Hello all! Have any of you noticed that you feel better when it's cold outside?

I for one, love the cold weather, whereas before I hated it! Now when it's hot outside, my face balloons to TWICE it's normal size and I am wiped in a matter of minutes.

I have to keep my house @ 70 degrees or I feel awful!

Are the rest of you like that? Do you feel better/have more energy when it's cold outside?

Do you swell up in the heat?

Any info would be really appreciated, cuz' I'm worried about my face swelling........do you think it is MG related or something else?

Thanks!
Erin

Hi Erin,

I'm ok as long as its not too cold. I went out to my sisters mid winter, (which here in south west west australia isnt too cold, maybe -5C early morning only) and went out to check out the frozen bird baths, and within a couple of minutes my body just stopped working. I was really facinated because its been a while since I've noticed such a dramatic change.

But I've come to love winters here, as they are cool, not freezing, and hate summers, as they are HOT, over 36C(97F) and my body just shuts down. Cant say I've noticed my face swelling tho.

redtail

The swelling is likely due to the infection in your teeth/face.

It is well known that moderate temps are good for people with MG. Too hot or too cold can cause issues.

Take care,

Missy

Hi Erin, and others!

I'm agree with everyone - I find the heat rough, but extreme cold even worse. In the heat I feel more fatigue, where in the cold it's more inability to use my body properly. It's really hard to put into words - I always likened it to my blood freezing in my veins so they couldn't move anymore ( I know that's not ACTUALLY what happens, but that's how it feels - the sort of pervasive numbness). Growing up in Nova Scotia we have pretty huge differences in weather - from 30+ centigrade to -30 with a wind chill. I've found Scotland much more temperate and even with the dampness it still seems a better environment for my MG (but I do miss the snow from home).

ABout the swelling - when I was home this summer it was really hot and humid and I did have a lot of swelling, but I also was still on a lot of pred. I do seem to swell more when I get warm and my face gets really red. I was in a stage show recently (thank goodness I can even write that as a year ago I couldn't walk up the two stairs to get into my house) and I was SO shocked by the photos that were taken. I know I'm still swollen but I looked so much bigger in those pictures, and the only thing I can think of that was different was the heat from the lights.

Anyways, hope you are all enjoying the slightly cooler weather (if you are getting it). All the best
~Kathy

When it is hot, my face gets really, really red and puffs up to twice it's normal size! None of my docs are able to explain it, though when I ice it down, the swelling goes down immediately!

Living in Texas (esp. San Antonio) we really don't have extreme cold - sure there are times when it gets down in the 20's-30's, but that is only for a short period of time. When it is 50 + outside, I feel like I can take on the world! In fact, the other day it was 50 degrees and I was walking around in a tank top - no jacket and everyone looked @ me like I was crazy! It felt GREAT!!!!!!! But then again, we really don't have cold weather!!!!!

I wonder why our faces turn so red and swell so much? Has your doc given you info as to why? Mine don't seem to believe me for whatever reason!!!

Hang in there and I can't wait to hear from you!!!
Erin