Well, dd has gotten her fevers back. She had been feeling pretty warm to me and her under-the-arm temp was showing almost 101. Anyway, I was calling around trying to find a better way to measure her temp since we are supposed to be keeping a log of them (since they happen so frequently) and a supply store said they just started carrying these temporal (forehead) therm. Clinical versions are $400, but home versions are $55, so I of course bought one. I am tired of not knowing if her under the arms are accurate. Apparently this new type of therm. is the most accurate--you run it across the forehead and it somehow measures the temp of your blood in the artery. My question: Does anyone have any experience with them? It was reading about a degree higher than the arm (which I thought sounded right since the arm is usually a degree less), so she was up to about 102 today. Also, I know I have asked this before (but my mind is running a blank), is this higher than temps with teething because I know she has two top teeth breaking through right now. Thanks

By Vicki on Thursday, July 1, 2004 - 10:17 pm:

Emdee, I hope this doesn't come out wrong, but have you ever taken her some place else for a second opinion on all these fevers?? It just seems to me that she seems to get these very often and all they are really doing is have you track them? Have they ever done any kind of blood testing or anything? I know that all kids are different, but 102 seems a bit high to me to be teething. They are usually a low grade fever and I wouldn't consider 102 a low grade fever. I could have you mixed up with someone else, but your dd runs fevers often right? Is she also the one that isn't gaining weight very fast? I apoligize if I have you mixed up wtih someone else on this, but I would be concerned and would really be looking into taking her to someone else to get some answers! I hope she is feeling better soon!!

By Vicki on Thursday, July 1, 2004 - 10:28 pm:

Oops, forgot to add that I have never even heard of these types of thermometers! I guess that is what you asked about after all isn't it!! :-)

By Amecmom on Thursday, July 1, 2004 - 11:12 pm:

What is the brand and model of the thermometer? It sounds like a great investment! I would love to get one.

As for the fevers, Ditto Vicki. Please ask your ped. for a recommendation to someone who might be able to get to the bottom of all these fevers. 102, even 101 is not normal teething temps. In fact, some research suggests that children do not run temps because of teething, but rather teething stresses the body and may make them more prone to getting sick.

I don't know what kind of specialist you would consult, but your doc or your health insurance co can probably steer you in the right direction.
You mentioned in a previous post that your daughter was loosing weight. This really needs to be addressed also.

I know you're trying to do what's best for her. It's so hard when your ped doesn't give you answers. I hope you get to the bottom of all this and your daughter feels better soon.

Ame

By Emily7 on Thursday, July 1, 2004 - 11:36 pm:

I use the ear thermometers, I haven't heard of the forhead ones.
I also agree with getting a second opinion.

By Tink on Friday, July 2, 2004 - 01:05 am:

I've heard of and seen the new forehead thermometers and I hear that they are fantastic! With as often as you are taking temps, I think it is a great investment for you. I agree with the 2nd opinion. 102 is way too high for a "teething" fever. I am of the group that doesn't believe teething causes fevers but, certainly, in your dd's case, no fever is excusable. Good luck and many hugs. I would be a wreck feeling that helpless.

By Jodes on Friday, July 2, 2004 - 10:06 am:

I agree strongly with everyone else, I too am one who doesn't believe that children get fevers from teething, and a temp of 102 would definately be considered too high for teething anyways. My son began having fevers at 4 months old, and continued to have high fevers without any real known cause, it got to be so common for him that I just stopped bringing him in because his fevers would end within about 4 days, and I guess I just got used to it...well, fast forward and he is now 9 yrs old, and wa diagnosed last summer with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis....I am not trying to scare you, however, fevers of unknown origin can be caused from a number of underlying conditions such as lupus, and other rheumatological illnesses, but it is very hard to determine what the cause is without a number of blood tests done. I would definately request some blood work done, and then a repeat of the blood work when she isn't running a temp just to find a normal baseline. Now that we look back with my son and his fevers, we believe it was the JRA that was most likely the cause. Good luck with your daughter, and I hope you find some answers!! oh, and I have never used the forehead thermomoeter either, but I do have the ear one and have been happy with it.

By Emdee on Friday, July 2, 2004 - 10:14 am:

Her ped has done tons of blood work for her fevers and they never show up anything. Once she had an elevated sed. rate, but a couple of weeks later it was down into normal range. He contacted a specialist to see if he needed to be doing anything else right now and the specialist said no. If temps keep up, which it looks like they are, then he is going to run more tests to see why. The only odd thing is that she is never "sick" with the fevers (unless they get high enough to make her feel bad). She never has any other symptoms. Her weight will go up and down. She is 14 months and almost 19 pounds, so still little. She just won't eat for a few weeks at a time. The ped said he thought she was just going to be one of these kids that doesn't eat when she feels the slightest under the weather. My ped called last week to say they were going to be on vacation, but they want me to call July 6 when they get back and let them know how dd is doing, so they are concerned. I am definitely going to call July 6 and probably make an appt and discuss all this with them then. It's odd, b/c if you look at dd you wouldn't think there is anything wrong with her, so it is hard for me to second guess the ped when I know he is doing what he thinks best, although I also don't want to miss something going on with her. Being a first time mom--I just don't know when I am overreacting and when I need to be worried.

Amecmom, the thermometer is called "Exergen Comfort Scanner Temporal Thermometer". I really like it--much easier and I do think it is more accurate, although more expensive than most others.

Thanks for all the advice! You all make me realize that I am not overreacting.

By Jodes on Friday, July 2, 2004 - 06:35 pm:

Hi again! I am glad to hear that blood work was done, elevated sed rate could mean lots of things, including just that something in your daughter's body was inflamed. My son was never really sick when he had fevers, never had cold symtpoms, stomach symptoms, nothing, just a fever, I would always say he once again had the fever disease! He later, in kindergarten, started complaining of leg pains and getting rashes, and we know now that that was the beginning of the JRA. My son always had weight issues too, he is now 9 and is 4ft 4 inches and he weighs only 59lbs. Your daughter could very well just have issues with fevers, there are kids that are just like that. Again, good luck and I hope everything turns out to be ok!!