Anyone have weird night sweats?

Ruben and Jude
Ruben and Jude Member Posts: 155
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Ruben has recently experienced being chilled to the bone in the middle of the night. He wakes up shivering and can't seem to get warm, all the while, he's sweating. 

He had one bout of this about two weeks ago, then for the last two nights in a row. Last night's bout lasted longer than the night before. The obvious thing is to talk to his doctor or go to the ER, but he is refusing... he wants to wait and see if it happens again tonight.

I'm just wondering if anyone has had this happen to them? 

He's scheduled to start HBO this coming Monday, for ORN of the right lower jaw... don't know if this is a symptom caused by the ORN.

Thanks for your input. 

Jude

Comments

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #2
    i have no experience with

    i have no experience with that but wanted to say i'm praying for him.  i think i would at least call the doc and see what he says.  can't hurt to ask.  good luck.

    dj

  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103 Member
    #3
    Night sweats

    I had night sweats AND I was bone chilling cold BUT at different times NEVER at the same time.  You might take his temp if it happens again.  Please let doctor know and techs at HBO.

  • Steve5
    Steve5 Member Posts: 147
    #4
    No Night Sweats

    I did not have night sweats, the only time I remember something remotely similar is after I was diagnosed and waiting in the 5 week period before treatment started, that twice on separate occasions I got the sweats - I was awake, they lasted only a minute or so and then were gone - that was it - I figured they were due to having the cancer and something reacting in my body - since they did not continue I did not persue it - I hope everything is allright

    Steve

  • ahollie
    ahollie Member Posts: 84
    #5
    night sweats

    My husband has had them quite often...not since his heavy chemo has stopped but yes..he had it so bad that he soaked thru the sheets several times...they told me it was a side effect of the meds..has he had chemo? Hot showers seemed to help him...

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #6
    Sweaty Dawg...

    I too had night sweats during treatment..., chemo mainly if I remember.

    I would see his GP if nothing else for a blood check.., it could be an infection or any little weird thing. I wouldn't necessarily think anything cancer related though if that helps a little.

    John

  • Ruben and Jude
    Ruben and Jude Member Posts: 155
    #7
    Skiffin16 said:

    Sweaty Dawg...

    I too had night sweats during treatment..., chemo mainly if I remember.

    I would see his GP if nothing else for a blood check.., it could be an infection or any little weird thing. I wouldn't necessarily think anything cancer related though if that helps a little.

    John

    Thanks for your input

    Thank you all for your input. Last night went well, no cold chills or sweats.

    When they occur, he does not have a fever, nor does he feel ill. I was kinda thinking it happens because of the gift that keeps on giving! Possibly a hypothalamis thing.... If I remember correctly, the hypothalamis plays a part in the bodies temperature control. (I'll have to look that one up.) And of course, his radiation was directed in that general area. And yes, he did have chemo, but all treatments were completed in July of 2013. He could be having a latent reaction, I suppose.

    At any rate, he'll be starting HBO therapy on Monday. I'll keep everyone informed on how that goes. We're optimistic. I'm also going to call his GP and get some blood work done, just to see if there's anything to that and cover all bases.

    Thanks again for your input. Take care. God's Blessings.

    Jude

     

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #8
    Ruben and Jude said:

    Thanks for your input

    Thank you all for your input. Last night went well, no cold chills or sweats.

    When they occur, he does not have a fever, nor does he feel ill. I was kinda thinking it happens because of the gift that keeps on giving! Possibly a hypothalamis thing.... If I remember correctly, the hypothalamis plays a part in the bodies temperature control. (I'll have to look that one up.) And of course, his radiation was directed in that general area. And yes, he did have chemo, but all treatments were completed in July of 2013. He could be having a latent reaction, I suppose.

    At any rate, he'll be starting HBO therapy on Monday. I'll keep everyone informed on how that goes. We're optimistic. I'm also going to call his GP and get some blood work done, just to see if there's anything to that and cover all bases.

