Rich's Guestbook

Symptoms were textbook endocarditis symptoms, but many of the below that I experienced, are common to symptoms of other more common conditions. As such, I was treated for bronchitis, chronic cough, allergies and even Lyme disease. Symptoms weren't missed, but the diagnosis continued to be incorrect until fortunate blood culture test came back positive. Symptoms experienced: • Fatigue, malaise (general not feeling well) • Night sweats • Chills • Headache • Wound or cut that won't heal (small cut on cuticle of finger) • Aching joints and muscles • Small dark lines, called splinter hemorrhages, under the fingernails. • Sinus drainage (clear drainage) • Persistent dry cough • Mild anemia Strangely, Advil and Aleve provided significant relief to many of the variable symptoms I experienced above, at least for a limited period of time, so I took two Advil or an Aleve in the morning and was able to go to work or participate in whatever scheduled activity during the day. Was difficult to believe my condition was as serious as it was, when small doses of these OTC medications had such a profound effect on how I felt. When temperature (fever) finally kicked in and rose over 102F, that was the first indication my condition was more serious. Hope the above experience helps others.