Please help me! to go to my doctor about this?

[26goingon56]

ive had a collection of weird symptoms recently and I’m feeling a bit miserable and not sure if I should go to the doctors or give it more time and wait and see if it improves itself. The NHS in our area is only seeing urgent cases at the GPs indefinitely because of how busy it is and I don’t want to use up an appointment if it’s something I should/could manage myself.

I’ve had these weird episodes of profuse sweating, where suddenly out of nowhere I’m clammy and drenched in sweat, like hot flushes I think? Today at work I was dripping in sweat one minute, then cold and clammy, then having hot flushes again- it was absolutely horrible. It happens randomly with no trigger and is actually worse during the night, sometimes I wake up in the sweats and the bed is completely soaked and it’s like I’m having a hot/sweaty flush in my sleep. It’s not happening every day/night but when it does happen it’s usually so bad I have to shower and change my clothes, even during the night. I thought it might be a fever causing it but it’s not, my temperature is fine and it’s been going on for about 2-3 months so not flu etc either.

ive already had so many GP appointments recently for my asthma suddenly getting worse and I don’t want to be that person that’s always got problems especially when they’re so busy and only seeing urgent cases, but this is really embarrassing now especially at work or in bed where one minute I’m fine then the next minute I’ve got sweat pouring all over me. I’m waking up during the night as if I’m lying in a bath because everything is soaked with sweat and I’m literally soaked as if I’ve come straight out the bath.

im definitely not pregnant, and I’m not near menopause or peri menopause age either. Apart from this I’m feeling fine other than exausted- I’ve always been a naturally tired person (I’m not iron deficient and never have been) but recently this has been worse and I’m sleeping a lot, like I fall asleep on the couch during the day and rarely go a day without falling asleep or needing a nap. but I don’t know how much of that is from work being busier recently and the asthma causing tiredness too so that might just be a coincidence.

sorry this was so long, I just don’t want to waste my GPs time for me being sweaty when I’ve already had so much of their time recently for my asthma. Just not sure what to do or if there’s anything I can try to help it?

How old are you OP? Because your symptoms sounds exactly like perimenopause.

Sorry, I also forgot to add (just in case it’s relevant at all!) I’ve actually been having general sleep problems longer than the hot flushes and tiredness- about 4 months ago or so I started getting horrific nightmares where I would wake up paralysed and see something in my room (either a shadowy figure or sometimes I would just see rainbowy swirls and glitter- and then I would hear a siren/screaming/screeching in my ears that was unbearably loud to the point it was painful, and I would wake up screaming and shaking with fear. I wasn’t having the night sweats during this but these nightmares happened every night to the point my mum would sleepover in my room with me because I was so traumatised by them and I was terrified to wake up alone. My parents were freaked out by it because I’ve never had a problem with bad dreams but these were absolutely traumatising. I put it down to stress from work and it thankfully stopped after around 6 weeks or so and then the night (and day) sweats started not long after it stopped. I guess I’m not sure if the tiredness and sweats are maybe all related and maybe still from nightmares and maybe I’m just not aware I’m having them anymore? Although that wouldn’t explain the day sweats. Basically I’m not sure if it’s all just stress causing this!

Could be hyperthyroidism the sweating and tiredness. Get your GP to check your thyroid levels.

25 almost 26 x

The sweating could be nothing, but it could be related to something that definitely warrants a GP appointment. I’m not meaning to scare you but if that were me, or one of my family members, I’d want checked.

Too young for the menopause but not impossible either. You need bloodtests to rule certain conditions out. Make appt with GP.

First, I would ask what medication are you on, and taking for your asthma worsening, or taking for your asthma, period? I’ve had what you’re talking about as a side effect to a few medications, including one of the steroids to help my breathing. It causes sleep problems as well (I had horrific troubles). Some steroids and some antidepressants are notorious for causing hot flushing. If you don’t want to discuss your personal medication online, just try Googling the name of the medication combined with the words “hot flashes” (this will bring up more American drug company results), “hot flushes,” or “flushing” and see what comes up.

