What causes cold sweats?

[Geology]

I’ve been taking Prednisolone for PMR since May 2021. I’ve been very gradually reducing and have been on 4mg for 1 month. I take the Pred at about 5am with yoghourt and banana. I had Covid 2 weeks ago. I didn’t up the Pred dose.

I have no PMR pain. I feel ok in the mornings but have high anxiety and irritability. I feel very weak between 2pm and 6pm. Then I feel better. I sometimes get cold sweats and have to sit down and drink water. At night, I feel hot.

Do you think afternoon weakness, cold sweats, overheating at night and anxiety are linked to reducing Prednisolone? Should I change when I take Prednisolone?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Would say st the level you are at, it’s more likely adrenals struggling -all you describe is pretty typical of that…

The only way to nudge adrenals into waking up it a very slow taper, small steps, time, patience and TLC.

Maybe have a look at this - things will get better but can’t tell you when -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Geology in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. I’ve read this information again and it confirms what I thought really. The difficulty for me is to get the family to understand. I don’t look ill!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Geology]

The difficulty for me is to get the family to understand. I don’t look ill!

I wish I had a £ for the number of times I’ve read that this forum…😊. Afraid it’s so common when on high, medium or low doeses of Pred….and very frustrating.

One riposte often suggested it - “True I don’t look ill, but you don’t look stupid either! “

I’ll leave you to decide whether you employ that approach. 😂😂.. They can’t see what you’re thinking.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Geology]

As DL says - few of us do! It can be very satisfying to think up ripostes of the sort she mentions!!!!

A little less pointed is "It isn't my face that's ill ..."

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I agree with DorsetLady - those are all typical symptoms experienced at low doses of pred when the adrenal glands need to wake up but are lagging behind.

[MiniSpec]

You've just described my typical day in a nutshell. I've been like this for the last year or so, since I reduced my daily dose from 4mg to 3mg. So I agree with PMRpro that it's most likely to be a symptom of the combination of low dose and reduction that's causing it all, due to the adrenals stuttering.