Night Sweats & Unexplained Sweating in Fibromyalgia

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Even in Winter


One of the strangest symptoms many of us face and rarely talk about is excessive sweating, especially night sweats and unexpected sweating during cold winter days.If you’re like me, you’ve probably found yourself waking up drenched in sweat, or sweating through your clothes on a chilly day — all without even feeling warm. So, why does this happen? Let’s break it down:


Dysregulated Nervous System

Fibromyalgia is strongly linked to dysautonomia — a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. This system controls things like body temperature, blood pressure, and sweating. When it’s not working properly, your body might start sweating even when it’s not hot, or fail to regulate sweat during sleep.

Hypothalamus Disruption

The hypothalamus is a tiny part of the brain that helps control your body’s thermostat. In fibromyalgia, signals to and from the hypothalamus can get mixed up, leading to strange temperature shifts, hot flashes, and — yes — night sweats.

Chronic Pain and Stress Response

Chronic pain keeps the body in a state of “high alert,” triggering the stress response. This constant fight-or-flight mode raises your heart rate, causes shallow breathing, and increases perspiration — even when your surroundings are cool.

Medications

Many fibromyalgia warriors take antidepressants, nerve pain medications, or muscle relaxants. Some of these have side effects that include excessive sweating, especially at night. If this is something you’ve noticed, talk to your doctor — a small medication adjustment might help.

Sweating in Winter: Why Am I Not Even Warm?

This is one of the most frustrating parts. You can be bundled up under blankets or sitting by the heater and still feel cold — yet you’re sweating. It’s not just you. With fibromyalgia, the body’s temperature regulation system is so out of balance that it can’t distinguish between actual warmth and internal stress or inflammation.

What Helps Me

  • Wearing breathable, moisture-wicking pajamas and bed sheets.

  • Keeping a fan or window slightly open for air circulation — even in winter.

  • Drinking cold water before bed.

  • Practicing gentle bedtime routines to reduce stress (like soft music, meditation, or journaling).

  • Talking to my doctor about medication side effects.

    Final Thoughts


    Night sweats and unpredictable sweating during cold weather aren’t “just in your head.” They are real, uncomfortable symptoms that deserve attention and understanding. Fibromyalgia impacts every corner of our lives — even the parts that no one else sees, like the soaked pillowcases and the frustration of not being able to cool down or warm up properly.

    You’re not alone in this. Your body may be unpredictable, but you’re still doing your best — and that’s more than enough.


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