Shortness of breath, fatigue, excessive sweating after showering

The temperature control does sound like autonomic dysfunction, but could be other things. Get yourself an appt asap, because it may take awhile to be seen these days. I guess you start with your general doctor. If anyone else has thoughts who you should make an appt with, hope they will chime in. In the meanwhile shower/wash up with cooler water. All the best, wishing you a speedy dx and recovery whatever it is.

@cctee I appreciate the reply! I know I need to be seen... Epic procrastinator here. I had an issue a while back and went to my GP something like 4 times; 4 different diagnoses. I was finally sent for further tests and referred to a specialist. I dread the thought of that tedious process all over again!!

So I was reading about something my stepmom is dealing with, which led me to start reading about health issues my dad has. One such issue is hypothyroidism. I don't think he's "progressed" to Hashimoto's Disease yet. Is it possible all these ANS triggers are going off because of thyroid issues? From what I was reading my symptoms are more in line with HYPERthyroidism and Graves Disease... But it does make me wonder.

@psnead
Have you been tested for small fiber neuropathy with a skin punch biopsy by a neurologist? This affects your autonomic nervous system. Every time I take a shower, lie on my back or get a massage, my skin turns red and gets inflamed. I have small fiber neuropathy.

Have you had a full thyroid bloodwork panel done (TSH, T3, T4, TPO)? This can affect your body regulation of temperature.

Did you have Covid and the mRNA shots? This also affects your nervous system and can be messing with your temperature regulation.

Do you notice any other triggers to overheating other than showering? Do you take a cool shower and still get the same effect? If so, the stimulation of your small nerve fibers in your skin by shower spray seems to over activate them and cause the overheating sensation.

You may want a neurologist rule out other causes (MS) and a rheumatologist rule out autoimmune issues. Small fiber neuropathy can be caused by diabetes, alcohol, smoking, vitamin deficiencies or toxicities, etc. Bloodwork can check for abnormalities.

1. https://neurologyoffice.com/heat-intolerance-neurological-conditions/
2. https://www.ccjm.org/content/ccjom/76/5/297.full.pdf
3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17479-small-fiber-neuropathy
4. https://www.verywellhealth.com/small-fiber-neuropathy-7556444
5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/small-fiber-neuropathy
6. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology-neurosurgery/specialty-areas/peripheral-nerve/small-fiber-sensory-neuropathy

@dlydailyhope, as of right now I haven't been tested for anything. Due to various extenuating circumstances I haven't been able to really prioritize my health and try to figure out what's going on.

I was diagnosed in June 2023 with EPI and prescribed a PERT medication to treat that. I was never able to do any follow-up and never knew if the medication was working as intended; it gave me serious gas and bloating. I finally stopped taking that medication a little over a month ago without any digestive issues (so far, knock on wood). The excessive gas and constant bloating are gone.

A few weeks ago a friend said my symptoms sounded like POTS. I read up on that and felt like I was reading my medical chart! Then I began reading about my stepmom's thyroid issues, which led me to read up on my dad's issue as well. I reckon I will read up on Small Fiber Neuropathy as well. At least I can compile a list of possibilities of what I think it might be for when I am finally able to seek treatment again.

I did take 3 COVID shots. mRNA is...? Not sure if I've taken that or not. I'm pretty sure I gave in the past. My COVID shots were back in 2020 and 2021 though. 🤷‍♂️

@psnead
The Covid shots are mRNA (messenger RNA) shots. They are known to cause many problems for young men (heart/nervous system/endothelial cell damage). My teen son did not get the shots but had the Covid infection 2 times and now has POTS symptoms, too.

That's very interesting to know. I had what I consider a very mild case of COVID; I honestly question the validity of the rapid test that came back positive. I then had the two initial shots about 6 months later, and roughly 6 months after that I had the "recommended" booster.

Each time I got one of those shots I wondered to myself what sort of complications or side effects I might end up with....

How hot is the shower water? Have you tried making it more tepid and gotten the same results? Some quick home tests just for taking to the PCP....Blood pressure after you are out of the shower., respirations per minute, temperature, also if you had a pulse oximeter you could tell what your oxygen saturation is. Yes, going to the physicians nowadays is like being on a Merry-go-Round but you have to start somewhere. Have there been any changes in medications, supplements. I always drill down to what has changed when the symptom started....sometimes the answer will be looking you straight in the face. ie medication changes. Just food for thought. I always take tepid showers as the hotter the water the more blood is pulled to the peripheral parts of your body because of vessel dilatation, therefore you major organs are not getting oxygenated (lungs)