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justiceandtruth · 08-01-2012, 08:36 AM

This is my first time ever posting on a health-related message board. I'm pretty desperate and need some help. This is a long story, and if you have the stamina to read and respond...well....I'd actually be very impressed!

I'm a 38-year-old female, normal weight, fairly physically active. About a year ago, I started getting hot flashes and night sweats, with a real increase in severity within the last three months. I've always been pretty sensitive to the heat, but also within the last few months, I am literally burning up if it's over 70 degrees, and I sweat like a beast walking a minute from my car into work. Also, during the last month, when the heat is high, I get very lightheaded and on a few occasions, almost passed out. This has also started happening when I exercise. A week ago, I ended up in the ER due to dehydration, even though I drink plenty of fluids and now, they have a horrible time finding veins from which to draw blood. This was never a problem before.

A few other interesting symptoms - I have Raynaud's, which has gotten much worse during the last year or so. I've also had weird skin rashes on my shin and side - my doctor has no idea what they are. I also have something that my doc recently told me was levido reticularis, which basically means I have a pattern of lacy veins on my legs.

The lightheadedness has gotten so bad, I can't even function at work any more. I had normal thyroid tests, with only T4 slightly elevated, which the doc said was normal.

I know this is a ton of symptoms and is starting to sound like an episode of House, but if anyone has ever experienced anything similar, I'd love to hear about it.

sjb · 08-01-2012, 12:40 PM

Greetings JusticeandTruth!

Welcome to the General Healthboards! Well, my sympathies are offered. An antimalignan antibody serum blood test might rule out one cause of sweats. Hyperhidrosis can have other causes. An HIV test might be appropriate if there were partners and if the doctor has not already tested for it. Having already been to the doctor we will assume he tested the blood sugars. A fan or a sponge down with tepid water sometimes feels pretty decent of course it is not a cure. Peace, sjb

Titchou · 08-01-2012, 04:29 PM

Some forms of lymphoma - Hodgkins is one - have night sweats as a symptom. And although it might be early, have you considered perimenopause?

Mel52 · 08-01-2012, 05:31 PM

have you been tested for sjogren's or lupus?

justiceandtruth · 08-02-2012, 04:51 AM

First...thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my post! It makes me feel less isolated.

As for the HIV, I was tested and thankfully, negative. Phew!

And the perimenopause...we're trying to figure that out right now, but I have to be off of my birth control for four weeks before the testing can be accurate...so we'll see.

And lastly about lupus and sjogren's...I'm going to the rheumatologist on Friday (first time ever), so we shall see.

Thank you SO much for the thoughts and ideas! I just want to feel better, you know?

NJLinda · 08-02-2012, 07:28 AM

justice and truth, Hi I have the same trouble with sweating as you do. Every day, even in winter, the sweat just rolls down my face and head and my hair gets soaked. My chest also gets very wet too. I went through menopause at an early age, 42, and that's when it started. But it has never ended. I am 57 now and started getting severe aches and pains so I was sent to a rheumatologist and my ANA and RNP's were elevated so she decided that I have an autoimmune disease. Sjogrens is an auto immune but she thinks I have lupus or whats called a mixed connective tissue disease. So your decision to see a rheumy is a good thing. They will take a whole bunch of different blood work and see what comes up. How is your thyroid? Tell them to check that also. So welcome to the club

of tests and tests and tests! These boards are great with terrific people who can any questions better then some doctors. I will be going to a lupus clinic next week. Good luck to you and lets toast to No More Sweating! lol

justiceandtruth · 08-02-2012, 07:34 AM

Thanks for sharing your story, NJLinda...it makes me feel a touch less cuckoo

I did have my thyroid tested, and other than a very slight elevation in my T4, everything was fine.

I'll see what, if anything, the rheumatologist says tomorrow.

justiceandtruth · 08-03-2012, 06:12 AM

Sadly, I am having a really, really awful day today. I basically feel like I'm in an oven, but with no fever, although I'm sitting in an air-conditioned house trying not to do much and overheat myself. I'm having a lot of lightheadedness today, and some nausea.

I hope I can hang in there until the rheumatologist this afternoon. This is SO upsetting. I've worked my whole life up until a few days ago. Scary and upsetting. I just want to feel better.

