1. < Caregivers: Dementia

Sweating at night

Posted by Debby - @tavi @tavi, Aug 19, 2016

My husband has trouble sleeping for more than 2 to 3 hours at night due to uncontrolled sweating. He is very cold and wears a lot of clothes even though our home night temperature is set at 75 degrees. This problem has been going on for several years and progressively gotten worse. The sweating occurs mainly on the right side of his body. We have searched for medical reasons this may be occurring but our doctors have found nothing. He was diagnosed with dementia three years ago. As you can imagine, waking up every 2-3 hours sleep is not sufficient for him (or me, his spouse/care giver) to become rested. As his dementia has progressed, caring for the sweating has gotten more complex and confusing. I'm curious if others have had this experience and/or have suggestions - either medical or environmental.....

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Debby - @tavi | @tavi | Aug 25, 2016
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@tavi Welcome to Mayo Connect, I see that you just joined a few days ago. I'm..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@tavi Welcome to Mayo Connect, I see that you just joined a few days ago. I'm sure that you will find this a very supportive community. I was reading about your husband's problem and I was wondering if there are any other health problems that might be causing the night sweats? Is he treated for any other health issues? Feel free to share about his health issues as you feel comfortable. Mayo Connect might have others with similar symptoms related to a specific diagnosis. Best wishes to you both, I'm sure that a good night's sleep would be good medicine for you both!

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Yes - he saw a neurologist earlier this summer. There were no tests, just a meeting/conversation and the neurologist was unable to identify anything that might trigger the sweats.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 26, 2016
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@tavi Welcome to Mayo Connect, I see that you just joined a few days ago. I'm..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@tavi Welcome to Mayo Connect, I see that you just joined a few days ago. I'm sure that you will find this a very supportive community. I was reading about your husband's problem and I was wondering if there are any other health problems that might be causing the night sweats? Is he treated for any other health issues? Feel free to share about his health issues as you feel comfortable. Mayo Connect might have others with similar symptoms related to a specific diagnosis. Best wishes to you both, I'm sure that a good night's sleep would be good medicine for you both!

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@tavi That certainly is a mystery. I take it that no MRI or EEG was done. Here is a thought: Do you live in an area near a major medical center (one with a well-known medical school or one that does research)? Some medical mysteries can best be solved in an environment that uses a "team-approach" to problem solving. Just something to consider. It sounds like you could both use a good night's sleep. Once again best wishes you seek an answer. Teresa

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Debby - @tavi | @tavi | Aug 26, 2016
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@tavi Welcome to Mayo Connect, I see that you just joined a few days ago. I'm..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@tavi Welcome to Mayo Connect, I see that you just joined a few days ago. I'm sure that you will find this a very supportive community. I was reading about your husband's problem and I was wondering if there are any other health problems that might be causing the night sweats? Is he treated for any other health issues? Feel free to share about his health issues as you feel comfortable. Mayo Connect might have others with similar symptoms related to a specific diagnosis. Best wishes to you both, I'm sure that a good night's sleep would be good medicine for you both!

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We are in Portland - I will check to see if we might be able to identify folks at Oregon Health Sciences University who may provide a more comprehensive team approach. Thanks for your continued ideas!

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Debby - @tavi | @tavi | Sep 2, 2016
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@tavi Thanks for adding some additional medical information. Perhaps that will help someone else identify with..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@tavi Thanks for adding some additional medical information. Perhaps that will help someone else identify with either the meds or the conditions and offer some assistance. You mentioned your husband takes Protonix, I believe that is a class of drugs called PPI (proton pump inhibitor). Does you husband experience diarrhea? Protonix can cause sleep problems (according to the website) but no mention of hot flashes, etc. You might want to check with his doctor to see if a non-PPI drug could be tried. I'm thinking of Zantac, Pepcid, etc. You could see what his doctor thinks and give it a try. Just a suggestion, while I've never had this problem I did take PPI meds in the past and I'm now taking Zantac because of a problem with carcinoids (rare form of malignancy). Best wishes as you act as a detective in trying to solve this mystery.

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Quick update.... my husband started taking Robinul this week to see if that medication can stop the night sweating. At night three there has been no change but he will be on it for a month. I'm hopeful and remain interested in any other ideas folks have..... wishing you all the best this evening.

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car12 | @carlos12 | Jun 23, 2017

I had the sweating at night problem for several years, my primary care doctor never could find anything on me, until I changed doctors. Unfortunately those sweats were a result of a Lymphoma which are typical for this type of cancer with no other symptom, What lead to this finding it was a problem I developed in my stomach until a biopsy was performed.
I have a brother suffering from Myeloma Multiple. That extreme cold symptom is part of this type of cancer, nothing can warm him up, not even an electric heat pad. His cancer was found after various misdiagnosis.
Check with his doctor to see if this comment lead to a real finding. Good luck!

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littlemama823 | @littlemama823 | Jan 12, 2023

Hello Debby. I was wondering if your doctors came up with any answers regarding the sweating. My husband doesn't get the cold part, but he sweats profusely. It comes on rapidly at any time of the day or night. Night is definitely worse. We have to change his blankets and bedding constantly.
Similarly he does not sleep well, it is erratic. We have talked to numerous doctors and haven't come up with any thing that helps.

I saw you had posted another thread recently. Sorry you are still going through so much with your husband. I am in the same place and my heart feels for you.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 22, 2023
In reply to @littlemama823 "Hello Debby. I was wondering if your doctors came up with any answers regarding the sweating...." + (show)
@littlemama823

Hello Debby. I was wondering if your doctors came up with any answers regarding the sweating. My husband doesn't get the cold part, but he sweats profusely. It comes on rapidly at any time of the day or night. Night is definitely worse. We have to change his blankets and bedding constantly.
Similarly he does not sleep well, it is erratic. We have talked to numerous doctors and haven't come up with any thing that helps.

I saw you had posted another thread recently. Sorry you are still going through so much with your husband. I am in the same place and my heart feels for you.

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Welcome @littlemama823. I believe your message was intended for @tavi (Debby). I've tagged her to ensure she sees your post.

How is your husband doing? How are you doing?

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