Heat vs. cold sensitivity

[CtResident]

When I had vertigo two weeks ago, I went to a walk-in clinic.The dr. said I had some abnormal reflexes and should see a neurologist to rule out MS or fibromyalgia. I found a chart online that compared fibro, ms, and lupus. (sorry, I don't recall where I saw it, so I can't share the link)

I wonder if the dr. at the clinic thought of fibro in relation to the fact that I was diagnosed with Reynaud's a few winters back. On this chart, Reynaud's was a flag for fibromyalgia.

I am presently on nifedipine for pain in my fingertips. In fact, one aberration (?) on MS symptoms for me is sensitivity to cold, not heat (presently).

Many years ago I was out walking with a friend, and she had to push my son's stroller up the hill for me. I had to stop in the shade of someone's yard because I got very weak and woozy. She is a runner and I couldn't even walk; granted, it was a warm summer's day, but I never could handle hot days. Now this cold sensitivity in the winter has me in many layers when members of my household wearing t-shirts even in the dead of winter. You know you're running a bit on the chilly side when hubby gives you a heater for Christmas! (last year; this year it's a hassock for my aching legs; he spoils me!)

Can a hypersensitivity to cold be just as much a signal of things-gone-wrong as sensitivity to heat?

Thank you,
Suzanne

[nocoldgirl]

I think I have had ms for years because the cold always made me worse not the heat. Really really hot days I do have some problems with, but for the most part its the cold. For years I got tested and retested for hypothroidism and hypothermia, all coming back negative. One doctor told me I was just coming down with viruses. But to answer your question yes the cold can flare up ms symptoms. I finally got taken seriously when I dragged myself into an ER because it was so cold out my legs decided to stop working. I finally got a mri which confirmed what I suspected for years.
Keep in there and try to find a doctor that'll listen and knows what they're doing. It's a scary though but I'm a LPN with an certificate as a degree and I point out the tons of mistakes doctors make.

[CtResident]

I think my internal thermostat is out of kilter too. Last week I was on the computer and my right hand, the one using the computer mouse, turned into a block of ice. I'm not kidding, it had no feeling, was heavy and I just had to shut off the computer and shake it, shake it out but good. It took a while to warm up. I was thinking that being on the computer and sedentary may have had something to do with it, but each occurrence has been after only about 30 minutes online. That has happened maybe 2 or 3 times. I know it's been freezing outside the house lately, but not inside the house. Very oddddd.......

(Then at night I have the random nightsweats, could that be related to menopause? I had a hyster. so I have no clues....)

Suzanne

[Wobbly]

you know, I"m not sure but I think it would be helpful to know when someone is dx with MS or in the trials of being dx with something? What do you think...?  would it be possible to add DX MS to the blue link (name)...or do you think it's not a good idea??  I'm not sure..I don't want people to feel segregated??? if you know what I mean..but it would be helpful to know...??  IDEAS

Andrea

[vanhawk48]

Just to  join  in  for  this  very interesting  Thread , I would like  to  add , that  I fell  like  my  biological  thermostat has been broken .
I have a  problem  with  cold . My  hands  and  my  feet  are  my weakest  point . At times  , my  body will  feel  overheated , but  my  hands and  feet may  be  cold . Sometimes  the coldness is  painful , and  to  describe  it  best , would be  like  frozen cold , achy .
Heat  exacerbates  my  symptoms  ,  out  of  balance , stumbling ,
my  L'Hermitte  is more  distinc , (  looking down after  my  dog , causes  electric  shock ).  
I  usually wear  wetband over my  neck , to  cool  me  down .
Also  cool  water  is  something  I  carry  with  me  24 /7.
Extra  bottle  or  two  , always in my car .
This is Arizona life style , but I wouldn't  change  it   for  anything .  I was  born  and  raised  in  Europe , so  desert  still  attracts  me  .

[CtResident]

Oh yes, I run hot and cold. Read into that what you will, LOL.

Seriously, I have worn gloves in the house too. The thin little knit ones still allow me to type on the computer.

As for heat, yes, I have been sensitive to that for ages. I live near an elementary school and at lunch time the teachers all come out for their walk by my house. I could never do that, I'd break out in a sweat and need a shower before going back to work! My kids also know that "if your shadow is shorter than yourself, stay in the house". We go outside to do yardwork around 5 pm in the summer. I do okay enough to keep a yard looking decent, but it wears me out.

Suzanne

[Quixotic1]

Though heat intolerance is far more common, the sources I have read say that some people do have problems with cold.  It sounds like you have difficulties with temps on both sides.

Are you saying that you difficulty with het is life-long?

Quix

[Wobbly]

I have a difficult time with heat and now with cold..my hands and leg, feet get cold everyday.  I wear gloves in the house.  I'm not yet Dx.  they say probable MS, still waiting for another MRI.  I could never take much heat either.