Sunday, June 14, 2009 catlover1968 asks

Q: Feeling "hot" is normal for MS, right?

I usually dread summer, and of course stay in the AC most of the time.....I'm reasonably certain of the answer, but is it normal to feel hot year round? Doesn't matter if it's winter....same thing...especially when going out in public into a heated store or whatever....everyone else has piled on the jackets, & I'm walking around in short sleeves...luckily my husband gets it, and understands that I must keep the house cool, year round... I've had this happen since my 20's, recently turned 40, so I know it's not menopause...

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Answers (2)

awordlover

6/15/09 10:05am

Hi Catlover: I'm with you - no matter if it is the dead of winter, I will concede to a long style sweater, but no coats. One incidence in a store of keeling over from a hot spell (which I feel was aggravated by wearing a winter coat) was enough for me. I haven't worn a winter coat since 1990. If it is blizzard conditions, I run from the house to the car, car to the door of destination and vice versa.

If there has to be a "normal" - heat sensitivity is right up there with the "normal MS" symptoms. Check the list of symptoms here on MS Central and you will see you are not alone in that regard.

Now, what to do about it..... I live in Pennsylvania, so we have 4 seasons here. Two seasons I wear a sweater, if needed, one season I wear the lightest clothing possible and the other season is just right for me.

You can cool down using a cooling vest (sold online and in stores). You can apply cool compresses to your wrists (wrap to keep on). You can dip in and out of your bathtub (or pool) several times per day. You can avoid hot fluids, but if you must imbibe, follow with an iced drink. A neck pillow (inflatable) can be half filled with water, placed in freezer overnight, wrap in towel and use it on your morning walks.

If you happen to get overheated, you know of course to cool down but did you know that if you put one appendage (hand or foot) in a bowl of ice cubes, it sends the brain the message to cool down the whole body? Beats getting into a tub of ice cubes for full body immersion!

Take care,

Anne

catlover1968

6/15/09 11:14am

Thanks Anne,

At least I'm not imagining this.....I literally hung up my coat in 90 also.....ironically, when my dh got the transfer to NJ from NC, I thought goodie....head north, cooler temps like in my childhood location, Niagara Falls NY.....

Duh, south Jersey is just as humid/hot as Charlotte was....at least I have AC,...could always be worse....