Weather and Temperature
How does weather or temperature affect you and your MS?
Are you someone that prefers colder weather to warmer weather?
If you could pick an ideal temperature, what would it be and why?
How do you manage when you're in a temperature that seems to have a harsher affect on your body?
I am most effected by the heat. I love thé temperatures between 60 to 75 degrees. Now that the temperatures are getting higher, I’m getting all my cooling things together: SPF 50 hat and long sleeved swim shirts, portable fans (one with cool water spray), and cooling freezer pads. Getting too hot is no joke for me.
I'm with you, I do much better in the cooler temperatures than the heat. It's hard because I live by and love the beach so much, but as you've pointed out there are so many cooling options for us, so it's a matter of getting properly "geared up" I suppose! Do you have a favorite cooling device? I'd love to know if you find one to be more effective than another. For now, I'm grateful that the temperatures are finally cooling off! Fall is always welcomed in my house! - Alene, moderator
I completely agree. When I overheat I lose the ability to talk, and have difficulty walking. I get severe brain fog, cognitive decline that can last hours even after I cool down. The 1st time it happened I was working in my garage in Texas summer heat. I haven't been able to do any outdoor work since I got MS. I'm most comfortable around 70°. I do get cold intolerance also.
65 Fahrenheit
I started out dyyyyyying in agony in the winter with my legs. I would also freeze sweat, which was not only humiliating but also disgusting. I felt dirty every single day. I would look like I just got out of the pool & it would be like 32 degrees out. I'm very happy that at least went away. Now I'm a disaster in the summer & pretty much all year round; but the summer 🖕🔥 no thanks , well, heck! It stinks when both the hot and the cold (and everything in between) doesn't play well with your MS. MS can definitely be a diva like that.
Best, Erin, Team Member.
55 and dry. Nah make that 45 and dry and clear. I don't think that temperature exists anywhere on earth but a woman can dream , can't she?
I'll dream that dream with you because it sounds delightful! Here's to the incoming fall and winter weather! - Alene, moderator
I have difficulty with cold and hot tempretures. Cold tempretures causes muscle spasms in my back. It also causes a sharp burning pain in my lower legs, neck and back. The pain sensation feels to me like it stems from the bone as the cold settle on my skin as it penetrates.
Hot weather inceases the MS activity which inturn bring about relapses, depending how long I am exposed to the heat. I really miss relaxing in a nice long warm bath or a hot water shower as it causes siffness and spasms in my back muscles, making it difficult to move or be active. It feels the same as when I been active for tong long periods.I have progressed from RRMS to secocndary agressive stage and survived MS for 15 yeats since diagnosis February 2008.
oh my goodness, I'm sorry to hear that you struggle with both cold and hot temperatures. That has to be challenging. I hope that you're finding some comfort here in this community knowing that you're not alone and hopefully finding some recommendations too on managing the different temperatures. We have a tremendous collective wisdom in this group that really comes together to help lift each other up along this journey. Thanks for sharing your story and being part of this journey. - Alene, moderator same! The cold hurts so badly: I get a migraine, and my whole body hurts like you described. But the heat makes me pretty sick. I used to joke that my temperature zone was 68-72, but now I realize I wasn't really joking. Cooler than that, and I hurt; hotter and I feel sick and like I can't get any air. It's much harder to move in the heat.
