Worried about Hypothermia

[mts4602]

Back in October I started taking a medication for a problem I have. While the medication has done it's job, I believe it is the cause of night sweats I am having. I go to sleep feeling comfortable. I do not feel hot, nor do I feel that I will become hot b/c of having too many blankets on. When I wake up I am covered in sweat. So not only is it gross, but I am freezing due to being wet. I usually can get warm again and fall back a sleep pretty fast.

I am worried about going backpacking right now with it being so cold out. I'm afraid I might get hypothermia overnight. I did go backpacking over Thanksgiving break where I did wake up sweating and freezing but I ended up being ok. I figured it was due to my bag being too warm but that doesn't seem to be the case now.

MTS

By the way. I am going to the doctor in Feb as a check up on my medication so I'll tell him about it then.

[Bearpaw]

Consider one of dozens of sleeping bag liners that are made of wicking materials. http://www.rei.com/search?vcat=REI_S...uery=bag+liner

Synthetic or merino wool versions should help wick some the sweat away and reduce the chill from sweating. Also, they will help reduce your bag from getting funky so readily. It's a lot easier to wash the liner than wash your bag, which can be damaged by washing, especially if it is down.

[shelterbuilder]

Are you still on the meds and having this problem, or are you done with them but still having the sweats? Have you considered researching the drug on a site like WebMD?

In the meantime, in addition to the sleeping bag liner - which is a very good idea - if you sleep in a lightweight wicking long underwear (polypro), that may help to keep your skin drier, even when sweating, which may help you to feel warmer. (I assume that the sweating isn't related to how warm you actually are, but rather to a side effect of the drug.)

[gumball]

Yes, some comfortable wicking materials to sleep in, a liner for your bag, and probably not a down bag while you are having this issue.

Hypothermia is very easy to get. I got it this summer, on an 80 degree day, walking on top of a very breezy ridge, then stopping and descending to a much cooler area. Have something hot and sugary on hand to drink when you awaken, like cocoa.

Gum

[Hooch]

Consider one of dozens of sleeping bag liners that are made of wicking materials. http://www.rei.com/search?vcat=REI_S...uery=bag+liner

Synthetic or merino wool versions should help wick some the sweat away and reduce the chill from sweating. Also, they will help reduce your bag from getting funky so readily. It's a lot easier to wash the liner than wash your bag, which can be damaged by washing, especially if it is down.

Nice sale, Bearpaw, I'll have to visit the REI in Brentwood and see what you can get me to buy. Seriously, excellent suggstion. The first 2 things I would reccommend are wicking underwear and a wicking sleeping bag liner.

[mts4602]

I am still supposed to take the medication right now. And I do have a down bag.

I will get a liner, I need to keep my bag clean anyways...Is silk good?

Also, I do have polypro so thats good

[orangebug]

I don't know that I worry about it while hiking.

You will find that a good sleeping bag, down or otherwise, will become a good dryer in your tent or a shelter. The reason is the lack of humidity typical in a cold weather and the tendency for sweat to get evaporated and wind up as condensation in your tent. A wicking liner won't do much (where is it wicking too?) But might slow down movement of vapor outside your bag.

Many hikers have found that once the sleeping bag is warmed up by a hiker, wet clothing may be dried by bringing in a bit at a time, especially if placed along the zipper. My expectation is that you will do even better in shelter (open to air) than in a tent.

This is something you should test out in some cold weather back yard camping.

The reason this doesn't work for you at home is the lack of great temperature/humidity gradient between under the sheets and outside the sheets.

[Bearpaw]

Is silk good?

It honestly boils down to personal preference. For me, I have found that I tend to chill more easily in silk than in synthetics like polypro or capilene. And I tend to experience even less still in merino wool. So silk wouldn't be as high on my list of preferences.

Also, if you DO decide on silk, check to verify that it truly is silk. Many "silk" liners and base layers are only 20-30% silk with the rest some synthetic.

[Tennessee Viking]

Back in October I started taking a medication for a problem I have. While the medication has done it's job, I believe it is the cause of night sweats I am having. I go to sleep feeling comfortable. I do not feel hot, nor do I feel that I will become hot b/c of having too many blankets on. When I wake up I am covered in sweat. So not only is it gross, but I am freezing due to being wet. I usually can get warm again and fall back a sleep pretty fast.

I am worried about going backpacking right now with it being so cold out. I'm afraid I might get hypothermia overnight. I did go backpacking over Thanksgiving break where I did wake up sweating and freezing but I ended up being ok. I figured it was due to my bag being too warm but that doesn't seem to be the case now.

MTS

By the way. I am going to the doctor in Feb as a check up on my medication so I'll tell him about it then.

You definitely want to look into sleeping bags and thermal clothing with wicking materials.