coping with temperatures

[Bichou73]

Hello . I have helped look after my husband who had a TBI nearly 4 years ago. Recently the carers and myself and my daughter have been asking if he is too cold or too hot. His hands often get cold when his torso is quite hot.If he says he is cold we cover him up with a thin or thick rug while lying in bed or sitting in his wheelchair. I think he shouldn’t be covered up as he will get too hot. The carers think otherwise. I would like to hear your views if you have had aTBI and find it difficult to control your temperature or care for someone with that problem. Thank you for reading this post.

[gr33nmind]

He could have an internal heating issue. I am pretty sure that the brain maintains external body temperature. Still if his body isn’t cold, but his hands are, why give him a blanket? Ask them if they could just give him gloves to wear.

[Teazymaid]

I didn’t have any answers regarding your husband’s warmth or cold 🥴 I’m guessing his temperature control has altered as mine did as mine did .. I would get hot then cold which seemed very different to the hot flushes ( I had the menapause in the side car with me 🤪) the joys of being a woman !!! All I could do was wrap up when cold and remove when layers when hot .. if it is just your husbands hands maybe gloves would help if a heat mat to hold if this is possible .. try ringing headways main office for some advice Sue x

[MaryH75 in reply to Teazymaid]

I'm exactly the same with body temperature during perimenopause, along side my TBI 13 months ago x

[Teazymaid in reply to MaryH75]

I do think the menapause hot flushes are different the heat regulation abnormalities of the brain injury ..

[MaryH75 in reply to Teazymaid]

I agree.I put it down to my body temperature being mixed up x

[Teazymaid in reply to MaryH75]

Yea everything all mixed up in our new world 🤪 sue x

[TheirMema]

My husband has a TBI and I have also worked as a carer. If that was me, either in work or out, I would be using gloves and socks etc for the extremities not covering the entire body. Get a thermometer and check his temperature via forehead and underarm and if they are ok it would appear to be isolated to extremities. My husband also tells me his arm "feels" cold, even when laid against his body but he is aware his(as he puts it) "internal body temperature is buggered up". Remember you know your husband better than the carers do and trust your instincts.

[Dvorak]

My friend has a similar issue and has seen a neurologist who initially advised mechanical solutions like fingerless gloves, drinking a cold drink before bed. My friend uses a cool pack that goes in the fridge that can be placed in the small of her back when too hot and wearing layers. This is not completely effective and more recently we've tried medication (amitriptyline) which was the doctor's second option. We're waiting to see if that is any better

[Bichou73 in reply to Dvorak]

Thank you

[Bichou73 in reply to Dvorak]

we have knitted my husband some hand warmers. The problem is when he feels hot to touch on his upper body no temperature. We can try with just a sheet on him rather than a blanket. Thanks for your reply