Need Major Advice About Major Night Sweats!!

Updated on December 29, 2008
B.W. asks from Fort Worth, TX
29 answers

Hey, guys!! I need some help. I have been sweating at night and while napping for about a month and a half. Maybe longer. But it isn't just sweating... I wake up in the middle of the night and I am totally soaked. My clothing, my sheets, my legs, my neck, my groin. I have to get up, freezing, and dry off and change underwear. When I get back in bed, my spot is soaked, so I scoot over closer to my husband, and then he suffers. It is getting in the way of my days, too. I have to wash my hair everyday because I sweat around my neck and my hair is a "bob", so the back of it is always jacked up. My hair is starting to lose it's moisture because of frequent washes, my hands are starting to be extremely moist and wrinkled because I get so cold in the night and I put my hands between my knees to keep warm, but instead they get soaked. So my hands feel like they have been in a bath all day. The hands thing just started. When I get ready to go somewhere, I get hot flashes at some point and end up having a bit of a sweat ring on the armpits of my shirts. I have tried powder and it works a little, but the amount of sweat is so great that it doesn't do a whole lot of good. Is this a phase? Has anyone else gone through this? Are there any answers? My doctor just acts like it's no big deal. It HAS worsened since I last saw her, though. Help!!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thank you all for your quick responses! I think that I will try the natural things first. I have never been able to take vitamins because they make me sick. I know! I tried with food, without food, taking them for a while, but it never fails, and I get sick! I'm sure that my body needs a lot of things it does not get. But, I would also like to get another doctor. I thought she was great, until I noticed that she really didn't care as much as I thought. I did take the radioactive iodine pill to kill my thyroid. At first they said it didn't work, and blood tests later showed that it did, so it has been a roller coaster. Especially when you add major anxiety to the issue. Whew! Will it ever end? Anyway, I will try the natural approach along with getting a new doc. Thank you, again. You guys are super women! Will let y'all know if anything major is going on that can't be treated. That's my luck!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.B.

answers from Dallas on

Could be early menopause- I hadf it in my early 30's. I am on a bio-identical for testerone deficiency called prometrium-I can forget it a day or two but then the night sweats come back!
I used a female doctor in colleyville if you need one, email me!
____@____.com
L.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.K.

answers from Dallas on

Hi B.!
It feel bad to have night sweats. I use nutritional supplements that help with symptoms you have. That product works great for me. I do have many happy female friends who use it and don't have any problems with hormonal changes. If you don't like the results company give money back. Let me know if you want to learn more about it.
Good luck-W.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hormones, Hormones, Hormones. I did this for a while right around 30. It was awful for me, but no one really helped. Try evening primrose oil.

I still have overactive sweat glands, but I've just learned to change underclothes several times a day.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.

answers from Dallas on

http://www.christensencenter.com/

B.,

I strongly encourage you to see Dr. Margaret Christensen. It sounds like you are in the throes of perimenopause. Because of your thyroid problems, she may be in the best position to offer you expert advice and care for both issues. She was an OB/Gyn who has switched to functional medicine. She is very holistic in her approach to treatment. Meanwhile, read her article on hot flashes on her website, under "Educate Yourself."

Best wishes!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.R.

answers from Dallas on

B.,
If you're in to all natural, which I am, let me suggest a product called Woman's Choice from Herbalife! Life changing, absolutely. I had night sweats and hot flashes as bad as you, and after 3 days on Woman's Choice...they were gone! I promise you...this one works! You can call me to order or visit my web site: derweightlossmall.com and order there!

I have never found anything that works better....and trust me...losing the sweats and flashes made me a new woman!

D.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.P.

answers from Dallas on

B.,
It definitely sounds like you are having menopausal symptoms. Please get a second opinion. Sounds like your Dr. isn't really listening to the patient.

