Heat Question

[tripnstumble]

Of course not diagnosed yet. But, I do and have this one odd thing and was wondering if this could be a normal MS thing or not. I have a real issue with heat intolerance. When I'm on my laptop I always have my legs up with my laptop sitting on my legs.... NOW those of you who have one know just how hot these suckers can get lol. Everytime I sit like this with my laptop the pins and needles get worse all over that leg.

I know last summer I was much worse and couldn't even function in the heat period I turned into a painful muscle jumping mess. This year I have stayed in my bed room through out the heatwaves lol But, let me walk outside and ugh I start getting sick feeling, legs start up etc.

And I swear I can feel humidity coming!!! My hands and feet feel swollen and warm along with my hands. They don't look swollen, just I feel it. I can sit in the AC freezing and my hands and feet are hot!

[Sidesteps]

DO YOU??? NO WAY!!! The Neuro's have all looked at me like I'm an alien. I'm starting to get used to it. lol ~

[SarahL2491]

Oh I can't wait to hear the comments back on this one Sidesteps......cause I have the same problem!!!

[Sidesteps]

I have an odd symptoms with heat as well. Don't laugh, K?

It doesn't happen all the time but when I get to really working out, like walking, running or on the elliptical I have the sensation that little bugs or bubbles or maybe electrical impulses trying to jump out of my skin. (That is the best explanation I got for ya!) If I put my hand on my legs or butt I can't feel any twitching so it's parathesia. Oh bugs!  

When I first felt it, before I got really sick, I wondered "WTH is trying to pop out of my lower half." I sat there for about 5 minutes touching my legs trying to figure out the cause. Hopefully no-one was watching.  I've had it happen about 5 more times and it seems to be related to the level of work out and temperature. (I had it happen yesterday in fact.)

We have cooler weather here so I have been able to reasonably test whether I have Uthoff's sign. I do seem to have an increase in visual disturbances, headache, tremor's and my twitches, jerking and parathesia (clearly from the above) when in the heat or when I exercise or take a shower and like Lisa, I watch the tanning booth temperature as well or I turn into a twitching mess.

[tripnstumble]

LOL, my hubby gets after me to go tanning. He's crazy I tell him. He insists cause it's not the "sun" it won't be the same. Ummm, to me it will be, I know it will. Heat is heat. But what I do find very odd is in the winter I can't stand the cold!!!! I have a small electric heater right next to me to stay warm. Which totally confuses me.

I feel bad because I can't deal with the heat and not having any diagnosis doesn't make it easier because most people think I'm either just lazy or crazy... I'm sure not lazy, maybe crazy but definitely not lazy lol The only person who is understanding is my husband because he is the one who see's the tripping, stumbling, and all my craziness over the past few years etc. Poor guy lol

[LisaJF]

It appears that those who are diagnosed with MS, do have heat intolerance.  As to the physiological etiology, I do not know.

I know there is a term used for that "Uhthoff's sign" and I think they feel that its a pseudo type of exacerbation and not a real relapse.  Heat can increase your paresthesias, weakness, fatigue, cognitive functions, etc.  While family/friends are out enjoying the warm weather at the beaches, those who have heat intolerance are cooped up in their houses/apartments with their air conditioners on. LOL.  

I would get that laptop cooling pad doublevision mentioned.  

I did a stupid thing the other day (about 4 days ago) and I went to a tanning place and went in for 4 minutes.  By two minutes, I had to step out of the booth, I waited 30 seconds and told myself to finish it off.  I got out and my myoclonic jerks or dystonia worsened and my legs felt like they were going to collapse.  My rationale to do this was, "What's four minutes in heat as compared to hours in the sun to get some "color""?  I learned my lesson.  The owner of the place (it was a place I used to frequent years ago and said to me, "You're not any better coming out of the booth, remember a year ago you practically collapsed?" He then said he would appreciate that I would not do this anymore.  Probably him being nervous about a lawsuit or something if I got hurt. ROFL.

Keep cool!

Lisa

[tripnstumble]

We have a cooling pad for a laptop, but the way I sit with the laptop it wouldn't work. I have to just learn to keep it off my darn legs. I have a blanket over my legs with the laptop on it right now, but that's not working so great cause it's making my legs warm anyhow. (between the heat of the laptop & legs being covered up)

I usually lay in bed while on my laptop. Hubby mentioned last night that I need one of them (can't think of name) but where you eat breakfast in bed to sit it on :)

[doublevision1]

sorry, I forgot to tell you where.  Amazon has several brands to choose from.  Computer retail stores, Staples, etc. would likely carry them as well.

[doublevision1]

You can find laptop cooling pads with fans installed in them to disperse the heat generated by the laptop.  I'm in the market for one myself.

[tripnstumble]

Oh wow I was watching the news earlier about the heat where you are. I'd be crying!!!! Down right crying lol I can not stand the heat, I just can not do it. I wanted a garden this year in the worse way but I told hubby I don't know if I can do it after how I felt last year. So, we/HE did a small one and although I go out to look at it ONCE the sun goes down LOL I just can not do it. And I have been "flakey" with heat a long time. Just never had the muscle issue or pain. It only ever just made me feel icky and over heated. I always say I feel like I can't sweat so I'm over heating. I don't know how else to explain how I feel...

I really should put something between my laptop and legs or just keep it off my legs all together! Silly goose that I am :) But it's such a force of habit to just grab it and think about it after the symptoms start up.

I don't know if these are MS things or as my God Mother tells me. I'm just crazy...

[grannyhotwheels]

Boy how I hear ya... This heat is getting to everyone... It was 110* here in good ole Oklahoma today with 114* forecast for tomorrow... It's depressing looking at the 7 day out look on the news because all it is is more of the same... I feel like a prisoner in my own home...

I don't dare go out during the sunshine hours... I did go to the store yesterday but waited until the sun went down to leave... It was still 101* and that was at 9pm... When I have to get out during the day I get like you... Very sick feeling with weighted down legs, and total fatigue...

My son started football practice this week and at yesterdays practice he actually threw up 6 times.. He has actually stayed in decent shape too... I really feel for those big ole lineman who probably sat around all summer eating junk food and playing video games... Poor kids...

I hope you get relief soon as well as the rest of us... We could all use some nice rain fall...Put a towel or something between your legs and the lap top... I have a great big cutting board that I sat mine on... I hate cooking so at least this way it gets some use... hahaha

I'll be praying,
Carol