I don’t think the medication caused it because I wasn’t actually on any medication for it when this all started a few months ago because my asthma had all but gone away- the symptoms started before the asthma flared up again but I only went to the GP about the asthma instead because that was more acute and I had to deal with that more question my and I got put on a steroid inhaler for it, so far I haven’t noticed any worsening of the symptoms since they started before the asthma inhaler but I’ll definitely keep an eye out in case it makes it worse thank you for letting me know, I’m not on any other medications at all either x

This will probably sound really silly but I hadn’t even realised it could be something like that, I was just worried about wasting an appointment for being a bit sweaty because on paper written down it seems a bit silly in the grand scheme of things I guess!

No you're not silly OP it's just best to be seen by your GP for the blood tests and if required the necessary treatment.
Make that appt on Monday and hopefully you will get to the bottom of it.

OP, let me give you a bit of advice. I’m not saying to overdramatize your symptoms. But as women, we are often socialized to downplay our symptoms if anything. At the beginning of the thread, you said this was causing you to be drenched in sweat, so much so that you needed to shower, and that when it stopped, you would feel cold and clammy afterwards. Now you’re saying that you’re scared of taking a GP appointment just for being “a bit sweaty.” I get it; believe me, I do. But you’re not just a little sweaty. It sounds like a very real symptom that’s affecting your life, and if it started before your asthma worsening and before the steroid inhaler, then yes, I would definitely recommend getting some blood work, as it could be something easily solvable like a thyroid issue, or something more serious. You are allowed to call the GP when you need (though I do applaud asking someone if you’re really on the fence over whether a symptom will just resolve, but you said this has been happening for months). You are allowed to determine if a symptom is serious enough that it’s affecting your life. It’s not your fault if you also needed appointments recently for asthma; you will not be the downfall of the NHS. If you tell a doctor that a 25-year-old woman is having flushes that drench her in sweat and then feels cold and clammy, they would definitely want to perform tests. Please do get it checked out. You’re not “that” patient. You’re just a normal person with symptoms who needs help.

This could be nothing or very very serious

Please make a GP appointment asap

Sounds like it's hormonal. I was diagnosed last year with premature ovarian failure (I was 26 then) and I had all the symptoms you have described (including the nightmares).

It sound like you've had episodes of sleep paralysis. My dh get these and they are terrifying for him. Your mind/brain wakes up during sleep but your body stays paralysed. I usually get woken up to the sound of him trying to shout for me but it's really quiet but to him he's screaming his head off! I have to wake him up properly or as soon as I've judged him awake he falls straight back into it. It leaves him feeling awful and fuzzy headed for the day.

The rest of your symptoms I can't give any advice on but if definitely make an appointment to see your gp.

Have you travelled anywhere overseas in the last 6 months? Its a long shot, but there is a chance it could be TB..that is notorious for causing sweats and maybe you asthma wasnt so much asthma

Book an appointment with your GP, it's affecting your every day life, your sleep and it needs sorting whatever it is. You have every right to see your GP the same as everyone else has. If it was something that only happened around your period it could perhaps be part of your cycle BUT it isn't only then.

Rather than OPs putting their experiences on and scaring you to death, please make an appointment asap xx

Our doctors are there to help us. Please see yours. You need advice, treatment or reassurance. All necessary.

You need to see your GP, it's not a waste of their time.

I would ask for a brain scan and a kidney scan. This sounds like your adrenal system is playing up. Make sure they check your blood pressure, run some bloods to check your cortisol levels. (24hr) and urine checks.

You can't just 'ask' for scans, Dr will assess and investigate as they deem appropriat.

This. It could be an awful lot of things. The GP will assess and go from there, probably with bloods to start with.

Night sweats like you are describing could be for a number of reasons, some sinister and most not, but this absolutely warrants gp.
Please go and ask for bloods,
Hugs OP x

Write down ALL your symptoms including the sleep issues and the worsening asthma.

See Doctor tomorrow

Do not minimise anything

You are not being silly

Do you use Singulair (Montelukast) for your asthma? A known side effect for that are nightmares which makes it unusable for some people.

@Lizzy1328 - you can suggest it by saying that you are concerned that you are exhibiting disordered adrenal symptoms and would like them investigated please. Of course you can request scans. Doctors can say whether they think you need them or not.