Temperature sensitivity affects many women with fibromyalgia, myself included. You can be cold all the time or hot all the time or alternate between being hot or cold.
For over twenty-five years I had hot flashes and night sweats. I can’t tell you how many times I was totally embarrassed because I could not stop sweating. My hair and clothes would be drenched regardless of the outside temperature. Now I am freezing all the time.
Research shows that people with fibromyalgia have an inability to adapt to changes in temperature along with a lower pain threshold to both hot and cold stimuli. Julie at Counting My Spoons wrote about a study that examined the temperature thresholds for heat and cold in women with fibromyalgia compared to healthy women.
What Causes Temperature Sensitivity
Body temperature is regulated by the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is a section of the brain responsible for hormone production. It is considered the link between the nervous system and the endocrine system.
The hypothalamus not only controls body temperature. It controls energy levels, the sleep cycle, muscular function, circulation, the gut and defense against infection.
Most fibromyalgia symptoms seem to be due to imbalances in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis). These three glands work together to control hormone levels. Disruptions in the HPA axis seem to be at the core of fibromyalgia.
Thyroid hormones also play a role in regulating body temperature. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can cause a person to feel too hot, while an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause a person to feel too cold.
The thyroid gland is under the control of the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland itself is regulated by the hypothalamus. Anything that disrupts the HPA axis will also suppress thyroid function.
Certain medications interfere with the regulation of body temperature. Some drugs make you sensitive to heat, increasing the risk of heat stroke and some can lower body temperature.
Heat Sensitivity
Some heat sensitive people feel all-over heat sensations that seem to come from within their own body. Along with hot flashes, some people have problems with excessive sweating. Others may only have problems in their hands and feet, including puffiness and aching. Warm or hot weather can be unbearable with heat sensitivity.
To avoid getting overheated:
- Keep your environment cool.
- Wear soft, lightweight clothing that fits loosely. Stick to light colors in warm weather because dark colors absorb heat.
- Stay hydrated. Make sure you always have a cold drink (water is best) to sip on.
- Take a cool bath or shower. Sometimes just soaking your feet in cool water can help cool your body down.
- Use cooling products such as a cold pack or fan. Carry a small, hand-held, battery operated fan with you when you go out.
When the weather gets warm, heat sensitive people with fibromyalgia often experience symptom flare-ups. Research has found that people with fibromyalgia exposed to hot temperatures report increases in: pain, headaches, fatigue, anxiety and depression. They are also more likely to have heat rashes and heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Signs of heat stroke and immediate action to cool the overheated person while waiting for emergency treatment can be found on the Mayo Clinic website.
Cold Sensitivity
People who are cold sensitive often feel chilled to the bone and have a hard time warming up. The cold can be all over or just in your hands and feet. This symptom is usually worse during cold weather, but can occur at any time.
To prevent problems with cold:
- Keep your environment warm.
- Dress warmly, especially in cold weather. Keep your feet covered, wear socks and slippers.
- Drink hot liquids and eat hot meals like soup and oatmeal.
- Take warm baths or showers.
- Keep a blanket handy or use a heating pad or similar microwave products.
An unusual sensitivity to cold in the hands and feet with color changes in the skin sometimes occur in people with fibromyalgia. This condition is called Raynaud’s syndrome, also known as Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Sensitive To Both, Heat and Cold
Some people fluctuate between being hot and being cold. One minute you can be sweating with hot flashes and freezing the next. This can be very challenging. You have to be prepared for either scenario.
- Dress in layers or have extra layers available.
- For night sweats, wear moisture wicking sleepwear or use temperature regulating sheets.
Fluctuations in temperature can make your fibromyalgia feel worse. It’s important to plan ahead. You may have to spend most of your time indoors where you can better control the conditions.
Conclusion
Temperature sensitivity is a common fibromyalgia symptom. Most women with fibromyalgia report being extremely sensitive to cold and/or heat. Essentially, temperature sensitivity may be due to hormonal imbalances in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. Medications can also interfere with the regulation of body temperature.
