Help, please. Sensitivity to heat

[BobbieT1999]

I know I need to see my gp and I will do when I can manage to get an appointment but...Wondering if anyone has any experience of why I might have become so sensitive to heat?

I always used to feel the cold terribly but have noticed in the last couple of years that this happens much less. In fact, it doesn't take much increase in temperature for me to start sweating considerably.

I mean, running down my face, neck, back, chest, wet hair (I hadn't realised quite how upsetting I was finding this, I'm starting to cry finally just giving voice to it.)

I've also noticed that my chest seem to flush a bit. Notice it most when I'm in the shower, which I know doesn't sound unusual but it seems to be brighter than what used to be normal

Oddly, hot showers don't bother me, but unless I'm going to be standing about outside for an hour or two, I don't want a coat - it makes me perspire.

At first I thought it was the intense heat wave we had last year but its not just that. I still get cold when I sleep but physical activity, even gentle walks mean I'm dressing lightly, tying my hair up and showering as soon as I get home. (I always shower twice a day as standard anyway. )

I think I'm still a bit young for it to be menopause, although I know its not unheard of, as I'm early 30s. I've also been on anti depressants over this time and have been wondering if it's related to that?

But, honestly, it's been getting me really down. I hate it when I don't feel fresh and its becoming noticeable to others. I feel so self conscious.

I guess I'm asking because I'm dreading seeing my gp about it, the one I have isn't that great or even that nice and haven't had any luck in switching yet. I'm worried they will be dismissive and it would be great to go armed with some things that I can ask to be checked if they are.

Does anyone have any advice please?

I had, it was my thyroid, overactive. Hyperthyroidism.

Could you see a different gp? Sounds awful to have one that's not nice!

How long have you felt like this? I am usually freezing but have been roasting and sweating my entire pregnancy. Could you be pregnant?

It could be peri menopause, although hopefully not.

When not pregnant I find I'm like this when due my period. Could your monthly symptoms just be changing? Mine have changed a lot over the years depending on birth control, having children etc

Anti-depressants cause this for me. It settled a bit after a year but it's still there. Sympathies OP, I find it incredibly distressing.

Thank you, I'll ask for my thyroid to be checked again.

No chance of pregnancy, no link to my cycle, and I hope not perimenopause. Is that something they can test to confirm??

@peachgreen do you still take the anti depressants do you mind me asking? 'Distressing' is just the word for it, I'm hoping if it's a side effect they can prescribe something to ease it.

Not keen to add another prescription into the mix but altering my anti depressant dose isn't an option- and it took me long enough to find these ones, I don't think there's another they can offer me instead.

Yep, mine was an overactive thyroid too.
Have you lost weight? Feel a bit jittery? Bit tearful and on edge, shorter rope than usual?

YES! ME!!!!! Omg it takes over my life. I drive round with air con on in 0 degrees! It's horrendous. Sweat pouring down my face, down the back of my neck and down my chest & back. Embarrassment in public. Never being able to wear make up. Looking like an addict because your hair & face are damp all the time and makes you look scruffy.

Not being able to play with your child when you're hot, to the point where they now preface every request to play, with "If you're cool enough, please may we...."

One of my previous jobs was customer facing sales and my boss began to get complaints from customers about me! I'm 100000% clean and don't ever smell of BO, they were complaining about my sweaty face & hair!

It's worse in the summer of course but even in the winter it's life altering. If I go from the cold environment into a warm room - I've had it.

I type this whilst sat in front of my giant fan in my bedroom 😳

@BobbieT1999

Thank you, I'll ask for my thyroid to be checked again.

No chance of pregnancy, no link to my cycle, and I hope not perimenopause. Is that something they can test to confirm??

@peachgreen do you still take the anti depressants do you mind me asking? 'Distressing' is just the word for it, I'm hoping if it's a side effect they can prescribe something to ease it.

Not keen to add another prescription into the mix but altering my anti depressant dose isn't an option- and it took me long enough to find these ones, I don't think there's another they can offer me instead.

Is it Duloxetine by any chance?!

Duloxetine did this to me too, took me years to wean myself off it due to the withdrawal side affects.

I do - I found that a combination of time and reducing my dose slightly has got it to a place where it's kind of bearable - it's still horrible but much MUCH better than it was.

