This is kind of an odd problem I am working through/seeing doctors. I’m curious if anyone here has had anything similar or has any ideas.
On 4 or 5 occasions over the passed two months I have had “heat exhaustion-like” outdoor exercise issues. Each time it happened (both running and biking) it was after significant zone 4/5 efforts. My heart rate remained high until I was in shade and pouring water on myself. Each time it was hot, but nothing I have not done before. I have also been sweating SIGNIFICANTLY less than I used to on my stomach, back, arms, etc. I still will sweat from my underarms and my head, more lightly though.
I recently re-did my FTP test and am showing my highest power levels to date. And I did a 100-mile ride last week at an average temp of 70degrees with no issues. I stopped a number of times to cool down, (more than usual) and I was slower than I have been previously, but I was able to finish with no problems.
I am a 30 year old male, generally ride 80-120 miles / week. Overall pretty fit and healthy (outside of this new issue).
All in all, my symptoms after a zone 4/5 workout are:
Prolonged high heart rate
Feeling of exhaustion and hot until I cool down
Substantially less sweat (I use to soak a shirt after a run, now its barely damp)
Skin feeling changes, more coarse (not a rash, but a different texture) – this happens when I begin an effort and I would be sweating
Swelling in the hands
Get yourself a simple blood test and let proper docs (not web docs) decide. I never sweated much and overheated at times but got stronger if I avoided that before but I had an underlying problem which a simple blood test pointed the docs to. I’m sure you won’t have the problem but a simple blood test will rule it out altogether and put your mind at rest.
Thanks for the response.
I goot blood tests done and am working with my doctor. Blood tests are all normal so far. This is my “wisdom of the crowd” shot.
Start with this 3 part ‘beat the heat’ series and see if you find something useful:
What helps me is pre-hydrating about an hour before going outside. Through trial and error I determined water with electrolytes is best for pre-hydration.
Were you shivering and dizzy at all? When you say high HR are we talking above 100 bpm even when you’ve stopped exercising for a few mins and how does it compare to resting HR?
I am a 46 yo male and you have just described my symptoms almost exactly! I thought I was alone in this and just came across your post. My symptoms present whenever I need to sweat and not just during harder efforts. I still sweat but like you, very reduced and only in select areas. I certainly can’t even come close to soaking my clothes like I used to. I am able to stay active but have to monitor my activity to make sure I don’t overheat.
On the onset of sweat, I sometimes get an itchy, prickly sensation all over like you would get when you have really dry skin. Other symptoms (usually post bike/run) include swollen hands and face, bumps on my skin (similar to goose bumps), When I do longer efforts I get post workout headaches that can last the rest of the day. Just a dull annoying ache.
How are your symptoms now? Did they resolve and are you back to normal or no change? Anxious to hear if you have found a cause yet.
I am working with a neurologist at Johns Hopkins (I live in the Baltimore area) and I am in the initial stages of monitoring for 6 months to see if symptoms worsen, improve, or no change. His feeling is that I was exposed to something that caused nerve damage and that I should improve/return to normal within 6 months. Also on a wait list at Mayo Clinic for an initial consult.
I will reply with any new news or changes in symptoms.
So glad you found my post! I have for the most part resolved my issue. It is still unclear exactly why I have it.
I also went to the neurologist and had a nerve biopsy done at John’s Hopkins. I have Short Fiber Neuropothy. But I also think it could have been due to extreme heat rash.
Anyhow, I use an antibacterial wash in the shower and I put on Lanolin cream before I exercise.
The wash is in case my pores are clogged with a skin bacteria. The Lanolin helps open the pores and coax out sweat. I now sweat a ton. If I recall correctly, it tools a few weeks for the treatment to kick in.
I still have flare ups. Unclear if it is because I am not always diligent about the treatment or it’s seasonal.
I have done a lot of research on this. I am happy to hop on a cal. Most doctors were incredibly helpful and told me just to accept it. Don’t.