“Does anyone else get hot flashes from taking prednisone? I feel like I’m in a sauna,” said one member of MyLupusTeam. Another wrote, “When I double up on my prednisone due to a flare-up, I drip sweat like I’m swimming.”

Hot flashes are a common issue for people with lupus, and steroid medications like prednisone can make these symptoms worse. Known side effects of prednisone that may be related to hot flashes include:

• Chills
• Fever
• Skin flushes
• Skin rashes or hives
• Sweating

In addition to the effects of prednisone, people with lupus may get hot flashes because of menopause, other health conditions, or lupus itself. Here’s how hot flashes affect the daily lives of those with lupus, along with some tips they’ve shared to cope.

How Prednisone Affects the Body

Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication that relieves inflammation from allergies, autoimmune disorders, asthma, and other inflammatory health problems. You need a prescription for prednisone, as it has some significant side effects. Prednisone interacts with several different medications and should not be discontinued without a doctor’s supervision. People who have been taking prednisone for an extended time will need to taper down their dose gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

In addition, prednisone may affect your mood, digestive system, and sleep habits and increase your risk of osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones) and of unwanted weight gain due to water retention. Nonetheless, it’s a highly effective anti-inflammatory medication. Your health care provider must provide ongoing monitoring to determine if the benefits of taking prednisone outweigh the risks.

Prednisone may worsen anxiety for some people, leading to panic attacks and hot flashes. One MyLupusTeam member described how panic attacks make them feel: “The first time, I swear I thought I was dying. I just take deep breaths to help with the panic attacks. The hot flash went away by itself, but it scared me.”

The symptoms of panic attacks may be similar to those of other conditions, like a heart attack. If you experience chest pain or high blood pressure while taking prednisone, don’t hesitate to seek your doctor’s medical advice.

Other Causes of Hot Flashes

Hot flashes can be a symptom of lupus even when you don’t take prednisone. “I’m not on any medication for lupus yet … I sweat all the time. I don’t even have a life anymore because I sweat when I walk around my house with few clothes on. The sweat gives me heat rashes,” said a MyLupusTeam member.

Lupus can cause excessive sweating, hot flashes, and low-grade fevers that may or may not be associated with an upcoming flare-up or underlying infection.

In addition, people with lupus may be more susceptible to comorbidities (coexisting health conditions) associated with hot flashes. For example, thyroid problems impact about 7 percent of people with lupus, affecting the body’s temperature regulation and heat tolerance. Alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods can trigger hot flashes or worsen them, so it’s best to remove these foods and drinks from your diet.

Other Medication Side Effects

One member of MyLupusTeam suspected that hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) might be causing their hot flashes. They asked, “Does anybody experience hot flashes as a side effect of Plaquenil? I’ve been taking it since July, but I only started dealing with hot flashes in the last couple of months … I’m not sure if it’s a lupus thing, a medication side effect, or if I’m going through menopause really early. My mom started menopause at 40, but I’m still only about to be 26, so it’s not very likely.”

Hot flashes aren’t listed as a common effect of hydroxychloroquine, but everyone is different. One member noted, “I take hydroxychloroquine and have excessive sweating and hot flashes. I am constantly asking others if it is warm in the room.”

Menopause and Hormonal Shifts

Many people associate hot flashes with menopause. For some people with lupus, distinguishing symptoms of menopause from those of lupus can be difficult. Early menopause can affect individuals with lupus due to their health conditions or medications. But usually, menopause happens between age 45 and 60, whether you have lupus or not. Your health care provider can help you determine if menopause is to blame for hot flashes.

In some cases, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help. However, HRT may not be suitable for you due to the higher risk of blood clots and lupus flares. You may need to explore other treatment options and find strategies to live with hot flashes.

Managing Hot Flashes During the Day

In addition to recommending hormone therapies, doctors sometimes prescribe certain antidepressants to reduce hot flashes and help people manage their effects. One MyLupusTeam member said, “I get severe hot flashes, and I am constantly embarrassed about my appearance to other people when I am out with friends. I was diagnosed with lupus when I was 15 years old, and it has taken a huge toll on my life. I am now only 20 years old.”

While you may not be able to completely get rid of hot flashes, you can take certain steps to feel more comfortable and reduce their impact on your quality of life. Dress in layers so you can remove or add clothing when needed. You can carry a portable fan to help you cool off.

You should also aim to maintain a healthy weight, as extra body weight can make you more susceptible to hot flashes. If you experience hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), use an antiperspirant on your dry skin before bed. You can also apply antiperspirant to the bottoms of your feet to reduce sweating through your socks and shoes. Finally, try experimenting with mind-over-matter approaches to coping with hot flashes. Mindfulness meditation and hypnotherapy may help you feel more in control of your symptoms.

Trying To Sleep With Hot Flashes

“I never sleep well anymore. The covers are on and off, over and over, but I’m always hot when I get up. Warm weather makes it worse for me,” said one MyLupusTeam member.

Another wrote, “I’m always hot, especially at night. I chew crushed ice, and it seems to cool me off. I find it very difficult to sleep at night.”

Some strategies to help with hot flashes and night sweats include sipping on cold water before bed and lowering the thermostat in your bedroom. Another member shared, “I take cool baths and sleep on white sheets to help me stay cool.”

Cooling pillows, which are designed with breathable components, and bed fans, which blow air directly under your sheets, may also help.

Talk to your doctor to see if they recommend taking prednisone first thing in the morning to reduce negative effects on your sleep and to ask whether they have any other strategies that might help you reduce hot flashes.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLupusTeam is the social network for people with lupus and their loved ones. On MyLupusTeam, over 223,000 people with lupus come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories.

Are hot flashes one of your symptoms of lupus or side effects of lupus treatments? Do high doses of prednisone seem to increase your body temperature or cause hot flashes? Post your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation on your Activities feed.