overheating and PMR

[Stargiver]

I have had polymyalgia for 18 months, and at the beginning, there was a thought that I was developing GCA. However, the rheumy discounted this and after starting on steroids at 60 mg I quickly reduced to 10. I stayed on this for sometime because of stressful family issues. However, over the last six months I have successfully reduced to 5 mg of steroid. The pain and discomfort I get is always in my hips knees and lower legs. However, the steroids keep the pain under control for the most part. I also have slight neuropathy in my lower legs. I have noticed that I get hot and sweaty very easily after minimal exertion and it takes a long time to cool down. I wondered if any other people get this symptom. Before I was diagnosed one of the symptoms I was getting were quite severe night sweats it is almost as if the polymyalgia has affected my temperature regulator. Has anyone else experienced this? The steroid medication that I am on is prednisolone.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think a lot of us would say they had experienced strange temperature regulation effects at some time! I always felt too warm and it led to disputes over the central heating as my husband always felt cold. Then suddenly I had a winter where it didn't happen and I needed to wear socks again!

But sweats when reducing the dose can be a sign of a flare.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Many would find a reduction from 10mg to 5mg within 6 months too quick…. So that may be part of the issue. Plus many also find sweats are a sign that their Pred is just a little too low….

[PMRCanada]

I often sweat at around 4-7am (around neck and cleavage). As I taper lower, and a humid summer is upon us, I’m finding I perspire more after physical activity and it takes some time to cool down.

I’ve heard from others that tapering at lower doses, and coming off of pred altogether, triggered bouts of excess sweating.

[Merryfield]

I was having hot flashes for a while but they have gone away.

[Viv54]

I can tell you your not on your own ! ihad a terrible time when i first began pred,it was almost like i had a bucket of water poured over me.That was on 20mgs of pred.i felt like i had my own body heater .Im now on 7 mgs ,i still get hot flushes but not nearly as bad. Its like going through the menopause allover again. Hang on in there it does ease the lower you go .🌷

[Lyndaki]

My head sweats dreadfully . The actual heat doesn’t bother me, but it’s very embarrassing having to mop my face every 5 minutes & despite styling my hair, looking like I’ve just come out of the shower!! I’ve reduced to 2/1.5 mg & it’s no better than when I was on higher doses….& as I live in Spain where we are just experiencing a heatwave, (40c today🥵) it’s no fun!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lyndaki]

Mid 30s here - that doesn't happen this early in the year!! It is even 32C here - half way up a mountain!

[Lyndaki in reply to PMRpro]

indeed! I’m in the mountains but heading to be Cadiz coast Weds…10 degrees cooler there!!

[Everett19]

I too am a dripping mess! Had PMR 15+ years on varying levels. Suffered with night sweats which does seem to have eased thankfully. Currently on 15mg of Pred following a flare. I always feel very warm but my head sweats all the time and hair gets wet and sweat runs down my face. This recent heatwave has been a total nightmare. Oh the ongoing complexity of PMR.....

[TedTheMaineCoon]

Oh that’s me ! I keep wondering about my temp regulator? It’s awful and I sweat for hours sometimes . It must be the pmr and steroids .

[stonecreek]

yes to night sweats bad!! Not too often but boy when it happens It is like I just got out of the shower. Have to chnge night gown and MOVE TO THE OTHER SIDE of the bed-- ha!. Now I am freezing all the time and it is 90 out. Live in Georgia and wear my Winter cloths all year.