NJLinda · 08-03-2012, 04:37 PM

OMG today was awful for me too!! My husband took the day off and we were getting errands done and I had to leave 2 different stores due to sweating uncontrollably and lightheadedness! The nausea hit me to and at one point I thought I needed the bathroom. This is riduculious! I hope they can give us some answers soon. Feel better.

justiceandtruth · 08-04-2012, 05:05 AM

I hope you're feeling better today, NJLinda. I'm in CT, and it is ridiculously hot and humid here. I went through the same thing with the nausea and lightheadedness yesterday. I actually had to have my husband pick me up from a doctor's appointment because I was too sick to drive home.

The rheumatologist told me yesterday he doesn't think I have an autoimmune disorder....so back to my general practitioner on Wednesday....siiighhhh.

Some answers WOULD be nice, wouldn't they?

I'm also starting to struggle with some anxiety and a few panic attacks around these symptoms. I was treated for panic disorder over 10 years ago and recovered well. I'm sure anxiety isn't helping, but it doesn't seem as if it's the cause of all of these symptoms - certainly not weird rashes, Raynaud's and night sweats.

Hang in there today.....have ice packs on standby

And thanks for your ongoing support and kindness.

NJLinda · 08-04-2012, 05:58 AM

Glad your appointment went well. Funny, I suffer from panic attacks too! For a long time. It is just as hot here in Jersey. Staying in the ac all day. I hope you get some answers for your symptoms soon. Fell well Linda

justiceandtruth · 08-04-2012, 06:46 AM

I can't tell you how much your posts and replies have helped - I feel SO much less "nutty," LOL! I think it's going to be a hard battle for me to explain that while yes, I am now having some trouble with anxiety, I'm also experiencing some really difficult physical symptoms.

Let's hope we both get some helpful answers soon.

Mel52 · 08-04-2012, 06:55 AM

Your blood work may not give you the answers. Sometimes your ANA can be negative even if you have the lupus or sjogren's.
Remember though to replace the fluid you are losing through sweating. I am now drinking gatoraid and pedialyte as the sweating apparently dehydrates me so much it may be the cause of extreme body cramping. (sjogren's too dries you out) Dehyrdration can cause weakenss, dizziness, fatigue and headaches.
Good luck with appointment and keep us in the loop with the info.

NJLinda · 08-04-2012, 05:08 PM

Thanks for that reminder to keep drinking, Mel. I sometimes forget to drink during the day as I am not thirsty. And dehydration sucks because I've had it once or twice. Here's to us feeling better!

sjb · 08-05-2012, 04:38 AM

Greetings Justiceandtruth!

I am not sure personally if I would use icepacks since the body may turn up the metabolism (heat) just to warm up the skin around the ice packs. However being without much clothes in a room by oneself without family or visitors, blinds down, sponging the skin with a bit of tepid water and a fan may be helpful. Of course everybody decides what they want to do.

Peace sjb

justiceandtruth · 08-06-2012, 07:08 AM

And....I am pretty nervous about my regular doctor's appointment on Wednesday. He signed my short-term disability papers for ONE week, with me returning to work this Thursday. I'm going to have to explain to him that there is no way I can start working on Thursday again...I'm still having serious trouble with lightheadedness and fainting. I can't sit in a room with a client and not be able to function. I hope he listens to me and signs the new paper on Wednesday. I hate being sick and just want to feel better, but right now, I truly can't work. And if he doesn't sign the short-term disability paperwork, I am in serious trouble financially.

Just had to share!

Mel52 · 08-06-2012, 01:04 PM

You might want to go to target and get their brand of pedialyte(cheaper) and drink it. Gatoraid will work too and the G2 series comes in low cal. see if you feel better. I have been dehydrated and didn't even know until hospital tests came back. It won't cure reynauds or the sweats but it sure can help with being light-headed etc

justiceandtruth · 08-06-2012, 01:06 PM

Thanks, Mel. I have been SO good about staying hydrated since my little ER episode! I just don't think my body can keep up with the amount I sweat. But I definitely have noticed that it helps to stay hydrated. I feel less faint when I have fluid in me.

sjb · 08-09-2012, 07:35 PM

Greetings Justice and truth!

My sympathies. If there is true fainting it might be better to take a taxi if posssible to avoid unconsciousness on the highway and injuring people including the driver. Dehydration can cause low blood pressure and fainting if it is severe enough. I would mention any fainting episodes and be specific about all symptoms and concerns with the health professional. Peace, sjb

justiceandtruth · 08-10-2012, 05:09 AM

I definitely don't want to injure anyone on the road! Thanks for your input...everyone has been so helpful and I appreciate it. I'm off to the cardiologist this afternoon. It's a bit distressing to feel like a professional patient! In the past several years, I think I've been to the doctor maybe two times, so this is really weird for me.

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