Multiple Sclerosis and Heat

I am sensitive to heat as well.  It seems to be a pretty common complaint.  I don't have any words of wisdom for you.  If you have AC and you are still hot just house keeping; that is pretty extreme.  I am not that sensitive.   Have you tried a cooling vest?  They are meant to be used outside but I suppose there is no reason that you can't wear it in the house for work.  Mine maintains an internal temp. of 58 degrees for 4 hours.  There are lots of different designs.  They can get quite expensive.  If you have a local MS society near you, they can often help with the cost. 

Good luck with that.  Welcome to the board.  I look forward to hearing from such an experienced voice. 

Hi there! I too have difficulty with the heat and I live in Texas so it gets a bit toasty here esp during the summer months. I have difficulty with my vision and at times it makes me feel like I am going to throw up, however once I cool off it is fine. I have found that drinking tons of cool water while I'm outside is helpful as well as taking frequent breaks either inside or in the shade. I have also become overheated when I clean house (with the a/c on) as a matter of fact the first MS episode obvious enough for me to pay attention to occurred while cleaning my bathroom...hmmmm....maybe I shouldn't clean toilets anymore! Ha!

Hope you find something that is helpful!
Blessings.

Once over the embarrassment of wearing what I think looks like a thinner life jacket (tip- go with khaki not royal blue...more of a fishing vest look in khaki) I rely on my cooling vest a lot.   For when I am outside in the heat and also recently for traveling to Tucson for work (on my!).  It's great for that 20 minutes on the airplane when they turn off the air to taxi out on the runway and wait in line!  Mine has the gel packs, Coolsport, and they can even be put in a hotel sink with cold water and some ice and are good to go in 20 minutes.  Last for 3 or 4 hours.  And yes, you could do housework in it.

Short and quick tips-  Running wrists under cold water for 5 minutes (learned in Tucson there is no cold water from pipes), splashing cold water on face neck, arms, anywhere! and letting it just air dry, a five minute cool shower when desperate, massive water to drink, I don't have A/C at home so keeping blinds and things closed up in the early part of day.  (I live in the Northwest so I can survive without a/c though a bedroom one would be nice for a few weeks).  Seeking out shade (and bathrooms) when arriving somewhere new, moving slower- sluglike sometimes, avoiding stress and that's all I have for now.  Oh- and a frozen type of drink like old school Slurpee or a fancy Frappucino can really cool me down from the inside out.   Willow

I want to say TY all for giving me some ideas....It is great (well, not that other people feel this way with heat and falling, it is just now I don't feel like I am NOT the only one) to hear your stories....Now, I show this to my husband.  I say it is so hot and he says it is not....but, he knows I can't cuff it.  Well, I going to have to go find my cane and get it fixed to use....It was my Grandparents can I think...Very pretty...I'm 52 so it is quite old.

I can be in the heat only a few minutes before I start walking drunk, talking drunk and sometimes my vision blurrs when I'm real hot or I'm at work and working up a sweat.

With me its also the humidity!!!! I live in upstate NY, and during the really humid days its stay inside with the AC or else. I found the best thing to do is dive into a pool or a long cool shower to cool off completely..dry off with a fan nearby, and I'm quite comfortable....

Steph57,

Offering support and empathy is more than enough to make you welcome here.  Thanks as always for your input.  I am sorry you have a rough time in the heat.  It does makes us seem anti-social doesn't it?  Just remember that you are not alone.  Heat intolerance is so common in MSers.  We need to have our own big happy air conditioned commune!!!!  We would be plenty social then!