I was at the pharmacy recently and saw some pills for night sweats on the over-the-counter shelves. I was just making a mental note of them because I have many peri-menopausal symptoms, but not the night sweats yet. Read everything you can online and find out more about what's going on with your body so you can be proactive. Good luck! B. P.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.M.

answers from Dallas on

I do not have any advice or solutions myself. However, my mother has been seeing Dr. Fefferman in Irving,TX. His office is the Endocrinology Institute of Texas address: 1901 Gateway Dr., Ste. 175 Irving, TX 75038. Phone ###-###-####. I don't know what your problem is caused by, but it sounds like something Dr. Fefferman would be able to help with (hormones, thyroid maybe?). My mom loves him and he has really helped her with various health issues and improved her quality of life greatly. I don't know where you live, but my mom drives from Frisco to Irving and considers it well worth the drive. I hope you are able to find relief and that this might be helpful info for you! Blessings!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.H.

answers from Amarillo on

I know you are way too young to be thinking this could be a problem, but sounds like very early menapause, you may be going through the change way early. There is a new harmone out there, or anyway if not a harmone a new med that they have for that , that isn't suupposed to have near the side effects as what used to be prescribed. did your Dr. mentiion any of that?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hello B.,
Wow! Sounds like peri- or menopause. I experienced a little of the night sweats a couple of years ago, but I'm a lot older than you, so I wasn't surprised by them. Definitely do some research. I read (most of a) book called What your Doctor Won't Tell You About Menopause - or something like that.
That's a hard thing to go through and I hope you can get some help and figure it out!

A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.G.

answers from Dallas on

Could the sweating be from the Graves Disease?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Dallas on

Before you take anything else ... have you done a recent pregnancy test? I am familiar with Graves. I understand x-rays for dentistry ... but it is far more common for a 30 year old to be pregnant than menopausal.

Check out the obvious before going to the obscure.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.N.

answers from Dallas on

Hi B.,
I'm sorry you're going through that.
A few years ago, when I was 32 y.o., I had the same symptoms you have, excessive sweating, night sweats, hot flashes. It seemed like perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms. When I visited my GYN, he determined that CAFFEINE was reacting with a Rx medicine I was on. He told me to cut out the caffeine completely and it would go away.
I followed my Dr's advice and sure enough, all the sweating stopped!!!
It could be something as simple as your diet.
You should definitely get another Dr's opinion and see if any of the advice/information you received here is a viable solution for you.
Good Luck!
Susan

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.N.

answers from Dallas on

Hello!
I started having hormonal changes in my 30's. Here are some helps:
Get to bed by 10:00. Do not sit for long periods of time. Of course, eat well and exercise. www.askdrhelen. is a good web source. She is a Christian Md who specializes in women's health. I like her progesterone cream. Cutting down on estrogen helps some women.
Let us know what helps!
Blessings!
Sincerely,
C. N.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.E.

answers from Amarillo on

B. -
I'm wondering if your problem is hormonal. (our hormones keep us in balance -- or throw quite a kink into the works!!)

Arbonne has a wonderful rub-one cream called Phyto-Prolief, and it keeps me in balance. (My problem was migraine headaches with my monthly cycle.) A bottle of it is $34, and it should last 3 months. If you're not happy with the results in 45 days, I'll return your money.

You pump out 1/4 teaspoon (a premeasured pump) and apply daily.) Some women with really serious problems do this twice a day -- most don't need this much.

e-mail me at ____@____.com, or call me at ###-###-####, and I'll be glad to talk to you about this product.

A. Evans

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.C.

answers from Dallas on

You could be in early menopause. I work for a Chiropractor who also administers Homeopathic remedies. There are things you can take for the sweating that may help. I can ask about it after the holidays and if you want to call...Ashby Chiropractic Clinic, ###-###-#### Maybe you could put a beach towel on the bed and pillow. It may help absorb the moisture....I was in dentistry for 8 years and would someday like to go back. Who do you work for?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.B.

answers from Dallas on

Yes you can have babies and you can also get rid of the sweats. Look at www.hacres.com and also ask for the free magazine called Back to the Garden.
God Bless, V. B.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.D.

answers from Dallas on

Dear B.,

Go see your doctor! In the meantime, you might want to visit a local health food store or vitamin shop and stock up on soy, lecithin, red yeast rice and black cohosh.

Deb D

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.O.

answers from Dallas on

Hi B., I know you have had a lot of responses, but I still had to add my 2 cents!

You can have a hormone imbalance w/o being menopausal that can cause night sweats / hot flashes. There are a number of factors that can cause hot flashes, including stress.

I started using the progesterone/wild yam cream that you get at Vitamin World years ago. It was amazing because, I did go though menopause a couple of years ago and NEVER even knew it! I had my pcp run a FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) test and confirmed that I was post-menopausal. I'm much older than you!:)

You can (approximately) determine when you can expect to go through menopause if you know the age your mother went through it - not always the case, but generally works out that way.

Anyway, hope this helps!

