Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group
This community is a place where members can discuss current events and weigh in on what's going on in the world.
I am completely astonished at the large numbers of all you guys who have issues with the heat! The reason I say that is because I have ALWAYS had major issues with the heat. I am beginning to feel some hope in a weird way that maybe I will find out what the heck has been with me and the heat for so long!
I live in Central Texas and the heat is completely intolerable. It is literally like living in an oven. I moved from South Texas where at least there was a constant coastal breeze and the humidity was nice because you sweat and the breeze blew and cooled the sweat, kinda like air conditioning. Here there is not chance of that. For one thing all we have are lakes, pond and creeks and they do nothing for you. And for another we are lucky if the humidity gets above 20%. Thats where all the bad fires come from. These fires this past summer were literally just 20 miles away from me and my family. Our neighbors were outside cutting down trees.
Anyway, when we hike the heat destroys me. Isweat really bad and as a young woman in my 20's I could dance for 2 hours straight and only sweat on my upper lip. If I go to Walmart and it is hot due to the flourescent lights (these lights always seem to take my strength) and I walk around for a long time I will eventually have to sit down on one of the displays and rest. I will feel faint and thirsty. I will barely be able to put a can in my basket. I get like this when I cook dinner, I have to keep a handkerchef with me to constantly wipe the sweat. It happens everywhere!!!!! Could someone please please tell me I am not completely menopausal and this has something to do with MS. Cuz although I would rather be menopausal the docs keep telling me my hormones are fine and I just cant figure the heat thing out! I have 4 FOUR fans going in my bedroom atall times. All right toward me. Then other times I suddenly feel so cold and have my husband turn the heater on. I have to go to bed with my flannel pj's, an undershirt and a lite sweater over it all, plus 2 pairs of sox. Is this all part of it? This has been a MAJOR MYSTERY for me and my docs for years and years. PLEASE HELP!
I live in Central Texas and the heat is completely intolerable. It is literally like living in an oven. I moved from South Texas where at least there was a constant coastal breeze and the humidity was nice because you sweat and the breeze blew and cooled the sweat, kinda like air conditioning. Here there is not chance of that. For one thing all we have are lakes, pond and creeks and they do nothing for you. And for another we are lucky if the humidity gets above 20%. Thats where all the bad fires come from. These fires this past summer were literally just 20 miles away from me and my family. Our neighbors were outside cutting down trees.
Anyway, when we hike the heat destroys me. Isweat really bad and as a young woman in my 20's I could dance for 2 hours straight and only sweat on my upper lip. If I go to Walmart and it is hot due to the flourescent lights (these lights always seem to take my strength) and I walk around for a long time I will eventually have to sit down on one of the displays and rest. I will feel faint and thirsty. I will barely be able to put a can in my basket. I get like this when I cook dinner, I have to keep a handkerchef with me to constantly wipe the sweat. It happens everywhere!!!!! Could someone please please tell me I am not completely menopausal and this has something to do with MS. Cuz although I would rather be menopausal the docs keep telling me my hormones are fine and I just cant figure the heat thing out! I have 4 FOUR fans going in my bedroom atall times. All right toward me. Then other times I suddenly feel so cold and have my husband turn the heater on. I have to go to bed with my flannel pj's, an undershirt and a lite sweater over it all, plus 2 pairs of sox. Is this all part of it? This has been a MAJOR MYSTERY for me and my docs for years and years. PLEASE HELP!
Fortunately, the MS world has moved beyond the days of the hot bath test - when doctors used to put people in a hot bath to try and bring out MS symptoms. They used this quick and dirty method because they knew that heat tends to slow nerve conduction in someone with MS and cause their symptoms to flare up.
So wear layers of lightweight, light-colored clothing an head covering, and invest in a commercial cooling vest or bandanna that you can wear when it's really hot. Make the most of air conditioning and sip cold water throughout the day.
The National MS Society has a program for cooling vests you may want to look into. If you financially quality, you can get cooling items for free. The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America also has a financial assistance program that seems to be the easiest to navigate. Multiple Sclerosis Foundation also has programs and services that may be able to assist you in this as well.
You are always so well informed! Because of what you posted to another person on this board I have learned that I need to find an MS Specialist instead of going rounds with regular docs and neuros. But then I did some research and my eyelid closing for so long and then doing it off and on when I am tired may have something to do with my tremor. It did not even mention MS. I also looked up seizures and they did not mention MS and I am sure I had some kind of weird seizure. Even my doc acknowledges that. So I dont know what Im dealing with. I would hate to go to an MS specialist just to have them think I am wasting their time. We have a chapter in Round Rock which is only 20 miles south for me. So it would be perfect, plus they take my insurance. Still scary though.
As for the heat thing, I will definitely look into all the ideas you have mentioned and will implement most of them as well. I have always said that winter is my fave season and it has always been because the summer has made me physically, emotionally, and cognitively unwell. I just figured I was a person who did not like the heat. Now I am wondering. Thanks again, you are a true wonder and inspiration! I know I am glad you are here on this board! Irish
Need to cool own gonna have cold shower..
I honestly think that Ichoppel has some really great ideas about staying cool. The only other thing I can suggest to isaboo is what works for me at night. I have my ceiling fan on medium, I have a standing osclllating fan (a large one) sitting on the edge of my dresser putting slightly down and turned on medium and I also have another regular size oscilliting fan sitting on my hope chest which is very near the side of my bed, again set on medium and pointed straight at me. Then I sleep with my sheet (I buy percale because they are the only sheets I know of that ALWAYS stay cool----ahhh...memories of childhood...) and also a comforter and on top of that a fleece blanket. All of it sounds like overkill I know. But I also sleep with one foot out of my nest and it seems to work for me. Because although I am 45 I have already had hot flashes in the middle of the night and the getting hot and cold factor is always there at night. I also found that sleeping with this little humidifier that simply uses a refillable 20 ounce water bottle on my night stand seems to help as well. I have chronic sinusitus though and it really helps me breathe. Of course RW I wouldnt suggest that because San Antonio happens to be my all time favorite city in this great country of Texas that we both live in, and believe me I do know the humidity!! Koda--I feel for you because I have heard of how very hot Australia gets....perhaps another reason Aussies and Texans feel such a kindred spirit with each other?? At least we have winter right now. All I can say is that I hope your summer passes by fast! Irish