Night sweats

[Dancer12345]

The past few nights I’ve woken up absolutely drenched in sweat in the middle of the night / early morning. The weather isn’t very warm here, certainly not as warm as it has been, so it can’t be that. It only started at the weekend. No memory of nightmares or anything. My pyjamas are stuck to me and my hair is all wet and horrible. Any ideas?

Have you been drinking before going to bed? Eating lots of sugar? If it continues maybe need to be checked for diabetes

How old are you OP? Presuming you're not in your 40's or your might have referenced peri menopause as a possibility? X

No, not drunk any alcohol at all. I do have a sweet tooth but that’s nothing new for me unfortunately! Type 2 diabetes does run in the family but I’ve not noticed any other symptoms.

I’m mid-30s - I presume that’s highly unlikely for peri-menopause, although not unheard of I guess. Really hope it isn’t that though.

Just thought - I started taking Sertraline (anti-depressant) a couple of months ago. Could it be to do with this? I would’ve thought I would’ve experienced the night sweats from the start if so though.

I get this the week before my period's due, could it be that?

Excessive sweating at night can be indicative of certain liver disorders and cancers like lymphoma. Is there any other symptom you're suffering from?

Are you generally well? Any fatigue or coughing? I had TB and night sweats were a big feature.

No, am on the pill without breaks so haven’t had a period for ages!

I feel fine apart from that. Not notice anything else - eating fine, drinking plenty of water and a few cups of tea a day. Exercise. Can’t think of anything else that has changed to make a difference from last week to this. Will just have to see if it continues and go to the doctor if so. Just horrible waking up so sweaty!

It’s the Sertraline!! I got this, interestingly a few weeks after I started taking it. Doctor did blood tests in case it was anything else, but it stopped as soon as I changed medications.

It also lessened when I started taking the Sertraline right before bed (odd because I thought that would do the opposite!)

And I find it gets worse around the time my period is due, as do the side effects generally

I would go to the docs to rule out anything else but vitamin D deficiency can cause night sweats. Hope you get it sorted

What is the sweat like OP? is it like normal sweat when you are hot, or is it clammier, slightly sticky? Also does your skin have an odd odour?

OP, it's the Sertraline. I was going to ask about this, but then you posted. It's a known side effect. I had Sertraline for PND and whilst I didn't suffer night sweats myself, my sister had them terribly whilst on it.

It takes a while for the drug to build up in your system (as you likely already know, the anti-depressant effects take several weeks to start kicking in), so that's why they haven't started straight away.

Pinkandproud DeltaG Oh, I thought it would’ve started straightaway if it was a side effect. Didn’t think about it building up inside me. Doh!

Have you found anything helps? Or am I stuck with it for as long as I’m on Sertraline?

Agree it's the sertraline.
I've been on them years and occasionally wake up in a swimming pool of sweat now.
I try to use deodorant before bed which seems to help

I would try taking the tablets right before bed as that did help a great deal. Otherwise you might have to go back to GP and see if you can change the type of medication.

I would monitor the night sweats very closely OP. They may be connected to your medication or they might not be. Night sweats are a symptom of serious illnesses such as lymphoma and leukaemia, types of which require immediate treatment to obtain the best prognosis. Your GP should be your first port of call, but the night sweats will still need monitoring closely by you.

Saggital Thanks, will definitely keep an eye and will mention to my doctor when I next go for my medication review in a couple of weeks.

Pinkandproud I may have to try that then. I deliberately take them in the mornings as I didn’t want them to affect my sleep! Been fine until this last few days so will give it a bit longer then see. I’m reluctant to change as they’ve helped my mood. Not seen massive improvements in my anxiety but some, and am only on lowest dose so doctor said I could go up if needs be.

Bluelonerose Thanks, will try the deodorant before bed.