Why am i so cold

Dav1965
Dav1965 Member Posts: 132
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Before surgery i was never cold now i am cold most of the time. Any ideas. Thanks David

Comments

  • pmj2011
    pmj2011 Member Posts: 25
    #2
    Hi Dav
    I was always hot before I was dx and now I am always cold. I am 4 mo out of treatment and 30lbs lighter than before. I had my tonsils removed and 33 rad and 3 cycles of cisplatin. My whole body temp has changed, maybe its the weight. Have you lost any ? Paul
  • Dav1965
    Dav1965 Member Posts: 132
    #3
    Yes
    I have lost about 40 lbs. I know it is pretty bad my wife and i are allways fighting for the thermostat. Its exactly oppisite from before. She used to be the cold one.
  • pmj2011
    pmj2011 Member Posts: 25
    #4
    Dav1965 said:

    Yes
    I have lost about 40 lbs. I know it is pretty bad my wife and i are allways fighting for the thermostat. Its exactly oppisite from before. She used to be the cold one.

    My wife and I are in sync
    My wife and I are in sync now, which makes life a little easier. I am betting its the weight loss. Good luck in your recovery! Paul
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #5
    Temperature
    Hi David, not sure if you had rads or not, but in pmj's case, the temperature could be a result of some thyroid damage from the rads.

    I'm definitely not a professional md, but rads can and often do damage the tyhroid. Usually this is tested with blood work, the TSH and Free T-4 are indicators of damage.

    Mine is going south, just not quite there at two years post rads. Usually easily treated with meds such as Synthroid. My TSH levels have been high (barely) for several months, but the Free T-4 is still in range.

    But likewise concerning the weight loss and just the time to get your blood work back into range also. I'm sure there are a lot of variables after the battle we've been through.

    Anyways, something to consider and discuss with your MD's.

    Best,
    John
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #6
    Skiffin16 said:

    Temperature
    Hi David, not sure if you had rads or not, but in pmj's case, the temperature could be a result of some thyroid damage from the rads.

    I'm definitely not a professional md, but rads can and often do damage the tyhroid. Usually this is tested with blood work, the TSH and Free T-4 are indicators of damage.

    Mine is going south, just not quite there at two years post rads. Usually easily treated with meds such as Synthroid. My TSH levels have been high (barely) for several months, but the Free T-4 is still in range.

    But likewise concerning the weight loss and just the time to get your blood work back into range also. I'm sure there are a lot of variables after the battle we've been through.

    Anyways, something to consider and discuss with your MD's.

    Best,
    John

    Thyroid
    John's right about the thyroid being the likely cause, and due to the impact the rads do to it, though chemo might also be a factor. Only bloodwork my rad Dr has done is a thyroid test to the blood.

    kcass
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #7
    The Cold factor
    Hi Dave,

    had the same deal. Was freezing all the time. I found a good fleece neck warmer was a big help.

    It it most likely due to to damage to the thyroid from Rads or Chemo or surgery.

    I went the alternative route and found a Touch Healer (well she actually found me). I had has 2 sessions with her and after the 2nd session I was 90-95 back to normal. No more feeling cold. I am not as sensitive to the heat these days.

    You can find these people all over. Sometimes called Touch Healers, Magnetic Healer, maybe faith healers - whatever. If you start to look you will find. It may work for you as it did for me and I don't need the Thyroid pills. Good as gold.

    Scam
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #8
    Hot Showers
    I had the same experience after treatment with chemo/rads. I was more affected by cooler temps than previously and found myself indulging in long hot showers, saunas etc. Which was weird for me since I am living in a tropical climate and it never gets cold here, maybe a little cool in the Dec/Jan evenings. Now at 10 months out, it seems to be back closer to normal. My thyroid levels are good. I thought perhaps it might be connected with post rads/chemo anemia? Cheers

    Jimbo
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
    Jimbo55 said:

    Hot Showers
    I had the same experience after treatment with chemo/rads. I was more affected by cooler temps than previously and found myself indulging in long hot showers, saunas etc. Which was weird for me since I am living in a tropical climate and it never gets cold here, maybe a little cool in the Dec/Jan evenings. Now at 10 months out, it seems to be back closer to normal. My thyroid levels are good. I thought perhaps it might be connected with post rads/chemo anemia? Cheers

    Jimbo

    Cold

    Yes I too have the same problem and I am 6 years passed my last treatment. I hate winter because I can never keep warm enough when I go out side. I believe it is because of all my weight loss as now all I am is skin and bone or that is what I tell my wife.

