Sensitivity to changes in temperature

[Tesscorm]

Nothing urgent but Stephen's mentioned this quite a few times and it seems to be something that bothers him...

Has anyone noticed an increased sensitivity to the 'temperature'? When he goes outside in the cold, Stephen says he feels REALLY cold, to the point his teeth start chattering and he's shivering (he is dressed for the weather:ybiggrin, at the other extreme, when it's hot out, he said he feels really warm and begins to perspire quickly...???

He's adamant that it's related to his crohn's, said he's only felt this way since his diagnosis.

Has anyone else noticed this? I don't think it's related to a 'flare' or ongoing internal inflammation (as in nightsweats) as it's not constant... it seems to be more reactionary to 'very' cold or 'very' warm because when he's indoors, he's fine. I'm wondering if there's some sort of vitamin/mineral deficiency that would somehow affect your 'internal thermostat'???

 

[CarolinAlaska]

I've heard of temperature intolerance being related to thyroid disorders. Has he had that checked since his diagnosis?

 

[Tesscorm]

Hmmm?? He has had his Free T4 and TSH checked, which are related to thyroid function... both have been in the normal range. I'm not sure, though, if these two tests are what's typically tested for the Thryoid or if they are related to crohns testing. Will ask doctor next time.

I've shrugged off his comments (thinking he was underdressed, etc.) as I've never heard anyone mention this but, he's mentioned it so many times, including this morning again, I thought I'd just ask...???

 

[CarolinAlaska]

Those are the usually screening tests for thyroid. I would think if they are normal that it isn't related to his thyroid.

 

[Henrietta78]

I don't know, when my son gets cold, he gets VERY VERY cold (as in wants me to get out the space heater for him to eat breakfast in front of). I chalk most of it up to dramatics! It's hard when you're always wondering if something is just normal, or is it IBD/flare related.

 

[CarolinAlaska]

Have you checked his temp to make sure he isn't having a fever? I always get unreasonably cold and hot with fevers too.

 

[Jmrogers4]

Not so much heat sensitivity here as cold but I've always attributed that to him having no "padding" He could be swimming and it's a 100 degrees outside and if the pool isn't heated he starts shivering and his lips turn blue.

 

[my little penguin]

^^^^^ yeah that!!
Prior to DS recent weight gain he would shiver alot
Not an issue any more

 

[Catherine]

You do notice with open water swimming that it the thin kids and adults who are normally most affected by the cold.

Sarah doesnot seem to be as affected as much by the cold when she is a higher weight.

 

[kimmidwife]

I was also going to say maybe a weight issue. Sounds like normal thyroid to me. I did a google search and came up with a thread on a other crohns forum where they were discussing this same issue:
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=17&m=1253646
The only other thing I could think of is anemia. They will probably check that tomorrow before the Infusion. Caitlyn always had her blood drawn beforehand and a CBC was checked.

 

[Tesscorm]

As Henrietta said, I've sort of leaned towards the 'dramatics' or just simply being someone who is more sensitive to temperatures... it's just that he's mentioned it so many times and is certain he's only felt this since being diagnosed???

I don't think it's a fever because it doesn't 'last' - ie, he's cold walking but it goes away once he warms up inside.

I thought about the weight and anemia but that doesn't really work with the sensitivity to heat? Even when we were away, he came to me a couple of times and said 'see, see!, I'm sweating and it's not THAT hot...'

Hmmm, what about metabolism? That just popped in my mind... Does metabolism have anything to do with keeping your body temperature stable?

 

[CarolinAlaska]

Yes, it has everything to do with it, but what controls metabolism besides the thyroid?

 

[Tesscorm]

Hypothalamus...been doing a bit of reading But, it seems to be related more to the control of your overall body temperature, not just the sensitivity. I've told Stephen we'll just have to ask at the next apptmt with the GI...

 

[CarolinAlaska]

Yep.

 

[Ckoenig]

I am 34 and have Crohn's disease. I am taking Humira and am in remission. (or think I am) Today I went to my daughters soccer tournament and it was very cold and windy. My hands went numb even though I was bundled up and when they came to my wrists were swollen and I could barely open and close my hands, they ached for hours afterwards. If I get in the very warm temperatures I sweat like crazy and get dizzy and feel like I will pass out. I have never had a thyroid level come out anything but normal.

 

[my little penguin]

Raynauds is common in folks with auto immune diseases
DS has some version of it

Tagging Maya142

 

[kimmidwife]

Ckoenig,
It seems a lot of people with autoimmune issues have issues with temperature regulation.

 

[Maya142]

Did your hands change color? My daughter's hands and feet go blue when she is cold. They also hurt when they get very cold. We use hand-warmers, the kind skiers use, and very warm gloves. If she is out and they go blue, she'll usually find a bathroom and run them under warm water to warm them up as soon as possible (her hands go from blue to red when they warm up). We also have microwaveable mittens and socks that she uses if necessary at home.

Like MLP said, Raynaud's is common with autoimmune diseases. It's a pain, but you learn to live with it.