Sweating at night

[Sugarplum1811]

On Wednesday last week, I experienced sweating at night. I woke up around 5 am in sweat all around my neck, chest area, back and underarms. I thought it may have been because it was too hot in my room as I did not have my windows open and was wearing a long sleeve top and joggers. I opened my windows and slept less clothed. Next day I did the same and I did not sweat.

The day after that however, even with the windows open and wearing just a t shirt, I managed to sweat again. Same area and had to change my T-shirt. This is where I started getting worried as for the past week I’ve been feeling nauseous all the time and been having aches and pains for a while. Suffering with health anxiety, my mind diverts straight to cancer.

The next two days, I managed to keep my room cooler by using a fan and it seemed to work as I had not been sweating until today. Even though my room is cool I STILL managed to sweat and had to change my T-shirt again. I’m very worried now as this could be classed as night sweats. I’m not sure what to do! I’m not even currently registered at a GP and I’m going away on a trip for a week tomorrow! I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold off my worries and anxiety till a week later.

I’m scared and have convinced myself it’s something sinister due to my other symptoms. I really hope it isn’t but I’m convinced I have a serious illness and I’m going to die any month now. Please help!

[Agora1]

Sugarplum, we tend to know too much which just feeds into our anxiety.

When we are anxious, our body thermostat gets thrown off and we can get

night sweats. (as well as being caused from medication) Sweating from anxiety

causes a different odor than normal sweat. Nothing bad is going to happen.

Enjoy your vacation and be sure to hydrate to replace the water you are losing

through perspiration ... Relax...you'll be okay. xx

[Sugarplum1811 in reply to Agora1]

Hi Agora1,

Thank you for your response, i was just a little worried as I’ve never experienced night sweats as a symptom of anxiety before and I guess it was just making me even more anxious. I didn’t notice a different odour to my sweat however. Thank you again x

[JAYnLA]

Hey SP - when I'm in an anxious period I always sweat at night. It's really normal and completely harmless.

[Dolphin14]

Some meds can increase sweating. Not sure if you are on meds.

[Sugarplum1811 in reply to Dolphin14]

Nope I am not on any medication which is also why I was so worried

[Dolphin14]

Glad you don't have to be on medications you are very lucky. I was trying to look for other causes besides anxiety but I guess that won't be one of them.