Oh Dreamy I am sorry you are back to those awful nightmares.
I hope you have a better day today. X
It canāt be that then. Did the doctor advise you to increase the meds? Iām just asking because OH was on Olanzapine for 2 to 3 years and they usually advise a stable dose. When he missed a dose it would send him into orbit. He didnāt do very well on it and it has strong sedative effects so he was sleepy all day with a meds hangover. Heās also had some strange dreams with it. I donāt think very much of it but thatās because we had such a bad experience where he wasnāt making any progress and I was having to do every little thing for him, but I know it helps a lot of people.
I personally donāt think that this is a regular virus but I am not a medic and we donāt know on this forum what tests they have done. They must have found some blood results that show you are fighting something.
What are your tumour marker tests like? Are you coming out as totally clear of cancer?
GPs generally are viewed with disdain by hospital consultants. There is a pecking order and Iāve been in the hospital having to explain why a GP has referred my elderly mum for cancer tests because of her anaemia and seeing snorts of derision when I give the reasoning I was told. There can be a lot of arrogance between professionals. Iām sorry youāre having to deal with that kind of nonsense on top of everything else.
I know you are seeing specialists but itās a pity you canāt go to London where they have several teaching schools and do a great deal of research.
Annie is making very good points, Ffosse. Dosage changes should always be done under the advice of your GP, and since the Olanzapine can cause some of the symptoms that seem to be the most troublesome (like fever, changes in sleep, and constipation) you really need to let your doctor manage any changes.
If you can, try to keep track of your temperature and look for trends. If your fever is high, say 101 or more, that is usually high for the expected fever for your form of cancer - and there is a virus involved - it should resolve in no more than two-three weeks to expect a doctor to help sort it out. If it was a bacteria, then a good round of antibiotics should have knocked it down.
I am not a physician, Ffosse, you know your body better than anyone and should know based on what your doctors have told you what to expect in terms of symptoms of your disease.
There is no reason why you shouldnāt be enjoying a better quality of life. Were I you, I would be taking the records of my temperature trends and other symptoms, along with my medication diary, to the G.P. for another evaluation. I know itās exhausting to get out, but you still donāt seem to be improving and are miserable enough that your G.P. should be able to make some adjustments that might help.
Iām back in Ward 8. The out-of-hours doctor who came to my house said heād never seen a middle-aged lymphoma patient looking so Ill. So he drove me to the hospital unit himself. Very good of him,I thought.
I do hope they get to the bottom of it and donāt discharge me tomorrow. One nurse said I was looking well! Iāve never felt worse in my life. The hospital donāt know what theyāre looking for other than that it is an infection of some kind or possibly a virus.
Thanks, AnnieS and Surfermom Iāve read everything youāve written and as far as I know my tumor markers are clear. Regarding the Olanzapine, I was once on 300mg of quetiapine so consider 15mg of Olanzapine much better. I seem to tolerate it quite well and it has a good effect of fighting the bogey man as I took an infection xtra 5 mg last night when I was exhausted.
EDIT: Typing on an iPhone is going to be difficult for me.
Oh Dreamy I am sorry to read that you are back in hospital.
I pray they will get to the bottom of this.
Sorry I am away again.
But what brilliant support you have, with two lovely clever ladies. X
Indeed, I need a smart lady in my life but theyāre all taken up.
Aww you will find one. XXX
Take a look at my photo thread Dreamy.
Iām posting from the 02 in London.
Ffosse I am so sorry you are back in hospital. I know you hate being there. But I hope that they get to the bottom of it, although I really think you need āfresh eyesā from a wider team of specialists looking at your case. Otherwise it will just be a revolving door.
Good news about the tumour markers though. What made them think itās a virus rather than a localised spinal infection caused by the surgery?
I will do when I get round to it. Just gotten into bed and intend lo listen to 1 podcast before I sleep. Theyāre giving me some saline overnight.
Good Night Dreamy. X
Ok! This is more good news about the tumor markers. That has to be a relief.
How very good of the visiting physician to drive you to the hospital! I know you arenāt happy about being back, but now they can monitor your vitals - especially your temperature - and try to get to the bottom of this. I concur completely with Annie about having a team of people who can strategize.
Sleep tight. We will all be checking on you in the morning ;-).
I am sure SP will have a full concert with review tomorrow. 
Ok! This is more good news about the tumor markers!
How very good of the visiting physician to drive you to the hospital! I know you arenāt happy about being back, but now they can monitor your vitals - especially your temperature - and try to get to the bottom of this mystery. I concur completely with Annie about having a team of people who can strategize.
Sleep tight. We will all be checking on you in the morning ;-).
I am sure SP will have a full album of photos with review tomorrow.
Iām going home tomorrow again - despite the Delirious nightmares, but the doctor I saw this morning said he would be in touch with the psych team.
Itās now planned that I go home tomorrow, starve myself from midnight then go to the CAT scan at a different hospital the next day. then just go home as per normal. The doctor wonāt have the CAT scan results for a week or two so I donāt know what will happen between those dates.
Just arrived home Dreamy.
Good Luck for tomorrow. X
I will check on you in the morning.
It sounds like you have a plan, Ffosse, and you must be happy about going home again. Take your time and just take it one thing at a time.
Now Iām back out and at home. They had to discharge me because tomorrow I go for my Cat Scan at a different hospital, and you canāt already be an inpatient at a another hospital. Makes no sense to me, what about patient transport?
Not happy about being at home because here I have been my sickest.
At least in Ward 8 I started eating food again. Iām trying to tailor my meds so there is the least chance of a viral attack tonight - increasing my Olanazapine to 20 mg and taking the paracetamol last thing at night.
Itās a 10 o clock appointment tomorrow and the place is quite far away and secluded that I hope the taxi driver recognises it.
Oh Dreamy what an awful time you are having. Try and stay positive, and try to eat. X
It just seems relentless - if itās not the viral scary dreams itās my sore back or some mental issue. Today I must change my bedclothes as they got pretty wet with sweat.
That is awful.
They are just dreams though.
If you want some fun, do come on the Christmas outing Dreamy. X
It is just virtual fun for everyone.
I will bump it up, as time goes on. X