is the inability to control body temperatu... - PSP Association

PSP Association

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is the inability to control body temperature along with sweating a know symptom of psp? thanks for any advice!

buttercup01 profile image
16 Replies

dad is in final stages of psp, is catheterised & has a peg, but has developed these periods of feeling very hot with profuse sweating, has been happening for some months, but is getting regular & worse, now every day.

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buttercup01 profile image
buttercup01
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16 Replies
daughter_Julie profile image
daughter_Julie

I can remember reading and associating with the fact that the sweating was a common early symptom, but also that CBd sufferers had terrible problems with overheating, due to damage in the hypothalamus. It would seem my dad has Psp, but he doesn't really sweat anymore, but he likes a cold room, and nearly always has cold hands.

Hi buttercup01

As daughter_Julie mentions, this is a condition seen in some PSP sufferers. It is dysautonomia, where the autonomic nervous system is damaged (This affects heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, salivation, perspiration, pupillary dilation, micturition (urination), and sexual arousal). The hypothalamus (above the brain stem) integrates this system (which is found mainly in the medulla area). In PSP both the area of the medulla and the hypothalamus can be damaged to such a degree that symptoms occur as per your dad. (The medulla region is also connected to certain reflex actions such as coughing, sneezing, vomiting and swallowing).

This symptom can be seen also in CBD but mainly in MSA sufferers.

Not all PSP patients will experience this thermoregulation problem.

One also has to consider temperature problems with infections (usually acute ones like UTI's, but sometimes what is called low grade chronic infections).

My wife has hot and cold episodes (both in summer and winter) with sweating. She sometimes has cold legs and hot feet! Sadly, it is difficult to treat with medications (and some like benzodiazepines actually upset the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain - that exacerbate PSP symptoms).

Sorry for the technical nature of this but hope it helps a bit!

T.

marytea13 profile image
marytea13

Hi Strelley this problem with thermoregulation is one that I have even though the neurologist cant say if I have PSP but think so! I get an allowance from W A government that meets some of the air con costs although I find using the fan on the air con helps me. I may use the wheat pillows for joint/muscle problems but am very careful to wrap it in a towel as I may not be able to tell how hot it really maybe. Our weather at present is most pleasant so not much of a problem although I have a cardigan on as I write.

in reply to marytea13

Hello marytea13

We too receive the thermoregulation grant. I wonder if other countries have similar grants for diseases that cause this problem?

As I mentioned in my post, not all PSP sufferers will have this symptom (in fact one study of 103 proven PSP patients at autopsy only 2% had dysautonomia, that may have resulted in thermoregulation problems).

All the best

T

buttercup01 profile image
buttercup01

hi everyone thankyou for help & advice my husband is cooler this morning but it will most likely start again later on , will let you know how this goes. buttercup01

mummybear profile image
mummybear

Hi Buttercup, sounds like your dad is at the same stage as hubby, what i have found over this last year is the symptoms seem to come and go, the overheating was bad last year then faded and only occasionally now, same with continence it's all or nothing for 3 month, it was hard to get him to pee then back to normal and now lucky to go once or twice a day, he still has a good appetite but losing weight no matter how much supplements i give. But like all PSP sufferers he will fight it all the way. The ladies on this site have all this covered and are a wealth of information Just ask. Merry Christmas to all. xx

jaylew1 profile image
jaylew1

hi,

i think it is ti di with PSP as i suffer from hot sweats, and i wake at night time soaking

wet, and i get vety hot durung the day.............. ihave told my gp who has put ,e on hrt.

but i think i am well past that, but it is not helping at all

does anybody have any ideas, of how to help it??

many thanks

jaylew x

mombcd12343 profile image
mombcd12343

I have been diagnosed with psp 3 years but my husband says i have had it longer. my symptoms are i can' walk because of balance or talk very loudly or see very clearly or focus on one object and i see double. I can't use my hands the same ways and I wonder what will go next can someone tell me? I used to sing in my church coir and at weddimgs I used to do transcription for a doctors office and billing and collections now I can't do anything but si here

jimandsharynp profile image
jimandsharynp in reply to mombcd12343

Mom, if there is one thing I know about PSP is the unpredictable nature of it. Each patient progresses a bit differently. You never know what is ahead. Not all patients have all symptoms. Severity of symptoms in each patient may be different Even length of life is not certain. We have chosen to live each day as best we can. We don't think of what is or may be ahead. We don't consider "what phase am I In?" A PSP patient could die of aspiration pneumonia in any stage or from a bad fall or....... Why worry about what you can't control? PSP has a progression of its own for each person. There is enough pain in the process without adding worry to the list.

Jimbo

carolinesimmons profile image
carolinesimmons in reply to jimandsharynp

What a wonderful philosophy! Since I had to put my husband in a private home for care I don't see him but maybe 4 days a week and then just for a few hours. So I don't see the variations in symptoms as much as the caregivers do - but they are good to tell me which are occurring. You are right. You can't predict or really prepare so why worry. Thanks for reminding me!

Caroline

Trumpet1234 profile image
Trumpet1234 in reply to jimandsharynp

So very true.

shasha profile image
shasha in reply to mombcd12343

hello momgcd12343

i too have psp with all the hidious symptoms you mention .. i too wionder what eklse will go but try not to dwell on it too much - at least we can stilll communicate in here !!

jillannf6 profile image
jillannf6 in reply to mombcd12343

Hi mom

Imsm sorr ya that you cannot mdommuch now

I was dxd 3,years ago & am pretty sure I have the slow sort as I cm still sing in a choir and get to tai chi classes 4 , ,my balance

I really think u should not give up as there aret people who need u

Loljill

And a :-)

Yes definitely the case with Mum in end stage. I tended to think it was that she was constantly either getting over an infection or going down with one and the sweating was really extreme at the very end. My thoughts are with you, Dianne xx

Janedaniel profile image
Janedaniel

Hi Buttercup 01. Sweating became a problem for my dad in his last few months of battling this disease. He suffered from CBD and his sweating on occasions was extreme. Thinking of you. Paula xx

loupur06 profile image
loupur06

hi. my mother has been diagnosed 3 years i think. she complained a lot of sweating during any exertions - like getting dressed in the morning. she would be soaked with sweat. now she seldom needs the heat on in the house and wears only a single layer. it is a different matter when she's outside in the breeze! you couldn't keep her warm then. she finds it strange herself. i hope that helps,

regards

lou

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