Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Can Lyrica Cause Decreased Sweating?
Question: Bad auto accident with dump truck a year ago. Suffered a spinal lesion on C2-C3. mild brain injury. Some other milder injuries, but I have noticed lately when I workout on the eliptical machine that I am not sweating as much as I usually do. I know it could be a problem because my whole life I have usually sweat a lot, like a lot. I'm still sweating but just not even close to as much as I used to.
I have recently been upped on my dosage on lyrica from 300mg to 400mg, 2 months ago I was only taking 150 mg per day. Not sure if it is a side affect.
Ive had abnormal findings on an EMG test lately. c5-6 radiculapathy and SEP delays on left side whatever that means
I have recently been upped on my dosage on lyrica from 300mg to 400mg, 2 months ago I was only taking 150 mg per day. Not sure if it is a side affect.
Ive had abnormal findings on an EMG test lately. c5-6 radiculapathy and SEP delays on left side whatever that means
Brief Answer:
In rare cases Lyrica could cause decreased sweating.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Few patients using Lyrica report decreased sweating, so, it is a possible explanation of your concerns, this reinforced by the increase of the dose lately.
C5-C6 radiculopathy with positive EMG findings is most probably caused by compression of these nerves at cervical spine ( herniated disc disease ).
Those are most likely conditions that may explain your concerns.
Brain injury especially if hypothalamus was involved, could explain decreased sweating too, but other hypothalamus disfunction symptoms could be present too, so, in my opinion, brain injury isn't the culprit.
In the other hand, conditions that may cause both decreased sweating and positive EMG findings include diabetes, prolonged use of alcohol, etc.
Decreased sweating could lead to overheat of the body, so, this condition should be treated.
I suggest you to discuss with your treating Doctor about lowering the dose of Lyrica first, to evaluate if that was the cause of the decreased sweating.
If not, then you should be evaluated further about diabetes, or autoimmune disorders such Sjogren's eg.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
In rare cases Lyrica could cause decreased sweating.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Few patients using Lyrica report decreased sweating, so, it is a possible explanation of your concerns, this reinforced by the increase of the dose lately.
C5-C6 radiculopathy with positive EMG findings is most probably caused by compression of these nerves at cervical spine ( herniated disc disease ).
Those are most likely conditions that may explain your concerns.
Brain injury especially if hypothalamus was involved, could explain decreased sweating too, but other hypothalamus disfunction symptoms could be present too, so, in my opinion, brain injury isn't the culprit.
In the other hand, conditions that may cause both decreased sweating and positive EMG findings include diabetes, prolonged use of alcohol, etc.
Decreased sweating could lead to overheat of the body, so, this condition should be treated.
I suggest you to discuss with your treating Doctor about lowering the dose of Lyrica first, to evaluate if that was the cause of the decreased sweating.
If not, then you should be evaluated further about diabetes, or autoimmune disorders such Sjogren's eg.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Yeah, it just seems really odd that in the last 3 weeks I barely am sweating on a 30 minutes workout. I can remember 3 months ago, coming out of the gym drenched in sweat on the same workout. Side note.....because of my spinal cord injury it is painful to run or do anything else but the eliptical which equally distributed my weight.
I had my accident on 10/31/14, so its been past a year since the accident. I had an MRI 2 weeks ago, that mentioned still seeing a lesion 6 x2 x 3 mm on my spinal cord. I am curious if the bruises are permanent? because the area has gone down in size my neurologist told me. I notice that when I am off lyrica the pain immediately comes back.
I had my accident on 10/31/14, so its been past a year since the accident. I had an MRI 2 weeks ago, that mentioned still seeing a lesion 6 x2 x 3 mm on my spinal cord. I am curious if the bruises are permanent? because the area has gone down in size my neurologist told me. I notice that when I am off lyrica the pain immediately comes back.
Brief Answer:
Contused spinal cord improves only partially.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Spinal cord contused area should decrease in size with time, but a small bruise or mielomalacia persists in the end.
In other words contused spinal cord never resolves 100%.
It is true that this can lead to neuralgic pain.
Hope I helped you. Take care.
Contused spinal cord improves only partially.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Spinal cord contused area should decrease in size with time, but a small bruise or mielomalacia persists in the end.
In other words contused spinal cord never resolves 100%.
It is true that this can lead to neuralgic pain.
Hope I helped you. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
We talked a little about this, but what exactly does C-5/6 radiculapathy mean from my EMG, and what does it mean that there were left SEP delays.
One other thing I must ask is that I have noticed in the last month is that I do not sweat as much as I used to. I used to sweat profusely when on the eliptical machine. Now I will do the gentle exercise, which used to leave me drenched. But I barely drop a sweat. It is kind of scary. I literally did the eliptical last night for 20 min and my shirt was dry. I did not even have to take a shower.
One other thing I must ask is that I have noticed in the last month is that I do not sweat as much as I used to. I used to sweat profusely when on the eliptical machine. Now I will do the gentle exercise, which used to leave me drenched. But I barely drop a sweat. It is kind of scary. I literally did the eliptical last night for 20 min and my shirt was dry. I did not even have to take a shower.
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for being in follow up.
Regarding to EMG results, C5/C6 radiculopathy means that nerve roots exiting at C5-C6 level of the cervical spinal cord are compressed/damaged and aren't functioning normally.
It is possible also that these nerve compressed may cause a part of your symptoms.
Delayed left SEP (sensory evoked potentials) means that sensory stimuli are transmitted slowly than normal through spinal cord, possibly by spinal cord damage.
Regarding to decreased sweating, as I mentioned before, in rare cases Lyrica could cause it.
First is need to decrease Lyrica, and to see the results.
Hope I helped you.
Take care.
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for being in follow up.
Regarding to EMG results, C5/C6 radiculopathy means that nerve roots exiting at C5-C6 level of the cervical spinal cord are compressed/damaged and aren't functioning normally.
It is possible also that these nerve compressed may cause a part of your symptoms.
Delayed left SEP (sensory evoked potentials) means that sensory stimuli are transmitted slowly than normal through spinal cord, possibly by spinal cord damage.
Regarding to decreased sweating, as I mentioned before, in rare cases Lyrica could cause it.
First is need to decrease Lyrica, and to see the results.
Hope I helped you.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
