Severely Heat Sensitive

[halbashes]

I'm a severely heat sensitive twenty-three year old girl.  I can become suddenly overheated without any relation to the actual temperature, but I'm also the first one to become overheated in the summertime sun.

I have severe autonomic dysfunction which becomes more symptomatic in the heat, but I can't seem to avoid it.  Aside from my autonomic symptoms, I also become extremely irritated, tearful, and sometimes incoherent.  I've had my thyroid tested multiple times, what else can cause such heat sensitivity?  I would appreciate any insight.

[wishforchange]

Apologies.  I had never heard of this condition.  Is it an auto-immune condition?  With no knowledge of this at all will have the arrogance to suggest a possiblity anyway.  Wtih increase in environmental temperature comes changes to the ANS including generally a lowering of bp, or raising if you become dehydrated.  Vascular status changes as the body works to cool itself, opening blood vessels and the like.  So it may be that it is these natural responses that your condition is responding too.  Of course you know far more than me.  Just another thought though, if this is auto-immune, this leaves you often more susceptable to other auto-immune conditions.  So it may be that you have developed another conditon too.  SLE again springs to mind.  Just tell me off for talking twaddle if you like, as I confess to absolute ignorance of your condition, but regardless I feel for you and hope there is a possibility of recovery.  I really thought I knew a lot, but you have taught me that perhaps I don't.  Suitably humbled and wish you better.

[halbashes]

Autonomic Dysfunction is a disorder of the Autonomic Nervous System.  The ANS regulates automatic functions in your body that occur without thought such as: heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, etc.

I am the CL of the Dysautonomia/Autonomic Dysfunction forum on Medhelp.  I know that symptoms of Autonomic Dysfunction can become worse in the heat, but I am barely able to tolerate even moderate levels of heat for more than a minute.  I'm just wondering if there is perhaps something else going on.  Thank you for your reply.

[wishforchange]

Hi, you talk about 'severe autonomic dysfunction' and I'm not sure what you mean by that?  Is this really what you wanted to say or were you referring to maybe autoimmune dysfunction?  The reason I ask is that there is an autoimmune condition called SLE, or systemic lupus.  This is a condition which affects all parts of the body, including the mind.  It is the result of the body attempting to harm its own connective tissue, and can have a very large number of diverse symptoms.  Commonly though, the condition is inflamed by exposure to sunshine and sufferers get more symptomatic in the summer.  Is this the conditionn you have?  If this is something new to you there are various blood and other tests which can point to whether this is indeed the problem, although it can be tricky to diagnose in some people.  Ask your doctor about this and if you can be referred to an expert in the area.  If you can be more clear about what condition you have maybe write in again and there may be more advice I or others can give.  I am sorry to hear you are going through this at such a young age, but maybe fully identifying the problem will help you to work to better management of it.  Do let us know if you get any result on testing for lupus - I do believe there is a forum for it here.  Maybe even worthwile posting your question there, although I have not personally checked it out so cannot vouch for it.  Feel better soon.