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What In The World Is It I Am Experiencing?
Posted on
Tue, 22 Sep 2020
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 22 Sep 2020
Answered on
Wed, 18 Jun 2025
Last reviewed on
Question : What in the world is it I am experiencing? Female, Age 88, wt. 124, mouth temperature somewhat low (97.0 =.9), BP a bit high.Starting about two weeks ago I started experiencing a cycle of bodily heat resulting in overall, light sweat, especially in upper body across back and neck. Felt as if I could not strip by shirt off fast enough. After about 5 minutes, that dampness would result in CHILLS which in turn would last as long as 30 minutes. Had this not started two days before surgery for installation of new electronic spine stimulator I would have suspected the source to be that installation. But I was complaining of the heat/cold cycle two days before surgery. Had considered delaying surgery but didn't want to go through withdrawal from pain meds (buprenuphin) again. This process is wearing me out ... energy level is absolutely minimal. What can possibly be cause of heat flush / chill cycle? Can anything be done to ease the discomfort?
Brief Answer:
Viral infection, however should rule out other pathologies as following
Detailed Answer:
Hello my dear,
I have gone through your medical history and understood your concerns.
The presence of alternating heat and cold is indicating possible viral infection. Virus depress immunity, causing low energy levels. As we are living in a time of COVID 19 pandemic, and as you recently got surgery for installation, I believe they already checked for this virus at admission.
However, we should rule out other types of infection especially those related to throat and urinary tract as they are common at your age.
You can send any lab report you might have to understand your situation better.
To me, keep monitoring body temperature, and blood pressure, and record the results for reference.
Make an appointment with your primary doctor first to check your throat and urinary tract and rule out related infection/inflammation.
If no infection and cardiovascular system is fine, we should look at thyroid hormones.
Keep well hydrated. Gargle with warm water and salt.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other concern.
Viral infection, however should rule out other pathologies as following
Detailed Answer:
Hello my dear,
I have gone through your medical history and understood your concerns.
The presence of alternating heat and cold is indicating possible viral infection. Virus depress immunity, causing low energy levels. As we are living in a time of COVID 19 pandemic, and as you recently got surgery for installation, I believe they already checked for this virus at admission.
However, we should rule out other types of infection especially those related to throat and urinary tract as they are common at your age.
You can send any lab report you might have to understand your situation better.
To me, keep monitoring body temperature, and blood pressure, and record the results for reference.
Make an appointment with your primary doctor first to check your throat and urinary tract and rule out related infection/inflammation.
If no infection and cardiovascular system is fine, we should look at thyroid hormones.
Keep well hydrated. Gargle with warm water and salt.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other concern.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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