what could be wrong? testing for toxoplasmosis?

[anilla]

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with being tested for this. I have been running a low grade fever (99.5-100.5) for ever it seems like. they can't figure out what's wrong. i'm having a ct scan of the abdomen next week. i've had endoscopies at both ends, all kinds of blood tests. the only thing that comes back abnormal are wbc in the urine culture. and elevated crp in the blood test. nobody knows what is wrong or what can be causing the fever.

I should also mention that my back has been hurting for about 2 months now. had chest and thoraci spine x-rays and they were normal. the pain is very peculiar in that it feels like it is coming from the inside out, e.g. a massage doesn't touch it.

i will be thankful for any ideas/advice/suggestions!

[john]

hi anilla,
a few weeks ago we had a stray cat come into the garden, sue fell in love with her and wnted to adopt her.
at the same time the press and media were talking of how the wet summer has caused a toxoplasmosis epidemic in cats and that it was being passed to humans, and was dangerous for immunodeficients and pregnant women especially.
i was seeing my immo when this was happening and i asked her whether it was wise to have the cat. she said we were protected to an extent by our infusions, but that i should not garden while the cat might be doing its business out there, and to wash my hands as often as possible, and not to touch the cat.so we didn't have the cat and in fact we tracked down her owner who was very pleased to get her back.
coincidentially, and this has got me thinking, i got a bad backache too, and it's only just going!
can't really help you anymore, if you are on antibody replacement i would advise you try not to worry too much, but see your doctor for advice.
take care - john

[liz2mac]

Hi Anilla,
Its horrid when we get these grumbling infections that are so difficult to track down, let alone treat and get rid of. how are you feeling now, has anything changed? John it's worrying to read about this toxoplasmosis epidemic. I don't have cats so am very ignorant about it. Is this somthing that cat owners can have their cats vaccinated against? in other words is theur some action PID people who have cats can take in order to keep themselves safe?
Liz

[anilla]

thanks, Liz. I'm still feeling the same. abdominal CT came back normal. Now i have a chest CT scheduled for 11.26. we'll see...

i didn't dare mention the toxoplasmosis to my pcp. last time i was there, when i asked her what's with my fevers and elevated crp and wbc in urine (with neg culture for bacteria), she said "when you have so many tests something is bound to pop up." and she shrugged.

i'm so tired of all this trying to figure out what's wrong with me thing. I have stopped infusions for now. my immunologist said we were going to wait and see what the abdomen CT said to make a decision about continuing. i guess i should call her... sigh.

[liz2mac]

Hi Anilla, I'm so sorry its taken me so long to pick up on your post about this. How are you now? Its SO frustrating when you feel like c*** and nobody can track down whats wrong. I wonder sometimes if its the science that hasn't caught up with the type of stuff that makes us ill rather than us not having an infection. Why are you being taken off of your infusions, did your immunologist explain?
Do hope that you're feeling a bit better now, let us know how things are going?
Liz