    Take care
    Hondo
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #10
    COLD
    I too was cold all of the time. I finished treatment Oct. 21st of 2010 and the winter and most of spring was really hard on me. I am not having issues with my thyroid yet, and my doc's say it is a combination of the 70 lbs. I lost combined with the radiation and cisplatin. I am fine now, and have gained back 24 lbs. since my lightest weight.

    It will be interesting to see how I react this coming Fall and Winter.

    Hang in there, it should slowly get better.

    Best!!

    Mike
  • arndog64
    arndog64 Member Posts: 537
    #11
    luv4lacrosse said:

    COLD
    I too was cold all of the time. I finished treatment Oct. 21st of 2010 and the winter and most of spring was really hard on me. I am not having issues with my thyroid yet, and my doc's say it is a combination of the 70 lbs. I lost combined with the radiation and cisplatin. I am fine now, and have gained back 24 lbs. since my lightest weight.

    It will be interesting to see how I react this coming Fall and Winter.

    Hang in there, it should slowly get better.

    Best!!

    Mike

    My husband has the same
    My husband has the same problem. We live in SE Texas and it's hot. I noticed that he sleeps in sweats and hoodies sometimes. He only wears sweats in the winter when it's in the 30's.
  • furkidsmom
    furkidsmom Member Posts: 11
    #12
    Being Cold
    Hi, I can relate to the cold issue although mine isn't from the cancer (yet) I am newly diagnosed so haven't really started any tx yet. But that being said, i used to weigh 300lbs and was sweating even in winter. After I lost 200lbs (gastric Bypass) I am cold all the time. I do not know about the tx being a factor but the folks posting here sound knowledgable. I can just share that weight loss at least for me does have something to do with it. And on a more personal note, the large weight loss amounts mentioned are concerning me as I am now down to about 105lbs and really can't afford to lose more ..eeekkk Good luck oh and fill a sock with rice and mmicrowave for a minute. The rice holds the warmth and you can place it wherever you need to. I put it under my ankles and it seems to help the overall coldness
  • Dav1965
    Dav1965 Member Posts: 132
    #13
    My surgery
    I had chemo and radiation, cisplatin, 95% of my tongue removed and replaced. Also had double neck ressection with lymthnodes removed from one side.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #14
    Dav1965 said:

    My surgery
    I had chemo and radiation, cisplatin, 95% of my tongue removed and replaced. Also had double neck ressection with lymthnodes removed from one side.

    Rads & Chemo
    Well then...., I'd defintiely say that you are probably a candidate for thyroid issues down the road...no guarantee and hopefully not.

    I also had nine weeks (three week cycles) of Cisplatin, Taxotere and 5FU, followed up with a seven week dose of concurrent weekly Carboplatin and 35 daily rads to the throat.

    Rough diet, but doable...

    Best
    John
  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,034 Member
    #15
    Feet and Circulation
    David,

    As John and the others mentioned, the Thyroid can play a big part of you being cold. But allow me to throw out a few other things that I have found out about myself and the feeling of being cold.

    Energy level- If I don't move around, because of no energy, I feel cold because my blood is not flowing. I had always been a busy type of person, had my own business, chores around the house,etc. I slowed down after the cancer and it is a battle to try and get back to what I did before, and have finally learned it will never happen for me, but I still make plans to do something each day. When I'm moving, getting the blood to flow,I'm comfortable.

    Feet- This is very important for me as my feet go, I go. If my feet are cold and they are cold in the summer in air conditioning, I am cool or chilly, so winter socks are a most. If my feet are warm and sweaty, so am I. So, I take my boots and socks off and I get cooled down quickly. Strange, but that is what I found out about myself. It may be the same for some others, just tossing this out for everyone's information...

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • palmyrafan
    palmyrafan Member Posts: 396
    #16
    Skiffin16 said:

    Temperature
    Hi David, not sure if you had rads or not, but in pmj's case, the temperature could be a result of some thyroid damage from the rads.

