Night Sweats (while sleeping) On Occasion--Male

Question

Hi, I'm a 38 y/o male, healthy (as far as I know), exercise regularly, not overweight, and no known medical problems.  On occasion I will wake up wet (from sweating).  I hadn't in months until last night, when I noticed I was quite wet.  I was comfortable though and in a deep sleep.  It was not a hot night, and I slept with the same,  blanket I always sleep with (and it's not a super thick/heavy blanket either).  Does this happen from time to time with normal people or should I be concerned?

Thanks

jeffanxiety · Answer

JamesAA if you google night sweats and anxiety, you will see they do in fact go hand in hand.

I have had panic attacks my whole life, but they were always manageable and no meds. Recently it changed from attacks, to a constant state of anxiety, which makes me always worry and my mind always race. 

At the same time, I started to have night sweats and insomnia. I don't have to change the sheets in the morning, but my forehead and neck would be sweating and it would wake me up. 

Anxiety can do funny anything it wants to the body, I believe it has the ability to do whatever it is you don't want it to.  (For instance) "Just as long as my back doesn't hurt, I believe I am fine"  Next day, back hurts....

Also, you noted that you took Klonipin and had been off it for 2 weeks, so you know it was not that.  I take xanax currently and just started,  How long did you take the klonipin?  withdrawl effects from Benzos can last a long time.

JamesAA · Answer

Thanks Kick, and thanks Margy.  That's interesting.  Did they/you ever know what was causing your night sweats Kick?  I wonder since we both have higher than normal anxiety if that's a possible cause?  Would kinda make sense.

kickanxietysbutt · Answer

Yes, I've had night sweats on and off my whole life.  There are many mornings I wake up to find my shirt off.  If you were having this happen every night for an extended period of time it may be cause for alarm, but you said it's occasional.

margypops · Answer

environmental allergies ..read 'What on earth are they Spraying'

JamesAA · Answer

Oh kick, I forgot to ask.  Did you ever have night sweats prior to being on an SSRI?  I haven't taken klonopin in 2 weeks when mine occurred so I know it wasn't med related.

JamesAA · Answer

Oh I'm doing A LOT of work to fix my one problem that you, and I both know about--my anxiety.  I'm working on CBT daily, and take klonopin on tougher days.  I've actually made significant gains in 5 months and don't need klonopin nearly as much as I used to.  If I'm not where I want to be in the near future, or I feel like I'm not making any more advances, I will gladly jump on an SSRI.  This has been talked about in great detail w/my Dr and he is in favor of this plan.  I'm sorry if my question about night sweats upset you.  It seems to have.  But in fairness to me I can think of a lot more ridiculous and/or disturbing blogs and posts floating out there on the web.  I guess I appreciate the help, if that was what you were trying to offer, but I really wanted to keep this thread about night sweats and see what people had to offer regarding that.

kickanxietysbutt · Answer

You're right, it is free, but you come on here every other day asking questions about all these ailments you think you have.  The one thing you aren't doing is getting on medication, which is probably what you need, or at the very least, getting professional help.  My point is, you are so focused on finding a physical ailment, when you most likely don't even have one, but are doing nothing to actually try to fix the real problem.  The fact that you can't calm down is enough to bring on night sweats...and you don't have to be on medication to have them.

JamesAA · Answer

Not on anything though. I read that some meds can cause them but I'm free of meds, and that's why I'm concerned. I'm not freaking out about it, but I do have concerns based on what I read. From what I've seen it happens because of some illness or else meds. I'm not on meds so that kinda narrows it down lol. Just cause I'm a hypo doesn't mean I can't have a serious illness. The problem with being a hypo is that if he or she does have something really problematic, nobody will take them seriously lol. I don't know if I do or don't, but it's free to ask people if they have any ideas what could be causing it. If nothing else it's annoying to keep changing the sheets every night. But, I'm not staying awake at night worrying about something being wrong with me, even though it does seem like an abnormal phenomenon. I'm talking soaking wet.

kickanxietysbutt · Answer

I am not disputing that they are real, but just because your friends haven't had them, doesn't mean it's cause for alarm.  It's happened to me many times in life, and if you're on an SSRI, that can be one of the side effects.  I don't think it's crazy, I just think you're constantly obsessing and trying to find something wrong with you, when probably the only thing wrong is that you're letting your imagination rule your life right now.

lauraem · Answer

This happens to me, lately especially. I'll wake up all clammy and sweaty with not many blankets even on and even be freezing; it can be normal, but I was told that the reason why this has started happening out of the blue is due to the antibiotics I am on.

JamesAA · Answer

Yeah I think it's fair to say I am a hypochondriac, but at the same time I'm not imagining the night sweats....they are real lol.  Anyway I asked other people if they get them ever and they all said no.  So I think my being a little concerned or at least wanting to know why they are happening isn't all that crazy.

kickanxietysbutt · Answer

Yes, it's called night sweats.  Have you seen a therapist or gotten on any medication yet?  I'm not trying to sound rude at all, but I've been on here for a few months now and you are always worried about something being wrong.  In all seriousness, do you think you may be a hypochondriac?