Heat = worst enemy
 

Hey everyone!

Been trying to get out more then I have been, must say, a lot harder then it used to be!
Went on a trip with some friends to a warm climate, first time trying to endure the heat.

Never really experienced the problems heat can cause. Flared up a few of my symptoms; lightheaded, blurry vision, fatigued. Even worse was the friends basically not believing me I was suffering, even getting frustrated with me not being able to do the things we planned.
Kinda looked at me like, "You look fine...." Must say, sure made me feel for the first time that MS has limited me.

Not gonna let it bring me down though. Gonna keep trying new things to push my limits to see what I can handle.

Anyways, just wondering if anyone has any tips for beating the heat. It really affects me but I don't want it to stop me being active and getting out.

Thanks for listening!

Heat can wipe me out in the blink of an eye. It flares many of my symptoms, and it makes me feel like I'm gonna die. 85F seems to be the cutoff point for me. Any temperature above that makes me go down in a heap.

I simply can't take any heat whatsoever anymore, so I hibernate
inside my A/C home, all summer long.:( And live in fear that a
storm will knock out my electricity.:eek:

When you're young and active, there are all kinds of helpers out
there to help to keep you cooler, even cooling vests and stuff.

Good luck..:hug:

One of the worst things about MS is not even the symptom, but one of the social aspect of it. Especially in early diagnoses people do appear to function normally. I walk around pretty good I don't have balance issues to bad and never use any canes or anything. I can't sprint or run all that much, but I'm still very mobile.

On the outside some of us look normal, but in the inside people that see us, do not realize how we feel, and try and hide how we feel. Recently I became winded after walking around the large stores for long, so I've been using the store scooters nowadays if I feel like it;., expecially last week when it got darn humid out. I was so embarrassed, because I am young, and look normal...like WTF is wrong with him? he doesn't even have a cast on his leg. Little did they know I felt like a dump in 100 degree weather, my legs were tense and it felt like I had rocks in my shoes and pin pricks that irritated the hell out of me.

So yes I've been there... I've had days when dad wanted to go to the races and I simply didn't feel like it and'or scared I'd be there and have to leave fast due to something.. So I turn down a nice inventation where a young guy like me should of been like "hell yes I'll go!. It makes us look anti social, it turns people off and eventually they don't like to be near you.

They just don't understand how it is, so I can't get mad at them, but it still is really hurtful sometimes... I have a couple of friends now that do not really text me anymore when before they'd be texting me every day.

:hug:

We have a lady here in town with MS that is like that. Sometimes when I ride by in the summer I see her sitting there in the doorway just looking around, people watching.

I'm looking into those vest myself. I'm super stoked about doing some major bike riding this year and one of those cooling vest certainly won't hurt anything. That lady I talked about that runs, says she stuffs her shirt with ice.

Eric, we have a member here, TXBatman, who participates in all the MS Rides there are in Texas. And we all know how hot that state can get! Here's a link to his profile.....http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/me...?u=9961.....he can probably give you lots of pointers on how to continue riding even with MS.

Thanks, Kitty. I ran into him before on here.

HaHaHa...I don't people watch...booooring...I play on my
Macbook, watch TV, read on my puter...etc.....

Oh and clean house, once in awhile.

Sally, I just take off my glasses and poof! nothing looks dirty anymore! :D

i know what you mean. i'm very heat intolerant.
1/2 to 1 degree in body temp can cause a pseudo flare/symptoms (sx's) of MS.
your friends need a bit of education. maybe you could print off an article or 2 about heat and MS. if they're really your friends they will understand.

there are cooling collars that you can find in Walmart for about $5.00. they help to a point. there are cooling vest that various companies sell for about $100 to $200. you could also check out MSAA website. i think they help out also.

the vests really can work but are limited to 4-6 hrs depending on how hot it is outside.

when summer really hits i have to plan my days differently. like grocery shopping early in the am. i just can't do much outside. i get severe muscle weakness, short of breath and very tired.

i hope you can find some relief.

I do my best, is what I do with the heat. Make sure that I stay hydrated, plenty of cold water. I work in a kitchen. We have oscillating fans, but still I have to be mindful, that the fans don't knock out the pilots to the gas ovens. All I can do, is stay hydrated. Splash some cold water on my face or run a cold bottle of water over my neck.

Not participating with my children, even in the heat, during the summer, is not much of an option, especially when we go to one of the amusement parks. That's when I am thankful for those Italian slush/ices. Those help keep my cooled down.

Dizziness, can also be symptomatic of dehydration. And that will kick in the fatigue factor for myself.

I try to plan summer time fun, around the beach, more days than not. Use the AC in the van, when I can, and just try to do my best.

Beer on the rocks is the answer.

:eek::eek:

A frosty mug, might work better than beer on ice? yes?

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I'm going to look into those vests Nancy, thanks for the recommendation. They look very promising!

And thanks for the input Eric, that's exactly what i have been dealing with. Just learning to shrug it off now. I told them I am not looking for pity from anyone, just want them to understand that it is tough. Especially being young and having such stupid limitations. Doesn't help I was so active before, probably why they think I'm milking it. True friends will stick with me.

Again thanks everyone for the replies, have a good week!

This looks promising.....and much lighter than a vest.

http://www.missionathletecare.com/pr...ng-towel-large

How about this?.......

http://www.amazon.com/Cool-On-The-Ve...ef=pd_sxp_f_pthttp://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1500_.jpg