    I'm definitely not a professional md, but rads can and often do damage the tyhroid. Usually this is tested with blood work, the TSH and Free T-4 are indicators of damage.

    Mine is going south, just not quite there at two years post rads. Usually easily treated with meds such as Synthroid. My TSH levels have been high (barely) for several months, but the Free T-4 is still in range.

    But likewise concerning the weight loss and just the time to get your blood work back into range also. I'm sure there are a lot of variables after the battle we've been through.

    Anyways, something to consider and discuss with your MD's.

    Best,
    John

    Cold
    I would suggest you have your thyroid levels checked just to be sure. It could be nothing, but for the last 3 years I was always cold and then I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Once they put me on the proper meds, I no longer have an issue with being cold when I shouldn't be.

    It could also be, as the others have stated, the fact that you lost some weight.

    Regardless, get it checked out, just to be certain.

    Blessings,
    Teresa
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #17
    MarineE5 said:

    Feet and Circulation
    David,

    As John and the others mentioned, the Thyroid can play a big part of you being cold. But allow me to throw out a few other things that I have found out about myself and the feeling of being cold.

    Energy level- If I don't move around, because of no energy, I feel cold because my blood is not flowing. I had always been a busy type of person, had my own business, chores around the house,etc. I slowed down after the cancer and it is a battle to try and get back to what I did before, and have finally learned it will never happen for me, but I still make plans to do something each day. When I'm moving, getting the blood to flow,I'm comfortable.

    Feet- This is very important for me as my feet go, I go. If my feet are cold and they are cold in the summer in air conditioning, I am cool or chilly, so winter socks are a most. If my feet are warm and sweaty, so am I. So, I take my boots and socks off and I get cooled down quickly. Strange, but that is what I found out about myself. It may be the same for some others, just tossing this out for everyone's information...

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

    Big fan of the microwave warmers.
    I actually had the opposite happen after I went thru radiation. I used to be freezing all the time and love the hot weather. Now, I mind the heat a lot. If I get over heated, and it happens very quickly, I get very sick. I used to hate air-conditioning and it's been a savior last two years.

    My grandmother is always freezing and she used to turn the thermostat up to 80 or more in the winter. We had to get a lock box for it. Even still I find keeping it on 72 is hot for me, I feel like I cannot breathe. I have my window open in my room all winter. My dad always kept it at 65 or so, and then when I was married I was poor and I was lucky if I could keep it at 65. So I was used to have four layers of sweaters and a blanket wrapped around me 24/7. Those microwave neck wrap bags are awesome. You can make your own filled with rice or I have a great one filled with flax and lovely smelling herbs I bought. I like to put the heat super low at night, and just before bedtime microwave my neck warmer and the square rice one I have, and they stay charged up toasty warm for hours. Plus my Hairless Chinese Crested (dog) is like a 12 pound hot water bottle. Great for snuggling in the winter, but a little icky sticky in the summertime.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #18
    furkidsmom said:

    Being Cold
    Hi, I can relate to the cold issue although mine isn't from the cancer (yet) I am newly diagnosed so haven't really started any tx yet. But that being said, i used to weigh 300lbs and was sweating even in winter. After I lost 200lbs (gastric Bypass) I am cold all the time. I do not know about the tx being a factor but the folks posting here sound knowledgable. I can just share that weight loss at least for me does have something to do with it. And on a more personal note, the large weight loss amounts mentioned are concerning me as I am now down to about 105lbs and really can't afford to lose more ..eeekkk Good luck oh and fill a sock with rice and mmicrowave for a minute. The rice holds the warmth and you can place it wherever you need to. I put it under my ankles and it seems to help the overall coldness

    Hi furkidsmon
    Welcome to CSN we are glad to have you here. Thanks for the tip on the rice believe it or not I use it every night, now I can’t go to sleep with out a warm rice bad on my head.

    Take care
    Hondo
  • Dav1965
    Dav1965 Member Posts: 132
    #19
    At night
    Im ok at night because i sleeep under a comforter while my wife is just under a sheet. LOL
  • buzz99
    buzz99 Member Posts: 404
    #20
    Cold too
    Buzz is always cold. We live in Albuquerque and although it is pretty hot right now, he sleeps in flannel pjs. I sometimes have hot flashes so I am the opposite and am always throwing off the covers. Buzz even wears a stocking cap to bed! Karen

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