This is a second and updated blog about loss of thermostatic stability and intolerance of extremes of temperature in M.E.
You can read my first blog here
I decided to rewrite this in the light of the sudden and extreme hot weather that has recently been experienced in many parts of Europe including where I live in France.
In the International Consensus Criteria for M.E. loss of thermostatic stability is one of the symptoms as is intolerance of extreme temperatures.
'Loss of thermostatic stability - subnormal body temperature and marked diurnal fluctuation, sweating episodes, recurrent feelings of feverishness and cold extremities; intolerance of extremes of heat and cold'
I have difficulties in adjusting to temperature changes and the seasons, especially if sudden and dramatic. So does my cat Florence! This is how I felt last week when the temperatures shot up to an uncomfortable and intolerable level.
I once had a major relapse when there was a sudden and huge change in the weather. In a matter of days it turned from Winter into Summer. My body just couldn't adjust that quickly and I suffered badly for many months afterwards.
When I first became ill I felt cold all the time, even in the middle of Summer, and often had cold fingers or toes. At the time I had no idea what was going on. I still have occasions when I become cold all over and it takes ages to warm up. I've been known to go to bed with wearing pyjamas, dressing gown, thick duvet and covers along with a hot water bottle and still feeling cold! Then all of a sudden it's as if someone has flicked on a switch and I become hot all over - in fact just the reverse, too hot. My body is unable to regulate temperature and changes.
Entering into menopause only makes things worse. All the night sweats start.
I had a period of years when I woke up many nights drowned in sweat even though it was cold in the bedroom. I would start off covered up, wake up hot, throw off all the covers and then within minutes freezing cold again!!!
Bizarrely I even have times when one part of my body feels hot and the other cold. Do you? That's so difficult to manage.
This is the poem I wrote about being hot and cold
Hot and Cold
My thermostat
is not working
out of control
either too hot
or very cold!
How can I be
both hot and cold?
Body confused
instead chaos
has taken hold!
Don`t understand
why I feel hot
when it is cold
why I feel cold
when it is hot!
Temperature
always changing
never the same
one minute cold
and then BOILING!
A sudden sweat
comes over me
take off layers
but then I feel
Cold instantly!
Hard to control
and keep stable
What must I do
to make myself
Comfortable?
I wonder how you cope with these symptoms of M.E.
In part three I'll explore some of the tips and advice that may help you and me.
Until then stay cool or warm whatever may be the case for you right now!
À bientôt
from the French Femme
xxx
