Heat Intolerance

[rezmommy]

I was just wondering if heat intolerance is an issue for everyone that has MS?  I have not been diagnosed yet, but I have many symptoms.  I do not have any problems with heat intolerance, I don't think.  I am really trying to pin point the times when my symptoms are at their worst and a cause.  So far, I have only figured out that when I am tired things are worse.  Duh!!

[Quixotic1]

No, heat intolerance is very common, but is not universal in MS.  80% will complain of it.  The person without heat intolerance should still be cautious in the heat though.  This doesn't just mean in hot weather.  It should include being careful not to get over heated in exercises, hot tubs, etc.

Much of the damage in MS is due to demyelinated nerves.  Nerves with damage to the myelin sheath conduct their signals more slowly than helathy nerves.  This also applies to healed and remyelinated nerves.  Even though they are healed/remeylinated their conduction times are still measurably delayed.  Serious overheating might cause a relapse.  Usually function returns when the body cools, but permanent damage could happen.

Your experience that fatigue is your worst enemy is very common.  A lot of us talk about that also.

Thanks for speaking up.

Quix

[rezmommy]

Thanks for all the input.

[slightlybroken]

I'm not DX either but heat and I have never mixed very well since I've been in my 20s. It makes me feel like I have the flu but not all the time.

One time, my hubby and I and some friends of ours rented a cabin. I was having some  symptoms at the time, but decided to go. The cabin had a hot tub. I've only been in a hot tub one other time, so I really wanted to get in. The first night I got in, it was fine. The second night was a big mistake. I got in, and couldn't get out. My legs wouldn't bend and became very weak. My head was spinning. My eyes started to have flashes of light in them. My hubby had to help me bend my legs to get me out after only 20 minutes. I'll never do that again.

You have to be careful (even when your not DX). Just because the heat don't bother you today doesn't mean it won't tomorrow.

[floridamom2]

Hi there!

I am undiagnosed too and have issues with heat intolerance and experience the same vision, tremor & weakness issues that Deb61 does.  I have noticed though that when I am feeling pretty good the heat does not affect me as much as when my symptoms are bothering me 24/7.  I don't know if that makes sense or if it even goes along with MS but when I am feeling good I don't notice that heat bothers me as much as when I already don't feel good.

Take care & Big Hugs!
Krisitn

[Deb61]

Heat intolerance is a big issue for me, but I live in Texas and you live in Canada!  I don't mean to belittle the Canadian heat (te he), but it does make me chuckle when I hear my Canadian friends talk about the heat.  When I visited my in-laws in Seattle a few years ago, I was fell over in hysterics when the newscasters were talking about the "heat-wave" when the temperatures were over 85!  I spent the entire time freezing my rear-end off!  During the 4th of July celebration, everyone had shorts on and I was under a blanket!  I guess it's what you're used to . . .  

If YOU'RE feeling over heated, it doesn't matter what the temperature is.  I don't mean to make too much light of this.  If you to turn out to have MS, you should definetly avoid getting overheated--it will make symptoms worse.  I think Quix mentioned that even some damage may even occur.  

When I'm outside in this, I'll notice that my vision will darken (sometimes will even be completely blind), I'll get tremors, become extremely fatigued, and even sick to my stomach.

Deb  

[aiMelissa]

Well I can't stand the heat.  And I have been keeping a symptoms journal and just noticed that when we had a streak of 100 degree whether my symptoms were much worse than when it was cooler or I just stayed home.  It feels like hot air ***** the life out of me, lol.  

I have not been diagnosed.