Is Fibromyalgia Giving You Feverish Symptoms? Here’s What You Need to Know!

A persistent low-grade fever can be frustrating. Unlike a high fever that often signals an infection or severe illness, a low-grade fever stays slightly elevated for days, weeks, or even longer.

Typically, your body temperature will be between 99.5°F (37.5°C) and 100.3°F (38°C), making it hard to pin down the cause. For people with fibromyalgia, these low-grade fever-like sensations can feel especially confusing, as they don’t come with the usual symptoms of an infection.

This article explores what could be causing this feverish feeling, how to tell it apart from a real fever, and tips to manage it.

What Is Fibromyalgia Fever?

Fibromyalgia doesn’t actually cause a fever in the traditional sense, but many people with this condition experience a “fever-like” sensation during flare-ups.

This can include feeling warmer than usual, sweating more, or just feeling uncomfortable, all without an actual rise in body temperature. Taking your temperature will likely be normal, but your body may feel like running hotter than usual.

This sensation is often a result of how fibromyalgia affects your nervous system. With fibromyalgia, your body processes temperature and pain signals differently than others, which can cause you to feel overheated even when your body temperature is normal.

Common Causes of Persistent Low-Grade Fever

Several underlying conditions can cause persistent low-grade fevers. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Infections: Chronic infections, such as tuberculosis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), or endocarditis, can cause persistent low-grade fever as your body fights off the infection.

2. Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cause inflammation in the body. This inflammation can lead to a mild fever, which persists as the immune system attacks healthy tissue.

3. Cancer: Some types of cancer, particularly blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, can trigger low-grade fevers as the body responds to cancer cells or secondary infections.

4. Medications: Certain medications, including antibiotics and anticonvulsants, can cause a side effect known as drug fever. If you’re taking medications that impact your immune system, they could cause this mild, persistent fever.

5. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia: Both of these conditions are often linked with low-grade fevers. If you have fibromyalgia or CFS, you might experience feverish sensations along with the fatigue, pain, and muscle aches that are characteristic of these conditions.

6. Stress and Anxiety: Psychological stress can also result in low-grade fever. When you’re stressed or anxious, your body releases hormones like cortisol, which can affect the part of your brain that regulates body temperature, causing a slight temperature rise.

Differentiating Between Fibromyalgia Fever and True Fevers

It’s essential to distinguish between a true fever and the fever-like symptoms caused by fibromyalgia. A true fever is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as chills, body aches, cough, or congestion, and often points to an infection or an underlying illness.

In contrast, fibromyalgia fever does not typically include these symptoms. While it may feel like a fever, you won’t experience the chills or the rise in body temperature (above 100.4°F). Consulting a healthcare professional is always a good idea if you’re concerned that your fever-like sensations might be linked to an infection.

Managing Symptoms of Persistent Low-Grade Fever

If you experience persistent low-grade fever or fever-like symptoms, managing the discomfort and identifying the underlying cause is important. Here are some strategies that may help:

1. Medical Evaluation: A full medical evaluation is essential to pinpointing the cause of your symptoms. Blood tests, imaging studies, and other diagnostic procedures can help your doctor identify infections, autoimmune conditions, or other issues causing the fever.

2. Treating Underlying Infections: If an infection is causing your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or antiviral medication. It’s important to complete the full course of treatment to ensure the infection is completely eradicated.

3. Managing Autoimmune Conditions: If your low-grade fever is due to an autoimmune condition, your doctor might recommend corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or biologics to manage inflammation and reduce fever-like symptoms.

4. Adjusting Medications: If your medication is causing a drug fever, your healthcare provider might adjust the dosage or switch to a different drug. Never stop taking prescribed medication without consulting your doctor.

5. Lifestyle Modifications: Certain lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms of low-grade fever. These include:

• Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Wearing loose, comfortable clothing to help regulate your body temperature.
• Practicing stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
• Staying active with light exercises such as walking or swimming reduces stress and improves circulation.

6. Dietary Adjustments: If you suspect certain foods exacerbate your symptoms, consider working with a nutritionist to try an elimination diet. Many people with fibromyalgia benefit from anti-inflammatory diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in plant-based foods and healthy fats.

The Role of Sleep in Managing Fibromyalgia Fever

Sleep plays a crucial role in managing fibromyalgia symptoms, including fever-like sensations. Poor sleep can worsen symptoms and create a vicious cycle where pain leads to poor sleep, which in turn makes the pain worse.

People with fibromyalgia often struggle with sleep disorders, such as insomnia and restless legs syndrome, which can interfere with restorative sleep.

Tips for Improving Sleep Quality:

• Establish a consistent sleep routine for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
• Limit naps during the day to avoid disrupting your nighttime sleep.
• Create a calming bedtime routine by avoiding screens, reducing noise, and making your bedroom dark and cool.
• Engage in regular physical activity, such as light stretching or yoga, to promote better sleep.
• Try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for sleep, which can help treat underlying insomnia.

The Psychological Aspect of Fibromyalgia Fever

Chronic stress and anxiety can worsen fibromyalgia symptoms, including fever-like sensations. The body’s stress response can affect the brain’s temperature regulation, leading to discomfort. Stress also exacerbates pain, making it even harder to manage.

Managing Stress:
Incorporating stress-management strategies into your daily routine can help. These may include:

• Mindfulness or meditation to calm your mind and body.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you manage negative thoughts and emotions.
• Building a support network of friends, family, or online groups who understand your condition and can offer encouragement.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While fibromyalgia fever-like sensations are common, it’s essential to consult your doctor if symptoms persist, worsen, or are accompanied by severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, confusion, or chest pain.

If you have a known medical condition, a persistent low-grade fever could signal a severe infection or complication that requires medical attention.

Conclusion

Persistent low-grade fever-like sensations in fibromyalgia can be confusing, but understanding the connection between your body’s temperature regulation, stress, and underlying conditions like fibromyalgia is the first step toward managing these symptoms.

By monitoring your symptoms, managing stress, and working with your healthcare provider, you can take control of your health and improve your quality of life.

Remember, you’re not alone in this. With the right strategies, lifestyle adjustments, and medical support, you can manage fibromyalgia fever-like sensations and feel better.