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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lisa Simpson on October 9, 2001, at 6:29:51
I have a problem that's a bit difficult to explain! But I will try to do it as briefly as I can. I have asthma, but I also get panic attacks. Sometimes it's difficult to tell them apart, as the symptoms are very similar. And one thing that will start them off is getting cold and starting to shiver. Well, the problem is usually worse at night - I wake up in the middle of the night, very cold, and I start to shiver, start to grab for my inhaler and start to panic. It's difficult to put a jumper on as I then have to sit up out of the bedclothes a bit which will make me colder. Now the strange thing is that no-one else in the house gets cold like I do, and they think I'm very strange. Last night I slept in a track suit, and I still got cold in the middle of the night, while the rest of the family just had T-shirts on. I wonder whether it could be something to do with my body temperature dropping a lot at night - or could it possibly be purely psychological? Is there anything I can do about it, apart from wearing fur coats to bed? Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Posted by susan C on October 10, 2001, at 17:14:48
In reply to Freezing, posted by Lisa Simpson on October 9, 2001, at 6:29:51
Hello, I am freezing right now...There is a thing called: rynauds syndrome...it is a symptom of lupus. I dont know if I spelled it ight...but it is where you get cold, especially your extremities, are your toes and fingers blue and whitish? You aren't alone, as much as I would like, I cant sleep without pjs...sometimes when it gets really cold I have a wool stocking cap and scarf on! Thank the heavens for polartec fleece. My husband has the blood circulation of a horse...he used to work out in 20 degree weather without any hat or gloves.
mouse sitting on top of the heater
susan C> I have a problem that's a bit difficult to explain! But I will try to do it as briefly as I can. I have asthma, but I also get panic attacks. Sometimes it's difficult to tell them apart, as the symptoms are very similar. And one thing that will start them off is getting cold and starting to shiver. Well, the problem is usually worse at night - I wake up in the middle of the night, very cold, and I start to shiver, start to grab for my inhaler and start to panic. It's difficult to put a jumper on as I then have to sit up out of the bedclothes a bit which will make me colder. Now the strange thing is that no-one else in the house gets cold like I do, and they think I'm very strange. Last night I slept in a track suit, and I still got cold in the middle of the night, while the rest of the family just had T-shirts on. I wonder whether it could be something to do with my body temperature dropping a lot at night - or could it possibly be purely psychological? Is there anything I can do about it, apart from wearing fur coats to bed? Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Posted by shelliR on October 10, 2001, at 19:48:28
In reply to Freezing, posted by Lisa Simpson on October 9, 2001, at 6:29:51
> I have a problem that's a bit difficult to explain! But I will try to do it as briefly as I can. I have asthma, but I also get panic attacks. Sometimes it's difficult to tell them apart, as the symptoms are very similar. And one thing that will start them off is getting cold and starting to shiver. Well, the problem is usually worse at night - I wake up in the middle of the night, very cold, and I start to shiver, start to grab for my inhaler and start to panic. It's difficult to put a jumper on as I then have to sit up out of the bedclothes a bit which will make me colder. Now the strange thing is that no-one else in the house gets cold like I do, and they think I'm very strange. Last night I slept in a track suit, and I still got cold in the middle of the night, while the rest of the family just had T-shirts on. I wonder whether it could be something to do with my body temperature dropping a lot at night - or could it possibly be purely psychological? Is there anything I can do about it, apart from wearing fur coats to bed? Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Lisa, I get cold a lot faster than anyone else in my life. I'm totally into layers, because I always want to be prepared. In the summer when I go to movies, I always bring a sweatshirt and socks with me in my purse. The trick for me is to catch it before the cold goes through me, because I've noticed that once it starts, the cold goes straight through me and I also shiver and can't get warm. I'm sort of the opposite of you though. I need it to be very warm for me to fall asleep, then often wake up and take off layers.
I keep a little space heater by my bed (there's a great brand called vortex--the heater never gets hot, but you can set in on a specific temperature.) Don't know if it's available in the UK, although my guess is that it is; it's even in the airline catalogues.
If you wake up cold, you could just turn your heater very very high on your side of the bed on until you warm up. I suppose the other obvious solution is to get an electric blanket.Hope you figure it out.
Shelli
Posted by Lisa Simpson on October 11, 2001, at 5:02:43
In reply to Re: Freezing » Lisa Simpson, posted by shelliR on October 10, 2001, at 19:48:28
Hello Susan and Shelli - thanks so much for taking the trouble to reply to my strange problem(!)
Susan, I must admit, I've never looked at my extremeties in the night to see what colour they are! I will next time, though.
Shelli, that idea of a space heater sounds like a real good idea - I will have to look and see if I can find one of those around here. Also, I guess having layers on rather than one thick item on probably works better...?
My main problem though is not so much getting cold as I could live with just that, it's the panic attacks it triggers, where I breathe too deep and too fast, and I feel like I'm going to suffocate to death - it is terrifying, and I don't know how to stop it.
Lisa
Posted by Emme on October 11, 2001, at 7:14:48
In reply to Re: Freezing and Panic Attacks, posted by Lisa Simpson on October 11, 2001, at 5:02:43
Hi Lisa,
I'm a cold person - I can sympathize. The space heater is a good idea. I've used a safe, lighweight convection heater in cold apartments.
I've never had panic attacks associated with being cold, but I have had panic attacks with associated hyperventilation. Tingling sensations in my extremities and face and felt like I was going to suffocate. The tingling made me think it was low blood sugar. An astute physician cured this problem in 10 minutes. He told me to take a regular sized breath and force myself hold it for 15 seconds or so. Then exhale and do it again. And again, for a few minutes until the symptoms subsided. Worked like a charm. Didn't cure all of my anxiety problems, but it did stop the hyperventilation problems pronto. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Emme
> Hello Susan and Shelli - thanks so much for taking the trouble to reply to my strange problem(!)
>
> Susan, I must admit, I've never looked at my extremeties in the night to see what colour they are! I will next time, though.
>
> Shelli, that idea of a space heater sounds like a real good idea - I will have to look and see if I can find one of those around here. Also, I guess having layers on rather than one thick item on probably works better...?
>
> My main problem though is not so much getting cold as I could live with just that, it's the panic attacks it triggers, where I breathe too deep and too fast, and I feel like I'm going to suffocate to death - it is terrifying, and I don't know how to stop it.
>
> Lisa
Posted by MM on October 13, 2001, at 5:58:31
In reply to Re: Freezing and Panic Attacks » Lisa Simpson, posted by Emme on October 11, 2001, at 7:14:48
You might want to read about hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism because being cold (or hot) when everyone else feels fine, as well as having panic attacks are symptoms. HTH
Posted by paxvox on October 13, 2001, at 15:56:03
In reply to Re: Freezing and Panic Attacks--Lisa, posted by MM on October 13, 2001, at 5:58:31
You did not mention the meds you are taking. Are you possibly on Wellbutrin? I get terribly cold since I have been using WB, especially my hands. This is exacerbated by the weight loss I have had (fat=insulation=warmth)since taking WB. I used to be VERY cold tolerant, but no more. If you are not on meds, then the prior posts are
probably more germane to your question. Just thought I'd ask.PAX
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