In general, what happens like this is just a Psudo-exacerbation. A symptom that does exsist in the backround that once did before from some MS leision and is made to show up in force when a high trigger shows up; like the heat is high suddenly, humidity is drastic, a person was trying to do "too much" that hour/ day.
Then the person gets back to baseline when the trigger is tottally gone. Making it LOOK like the person was making up how terriably awful/ unable they were for a little bit.
It can and HAS been thrown up in my face for YEARS before I got DX and STILL happens when I'm around people who know now that I have this wonderful disease. They say stupid things to me like "See, you just are being lazy again! I knew you could walk/ carry/ hold things/ THINK clearly all along! You should stop making up that you are sick already!!!" after the psudo-flare is over and I try to do what I was doing before...

Taking a hot shower is a no-no for most MSers because it brings on a psudo-exacerbation. Once the body cools down, the exacerbation goes away. In fact, in the days b efore they had MRI's and spinal taps, they use to put patients in hot baths and watch how they respond in order to dx. them with MS. The heat does bring on exacerbation for me and my symptoms go away when I cool off. Very strange. I don't know if that means there isn't any inflammation associated with the heat though, sorry.

My neurologist recently informed me that although the sun typical causes pseudo- relapses that subside once your body core cools down, it can still possibly give you spots on your MRI if you are doing it consistently or often enough. I had no idea! But I try to stay out of the sun at all costs because I do have such poor heat sensitivity. Stay outta that sun or perhaps try a cooling jacket! Best of luck. Don't you just hate these summers when you have MS?! I know I do!

Yes, hollawebb I was told the same thing by my neurologist recently.. and was shocked! The pseudo-relapses caused by heat or stress can cause "damage" in the form of additional lesions. THIS I DID NOT KNOW! I feel like I live or should live in a bubble! Can't hide from all the stress.. and even a little heat brings on the symptoms.. recovery comes from cooling off..and sleeping for a while for me.. I don't know it seems like a trade off if I ever want to do anything. I try staying as cool as possible to do a little bit with the family for a short period of time until the symptoms get too bad and make it impossible. And princessg... I yes you are so RIGHT about people and their "you are just being lazy" comments. Certainly wish people were more educated. Even close family members. Still amazes me how some people decide to stick their head in the sand! I'm READY FOR FALL WEATHER!!!! : )

The way that I look at it (and try to explain it, usually to men!) is that nerves are like wires and in MS the insulation on those nerves has been damaged. So heat makes the nerves misfire more.