Sounds like symptoms of RA in a bad flare. I sure hope your meds start working soon. Doctor should check for infections, but I had all that before finding the right meds. Fevers, chills, pain, it's all RA uncontrolled. =(

Lin

I have fever like chills sometimes. It's awful! Your Rheumy should check for infection certainly, and if you devolop a very localized pain that is unbearable, or just can't take the pain anymore, it may mean a trip to the ER. ER staff are not very sympathetic to uncontrolled pain without an obvious need for further investigation. They have too many people just seeking drugs, and it makes them resistant to giving anything out.
Sorry to hear that you are dealing with chills too!

When I was experiencing my worst R.A symptoms, not being able to get off the couch on my own, not being able to move without everything hurting, etc. I remember it being very warm in the house and laying under the blanket shivering. I asked the hubby to get the thermometer and I was very surprised that I actually did not have a fever.

Thanks for your replies. I'm off to the doctor tomorrow. I really feel like I'm so ill. I'm barely functioning at this point. I still feel like I'm fighting an infection...guess I'm fighting the RA.

Sorry that you are feeling so bad. Hopefully your doctor has some answers for you and is able to give you something to help you feel better... how did the PET scan go by the way???

Years ago before I was diagnosed I spent over 6 months as you describe. I would go to work, come home, cover up with a quilt, lay there until bed time and start the sequence over often feeling like I was about to pass out. I would shiver like crazy even though I was under the quilt and the temp was comfortable for everyone else. My temp seldom went over 98.9 so really wasn't a fever. Felt like the worst flu I had ever had. I seldom experience the chills now, maybe once or twice a month when I get over tired. I now know it is the RA and if I do the proper things the chills will go away in a day or two. The reason it lingered was my liver enzymes were high and the Drs thought it was caused by decades of Nsaid use and once the enzymes normalized I would be okay. RA and no Nsaids, corto's, Dmards was no fun. Hope you get immediate help. If you do ahve an infection it is probably flaring your RA, so much worse.

I experienced that about a month ago and it lasted for 3 days. It does feel like an awful case of the flu. I hate this disease...it just does what it wants. I hope you get better soon, Life.

I often run a fever/feel like I have chills with my RA - sometimes even when my joints aren't overly sore. When I was on Orencia infusions, I'd run an elevated temp like that for about 15 days of the month (leading up to the next infusion) - now I'm on weekly shots, it's less frequent (rheumy thinks it's because I am keeping things at a pretty constant level in my system).

Are you on a dmard/biologic? Just wondering if your body is really having a battle with infection and an RA drug in your system. Very important to get checked, blood drawn to check counts! Good job being on top of it!

When I was first diagnosed, I'd had a low-grade fever for about 3 weeks. I was told that was a symptom of RA. Though it could also be an infection, so you should probably check out both options.

Hi Life, I'm thinking of you and hoping your doctor visit goes well tomorrow. I have had similar flares, feeling feverish and chilled. It's no fun and definitely feels like the flu with all the aches and fatigue. I hope you get the care you need and the right meds.

Thanks friends! I went to my Rheumy today and will be started MTX injections along with Simponi They are checking my blood for infection. I feel a little better today but last night I thought that it would be a trip to the ER. I appreciate everyones kind words and responses. Thanks!

I noticed you are on Simponi. When I took Simponi, for the first three nights I got a very fast, racing heartbeat at night, several times a night.
My bp would be up during day for the first two weeks.

Simponi did help RA symptoms but I noticed on a previous board that you said your chest was hurting at night. If this was right after taking Simponi, it could be Simponi.

I always felt that right after I took biologic my RA got worse for a few days. it was like RA was fighting back against medication.

Hello! Wendy..I am on Simponi. I didn't notice any reactions at all after I used it. Maybe that's what caused the flare. I take another injection next week so I'll have to pay attention. Sorry you had that reaction! Are you still using it? Cheerfully...thank you! I am feeling so much better today. My PET scan by the way showed a scar on my lung. I know that it's recent because I had a chest x-ray about 6 months ago....nothing. Probably from RA. They want me to have another one in September to make sure no new ones. I didn't have any chest stuff so I figure it has to be from the RA. When I have a bad flare my lungs really ache! Anyway I am just enjoying being pain free today!!

That sounds like me before we found the right cocktail always running a low fever, flu-like, painful, exhausted.
I hope you got some answers on Wednesday!