    Thanks again for your input. Take care. God's Blessings.

    Jude

     

    Thyroid...

    Actually, that's a good point from you...If he hasn't had already, or being consistantly monitored "blood wise". Make sure they check his TSH and Free T4 levels.., both indicators of thyropid function.

    John

  • cid817
    cid817 Member Posts: 58
    #9
    Yes to the Sweating

    My hubby has had sweats the past few days, upper body and head; feeling cold but sweating through his clothes.  This has been happening during the day and night.  Today he doesn't feel well at all.  He has no appetite, forcing himself to drink water and still having the sweats. He has been sleeping most of the day.  I did some internet searches and the thyroid came up.  He had thyroid concern with his cat & pet scans (a spot that was biopsied, came out negative for c).  He had the blood tests for the thyroid function with most everything coming out near normal.  The "near normal" could be the problem and we will call the doc on Monday or if things get worse, go to the clinic.  He is close to finishing a 30 day course of prednesone for throat swelling. I guess that could be a factor also.  He finished treatment in December.

    I guess, like others have mentioned on here, it's the gift that keeps on giving (and giving and giving)!! 

    Hope your hubby finds relief from it, as well as mine.

    Prayers,

    Cindy

  • cid817
    cid817 Member Posts: 58
    #10
    Agree on Dehydration

    That was one of my concerns also, but it seems like he's drinking water all the time.  However, thinking back, we had a lot going on yesterday and he wasn't drinking like he should.  He didn't bring his water bottle with him and only drank coffee (yup, dehydrating him even more).  So tonight I gave him tea and homemade chicken noodle soup & he's getting more water in and he's perking up, almost back to normal - abinormal.  Just tired yet. 

    Never underestimate the power of hydration!!

    Thanks, John!

    Cindy

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #11
    cid817 said:

    Yes to the Sweating

    My hubby has had sweats the past few days, upper body and head; feeling cold but sweating through his clothes.  This has been happening during the day and night.  Today he doesn't feel well at all.  He has no appetite, forcing himself to drink water and still having the sweats. He has been sleeping most of the day.  I did some internet searches and the thyroid came up.  He had thyroid concern with his cat & pet scans (a spot that was biopsied, came out negative for c).  He had the blood tests for the thyroid function with most everything coming out near normal.  The "near normal" could be the problem and we will call the doc on Monday or if things get worse, go to the clinic.  He is close to finishing a 30 day course of prednesone for throat swelling. I guess that could be a factor also.  He finished treatment in December.

    I guess, like others have mentioned on here, it's the gift that keeps on giving (and giving and giving)!! 

    Hope your hubby finds relief from it, as well as mine.

    Prayers,

    Cindy

    Forcing Fluids...

    Some of those things you mention could esily be things I felt when I started becoming de-hydrated...

    Trying to force fluids, though still not nearly enough. I felt terrible, all I wanted to do was sleep... The more I slept, the less I drank, the worse I felt... It can easily become a downward spiral.

    Not saying that is your situation...

    But it's amazing how many people don't realize the power of staying very well hydrated through treatment and even after the fact. It only took one close call for me to become a believer..., LOL.

    Best,

    John

     

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #12
    cid817 said:

    Agree on Dehydration

    That was one of my concerns also, but it seems like he's drinking water all the time.  However, thinking back, we had a lot going on yesterday and he wasn't drinking like he should.  He didn't bring his water bottle with him and only drank coffee (yup, dehydrating him even more).  So tonight I gave him tea and homemade chicken noodle soup & he's getting more water in and he's perking up, almost back to normal - abinormal.  Just tired yet. 

    Never underestimate the power of hydration!!

    Thanks, John!

    Cindy

    Tenting Skin...

    LOL...

    The close call that I had..., my nurse gave me crap of course. But one thing they told my wife to look for..., tenting skin.

