Here's hoping...

[mom2ladybuggirl]

My daughter began spiking super high fevers (105.6!) around 9months.  They would come on suddenly, last 2-4 days, cause a loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting and occasionally present w/swollen glands and a sore, pus-coated throat.  My husband and I really started taking note of the frequency of these episodes when she was around 1 & 1/2yrs. old.  Like many of you, we returned to the pediatrician time and time again with the same symptoms.  I was lucky in that my ped. admitted it seemed strange but didn't know what it could be.  She encouraged me to keep a calendar of onset, duration, etc.  I also began my own search online.  I came across many near fits but almost fell out of my chair when I read about PFAPA.  I knew without a doubt I had found the problem and even my conservative husband (also a medicine doctor) had to agree.  We asked our ped. about it and was referred to an ID specialist.  Our daughter endured 8wks of bi-weekly blood draws -- she was barely 2yrs. old!  She was a trooper but I still can't resolve having put her through that just to rule out other causes.  Well wouldn't you know, shortly after being diagnosed w/PFAPA she began to outgrow the illness.  The "well time" between episodes became longer, going from every 6 weeks to every 10 weeks.  She's 4 & 1/2 now, strong, smart and so, so beautiful!  She hasn't had an episode in over a year.  I'm writing this now because my husband and I still think back to those days and nights of worry; not knowing what was ailing our child, unable to help and knowing only it was sure to happen again.  We are incredibly lucky that time of uncertainty was relatively short-lived.  Boundless thanks to those who shared their stories as one of them made for our happy ending.  

[mattemma04]

Thank you for sharing. I am glad you were able to dx her health issue, and so glad she is doing well now!