Freezing feet and night sweats - is this normal for RA?

I thought my night sweats were down to the menopause (although I have no other menopausal symptoms) but someone mentioned it can be a symptom of RA. I've had these for years now. But whilst my body is bathed in sweat (sorry for being so graphic) my feet are like blocks of ice.

[julie49]

hello lilac,i,m the same too,but my feet despite having socks on and my slippers during the day are so cold as well as in bed,they eventually do get warm then i,m sweating and have to have my legs out of the duvet and it pulled down from around my neck,i put it down to the menapause thinking it was that,but have never heard that it could be the RA i do hope someone comes on line and gives us an explanation if it is caused by the RA.fingers crossed.juliex

[Hidden]

Hi there, I did have night sweats & hot flushes before the RA diagnosis and attributed them to the menopause. However I did begin to suspect that the hot flushes were making me feel grottier than other menopausal women - difficult to explain why I thought that but I really felt I was sinking fast compared to others and in retrospect I think that RA was at least partly to blame.

Since diagnosis the cold feet are definitely a problem & hot flushes have been worse than ever. Night sweats are intermittent.

However since diagnosis I've cut down the amount of work I do considerably & have time to look after myself and reflect on what's what. My dodgy thermostat - as I think of it - improves loads if I avoid over-eating. Sometimes I think that certain foods and drinks are to blame but, overall, moderation plus regular exercise are the things that consistently seem to help.

Shame really as my brain would quite like me to eat loads of cake & chocolate, drink whole bottles of wine at a time & sit on my backside especially in this weather but my body does not agree!

Luce xx

[126Jessie]

I get night sweats when I my RA is active also when on methotrexate and steroids. Quite a lot of us on here experience them. I often sleep with a towel on my pillow and a cool wet flannel to keep me chilled down. Just had a month of them and they have died down of late thankfully. Feet are freezing too! oh the joys! At least you are not alone, hope they settle down for you too xx

[flaxton]

Hi

I get the flushes and sweats when my RA is active, it is crazy ,here we are cold feet freezing outside and throwing the covers off the top half. Crazy disease !!

Xx

[Hidden]

Thanks everyone for your input I was beginning to think I was a freak, Glad to know I'm not the only one then!

[fionam]

I suffer from the nightsweats too ( not to mention other times of day!) - my RA doctor said it can be a side effect of Methotrexate.

[rattusrattus]

i've had nightsweats for years - they're awful on a morning too - i'm 37 and not menopausal. i still have regular peroids so it must be a sign of inflamation. gabapentin is amazing for the nightsweats - its stopped me literally dripping with sweat! i hope this helps

[KylaC]

So glad I read this....I have sweats (not just at night) and freezing feet (2 pairs of fluffy socks!). I am on Methotrexate for a couple of yrs and am 42 so thought it was early menopause too!

I find an electric blanket to pre warm the bed helps my limbs relax (then turn it off when I get in) with a hot water bottle for my feet help keep them toastie.

Kyla

Ps this is my first posting.....been a 'lurker' for a few weeks now

[watson3 in reply to KylaC]

Hello nice to. meet you. X

[Munchkinella in reply to KylaC]

Hi Kyla welcome. Janet xx

[Hidden in reply to KylaC]

Welcome Kyla! This is a very friendly and informative site. You'll find lots of support and advice here or just reassurance, like I have on this very post, that you're not going totally mad!

[Munchkinella]

Yep, me too. In fact they are why I went to my doc in the first place, that along with all the aching. I had a hysterectomy many years ago so just thought this was a sign of meno lol. Got the shock of my life when it was RA. Doc said it was one of the signs. It's truly ridiculous isn't it, as if we've not got enough to contend with.

[Hidden]

I'm still waiting for the 'official' diagnosis even though my GP and I are convinced by my symptoms and strong family history of the disease. Seeing the Rheumy next week so I'm going to mention the night sweats to him then. Wish me luck! JoJo xx

[Munchkinella]

Good luck JoJo. Let us know how you get on. Love Janet xxx

[Josie2]

Ive been having night sweats for about 2 year on and off and wasnt sure if it was ra or going through the change, started going through the change the year before but didnt have sweats until year after when i was diagnosed with ra.

Went to docs last week and had hormone test done and im definately going through the change boohoo..

Ive found red clover is working well for me, tried black cohosh but it only worked for a short time.

Going on hrt in June.

Jo

Xxxx

[Neonkitty]

Lilac, I too thought it was perimenopause .... Hard to often fathom what's what isn't it?!

Julie x

[Rita56]

I am the same too.Have had R.A for 17 years now and went through the menopause 3 years ago.I get terrible night sweats yet I am freezing.I thought it might be to do with my thyroid as I am borderline for underactive.

[Hidden]

hi Lilac, I was told by my Rhuemy consultant this was part of RA i get night sweats and cold feet, i end up throwing the duvet off my top half , then i get cold and have to put it over me again. my feet are cold during the day and sometimes during the night and i also get hot feet and have to hang them over the edge of the bed with no duvet. I have had hysterectomy but not menopausal. I also get sweats in the day. Hugs lena XX

[minka]

not taking predistone are you this can make you sweat at night verry bad