Temperature changes

[Candykane77]

I have been told that extreme heat can cause flare ups or make symptoms worse. I have not experienced this yet (mainly because it is still in the winter months) but I was wondering can the cold also cause problems with symptoms and/or flare ups. It seems that the same eye that was I had the Optic Neuritis in gets hazy when I am outside in the cold. In addition to this I seem to be in more overall pain since the temperatures have been below freezing. Are there any other things that I should look out for. I know that not everyone experiences the same symptoms but I'm sure that there are many of us who have similar ones.

Thank you in advance
Candy

[jpokla]

Goldilocks! I like that!! I may use that also. I have a very narrow zone of comfort with temperature. Both heat and cold! Goldilocks! :-)

[Sailorsong]

I'm definitely not a Goldilocks person for MS at least  Anything above around 73 and my symptoms flare like crazy, tremors, spacicity, cog, etc. When I was growing up I loved it when it got hot outside, the hotter the better. I would joke about this as being because I was born in Panama. LOL I can remember when I felt great when the temperature was 100+ and outside doing very active things (bike riding, hiking, etc).

  I also hated the cold weather as a kid. When most kids were going outside to build snowmen, snowball fights, and skiing,  I'd be inside cuttle up in a blanket reading books. Anything below around 68 would bring me inside.

Post MS my cold tolerance seems to be all over the map. Some days I can go outside in shorts and short sleeve shirt and feel fine at around 40 while other days I'll start shivering at 68.  

Dennis

[SarahL2491]

Well, usually extreme heat usually triggers it for me but the 22 hrs of no heat/electricity with 17 degrees triggered lots of symptoms but now that we are warming back up, am feeling better.

As Lulu said, and then there is Goldilocks……..

[maxthecat43]

I too seem to be a "Goldilocks".  I have a very narrow range in temperature that doesn't cause me problems.  Too cold/too hot = equal increased problems for me too.

The only way you'll know how it affects you, is by observing over time.  My sister in law (who also has MS) is usually far worse in the cold, than she is in the heat.  

[supermum_ms]

Hey Candy,

I've found my tremor and jerks are a lot harder and more obvious, if its cold weather or cold water but if i over heat, my vision, balance and walking, fatigue, strength and the ability to communicate continue to deteriorate, until i can rest and cool down. I tremor all the time but it's definitely more problematic during the cold, hmmmm its also when i tend to throw things around more too :D  

I think my temperature gage is definitely wonky in both the heat or cold, in the cold i don't seem to be able to get warm enough and if the tremor is teeth rattling for long enough, i'd do anything for it to stop. Yeah I'd even prefer over heating and all that brings, than not being able to stop moving.

Cheers......JJ

ps in Australia we've currently in summer and today is 40 (104)

[karryon55]

Absolutely Kyle I am just the same. It doesn't always apply to the temperature in the air. If I'm fairly active & my core temp goes up then I get vertigo, tremors, blurred vision etc.

I am only learning about all this now as I'm newly dx'd. I find things like cleaning can make my symptoms worse. I'm hoping to start a PT program soon when the weather is cooler & heat intolerance was the first thing that came to mind.

Karry.

[kwarendorf]

Hi Candy,

I proof of what ess described. It's my core temp, rather than the air temp that governs my abilities.

Once I get to a certain temp my left leg develops a mind of its own. I don't have much control of it. This can happen walking outside on a 90º August day or a 9º February day.

Kyle

[karryon55]

I also get heat intolerance but I don't cope well in winter either as that makes my RA play up. I found that I still get heat intolerance in winter when someone has the heating too high but it is obviously less of a problem in winter.

Do you ever get any problems from hot showers or baths because this is probably a good indicator on things to come? I think Candy was spot on in what she said about just waiting & seeing. If you do end up with heat intolerance there are many things that can help prevent this like cooling vests & scarves.

Take care,
Karry.

[Lulu54]

Hi Candy, the hard part about where you are right now is wanting to know what to look out for.  Unfortunately this is all trial and error and the best thing to do is get on with living and wait to be 'surprised' if anything happens.  You already know none of us are alike. It is just a hard concept to wrap our brains around.

Not everyone has heat sensitvity - some people can't stand the cold!  And then there is Goldilocks...  :-)
~Laura

[Corriel]

Hi there, summer knocks me flat.  Blurred vision, weakness, cog fog and sleeping more than I am awake.

Winter is kinder but I have more issues with spasticity and muscle issues in general.

This is my first full year after being diagnosed so I am not sure if it is a pattern that is permanent or not so my fingers are crossed that this summer isn't too rough.

Corrie

[Guitar_grrrl]

Generally, heat can exacerbate symptoms.  Not every MSer has heat intolerance.  Some (like me) are more like Goldilocks - can't be too cold, can't be too hot.  It's got to be juuuuust right.  My spasms and numbness fire up when temps go to either end of "just right".

Of course, since every MSer is different from the next, your symptoms may vary. :-D

[essdipity]

Hi there, CK.

I haven't had trouble with the cold, though quite a few here have. You might use the magnifying glass icon at the top to search through old threads on this subject.

And just a heads up regarding heat, which a great many MSers have problems with: It doesn't take extreme heat at all. Just a degree rise in your core body temp can cause symptoms to act up in a pseudo-exacerbation. Apparently heat makes the damaged nerves work even less effectively, and so brings on symptoms which usually remit once you cool down.

Summers can be rough in MS-land, but it doesn't have to be summer for heat-related issues to start. Meanwhile, you get to deal with the cold! I'm sorry about that, but I don't really know the process by which this occurs.

ess