I had a patient recently who had severe drenching night sweats whilst
breastfeeding. In association with this she had an elevated ESR
(erythrocyte sedimentation rate) suggestive of an inflammatory or malignant
underlying cause. She was fully investigated. Unfortunately she had an
artifact on an abdominal CT scan and was told that she may have lymphoma
until a repeat CT scan cleared up the confusion. She was even reviewed by
an infectious diseases specialist who performed every test known to
mankind.
No underlying cause was found and her night sweats resolved completely when
she weaned at about 14 months.
Laureen Lawlor-Smith
BMBS IBCLC
South Australia