then suspected me of having VF and ordered some blood tests, which he said will be available after a week. He also ordered a chest xray, which reported right upper lobe pneumonia (right upper lobe infiltrate).

He also gave me Levaquin and Prednisone. I have only taken 2 doses of Levaquin and I have reduced my prednisone today, my third day of taking them because last night I felt worse. I felt right upper back pain, and still coughing again and again.

It is a Saturday today so I can't go back to him and raise my concern about the meds he gave me because i just learned, they are antibiotic, and the prednisone though helps in the treatment of pneumonia, is an immuno suppressant. Heck maybe that explains why I woke up with cold sore today (this normally happens to me when my immune system is low).


Anyway, shouldn't he have given me antifungal instead ???

Do I continue to take my new meds?

Thank you


=======================================

We just moved to Arizona Sept 2013.

[susan ulmer]

Hi k_poh..Welcome..

I am not a doctor but in my experience, if you CAN avoid antibiotics and steroids, you should. The acetaminophen shouldn't be a problem and will keep down your fever and reduce the aches and pains. Antibiotics and steroids [Prednisone] give VF a better chance of getting a foothold. Perhaps you could try a simple OTC cough suppressant to keep your cough in check while you are awaiting your VF test results? I have found that something that innocuous usually helps me to keep my cough quiet and keeps me from getting that chest pain that comes from excessive coughing.

I hope your results come back negative but VF often presents as or causes pneumonia and is often incorrectly treated. It's great that your doctor has suggested the VF test and is aware of that possibility but of course I hope he's wrong!

All the best,
Susan

[vfs_admin_Dave]

Hi K_Poh,

Susan covered everything I would have said about antibiotics, steroids and the fact that it's good your doctor is vigilant enough to consider VF.

[k_poh]

Just been to the doctor today and he said my VF test came out negative. He actually only tested for IgG and IgM not the Titer that everyone is talking about. He said that this test is the screening test. Anyway I got to ask him to do the titers so it will be another week of waiting.


I am actually feeling better now. Dry cough is reduced to maybe 20%, but my back still feels sore. The soreness was only on the right side before, but it feels like it is going to the left side too. But he said I am getting better now which I agree. He also added if it was VF infection, then it is getting better but no one will really know for sure unless a lung biopsy is done.


I am really lost now and don't know what to think. Do I ask for lung biopsy to confirm I have VF ?

What's the next thing for me to do?

[vfs_admin_Dave]

Hi k_poh,

I am glad that things are going better. By the fact that you are so early into your VF infection the IgM antibodies actually might be more visible. It is almost universal in blood tests to check for both IgM and IgG together so it is frustrating that it did not happen in your first test. At least you will have more information in a week.

As to whether a lung biopsy is beneficial, that would be a discussion you would need to have with your doctor to weigh the risks and benefits. Everyone wants to know exactly what went wrong so it can get the perfect fix if it happens again in the future but at this stage, since matters are improving (but keep an eye on the soreness you now feel on both sides), but the benefit of the test may not be as great. This discussion with your doctor is your next step, but the IgM and IgG information may be enlightening as well.

More important than the testing is the fact that your health is getting on the right track.

Best of health,
_________________
David Filip
Co-Founder of www.valleyfeversurvivor.com
Co-Author of "Valley Fever Epidemic"
www.valleyfeverepidemic.com
Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/valleyfeversurvivor
View our You Tube channel: www.youtube.com/valleyfeversurvivor

[k_poh]

Hi all

I had my symptoms of cough, fatigue, and joint pains and weakness since Monday this week.

My cocci titer is now back with a result of 1:64

Problem is my doctor is not in the clinic and will be back Monday.

What do I do now ? Do I go to emergency or urgent care and ask the doctor there to start me on anti fungals?

Thank you

[vfs_admin_Dave]

Hi k_poh, it is unlikely that an emergency room doctor would know enough about this disease to make an appropriate decision. Calling your doctor's office for confirmation would yield the best results.
_________________
David Filip
Co-Founder of www.valleyfeversurvivor.com
Co-Author of "Valley Fever Epidemic"
www.valleyfeverepidemic.com
Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/valleyfeversurvivor
View our You Tube channel: www.youtube.com/valleyfeversurvivor

[k_poh]

[epenney]

Hi k_poh,

Your titers are 1:64, and they are proposing 400mg/day Fluconazole for 4 months? Seems like a very short period of treatment given the high titers.

Initially, my titers were 1:8 for the first 7 months after diagnosis. I was started on 800mg/day Fluconazole and kept at that dosage for 3-1/2 years, then 400mg/day down to 200mg/day for 1 year until last May.

I hope all the best for you.

-Eric

[Budster]

[k_poh]

Hi
Thank you all for your replies.

I have decided to call the Mayo clinic in Scottsdale Az and book an appointment.

I have asked for some info in a new thread.

Once again thanks to everybody.