Sweating and lupus

[biddy75]

Hey. Does anyone have problems with sweating and are they on any medication for it.

[cuttysark]

My sweating is related I think to the steroids . Higher dose ,more I sweat, this happens on a regular basis and is predictable so I think it is the drugs. I soak my clothes through to vest and bra after even a short walk with the dog.

But there is a different sweating I have usually at the beginning of a flare. The sweating goes on all day and I get a hot and sore red cheek, always my right side. It feels like the beginning of flu and usually is triggered by even the weather changing.

It can last a few days or longer just depends ,and then the steroids increased actually helps it!!

I think our autonomic nervous system is totally haywire at times with this disease. I honestly can't think of any medication that helps. Mind you others might have something ,as I am so intolerant of just about all pills!

Sweating is just one of the collection of miseries we have to endure isn't it, oh to be normal!!!

C x

[Chatterpie in reply to cuttysark]

Yes, one of those horrid symptoms I have got used to over the years......I have gained many bath sheets from stores I have been taken ill in like M & S etc. It was as if I had just stepped in the shower sometimes!!!  I find the sweating gets far worse when under store lights....I can allow about 10 mins before I have to make my way to the store exit. Thank goodness we have internet shopping these days LOL

[EOLHPC]

i totally agree with cuttysark about weird sweating

and sometimes i don't sweat when i should if i were healthier. undersweating can be bad too, and due to dysautonomia issues

at my lupus clinic, the rheumatologists never make out that autonomic system probs aren't part of the multisystem issues we live with. yet my impression is that very few medics know much about dysautonomia

It's important to tell rheumatology about any sweating issues....these can help in the diagnosis of various aspects of multisystem probs.

AND yes sometimes the affects of certain meds include Dysautonomia...e.g. Pilocarpine (prescribed for glaucoma, but also for sjogrens & sicca dryness issues) can affect autonomic function to the detriment of other aspects of our health

Here is one good link - there is lots more good info available online:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auton...

🍀🍀 coco

[LUPUSadmin]

Hi Biddy75, 

Cuttysark has already mentioned autonomic nerves. I've found some relevant information in 'The Lupus Encyclopedia' (Thomas Jr., 2014): 

'The autonomic nervous system is responsible for the electrical activity of all of the bodily functions over which we do not have conscious control. Autonomic nerves are the nerves that keep the heart beating correctly, constrict and dilate the pupils of the eyes, keep the muscles moving in the intestinal tract to transport digesting food in the right direction, and cause the sweat glands to secrete sweat when a person is hot or excited. Autonomic nerves are also responsible for some functions that you can sometimes control, such as breathing and blinking. SLE can affect these nerves, but usually not significantly in the vast majority of people. However, if these nerves are affected it can lead to constipation, dizziness when standing up, and excessive sweating among other difficulties. These problems can also be seen due to various medications as well as other medical problems, which makes a proper diagnosis challenging. If a problem is found to be due to SLE, the person is treated with steroids.' 

Have you mentioned sweating to your GP or consultant yet? Perhaps you could do this next time you see them.

George

[KarenC]

I have horrendous sweats and it actually drips down my face and my hair is wet through,  very embarrassing when out and about. My gp is trying me on hrt to see if it helps, I know increased steroids don't help because I am still suffering when I have reduced them.

Ahh the joys of this disease, can't wait for something else to appear and cause more problems (not).

Karen xxx

[creaky]

I have sweats, mainly effecting my head and neck.

I think my thermostat has malfunctioned, I'm either far too hot,  or freezing cold. Steroids certainly make it worse.

I notice this each time I have the long acting steroid injections. I find that I often resort to using a small hand held, battery operated fan, which I carry in my hand bag. 

People alway think I'm having menopausal flushes, but I don't think its that.

Oh it's all such fun! 😀 

Happy Easter everyone

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I sweat at night. In my freaking sleep.