Question of the day from the Newbie
 

Well, it's a new day, which means a new discovery with my fun new Neuropathy! One day it's shooting pains, the next its cramping muscles, it's always an interesting learning experience with this body of mine! It sure can be educational! If it wasn't so freakin' painful it would be a good thing!

What is it today you ask? :cool: (Well, I am actually the one asking, you would be the one answering if you happen to know the answer!) and if I don't hurry up and get to the question, I might just forget it because with all these fun meds, I don't remember things too well these days!

Ya know what's funny? I did forget the question, I had to go away and think about it, then come back again... hurry, the question is.......
HEAT!
Since I'm so new with this stuff, and I live in California, (we didn't turn the heater on until this week) and I've been on quite a few different meds does the temperature around you affect how you feel? I noticed the other night, I was working in my room, cleaning, etc, doing some sewing, the girls had the heater on in the house, and I got hot, started getting out of breath and felt like I just was exhausted. I'm not hugely overweight, (maybe 30 pounds) but not the kind that can't clean out the garage on a summer day without getting worn out, so this was pretty weird. I felt like I just had to lie down and take a nap after only about 45 minutes of cleaning my room and that my body felt like I had been working hard for a few hours. :o My muscles hurt, my breathing was labored, and I couldn't get enough water! I laid down and slept for about three hours. This was at 7:00pm! I was just a little warm, but not "hot". Also, this was the first amount of "labor" I had done since getting hit hard with PN three months ago. Before that though, I was very physically active.

I have another question, but I'll save that for tomorrow... (If I can remember it then!)

Heat.....
 

I've found that while I never could function very well in the heat before - once PN onset its been much tougher.. and alsio the exhuastion factor gone up astronomically... the slightest exertion results a nap - which I've never been one to take in my life - and not out of laziness - my body is just zapped.... (although feet feel like icecubes!) even in 100 degrees....

Autonomic neuropathy I know affects my ability to handle (or not) handle heat - I literally got heat exhaustion going to the doc this summer during one of our heat waves and ended up being treated for that instead of the real reason for my visit...... Could you have some autonomic dysfunction going on?

Also, other side of the coin - at night I get much colder - I now sleep in socks sometimes in the winter - (since PN) - never did that in my life either - just cant seem to get them warm......

(your meds may be contributing also to your ability to handle heat and/or exertion - for example I know I take a heart med that hampers my stamina etc......)

Feel better....

Heat
 

The heat bothers me too but then so does the cold. I think my problem is with weather extremes. The heat makes me retain fluid and swell. The cold causes pain especially in the areas affected by neuropathy. I find that when I am hot, running my hands under cold water helps and when I am col I wear gloves and socks...it works for me.

Dorothy

Hello there,

Yes, I have about the same symptoms as you do!! Except, mine are even worse!! It's to the point now that even just walking to the end of our driveway to the mailbox and back, I am just exhausted!! I can't take the heat at all. Water just streams down my face and I can't even wear makeup if it's going to be a little warm outside!

Take care,
Linda :)

Stitches,

Just came across this post - and I am a little concerned. I do not know your exact situation - what type of PN, etc. - but I wanted to post. If your reaction is not due to medication, then your symptoms are consistent with autonomic nervous system problems. Autonomic PN can exist by itself, but more typically coexists with another type of PN. For instance, I have a predominantly small-fiber PN, but I do have some autonomic involvement.

In fact, one of my symptoms is that I always run hot. In any event, this is something you should discuss with your doc. Of course, there could be a number of other explanations - I already mentioned medications and that may be the most likely - but it should be checked out.

rfinney

I've posted up in the...
 

'Stickies' a site about 'dermatology'. Go to the left index and click on to the diabetic neuropathy part and cruise thru the whole thing.
Your nerves send signals to your brain that in turn go to your lymphatic and vascular systems to regulate your skin and body temperatures, as well as how much blood should be going to your extremities, and things such as sweating or skin moisture are affected. Your brain is getting scrambled signals from your peripheral nerves which in turn send botched signals to your other systems in keeping the 'good' blance.
As a result, many folks can feel super hot, super cold and not really be either OR they can be really hot or cold and the body is not able to do anything about it internally.
I for one have a system that says COLD all the time. I know someone w/MS who has a system that says HOT all the time. It's those pesky messed up signals in my book.
If it were happening to me, what's happening to you tho....and it happens more than once. I'd put in a call to my neuro and leave the question of ' Is THISnormal? ' He may want to see you or discuss it with you at your next appt. Keep a record of exactly what all happened before, during and after these 'events' so the doc can get a fuller handle on the normal or not normal circumstances in the before, during and after. That extra detail could be useful...or not.
As for the MEMORY thing---I ALWAYS blame it on the meds...It's a distinct possibility and as good an excuse as any. I gives me an excuse for being a complete idiot as long as folks know in advance
OK Next Question? - j