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Undiagnosed Chills/Skin Sensitivity

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Phil01

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Hello I'm happy I found this group. Since my 20s (I'm 55 now) I have times where I have a super sensitivity to cold. I've broken down into full, shaking attacks where I'd have to wrap myself up and ride it out. I wasn't sure for a long time if my issue was PTSD at all. alternate between cold and then getting over-heated and sweaty which just worsens it all. I sometimes have been achy and sore for days afterward. I used to treat it as a purely physical ailment and tried diet and rest. I've brought it up to every PCP I've had and one therapist so far and no one had an answer for me. As I've gotten older it has worsened and I can see it stopping me from going out and doing things I would otherwise enjoy.

I've noticed over time it seems to be less just a cold issue as a over-sensitive surface issue. Being exposed to an AC vent or going from one room temp to another is something I brace myself for and I've learned to dress in layers so I'd have options during the day. In recent times I've discovered a strong indica cannabis can sometimes leave me completely relieved and I can go on with my day. It was from talking with friends that lead me to pursuing this as a possible case of PTSD. I cant point to an exact cause but I have been through long periods of subtle, narcissistic abuse from family member over a period of years and the responsibilities of caring for an aging parent. Those issues are all past tense now and I want to devote more time to learning how to deal with this issue so that it doesn’t completely disrupt my life in the future.
 
I can't answer any specific questions but what sprung to mind when reading your post is if you've ever done any body work therapy e.g somatic experiencing? I haven't done this but look into it if you don't know about it as it maybe be beneficial (get someone trained in Trauma)
 
Hi, and welcome!

I've brought it up to every PCP I've had and one therapist so far and no one had an answer for me. As I've gotten older it has worsened and I can see it stopping me from going out and doing things I would otherwise enjoy.
Has your doctor done any labwork?

I also have a hypersensitivity to cold and have body aches, which have severely worsened over the last couple of years. I saw a rheumatologist, and I have fibromyalgia. I also have Raynaud's, which causes blood vessel constriction in finger and toes mostly, which makes them colder (and often completely drained of blood).

Since body temp is regulated by the brain and many things can affect it, it might be a good idea to see if you can get an evaluation by another doctor. I know how awful it is, not being able to do what you want in the winter because of this!
 
hello phil. welcome to the forum.

i've experienced this for as long as i can remember. i've attributed mine to my hyper-active metabolism. i go into sensory overload on just about any extreme.

and along came menopause. . . methinks my body's ability to self-regulate input left with my ability to reproduce. i now go from too hot to too cold quicker than a thought.
 
How interesting, I get this too. It can be a super warm environment and I am frozen to the bone. I cannot regulate my body temperature and if I get too cold it starts ups a terrible autonomic nervous system response in me I feel super unwell.

My body therapist believes it is caused by some trauma in my childhood but I have so many different traumas it’s so fragmented he cannot say which one.

The emotional brain is also the one that is in control of body temp, so I guess we are well and truly hijacked since it is playing with this too
 
My daughter has Raynaud's Disease, which is an autoimmune disease that causes a hypersensitivity to cold. Her feet get ulcerated in the winter. She is always cold, even in the summer. Her lips and hands turn purple. I have fibromyalgia which also causes sensitivity to cold (and just about everything else!). A rheumatologist can determine if you have this.
 
Trauma can cause many different disorders. The truth is that trauma can trigger thousands of different disorders, not just PTSD. Issues with regulating body temperature are not PTSD. PTSD is a very specific set of symptoms that result from trauma.
 
Hi, and welcome!


Has your doctor done any labwork?

I also have a hypersensitivity to cold and have body aches, which have severely worsened over the last couple of years. I saw a rheumatologist, and I have fibromyalgia. I also have Raynaud's, which causes blood vessel constriction in finger and toes mostly, which makes them colder (and often completely drained of blood).

Since body temp is regulated by the brain and many things can affect it, it might be a good idea to see if you can get an evaluation by another doctor. I know how awful it is, not being able to do what you want in the winter because of this!
Yes I had a battery of blood tests last year. I recently moved so am looking for a new Dr. now anyway. Thanks for replying!

I can't answer any specific questions but what sprung to mind when reading your post is if you've ever done any body work therapy e.g somatic experiencing? I haven't done this but look into it if you don't know about it as it maybe be beneficial (get someone trained in Trauma)
Thank you! I'm not familiar but will look into it!

hello phil. welcome to the forum.

i've experienced this for as long as i can remember. i've attributed mine to my hyper-active metabolism. i go into sensory overload on just about any extreme.

and along came menopause. . . methinks my body's ability to self-regulate input left with my ability to reproduce. i now go from too hot to too cold quicker than a thought.
Sorry to hear that. I still don't completely rule out me having a physical ailment. Or a combo of the two. I'll look into the possibility that it's due to a metabolism issue. Have you found anything that helps?

How interesting, I get this too. It can be a super warm environment and I am frozen to the bone. I cannot regulate my body temperature and if I get too cold it starts ups a terrible autonomic nervous system response in me I feel super unwell.

My body therapist believes it is caused by some trauma in my childhood but I have so many different traumas it’s so fragmented he cannot say which one.

The emotional brain is also the one that is in control of body temp, so I guess we are well and truly hijacked since it is playing with this too
Yeah that sounds super familiar! I'm looking for a new therapist now and at this point think trauma may have been the start of this.
 
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My daughter has Raynaud's Disease, which is an autoimmune disease that causes a hypersensitivity to cold. Her feet get ulcerated in the winter. She is always cold, even in the summer. Her lips and hands turn purple. I have fibromyalgia which also causes sensitivity to cold (and just about everything else!). A rheumatologist can determine if you have this.
That's more extreme than what I have but it's gotten worse in the past few years. Thank you for letting me know about the rheumatologist possibility.

Trauma can cause many different disorders. The truth is that trauma can trigger thousands of different disorders, not just PTSD. Issues with regulating body temperature are not PTSD. PTSD is a very specific set of symptoms that result from trauma.
Thank you.
 
Have you found anything that helps?

layering is my best solution. i typically wear 3 layers. first layer is as light as possible. the next layer is quasi-warm. the third layer depends on the weather.
the other skin sensitivities i take case by case.
 
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