I am believing God's BEST for you!

D.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Wichita Falls on

Return to your physician or get a second opinion from a different doctor.
GL

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Dallas on

My four year old has major night sweats that come and go. She has an autoimmune disease and she hasn't had them as much lately since starting a new medication. I never connected the two until seeing your email and the responses. I think you should definitely check into the Graves Disease before worrying about menopause. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Dallas on

Hi B., I haven't read through your other responses but I had this very same thing happen to me a few years ago. I went to an osteopathic doctor, Dr. Karen Birdy, and she did an extensive blood workup. It turned out my hormones were severely out of sorts. She put me on bio-available hormones and herbal supplements and within 1 month, all of the night sweats were gone!!!! It was amazing. It has now been over 2 1/2 years and the sweats have not returned. Dr. Birdy is located in Benbrook now if you are interested in seeing her. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.T.

answers from Dallas on

I was going to tell you it was probably your thyroid but reading more I see you do have a thyroid problem and it sounds like it is not being control well. So please talk with your doctor about current meds. I am retired navy medicine. Feel free to email any questions.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.W.

answers from Dallas on

I think you should look into seeing a different doctor. You need some answers to your problem. It sounds pretty severe. Good luck. I'll be interested to see how others respond.

M.A.

answers from Dallas on

Hello!

I have a botanically based skin care, health and wellness company. We have a natural hormone balancing cream. It has helped with nighg sweats, hot flashes, cramps,mood swings, vaginal dryness, hormone related headaches and much more.

Please let me know if youd like more information.

Take care and God bless!

M. Atterberry

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.D.

answers from Dallas on

B.,

Hello, I just turned 38 a few days ago and had the night sweats and hot flashes as you described. 2 years ago I had a partial hysterectomy. I thought I was going into pre menopausal or menopause because of it. I talked to my doctor and she did nothing and was not concerned. So I switched doctors. My new doctor’s name is Tambra Garrett and her number is ###-###-####. She is in Flower Mound. She ran a lot of tests, checking my thyroid, ran tests to see if I was pre menopausal or in menopause, all kinds of things. She was very patient and really listened. It turns out it is my diet. I have a hard time processing processed foods (packaged foods). She placed me on the South Beach Diet and I have lost weight and the night sweats and hot flashes have stopped. I am happy that I do not have to take medication and am eating better. You are too young to be going through menopause and I would highly encourage you to talk with your doctor or talk to mine about your diet. It has helped me. Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from Dallas on

Wow, B., you're awfully young to be going through this, but it definitely sounds like a hormone imbalance. Might I suggest you change doctors? Call the Fem Centre. They have a location in the Fort Worth hospital district and another in Colleyville. You can find the phone numbers and addresses on their website: www.femcentre.com.
Until you can get in, try at least 1000 IU's of natural Vitamin E per day. A nurse told me it helped her.
Good luck.
C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.B.

answers from Dallas on

B.,
I would do some research on natural aids for menopause and try those first. I thought I was going into menopause a few years ago, so tried the black cohosh with red clover. I had instant relief. I only used one bottle and stopped, just kind of forgot to replenish it. But the symptoms never returned. My obgyn said there could have been a glitch in my hormone regulation and the supplements smoothed it out naturally. Especially since you are so young, I'd consider something natural first. If it doesn't help, see your obgyn.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.S.

answers from Dallas on

Have your thyroid checked. You are to young for this but a thyroid problem can be the problem. Last year I was going through the same issues. (I'll be 41 on monday). Have had a thyroid problem for 20 years so they did my annual blood test and found that they needed to adjust my meds. Once adjusted the night sweats and hot flashes faded away after a few months.

B.

B.H.

answers from Dallas on

The symptoms you are having are far more likely to be related to your Graves disease than simply to your hormones, though a thorough work up should reveal some insight. Graves is an auto immune disease that can affect every part of your system. Has your Dr. drawn blood lately? Have her check for falling estradiol as well as total estrogens. Your thyroid can affect your hormone production as well. They need to balance your hormones along with your thyroid. Don't forget to go see your eye Dr. at least twice a year as well. Graves disease can affect your eyes in a terrible way. I am sure you know that as a Graves sufferer and health professional, but just a reminder from your friendly ophthalmic tech;) Remember, plastic eye surgery to correct bulging is considered necessary and usually covered by insurance for Graves patients. I know that is completely off topic, but often overlooked info.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches