Awful night sweats and generalised sweating on exertion

[Gillyd62]

Hello All.

I know what a wealth of experience and help there is on this forum.

I’m on Mtx injections and Hydroxychloroquine for RA. I have been experiencing increasing night sweats and generalised sweating on exertion during the day which is debilitating. My RA doctor arranged a CT scan of my chest, abdomen and pelvis to see if anything was going on but all good. Previous to that I have been getting an uncomfortable feeling /trembling in the back of my knees when I walk which decreases when I walk more. The RA doctor did not think this was linked to my RA as bloods and hands and feet fine.

I wonder if the RA is coming back as I do remember getting some sweats just before I was diagnosed. The RA doctor didn’t seem to think so though.

My GP is slowly looking at other options and she has done blood tests for lots of things which are all fine. She is even suggesting menopause rearing it’s head again but I’m 62 now !!

Thanks for reading !!

[Dobcross1]

Hi, I'm the same age as you and get night sweats and sweating on exertion (am on HRT). Sometimes it's worse than others, sometimes it goes away. I'm on 25mg Methotrexate and definitely think it's related to that, as the RA is largely under control....

[Gillyd62 in reply to Dobcross1]

Thank you for replying. That’s really interesting. I hadn’t thought about the Mtx as I haven’t really experienced the sweats since being on it. But things are always changing. I changed over to injections a month ago so maybe that has made it worse.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Gillyd62]

Hi, I was about to say maybe it’s Mtx too. As Dobcross said, and I read that many times especially when on higher dose. Also, opiate patches are a big culprit re night sweats for me and for others too, but sometimes it’s hard to distinguish what’s causing it. You’ve had scans so that’s a good thing re reassurance, but if the symptoms are persistent, then that’s annoying. Some women can linger on with certain post meno symptoms if their meno was later say mid 50s, and although I had a lot of evening flushing during the first 3 years after meno until around age 58, I think it’s almost gone but for me, I thought it was made worse for me by Rituximab which I’m no longer having. It’s so hard to pinpoint when you take meds that have night sweats as probable side effects. I hope yours calm as you become used to the changeover to sub-cut Mtx.

I have Therapearls ice beads packs (not as freezing cold and uncomfortable as some ice packs) and use those on my ankles/feet after walking or sore areas, but often when it’s summer I’ll put one under my lower pillow and it will help me nod off without feeling too hot. I’ll still wake up 3 hours later as it’s like an alarm clock for me to do so but at least I’m cool to nod off to sleep.

[Gillyd62 in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thank you. Good idea popping something under the pillow

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Gillyd62]

Hope it might help you. 🙏

[AgedCrone]

Well clinicians do seem a bit confused about bodily functions these days…A young hospital doctor I saw recently first asked if I had chest pains …then asked if I was bleeding. I answered no to the first question and gave him a quizzical look to the second, whereby he asked me if I was having a period? I am 83!

[Gillyd62 in reply to AgedCrone]

Yes it does make you wonder sometimes 😁

[AgedCrone in reply to Gillyd62]

Actually…being picky- he had walked into a room with 4 beds….I was sitting by…..not in one. There was one other lady also sitting beside a bed

He made a big deal telling me he was DOCTOR XYZ…but never bothered to ask who I was. So no wonder he asked daft questions

[Neonkittie17 in reply to AgedCrone]

😳😱

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to AgedCrone]

😂

[Neonkittie17 in reply to AgedCrone]

Maybe he thought you looked so youthful! 😁

[welsh12 in reply to AgedCrone]

Obviously don't look your age take it as a compliment

[welsh12]

Hi I am same age same issues your Dr sounds good not come up with anything for me had chest xray bloods vitamins done no scans. Let us know if they come up with anything

[Gillyd62 in reply to welsh12]

Yes will do !! Horrible isn’t it !!

[J1707-]

RA and sweats are connected. A flare for me will include overheating and sweats

[Gillyd62 in reply to J1707-]

Yes I always assumed I am in a flare but Consultant doesn’t really agree as no other signs apart from discomfort at the back of the knees.

[Runrig01]

I suffer night sweats, mainly when I’m flaring. I get daytime head sweats, which are usually related to activity. My GP tried HRT to see if that was the cause. My endocrinologist thinks it’s my lack of cortisol, and suggested I check my blood sugar, and if it’s low, assume it’s cortisol. I can now pre-empt them and take a small dose of steroid to lessen it. I’d love to fits solution. Yesterday I had to attend London for a scan, walking these long tunnels in the underground triggered an attack, it’s so embarrassing. I’m sure people think you’ve some contagious infection and have a fever 😂. I do also take 25mg of MTX, which may contribute, as well as amitriptyline which probably doesn’t help

[Gillyd62 in reply to Runrig01]

Yes with all the drugs and the disease it’s hard to unpick what is what isn’t it. I have a tube journey soon and I am dreading it !!!

[Runrig01 in reply to Gillyd62]

I sometimes think the length of walking in these tunnels and stairs, you’d get there quicker walking outside in the fresh air. Never understand why the tunnels don’t have seats every so often, to allow those with mobility issues to rest. I’m very slow on my feet, managing 2mph. I did sleep better last night though, as it’d worn me out. Hope your trip is uneventful re the tube 🤗

[Gillyd62 in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you

[WilfDog]

I'm sorry you are struggling. Sweats are horrid things. I've never really been able to regulate my temperature for decades. I'm sure it's related to my sJIA. Menopause heightened them for a few years but I think stress is a contributory factor as well as the DMARDS, and Biologic drugs we take. It sounds to me the change to methotrexate injections could be a factor. Its always helpful to look at anything youve changed to try and pinpoint the problem Your consultant and GP sound very thorough. I hope the sweats start to calm down for you.

[Gillyd62 in reply to WilfDog]

Thankyou

[wilbertjellyfish]

I also have periods when I'm sweating and feeling I shouldn't be. A few years ago I was investigated for menopause but it was not that. I'm 46 now. I'm sweaty now just back from walking the dogs but it's early morning and I don't walk that fast although the w****r dogs chased a car which didn't help.

I'm on Mtx 25mg injection so maybe it is that. I'll just enjoy the iced coffee as it's summer now.

[Gillyd62 in reply to wilbertjellyfish]

👍😊

[oldtimer2]

I still get the dreaded hot flushes/flashes at 83. I think it's related to the disease activity but this doesn't seem to match inflammatory markers, which seem to be always low now despite evidence to the contrary.

In the past I've been told that they were menopausal, due to the steroids, due to the methotrexate (not on that now), to the azathioprine (still on that), been investigated for TB etc. No-one has a clue really.

[Gillyd62 in reply to oldtimer2]

😂

[STILL-I-RISE26]

I have the same problems but I am on Orencia. The sweats are terrible. Same other symptoms too. I have a couple of neck fans I wear when shopping which help. I also bring a wet cold cloth in the summer in the car to help.

[Cheesechurch]

Sometime the bloods do not show whether your rhumatroid is active. The only way to know whether it is your rhumatroid is to have an ultra sound scan.

[Gillyd62 in reply to Cheesechurch]

I could ask my GP for that. Thank you