Cold Fever Spells

[Smallhold]

Frequently my body temperature drops and the dr calls it cold fever (that is how it translates to English from Dutch). When this happens, all I can do is crawl under the duvet, add a few more duvets and blankets and shiver until the fever breaks. Or until the temperature is near normal. I'll even take the dog in bed to give me some more warmth cos the cold is unbearable.

This can take anything from half an hour to a few hours. It leaves me totally exhausted and drained.

So far the explanation has been that the form of arthritis I have, draws all body heat to an inflamed spot. Well possible but the symptoms are so similar to shock, that I wonder if there is more to it.
During such an episode I cannot think comprehensive, nor remember much afterwards. I seem to speak little, just ask for more blankets or something yet can't really remember.
Sounds like shock to me really. Be it physical, be it PTSD.

Wondering if more people here recognize this and if it could be part of PTSD. Last week was a rather bad week and 5 of the 7 days, it happened. It was also a bad week due to a flare of the arthritis so I'm trying to get a hold on the causes.

Any input would be much appreciated, thank you.

 

[CVC]

This is an old thread! But thought I'd respond, as nobody's posted a reply.

I have noticed that when I feel triggered, I often become intensely cold. The inverse is also true--feeling cold can trigger me. Usually the effect is subtle--I'll get goose bumps and simultaneously feel the onset of fear and cold, but then it will pass with some safe-place visualization or deep breathing. But, sometimes when I get into one of these "cold states" (I do like "cold fever" better I think!), it seems that I simply cannot warm up on my own without an external source of heat. The more I huddle under the covers and pile blankets on, the more I shiver, and to find relief I soak in a tub of hot water. The only other thing that seems to really work to calm me down and warm me up is the body heat of a loved one.

I am fairly certain it's related to traumatic events in my past. I have three separate traumatic episodes where I was left feeling cold and vulnerable, so in my case I think it's over-determined as a trigger. Of course, there could be SO many reasons for feeling cold, or for having issues regulating one's body temperature. At least based on my experience, though, it does seem possible that PTSD is one of them.

 

[Smallhold]

Over a year later I now know it is CPTSD related. In state of shock when triggered, blood draws away to keep the essentials running. For others there may be more reasons but this is it to me.

Hoping you find a way to stay warm CCV.

 

[Jenfa]

Autoimmune conditions get much worse with stress, but this is a real thing. Raynaud's phenomenon. There is also a Raynaud's Disease which is primary, but the phenomenon occurs very often with people who are dealing with rheumatic conditions and/or stress conditions. Having both is awful, I'm sorry. I have the primary form, but when I was younger it was more like the stress-induced form. The cold can also make you very upset. When you do not notice you are cold, it can affect your mood and feelings a lot. Try to keep your hands and feet covered, even if you feel a little warm. It may help keep you balanced a bit. Maybe revisit Raynaud's with your doctor? It can go hand in hand with so many other conditions that present arthralgia. Good luck!

 

[The Albatross]

My cold fever symptoms are from my allergies. Have you been allergy tested? When I get a big reaction, I go very cold... then low grade fever... back and forth for a while. It has been suggested that I have some sort of autoimmune, but none of the usual suspects... so far I have defied testing.

 

[TeaLeaf]

When I'm really triggered, I get cold too, it is as you said Smallhold, during stress, blood gets drawn to the core to keep the essentials running. I also grew up in poverty in a cold climate, the memories of my abuse are so linked to feeling cold that the coldness itself is a trigger as well as triggers making me feel cold because of the stress on my body. It's a vicious cycle so I have plenty of wool socks, heated pillows, handwarmers and warm sweaters so that I have things to warm me up when the cold sets in.

 

[HOPEFULHEART82]

My temperature started dipping in January, and I started feeling hot as a result of the ambient room temperature being higher than my own. I've had zero strength when it happens, no control over it, my stomach is turned, my appetite dwindles, and I'm nauseated, my pulse races, I become dizzy. I've since come to find out that my adrenals are in stress. In essence Adrenal fatigue syndrome, which is directly caused by C-ptsd.

 

[The Albatross]

I rebuilt my adrenals and test normal... but still get symptoms due to allergies. I had assistance with some nutritionists.

 

[HOPEFULHEART82]

@The Albatross , How did you rebuild your adrenals? I'd like to do the same, as this is very exhausting.