Yes it is duloxetine! I don't want to come off it but I do need to find a way to manage this problem and it sounds like a common side effect??

@RosesAndHellebores with the exception of weight loss, yes I've been feeling all that. My weight, inconveniently, remains stubbornly the same.

@GrannytoaUnicorn that's so cruel of them! I'm sorry they were so awful to you, I hope your boss was supportive but it doesn't sound like it?

This winter I've kept my fan out from summer because I find even if I get a bit warm when getting dressed I need to cool down rapidly in order not to feel like I want to wash again :(

@peachgreen and others who've experienced it as a side effect,have you ever had GPs be supportive and work with you to diminish it?

@BobbieT1999

Yes it is duloxetine! I don't want to come off it but I do need to find a way to manage this problem and it sounds like a common side effect??

@RosesAndHellebores with the exception of weight loss, yes I've been feeling all that. My weight, inconveniently, remains stubbornly the same.

@GrannytoaUnicorn that's so cruel of them! I'm sorry they were so awful to you, I hope your boss was supportive but it doesn't sound like it?

This winter I've kept my fan out from summer because I find even if I get a bit warm when getting dressed I need to cool down rapidly in order not to feel like I want to wash again :(

@peachgreen and others who've experienced it as a side effect,have you ever had GPs be supportive and work with you to diminish it?

Yep it's a huuuugely common side effect of Duloxetine but unfortunately the only other alternatives which are anything like it, also have the same side effects! I also don't want to come off it. Duloxetine for me, is a fantastic medication and like you, it took a very, very long & tough time to find it. Nothing else came close!

My doctor asked me to first try halving my dose to see if any improvement and if not, he's going to refer me to a surgeon who can perform an OP to essentially 'switch off' the sweating. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy which is keyhole surgery and stops the sweating on the head, armpits & hands.

Halving the dose didn't work at all, so fingers crossed this gets approved by the surgeon 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Meanwhile a product I've found which surprisingly helps is 'Sweat Block' wipes. I put them on when I'm cool and not sweaty at all. Before bed on the evening before a shower, I wipe all over my face well & even dab onto parts of my scalp, then go to sleep. In morning I have a shower & wash hair as normal and it MASSIVELY reduces the sweating for 4-7 days!!!! It does ever so slightly sting a tiny bit, like prickly heat not painful, but it's a teeny tiny price to pay for a huge result.
I'm also prescribed Propantheline bromide from the Doctor which I take on a morning (in summer I take throughout the day). You have to be extremely careful with these that you don't take too much though as they will then give you SUCH dry mouth that it removes all your saliva for an hour or so and leave you unable to swallow. Dries your entire body out! They're a life saver at times though, at the right dose

Thank you @GrannytoaUnicorn that's really helpful.

I'll speak to my gp when I can, hopefully they'll be able to rule out other things too like thyroid.

I shall try those wipes, seems a good idea for face and neck- I used the night time deodorant stuff over summer and that stung a little bit, but like you say it was OK.

Good luck with the op, I really hope it makes a difference for you!

Oh my gos I used to have exactly this! From my late teens onwards.

Doctors had no clue. Gave me beta blockers which made me feel like I was dying.

What changed my life, genuinely, was acupuncture. Had a course of it before my wedding and it stopped it completely. Had another course a few years after that, which would be about six years ago now, and it's never returned.

You have my sympathy, it's a fucking nightmare to deal with.

@BlameItOnTheBlackStar

Oh my gos I used to have exactly this! From my late teens onwards.

Doctors had no clue. Gave me beta blockers which made me feel like I was dying.

What changed my life, genuinely, was acupuncture. Had a course of it before my wedding and it stopped it completely. Had another course a few years after that, which would be about six years ago now, and it's never returned.

You have my sympathy, it's a fucking nightmare to deal with.

Oh wow. Was yours due to medication as well?

No, I've no idea what caused it, nobody was ever able to find out, normal thyroid, etc.

@blameitontheblackstar that's really interesting, thank you - I'll keep it in mind if I don't get anywhere with gp

@BlameItOnTheBlackStar

No, I've no idea what caused it, nobody was ever able to find out, normal thyroid, etc.

Were you taking any anti depressants or any other medication at the time, may I ask please?

No, nothing.

Can you please tell me if you found answer?