I'm kinda new here and don't know too much yet about MS - diagnosed couple of months ago. I also have RSD in my right leg and limited movement of my leg due to knee replacement gone bad. My question to the experts of MS: Does sweating come in the territory of having MS? At times I feel like I am in Florida in the summer! Today I finally felt halfway good - so vacumed the floor and the stairs. By the time I got thru with the 1st set of stairs, I was so dizzy and tired I couldn't move. I was totally drenched with sweat - even my scalp and hair. Its just lately I am having these really bad sweating attacks. I've also been pretty fatigued and having alot of bad muscle aching. I have had "hot flash" attacks in the past, but very manageable and wasn't sure if it was from the RSD or just being my age! Does anyone else have attacks like these with the sweats? Trying to figure out if it is the MS or if it could be the RSD I realize RSD does make you sweat - but I have never been like this in the almost 2 years of having it). I don't have a dr appt for another month and have been a chicken about picking out which treatment to start - I hate needles, so I know its not that. Your responses are much appreciated!

Welcome! Well, my experience has been an insane amount of hot flashes/ night sweats, etc. Here lately. The scary part is I am only 28. I don't know how much of it is MS related, I was just officially Dx'd on Halloween of last year. I will tell you it has gotten worse since I started Copaxone. But I will also tell you compared to the side effects of the other options, I will stick with the Copaxone.

Steroids make the sweating and mood swings and blood sugar problems unbearable. But it is a necessary evil for some of us. I have been to the PCP, Neuro, and Gyno and they all want to blame the sweats on someone else.

The degree prescription strength anti pers. seems to be the only thing that remotely works for me. However, I cannot cover my whole body in it, so it only works part of the way.

There are a lot of herbal options available. I am looking into them myself. Wish I could be of more help.

I'm in my 30s and get the broken thermostat issues too. We have a ceiling fan in our bedroom and livingroom that have become my greatest allies. I've also learned there are other benefits to cold showers.

I have to do my chores in breaks. 15 minutes up, 15 minutes down under a ceiling fan. An example is vaccum one room then sit. Both due to fatigue and overheating. Not as quick as I would like, but stuff is getting done.

Same here. Exactly the same. It sucks, but it's just one of those things I've learned to deal with over time.

Hi Lindkaye,

I am SO sorry to hear that you are having to deal with all of this! It's so bad having to deal with the RSD without anything else!!

I don't have MS although my nanan had it and I can remember that she used to get REALLY sweaty all the time. Her hair used to always look like it was slightly damp but when you felt it, it wasn't and it was because she was so warm all the time.

I also get very sweaty with the RSD also - it is sort of like I am going through the menoupase at 14 years old lol! One minute I will be OK and the next, I will be really hot and sweaty. It is so embarrassing, especially if I am out in the public as I can go pretty red in my face at times from it. I spoke to my Pain Management Doctor and he said that it was a very common symptom of RSD and that you can't really do anything about it - sometimes I think it is hard to tell what is RSD and what is something else!!

I wish I could help you more but please just know that you aren't alone and that I DO understand what you are going through and so do many others!!

You are in my thoughts and I hope you feel better real soon! Take care!

I never had night sweats till I got on the meds for MS. interferon, or amino acid, didnt matter. When I am off the meds, I am dry. when I am on the meds, I sweat like its going out of style. I wake at night drenched. The MDs say its a normal side effect, and many get used to it, and some dont.

This is a tough disease.

hi linda kaye,

it sounds like this one is best for your dr to sort out.
i get overheated with physical effort too.
and in the summer months when it's hot MS can make you very heat intolerant.

you might want to look into finding a cooling collar. they're very inexpensive (like at walmart's) and very helpful in keeping you cooler. they may be hard to find until the summer tho.

could you see your pcp? it may be something other than the MS.

I have experienced this a few times and it totally surprised me as I am usually not a heavy sweater.
I do get night sweats and blame it on my age (50). But I am also on Betaseron.....the sweating and betaseron started about the same time.
They do make a really cool pillow called the "chillo" and it stays cool. Its really nice for sleeping.

Hi lindkaye,
I have the opposite problem. I don't sweat. I think my sweat glands must be in the off position. It is so hard when I get heated, by the weather or movement. I can't cool off. I can't get rid of the toxins that build up. It is good to sweat, healthy, IMO.

I guess the opposite is a problem too. When you sweat too much you might lose too many electrolytes. That can weaken you. I have to constantly sit still, cool off or rub cold water over my body like when trying to reduce a fever. I get red and hot and I also get the burning in many parts of my body. I may even retain too much fluid, but glad much is gone in the ladies room.

I am completely dry, even in the sun, but get very ill feeling. So one end of the spectrum is just as bad as the other end. I would think a cooling vest would help both of us. Good luck finding the answer.

I am a guy so no hot flashes, and I am not on any of the Crabs and I still break out now in a sweat for no reason. Never happened until the MS. No fevers just sweat for no reason.