sweating post blood transfusion

Hi everyone, I had a total abdominal hysterectomy on 9/27/12. The 16 cm fibroid turned out to be much bigger and had grown into the abdominal wall. So as my doctor put it "we had to pull off the sheetrock to get to the fibroid." I ended up with about a 50% blood loss and needed 2 blood transfusions. I am doing better and home now, but I am sweating with low grade fevers off and on (as I did in the hospital), but It is 100 degrees out and i am soaking through my sheets and nightgowns and freezing! Anyone have this problem? My doc thinks it is a reaction from the transfusions, he said my blood levels are all normal. Could it be hot flashes? Any ideas?

It could be that your ovaries are in shock. I am not saying that the doctor is wrong, afterall, he has the medical degree. However that being said, most of the time, the blood supply to them gets disrupted during a hysterectomy. This diagram explains how the blood supply to the uterus and ovaries can differ for various women. According to the info in the diagram, 56% of women have their ovaries get their blood supply from both the uterine and ovarian arteries. 40% of women have the blood supply come from the ovarian artery only and 4% get the blood supply to their ovary from the uterine artery only. During surgery, the uterine artery is cut so you can see how the blood supply gets disrupted. So that could be the reason for your hot flashes and night sweats.

I had an emergency hysterectomy on 9/16 and had two transfusions also. I definitely remember sweating in the hospital but not as much since I have been home. I still get some hot flashes even though my ovaries are there, but no more real sweating. I was anemic going into surgery so my levels still aren't great but am trying to build up on my own. Be sure you are eating good foods and drinking tons of water and watch if your fever goes up. I definitely think the transfusions can mess with your system for a while.

Have you seen where this disruption and the detouring can cause intermittent sharp shooting pains in right side close to where right ovary probably is?

That makes a lot of sense. Thank you so much for your help.