Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: cassandra_326 on 09/01/2012 15:11:34
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This past week I have been experiencing quite significant changes in my temperature. I have been monitoring it several times a day and have noticed that as long as I'm covered up (comforter, socks, sweatpants), than my temperature will generally stay between 97 and 98.3, but as soon as I get up and walk around my temperature will drop. This has gotten worse the last few days and this morning it got down to 95.3 about five minutes after I got out of bed (it was 97.4 right before I got out of bed). Yesterday the drops were only in the 96 degree area. Other symptoms, I am horribly tired, been bruising very easily, headache, night sweats and I get light headed often when I stand quickly. My normal body temperature was around 99 prior to this past week or so. I haven't taken my temperature in about 6 months though so this may have been happening earlier but I only recently noticed the other symptoms so.... I have had a little bit of nasal stuffiness the past few weeks and am wondering if my symptoms could be explained by just being a little "under the weather"?
Oh and some additional facts about me. I am a 24 year old female and take zoloft (200 mg), adderall (20ir 3x daily) and microgestin (birth control pill).
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Spontaneous bruising is something that you should report to your doctor.
An immune response, (to infection / self / medication / foodstuff), can produce fever and chills (+fatigue + headache).
Spontaneous bruising can be caused by immune response, (e.g. vasculitis or immune-mediated coagulation disorder).
As your symptoms have persisted for more than a week then you should definitely consult your doctor about them.
BTW
If the “nasal stuffiness” includes nasal bleeding / blood-streaked mucus you should mention that to your doctor, even if the volume of blood involved was tiny.
Purpura (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purpura) is not caused by trauma, as are contusions, but by a variety of medical diseases, disorders and conditions including:
Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
Certain infectious diseases, such as meningitis, mononucleosis and measles
Certain medications, such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, antihistamines, and blood thinners
Insect bites
Leukemia
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count that causes problems with clotting)
Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels)
http://www.bettermedicine.com/article/bruising
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Since you mentioned dizziness, changes in blood pressure can effect body temperature as well. Chills and sweating are associated with infections. I dont know the side effects of zoloft, but the hypothalamus regulates both mood and body temperature. Body temperature changes throughout the menstrual cycle, but not suddenly. I would be more concerned about the bruising. Its time to ask your doctor and at least have some routine blood tests.
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Your body temperature can vary a couple of degrees normally, going from a warm bed to a cold house, or heading outside for a chilly bicycle ride.
Likewise, in the summer, when working hard, it can increase slightly.
Most serious infectious diseases such as meningococcus cause an increase in body temperature, so a slightly lower than normal temperature is a good sign.
I would encourage taking a pregnancy test if you have been sexually active during the last few months, even if you have been taking "the pill".
A physician visit would be encouraged.