    Gentley pinch or pull up the lose skin on the backs of his hands.. If the skin stays tented up, not springing back to the original shape fast, he might need fluids. One that is pretty well hydrated (as yourself), the skin will snap back pretty fast without staying tented up for a few seconds.

    Of course this isn't scientific, LOL... But seemed to work...

    If nothing else, you could be like my wife was, and annoy the hell out of him when he's trying to get rest and all of a sudden you reach over and pull the skin on the back of his hands, LOL...

    John

  • cid817
    cid817 Member Posts: 58
    #13
    Tenting Skin

    I tried it and yes, his skin tented!  Thanks for the info.  Now I have one more way to "annoy the hell out of him!"  Plus nag him about drinking more water!  LOL! 

    Cindy

  • Ruben and Jude
    Ruben and Jude Member Posts: 155
    #14
    Skiffin16 said:

    Tenting Skin...

    LOL...

    The close call that I had..., my nurse gave me crap of course. But one thing they told my wife to look for..., tenting skin.

    Gentley pinch or pull up the lose skin on the backs of his hands.. If the skin stays tented up, not springing back to the original shape fast, he might need fluids. One that is pretty well hydrated (as yourself), the skin will snap back pretty fast without staying tented up for a few seconds.

    Of course this isn't scientific, LOL... But seemed to work...

    If nothing else, you could be like my wife was, and annoy the hell out of him when he's trying to get rest and all of a sudden you reach over and pull the skin on the back of his hands, LOL...

    John

    Tenting

    Actually, tenting IS scientific.  LOL   As an RN, this is one of the indicators we use to determine if a person is dehydrating.  I hope you don't want me to go into the technicals!!!  Sealed

    Ever since I saw what dehydration did to one of my H&N patients (before Ruben was diagnosed), I understood the importance of somehow getting at least one litre of water in a day. It makes all the difference in the world. If you can't drink it, tube it, but get it in.

    On another note, good thinking about getting a TSH/T4 uptake draw.  The sweats could be due to the thyroid.  THANK YOU!

    Jude

  • ErthWlkr
    ErthWlkr Member Posts: 60
    #15
    Night sweats

    Hi Jude -

    I'm about 6-1/2 years out and I still occasionally get night sweats - bad enough that I have to get up and change my nightshirt. I still get periodic blood tests - yes, thyroid issues are a risk for us H&N'rs - but all my tests appear normal. He should also have his insulin levels checked as well.

    Since he ended treatment in July 2013 - he's only about 8 months out. It could take several years before the side effects fully plateau out. My own opinion - especially in this first year - he should be having full blood tests every few months.

    Does he have any breathing problems at night? Does he snore? Sleep apnea can also cause night sweats.

    It's frustrating to have this type of a symptom without finding a solid cause. But both radiation and chemo are incredibly abusive and it takes time for the body to come back to some sense of balance and normal.

    Don't stop looking - they symptom could be significant or you can chalk it up to side effects...

    Hope this helps...

    - Jeff

     

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #16
    Ruben and Jude said:

    Tenting

    Actually, tenting IS scientific.  LOL   As an RN, this is one of the indicators we use to determine if a person is dehydrating.  I hope you don't want me to go into the technicals!!!  Sealed

    Ever since I saw what dehydration did to one of my H&N patients (before Ruben was diagnosed), I understood the importance of somehow getting at least one litre of water in a day. It makes all the difference in the world. If you can't drink it, tube it, but get it in.

    On another note, good thinking about getting a TSH/T4 uptake draw.  The sweats could be due to the thyroid.  THANK YOU!

    Jude

    There You Go...

    LOL....

    Trial, error and experience....definitey a learning process.

    John

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #17
    Hi Jude

    Same here but mine did not start until after my treatment was finish, and I still today wake up at night sweating and have to get up and change my clothe. As far as being chilled to the bone if I am not in 80 to 85 degrees weather I am cold; Just another part of the new normal you.

     Blessing to you

    Tim Hondo

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