Well its that time of year again...hot 8) The last 2 days temps were in the low 90's and I found out a very disturbing thing...I cant sweat no matter how overheated I get. I get drier in my skin if thats possible, and start turning red but no sweat. This will be dangerous in the summer if your body cant cool by sweating you will suffer heat stroke. Needless to say why cant I sweat? I mean all my skin layers are dried up, but shouldnt I still be able to sweat, does this disease actually destroy our sweat glands? Is there anyway to get them back? I have to be outside many times in the extreme weather, so I have to be able to sweat. :-[
Tivia ..... Of course, I don't know for sure why you are not sweating, but I do know that lack of sweating can be a symptom of Autonomic Neuropathy, and Autonomic Neuropathy can occur in people with Sjogren's. If it were me, I would let my Rheumatologist know and also see a Neurologist for a neurological evaluation.
"Autonomic dysfunction occurs in up to half of patients with Sjogren's syndrome, manifesting as pupillary abnormalities, orthostatic hypotension and/or hypohydrosis/anhidrosis (low sweating or lack of sweating)."
That quote was from an article in Medscape entitled, "The Neurology of Sjogren's Syndrome and the Rheumatology of Peripheral Neuropathy and Myelitis."
Here is the link:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/821884
I know you already have a full plate so I hope you do not have Autonomic Neuropathy, but it would be best to have it evaluated. Wishing you the best.
I don't sweat much either, Tivia. And when I do it itches like crazy. I think I'm allergic to myself. I live in NJ and it doesn't get too hot here, so I can't really help you. :'(
I agree with Jasper that this is more then likely neuropathy, not just Sjogren's (but of course the neuropathy is from Sjogren's, so still indirectly Sjogren's).
I see you mention nerve damage in your signature line. You should tell your neurologist about this and have them do a skin biopsy for autonomic dysfunction and it may also confirm your nerve damage in your legs/feet as SFN.
And yes, heat stroke is very dangerous, so you must be mindful of your body temp and stay cool, even when your body can't adjust it's own temp.
I don't sweat either. If I get too hot I start to itch. I was just diagnosed this winter with Autoimmune Neuropathy. My blood pressure is not stable. I have overactive bladder. And I just learned here that not sweating is neuropathy related too.
I never really sweat before my Sjs diagnosis. At the most, just a slight sheen on my forehead and that would only be after riding my bike on an extremely hot day. Now I only get cold sweats from my Evoxac, day or night-winter or summer and never when I would need it!
Tivia, I don't sweat either...or very, very little. My sports nickname has always been "NoSweat[insert my last name]." Interesting that it's neurological. Never knew that. I also have numbness/tingling in my hands and feet and mild essential tremor.
I think a visit with a neuro would be a smart thing to do, probably for me as well. Keep us posted.
Hugs,
Maria
p.s. I'm in New Jersey too Pinkfish. Whadda ya mean it doesn't get too hot here! ;D
Quote from: wildforwater on May 06, 2014, 01:34:46 PM
p.s. I'm in New Jersey too Pinkfish. Whadda ya mean it doesn't get too hot here! ;D
Where in Jersey?! I just moved to Hunterdon county from Middlesex.
Well, it definitely gets hot here, but probably more humid than hot. Not desert hot!
Bob Marley's "Girl I Want to Make You Sweat" runs in my head every time I see this thread title.
I don't sweat either. Staying hydrated is critical. I dress in layers because I can be sweltering outside then freezing inside.
You might look into purchasing a Frog Tog which is a towel that will hold water. You can cut it to various sizes and put it on your neck or elsewhere to help cool your body.
They have been watching me for MS for several years because heat intolerance is a symptom. My neurologist goes back and forth about whether he thinks I have it. He keeps putting of a tap I think because it's still invasive. I have an MRI soon, if I have more spots or they are more organized a tap could be next.
Pinkfish,
Love that song! Ha! I'm in Morris County. Near Chester, if you know where that is...and true, not desert hot.
Maria
I noticed that too. Since I got dry, I cannot sweat, except when I take Salagen but not on my armpits. They just get itchy :-\. The problem is that my cement apartment gets like 110 and it takes hours to air-condition it. I have no idea how I am going to survive the summer.
Nellie
Me, too. I also have low blood pressure, so if I eat something salty, and drink water, I can start a little bit of a sweat. Evoxac makes me sweat a bit also. Otherwise, I just get really hot.
Pinkfish and Wildforwater, I am on NJ too!
I stopped sweating too.
Dress in layers and drink a lot of water.
Sometimes I wake up and my armpits smell a bit strong?
Pilocarpine gives a bit of sweat, hardly worth mentioning, even in the female area..
Telling you... we are all going to turn into Cranrasins...lol.
Quote from: gemini052377 on May 06, 2014, 09:28:53 PM
Pinkfish and Wildforwater, I am on NJ too!
OMG, maybe there's something in the water here?!
Carry a spray bottle of water - not as good as sweating but it may help avoid heat stroke. :)
Lack of sweating can be quite serious. Talk to your doctor about it soon.
Quote from: Pinkfish on May 07, 2014, 05:20:18 AM
Quote from: gemini052377 on May 06, 2014, 09:28:53 PM
Pinkfish and Wildforwater, I am on NJ too!
OMG, maybe there's something in the water here?!
Must be I am in NJ too.. and there are others. ;)
Quote from: quietdynamics on May 07, 2014, 11:52:47 AM
Quote from: Pinkfish on May 07, 2014, 05:20:18 AM
Quote from: gemini052377 on May 06, 2014, 09:28:53 PM
Pinkfish and Wildforwater, I am on NJ too!
OMG, maybe there's something in the water here?!
Must be I am in NJ too.. and there are others. ;)
Hahaha! Thanks for the laugh my fellow New Jersey-ites. Maybe we could all meet and try to work up a sweat!
Maria
OMG, maybe there's something in the water here?!
laugh - with names like pinkfish, Wildforwater and quietdynamics, I can believe it! - no, no, that was supposed to be funny - you all have lovely names ;D
I sweat very little and I attributed it to hormonal after hysterectomy because that was when I noticed it most - very uncomfortable so have to be very careful getting enough electrolytes and fluids when it gets so hot and dry here in Oregon in the summer. My favorite days are misty rainy days hence my name!
I think with your name, Misty Rain, you fit right in with us. ;D Hope we all start sweating soon!!
Thanks wildforwater but I don't think I will be sweating any time soon - maybe a slight glow 8) But it is also more important (for me anyway) to cut back on salt. Was reading about foods that make you sweat and a light beer could go a long way to helping produce a little moisture on the brow! I just have to plan my day around the cool part of the mornings and evenings rather than get out in that hot sun.
Went out today and the small bridge into NJ was backed-up so drove along the river and stopped at a Famers makert that carries some ethnic foods.. Polish, Ukrainian, meats and treats.
Saw old fashioned fat pickels in the barrel. Dill, hot and sour.
Lifted the lid on the sours and my saliva flowed.. think I heard the ghost of Pavlov chuckle.
And I was really delighted to have the 'saliva flow' experience, been a long time .. Thanks Pavlov.. you naughty Russian.
Bought the sour one for granddaughter... will need to have camera ready. ;)
I think you are right Pinkfish, I am starting to wonder about environmental triggers in NJ! Mistyrain, I like your name as well...I didn't get the memo but I should change mine to one that reflects the h2O we crave :)
I appreciate all the responses and useful tips to stay cool when our bodies lack the ability to do it naturally.
Take care,
Mary