When Do We Call the Doctor?

[Sarahsmom46]

I have a problem...

Most of you have heard about my silly hot tub experience last weekend, Saturday to be exact.  It has been 4 days now and I am still in the midst of the symptoms that started after that dip in the tub.  I initially felt intense pins/needles in my feet and then it moved quickly up to my knees.  Numbness can weakness came next.  Today was particularly bad with these continued symptoms and also wearing shoes was so painful for me.  I walked around my office in a pair of socks, looked funny but the pressure of the shoes was too painful.  There's no swelling, just weakness and tingling.  

I am fairly certain the hot tub caused these acute symptoms, but that it should be gone by now.  I told my neuro on Monday what happened and that the symptoms were still there.  He didn't seem too concerned other thn to say stay out of the tub, so I let it go.  Now the symptoms are getting more than just annoying, but are really affecting my walking. and pain level.  I certainly don't want to overreact especially since I don't have a dx of MS.  

Guys, what do I do?  Is this something you would call the doctor about? Again, I do not have an MS diagnosis, but it is suspected.  You are all the voice of reason for me right now. Thanks so much.  

Julie

[doni54]

Well, your partner in crime here!!!  Can't believe we both pulled hot tub thingy on the same day!!

I did know better than the hot tub, but I did it anyway, so a lashing from Quix is well deserved, by me.

I am one that does not bounce back from the "getting hot", just by cooling back down.  My symptoms will worsen for days and sometimes take weeks to calm back down.

I know better than to get hot, Quix has told me enough scary stories about what can happen and can remain permanent.

I agree that you should call your dr and describe your symptoms.  My appt is on the 20th so I'm just hanging out til then.

I guess we know now to be more careful?  

Wow, a dx by hot tub? I guarantee I would fit the criteria to have a dx that way!!!!!

doni

[Quixotic1]

Lulu is correct.  What you did was induce an actual relapse, presuming that you have MS, which I do.  Normally, the symptoms of an exposure to heat resolve as the person cools off.  This is termed a pseudo-relapse or pseudo-exacerbation.  However, you have now had symptoms that have lasted for four days.  By definition (requiting that symptoms last more than 24 hours) this is a true RELAPSE.  I will refrain from saying that you brought it on yourself, because I believe you didn't know the risk.

I agree that you should call the neurologist and inform him that the symptoms are still there.  You might ask if a course of steroids would be of any benefit, even though you do not have the diangosis of MS yet.  We have seen other neurologists do this before the diagnosis was complete.

Boy has this become a cautionary tale for us all.

Quix

[Lulu54]

Julie,
Do you remember reading that once upon a time MS was diagnosed by plunging the patient into a hot bath and seeing if they had symptoms?  They stopped doing that test because it was found that not only could heat cause symptoms, sometimes the heat pushed the symptoms past the point of no return and they became permanent problems.  If you still feel this way tomorrow, please call your doctor and discuss getting something (steroids as I understand it) to treat the inflammation.  

Love to you girl, Lulu

[Sarahsmom46]

I sure got what I asked for huh!  But, I never ever expected that to happen.  My sister looked up some info for me that talked about pseudoexacerbations because of heat intolerance in MS and that its pretty benign with symptoms going away after you cool down.  So I don't know what is going on with the persistence.  May be its my body's way of making sure I don't forget this lesson.  

[Lulu54]

Hi Julie,
It's too late to make us responsible as the voice of reason.... you didn't listen to the voices before!  LOL  I hate that you are still dealing with the side effects of your experiment.

If it were me I would call the doctor - you may have pushed yourself over the limit with this and need some intervention, such as steroids, to get it under control.  

I am so sorry you are suffering but hope that the rest of us have learned from your lesson. Feel better, Lulu