For many years, I was hot all the time. The warm and hot weather was unbearable so I preferred cold weather. Now it seems as if the switch has been flipped and I am always cold. The hot flashes stopped when I stopped taking antidepressants and Lyrica. So either it was the medications or I made it through menopause. Now, if I could just get warm.
I’d like to hear from you. If you have fibromyalgia, are you sensitive to heat, cold or both? If so, do you have any tips that help? Please leave a comment below to share.
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Very interesting article especially about the hot flushes going away after stopping Lyrica and the antidepressant.
I have recently weaned off Lyrica and am now in the process of weaning off Cymbalta and then Lamictin for a brain trauma after falling and hitting my head two years ago.
I am 63 now and went through menopause 8/9 years ago with hardly a problem despite my mother suffering badly with her menopause. About 5 years ago I started to experience ‘hot flushes’ but only where I needed to remove a jersey and then needed to put it back on again about 15 minutes later. It mostly happened about 11:00 at night. Since I was diagnosed with Lyme disease in South Africa in 2010, I put the hot flushes down to a probable infection of Babesia.
The hot flushes went away with my antibiotic treatment for Lyme but started up again slowly about a 12/18 months ago. Hopefully my hot flushes will also disappear once I am completely off these medications. Currently, my nightly hot flushes help me to feel warmer during the winter evenings and nights with any discomfort. The worst I experience is damp hair in the nape of my neck but only during the daytime.
It will be interesting to see how things unfold for me once I am drug free.
I have a very hard time with high heat and humidity. I have always drank a lot of water but right now I am so retry much drowning myself with water. I put lime and lemon slices in it. It tastes good and it keeps me from getting bored with just water. When I’m home I do t wear a bra. It helps somewhat. And right now our AC is out, and I’m having a hard time . Thank goodness for ceiling fans and ice packs. I get over heated if I do any strenuous work. The other day I passed out, so I’m just taking it easy for now. It’s hard for other people to understand which frustrates me, but nothing I can do to change that.
So, loose , light clothing, a lot of water, ceiling fans, ice packs and relaxing when I can is all I can do to get through this heat wave we are having . High 90’s and some 100 days.
Hi, Mary Jo. These temperatures are brutal right now and I have passed out from getting overheated a few times before. It does get frustrating that people don’t understand. Try to let it get to you and take good care of yourself. It all we can do!
Omg where do I start I’m so frustrated. I have fibromyalgia and I’m hot all the time. I got off the couch at a friends house and her husband sat down. He said “damm this seat is on fire” I was humiliated. People can feel the heat coming off of me. I take Lyrica and I’ve also had a partial hysterectomy. My thyroid has been tested and came back normal. Im ready to pull my hair out?
Hi, Jenine. I started having hot flashes at 35 and reached menopause at 45. They were just like you describe plus my whole head would be dripping with sweat. That was so embarrassing. So I was having hot flashes long before I started taking Lyrica. But after going on Lyrica they became more frequent. The sweating was worse too. When I stopped Lyrica the hot flashes stopped. It may be a coincidence. Although I can’t tell you how to make them stop, I can certainly empathise with you. I kept a small hand towel and a battery operated fan in my purse.
I heard that lyrica is what makes you hot and sweaty like that. My mom was terrible when she was on it. I wont take it. I’m trying curcamanoids.
Hi, I’m a man with FM living in UK. I found this blog after searching for ANYTHING that can help with the heat intolerance and sweating. Quick temperature changes set me off and any exertion as well (I’m not overweight). I’ve just been diagnosed recently but had pains gradually getting worse for years now. The heat intolerance and sweating began 20 years ago I’m guessing, but this seems to be getting worse over the years too. I thought it was a separate issue but have since discovered the connection with FM, but I’m not sure what started first for me, the pains or the sweating.
I certainly don’t get pain like some of the posters on here, but I’m really suffering with the heat and sweating at the moment!
I keep getting cold shivers like my body is trying to regulate but my thermostat has had it!
