temperature regulation : Hello, I’m wondering if... - Headway

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temperature regulation

Hbenson182 profile image
17 Replies

Hello,

I’m wondering if anyone might be able to help me. I had my head injury in April 2019 and my body temperature regulation has gone haywire. I’m either freezing or over heating but I tend to cool down very quickly as well as heat up quickly.

With the UK weather system playing games this year it’s the first time I’ve really struggled properly as I am permanently feeling sick. I don’t eat when I feel sick so it turns into a vicious cycle. I do physical work with racehorses so it’s not a matter of sitting inside in air con.

I’m wondering whether I’m suffering from heat stroke? I drink between 3-5 litres of electrolyte water so it’s no dehydration.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated of management or if anyone else deals with this.

many thanks

Hannah

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Hbenson182 profile image
Hbenson182
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17 Replies
Dvorak profile image
Dvorak

My friend has this problem as well. She's not mobile so that hampers her way of dealing with things. But she does have like a lift weightlifters belt with an ice pack inside which she puts in the small of her back when she's overheated for 15-20 minutes or so. Her neurologist also suggested drinking cool drinks to cool down. Not very satisfactory really. He did also suggest some medication but I don't think that's been tried yet. I hope that's helpful

Hbenson182 profile image
Hbenson182 in reply to Dvorak

Thank you so much. I’m going to call my GP later and see whether I can get some anti nausea medication possibly to help with that at least!

Dvorak profile image
Dvorak in reply to Hbenson182

This is the sort of thing, the insert goes in the fridge freezer box - I hope the link works. images.app.goo.gl/DxdhSJoH5...

Hbenson182 profile image
Hbenson182 in reply to Dvorak

Oh brilliant thank you!

Leaf100 profile image
Leaf100

Hi HannahA bi can play havoc with temperature regulation. In my case my sensors are delayed and that cold wind I am in now won't make me shiver til hours later when I am maybe somewhere warm wondering what the heck happened. It's taken me awhile to figure out.

Since this is making you I'll I feel you need to consult with someone, I am.just not sure what specialty. You don't want to harm yourself by not knowing how to handle the deregulation.

I don't know if using the shower to adjust temperature one way and the other, would, over time, help you brain process temp reg better.

Even if that idea works it won't help you now.

I know I also can't tell you try to taking it steady because you don't have that kind of job.

You do need to make sure you aren't putting yourself at risk - its concerning you feel ill - all this is above my pay grade.

A neuropsychiayrist would certainly know what you check. They know more about the ...system dysregulation? ...that happens with bi than neurologists do, in my experience.

Wish I had a better answer for you.

A bi can change a lot of things about you - I always used to feel the cold and now I don't- well jot until later, anyway. It's weird but I got used to it, and it's not interfering with work because I can't do that for other reasons.

Do keep looking til someone can examine it for you and not blow you off be cause it's outside their experience

Keep us posted

Leaf

Hbenson182 profile image
Hbenson182 in reply to Leaf100

Thank you so much for this. I have actually just emailed the neuro ward that I was under when if happened to see if they could provide some advise. There is plenty of info on google but it’s all very basic logical stuff like stay out of the mid day heat, stay out of the sun etc which obviously isn’t possible!!

I will let you know the response I get from Smile for Wessex! I’m not under a neuro consultant anymore just a neuro Psycologist but I might ask her as well.

Thanks again!

Dvorak profile image
Dvorak

I agree absolutely, get specialist advice. it is all quite complex

My friend only wears the cool belt for a maximum 20 minutes and then all the other things HBenson182 has mentioned, staying out out of full sunshine, using a room fan.

She also has a cooling duvet at night and we are trying out different cooling bed linen ( designed for night sweats I think)

It' s the thing that most impacts my friend in terms of discomfort

5256 profile image
5256

HiSorry to hear about this

My husband cannot regulate his body temperature either after his TBI. He's usually more cold than hot. It's not unusual for TBI patients apparently.

Pairofboots profile image
Pairofboots

Hi, I would have a chat with your GP, a head injury can result in other processes going out of sync. You may have imbalance with hormones etc, brain injury can have a cascade effect of other functions that on face value seem unrelated.

Hbenson182 profile image
Hbenson182 in reply to Pairofboots

Thank you I’ve actually messaged my neuro psychologist to see if she can advice on who to speak too

cat3 profile image
cat3

Hi Hannah. Overheating has been the bane of my life since 2012. But unlike you I'm not affected by cold, even in midwinter, as I'm always hot.

Three months after discharge from hospital, my surgeon referred me to an endocrinology specialist.

The only effective treatment was HRT, but not available to me owing to my history of breast cancer.

I rely on large fans throughout the house (even had one with me yesterday when painting outdoors and it was blessed relief from the oppressive heat !)

I'll be using my foldable 6"fan today during the long wait in a medical appointment !

I really hope you find something which works for you m'dear..

Cat. x

Hbenson182 profile image
Hbenson182 in reply to cat3

Hi Cat,

Thank you this and sorry to hear you suffer too. That’s interesting I might give that some reading as if I’m honest I have heard of an endocrinologist but no idea what they do!!! X

cat3 profile image
cat3 in reply to Hbenson182

Society for Endocrinology

endocrinology.org › About Us

x

Morinagirl profile image
Morinagirl

Have suffered with this for 3 years, they tested to see if hypothalamus was damaged and did bloods. It has taken me the whole 3 years to fight with gp's but I finally have a neuro rehab appt and hoping they can help, the consultant I was under just said brain damage and was no help whatsoever, it's a.crippling thing in itself having the changes in body temp, I feel for you

Hbenson182 profile image
Hbenson182 in reply to Morinagirl

Always seems to be the case. I’ve given up with a lot of medical professional because they just go with what the books says and don’t do anything else. That’s why I do my own research a lot of the time!

Morinagirl profile image
Morinagirl in reply to Hbenson182

The only sensible info I can find I'd mostly USA stuff. I found an interesting paper about people with Raynauds can find that TBI exacerbates the condition, I have Raynauds.....

Jpdee75 profile image
Jpdee75

As you’ve probably worked out everyone’s symptoms are unique but I suffer with the heat can no longer do sunny days I feel sick and will be physically sick come evening if I do anything or even spend over half hour in direct sunlight on hot summer days plus I’m photophobic now so these two symptoms combined with fatigue and I’m a completely useless mess in heatwave. Still trying to work it all out myself, not on hot days cause my brain fog goes through the roof lol

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