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1755625 tn?1421447637

Cold Intolerance? Anyone?

So I know heat intolerance is a MS thing. But has anyone experience worsening symptoms in cold weather? I noticed when I am cold my sensory issues are more apparent. It was 18 degrees (F) and I had to park in the farthest parking lot at work. By the time i got to the building my legs were in an uproar. All kinds of tingling. Once I got into the building it faded away.
I considered the fact that it was caused by the walking distance. But on a warmer day, about 36 degrees (F), i walked the same distance, and no tingling.

Also I had to wash my hands in cold water at a football game and had to go sit outside again. It was cool weather. My finger tips got really numb, for about 4 hours. . It only got better when I put a glove on and placed them in front of a space heater.
9 Responses
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1627868 tn?1333886342
Count me in for the cold intolerance as well.  I have found that for the last few years my legs become much worse in the cold.  My muscles, too, feel like they go into a permanent spasm if I'm out too long.  They get very tingly too.  My right leg goes almost dead.

I can't tolerate heat, either though.  I seem to have a very small comfort zone.  If it's too warm I get dizzy and tunnel vision.  And I sweat.  A lot!  When I'm too cold, well, see above.  Mostly problems with my legs.  And I sweat.  A lot!  I have hyperhydrosis.  Anyone else have that?
Take care and stay warm, lol!
Sarah  =)
Helpful - 0
1979418 tn?1432135441

I just joined and it's too funny one of things I'm online reading about is the top post!  

I am new to MS, was officially diagnosed in November, but was on the diagnosis roller coaster since last June.  

I am realizing that cold is bothering me so much more then the heat did.  When I get chilled, I find that my leg muscle just stay right on the edge of a full blown spasm and my feet which seldom bother me feel kinda tingly.  

I was starting to wonder about this one, guess I just add it to the 'MS *****' list of things we deal with!

I look forward to getting to know everyone!

Thanks for being here!

Jen
Helpful - 0
1475492 tn?1332884167
When I had my flares - my body seemed to struggle regulating itself. I recall sitting at my sons Football game wearing layers of clothes appropriate for skiing or a snow storm. It was merely raining or typical Fall weather.

I was absolutely FREEZING and had Raynaud's.... but then I also had the opposite and would take a shower and had to lay down in exhaustion until I cooled off. My body totally freaked out!

When the flares subsided, the heat intolerance really began to emerge. I have to watch hot showers, exercising and the temperature.  I'm still struggling with the reality of this as a few months back I attempted a hot yoga class - I loved it except my body didn't like it - and my Neuro Ophth said "NO MORE." Informing me that extreme heat has been proven to cause residual damage in some MS patients. Lovely.  
Helpful - 0
1253197 tn?1331209110
I hate the cold and it makes me feel miserable. I just have to go and curl up under a duvet or blanket and get warm. We seem to suffer more with cold than heat here in England and I am already longing for warmer spring days.

Best wishes

Sarah
Helpful - 0
382218 tn?1341181487
My heat sensitivity affects me all over....when working out or out in hot weather, my Lhermitte's intensifies, I go numb from my waist down, become clumsier and more uncoordinated, and words and thinking more garbled like Kristi describes.  A cold shower or cold water on my hands and feet help, also lots of cold water to drink; A/C is on all summer; and I avoid travelling in hot climates.  

As for cold weather, its only negative affect is further numbness in the parts of me that are already numb, especially my hands.  Even with mittens on, if I'm out in the extreme cold for more than a few minutes, my hands became much more numb and painful and it takes a long time for them to return to their normal abnormal state, if that makes any sense.

When I say extreme temps, I'm talking minus 30 to minus 40 C ( = minus 22 - minus 40 F).  Fortunately it has been a mild winter this year up here in the sub-Arctic/boreal forest region of northern Alberta.  This week over 0 celsius which is unheard of for this place in January.   So not much trouble for my hands other than their normal numbness and clumsiness.
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Avatar universal
I am like Kristi as both hot and cold bother me badly.  I just cant tolerate extremes of temps at all.
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Avatar universal
Both heat and cold affect me badly. I was out one night with my husband and we walked for a bit. I was extremely cold. When I got into the house I tried to talk to him and my mouth just wouldn't work.

I talked weird and my words were all garbled. In the heat, and it was over 100F..I would get fuzzy and clumsy. It was like I'd had several Long Island Ice Tea's. I actually fell into my pool once before I was dx.

I try to stay away from extreme temps. Even when I'm blow drying my hair. It makes my head hot and I have to cool off.

I too can take baths just fine. I'm just more cautious of how hot.

Kristi
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I LUV summer but can't stand the heat anymore. Talk about happy/sad. So I don't fit Into your group. Even now, in early January, I have my ceiling fan going full tilt, heat turned off. I do save lots of $$ this way, making up for the 24/7 AC I have to run all summer.

ess
Helpful - 0
667078 tn?1316000935
Cold is harder on me than heat. I can't touch cold things out of the fridge let alone the freezer. I have to wear fingerless gloves in the house.

I can still take hot baths weird.

Alex
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