Hi, Gary. I have not been able to handle hot weather since I was a child. The excessive sweating started when I was around 30 years old and went on for 25 years. A few years ago the sweating stopped but now my skin stings and burns when I feel hot. I have been cooped up in the house all summer. So I am actually looking forward to colder weather even though I will be freezing all the time. When I was first diagnosed the pain wasn’t so bad and I had pain-free days to boot. The older I get, the more pain I am in and the pain is ALWAYS there now. You never know what fibro is going to throw at you. Hang in there!
I live with lupus and fibro. I keep frozen grapes and frozen banana slices in the freezer. it cools me from the inside out. when I am out on errands I get a milkshake which also cools from the inside out.
I have a pet cooling mat I keep in the refrigerator. it is good for cooling off when you come in.
The Artic 02Cool wrap is the best wrap I have found.
Those are great ideas, Cathy. Thanks for sharing. I especially like the pet cooling mat.
HI my name is David I have fibromyalgia and have bad problems with both hot and cold I don’t know what to do night sweat’s pain from my face eyes inside out and the touch bones are very sore feels like I may be going blind and it radiates through the whole entire body to the feet edema with all this it is very overwhelming thank you for your time best wishes to all pray for a breakthrough cure to help out God bless
Hi, David. I am so sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. Never give up hoping there will be a breakthrough for treating fibromyalgia. I will pray for you to feel better.
Hi, I’m a 32 year old male. I’ve struggled with pain for 4 years, and just this past week was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I basically never have a comfortable body temp. Even when I feel like the temperature is OK, I usually have a light sweat. Once I start sweating though, if I start to take off layers I instantly become uncomfortably cold due to the fact that I am now wet. I haven’t slept in months without waking up drenched, other than a week long period that I used Rick Simpson oil… The sweats went away completely. However I stopped using it completely because I was having crazy withdrawals on the days that I chose to sleep without it. So I’m now back so sweaty, interrupted sleep every night.
Hi, Brandon. You might want to try temperature regulating sheets for your bed. They can be kind of expensive and I have never tried them myself but I have heard they really help. If you check out Shannon’s comment on this page, she uses TENA InstaDri Air Underpads on her bed. I am really sorry you were diagnosed with fibro. I wouldn’t wish this on anybody.
I can relate to this even though I’m female in my late 50s. I have been diagnosed with hyerphidrosis. I now take some tablets (only sometimes) called Probanthine but they do give you excessive thirst. I have tried adjusting the amount and when I take them. I also have FM
Hi
I was diagnosed with FM this year after 10 years trying to figure out whats up with me, during winter I have bad headaches and upper body pain and in arms. During Summer is when it is the worst for my lower back and pain goes down my leg. I get crippled. 2 Dr’s say to move to New Zealand or Tasmania. Do you think moving to melbourne will help as those 2 other places are out of the question?
Hi, Jamie. From what I have read Melbourne doesn’t have extreme heat or extreme cold. That might help but who knows. I often wondered if I lived somewhere that the temperature doesn’t wildly fluctuate if my symptoms would be better. If you decide to move, let us know if it helps. Take Care.
Try horse lintemint (sp) for pain the gel works best. Usually found @ an animal supply store.
HI I have fibromyalgia from my’head lot of problems with all but my eyes is a hard one I pray I don’t go blind pain unreal feet around the toes and hands fingers it just won’t turn you swelling in face to feet m muscle joint pain soft tissue thanks to all I pray for a breakthrough or care I know how horrible ur life is god bless stay strong best you can
Hi, David. I am sorry for all you are going through. God bless you.
I have a very difficult time with heat . My poor husband. He’s cold…. I’m burning up. I have learned to dress with very loose, cotton, ( which is best for me) and most of the time I go bra less. That also helps . Cool
Showers. Lots of ice water with lemon or lime. Cold packs. Staying out of the sun. Now that the weather is changing ( l live in Michigan) I am doing some better. Except for sleeping. I still wake up feeling as though there is a furnace inside of my body. Wakes me up every night. Cotton night gowns are a must!!!
I keep some of my summer tops out for my hot flash change of clothes days.
Hi, Mary. I do a lot of the same things except for the cool showers. If the water is cool it makes my muscles tense up. I was looking forward to the cool weather but now I am getting more migraines. Take care.
This is me & my poor husband we also live in MI