Night sweats, curry and beer?!

[Pwatson]

I'm really interested in views or experiences as to what triggers night sweats please?I have post ET MF, agreed 53, diagnosed ET when I was 30.

Last night I was staying away on business and had one of the most terrible nights of my condition with a night sweat that caused me to sleep in wet sheets for most of the night.

So I wonder what I can do to minimise night sweats by avoiding the triggers and/or conditions that create them.

I had a curry and one beer that night, hence the title, so wondered whether what you eat had an effect? It's happened before when I've had a big meal. I also wonder whether you are now liable to a bad sweats if you are fighting off a cold or flu. Also what about the bedding? I have less at home in my own bed because we have good cotton sheeting and a natural mattress - which is cooling. Could it be that if the mattress and bedding is synthetic that can trigger a night sweat?

Is it tiredness or stress related? Or just all of the above or just random?

I would love to hear your views on any scientific guidance on this please. I would be very grateful.

Best wishes

[hunter5582]

There are quite a few different potential triggers for night sweats. One of the causes is the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines related directly to the MF. Spicy foods, stress, hormonal issues and more make the list. A combination of factors would be reasonable to consider as well.

Suggest that you keep track of this symptom if it recurs in order to establish a pattern. If is becomes a more regular symptom then it is definitely something to let your MPN care team know about since it is likely related.

Please let us know what you learn

[Pwatson in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you for this. Good idea about keeping track of likely triggers. I'll definitely mention it to the consultant.

[RedCardRob]

I would mention it to your care team as your body condition may be a common factor they know of and might provide some recommendations and/or reassurance.Until I mentioned to them that I get bad and heightened itchy tingling sensation all over following a shower did I know it was quite common. I still get them but perversely I was relieved that it was a known problem.

I would also try one the things you might have triggered your overheating, one at a time over a time period to eliminate if it is one or more that causes it. I would love curry every night for a week! Better to make your own curry as it might be one of the ingredients.

Good luck

[Pwatson in reply to RedCardRob]

Thanks. Yes interesting point about the ingredients. Usually if I have a home made curry it doesn't occur so maybe it was a particular ingredient.

[Crossefield]

As Hunter says there're many triggers. Even a hot bedroom. I do get random night sweats and ones that are likely triggered. They are too infrequent to be concerning but the very cold after effects of being drenched are never pleasant. My main triggers can be after a skin full or if I've got an infection and it doesn't always happen. As above, to me, these two triggers have an element of increased body temperature.I could be wrong but I feel it happens when there's more stress on things like the liver.

[Pwatson in reply to Crossefield]

Yep, I agree with that. Keeping away from excess alcohol is a good one. I find now that I do heat up after a meal out and a couple of glasses of wine. I suppose it's just adapting to these lifestyle changes. Thanks

[Mostew]

Such an interesting question . I have wondered to..Definatley all things combined could trigger nite sweats, sleeping on sythentic material doesnt help.

Ive found eating less in evening helpful

Re. Spicy food . Some spicy are actually good to help balance inflammation . So a home made curry would be medicinal !

[DJK12]

I wonder what medication you are on? I have post ET MF too and until I was put on Ruxolitinib I had dreadful nightsweats. Now they generally only happen when I have an infection. A bad chest infection in November which took 4 antibiotics to clear brought them back with a vengeance - on the worst night two changes of bedding and night clothes. They are very exhausting. Certainly rich food and alcohol can trigger them too. I worked out any alcohol triggers them and only have an occasional drink but inevitably it triggers a sweat so isn't really worth it. I certainly think you should discuss them with your haematologist in case your medication needs reviewing.. Mine always checks whether I'm having them.

It's difficult to know about the bedding. Ours are cotton and I still get them when I'm ill. They are certainly more unpleasant in hospital with cheap sheets and plastic mattresses but then I'm ill to start with then.

[Pwatson in reply to DJK12]

Hi thanks for your reply. I'm on Interferon. I do think it's also triggered by stress, infection and heavy food and drink at night. I'll definitely mention it to the consultant and also monitor more closely

[Saine1]

Probably one of the hardest things to eliminate from my diet is sweets! I find sugar triggers my sweats, even a glass of wine! Good luck with your effort to find your triggers! Certainly not a fun experience!

[Pwatson in reply to Saine1]

Yep it's very hard - it's all a balance isn't it😀

[Sprat19]

also wondering this. Stress does it, possibly red wine but not always. Hotter weather eg summer in UK but not on holiday. ( maybe due to con where as home is stuffy) sometimes just so random like last night