Unexpected results and now curious

[Sailorsong]

On Friday I got my new phase change cooling vest and after freezing the packs over night I was curious what effect the vest would have on my body temperature. The packs for the Phase change vests are solid at 58 degrees and will freeze in a refrigerator. Much easier to take than the 32 degrees of the ice packs.

Prior to putting on the vest I took my temperature and it was my usual 97.5. After wearing the vest for 2 hours in 75 degree room I check my temperature again. 98.2 What is going on here? I had expected either a slight decrease in temperature or that it would be the same as before. Not higher. I took off the vest and checked again after 20 minutes. My temperature was back down to 97.6.

So do you others that also have cooling vest have the same thing happening to your bodies?

I think I know what is going on though. Because I have cold against my body it is turning up the internal heat somehow to try and warm me up.

It also got me to wondering if the increased heat in my body would be an asset in losing weight as your body is burning fuel to increase your temperature.  

I would have liked to also check my pulse and blood pressure but my blood pressure monitor dies last week.

Dennis

[kwarendorf]

"Yesterday I actually went for a 1/2 mile walk in 88 degree weather. My legs did start to cramp up, but that was probably due more to lack of exercise than the MS. I have not walked that far in probably at least 4 years."

Awesome! Congratulations :-)

Kyle

[Sailorsong]

I'm sure I am getting cooling effect from the vest despite the increase in my temperature.

Yesterday I actually went for a 1/2 mile walk in 88 degree weather. My legs did start to cramp up, but that was probably due more to lack of exercise than the MS. I have not walked that far in probably at least 4 years. I did that without my AFOs or cane and noticed no foot drop or drunken walking. Also once I got back home the cramping stopped in probably only 5 minutes of sitting down. I also noticed that my almost constant double vision was gone while I was wearing the vest.

I think what is happening at least in me is that since the vest is around my upper chest my blood is being cooled as it is headed for my brain. Or even maybe my CSF is being cooled since the packs line up along my spine.

Dennis

[maxthecat43]

A chiropractor I used to see said the same thing.  He said that ice packs on injuries caused blood to accumulate in the area, in order to warm it up (and that's what supposed to speed healing from injuries.  It's not very helpful though, when what you need to do is cool down.  

I've never taken my temp when wearing my cooling vest, so I don't know if has that effect on me.  I've only used mine in Texas, and when working out.  If I got warmer, I would have presumed it was more to do with my environment.  That's not true in your case though.  Interesting...

Tammy