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Doctors...
Always14989 posted:
Hello Doctors,
I was wondering if anyone has come up with an understandable (to laymen) explanation as to why the heat and humidity make us limp as a wet noodle in summer, while the cold makes us stiff and sore and walk around like Frankenstein in winter?
What could the mechanism be that causes the weather to affect us so much? Swelling in summer possibly I suppose, but what about winter? I get so stiff my hands won't bend at all. Can't even get a key in the car without gloves on! Yikes.
I know an answer won't change this symptom. I will (Al)ways need my warm socks and gloves in winter and air conditioning in summer, but I am curious.
Also, I have noticed changes in my MS symptoms due to hormonal changes, as well. Having babies, and menopause definitely made a difference in my own personal MS journey. Any thoughts on the subject?
Thanks in advance.
Sincerely,
Al(ways a female Al!) :-)
I was wondering if anyone has come up with an understandable (to laymen) explanation as to why the heat and humidity make us limp as a wet noodle in summer, while the cold makes us stiff and sore and walk around like Frankenstein in winter?
What could the mechanism be that causes the weather to affect us so much? Swelling in summer possibly I suppose, but what about winter? I get so stiff my hands won't bend at all. Can't even get a key in the car without gloves on! Yikes.
I know an answer won't change this symptom. I will (Al)ways need my warm socks and gloves in winter and air conditioning in summer, but I am curious.
Also, I have noticed changes in my MS symptoms due to hormonal changes, as well. Having babies, and menopause definitely made a difference in my own personal MS journey. Any thoughts on the subject?
Thanks in advance.
Sincerely,
Al(ways a female Al!) :-)
10 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Doctors...<b>Hello Doctors,<br /><br />I was wondering if anyone has come up with an understandable (to laymen) explanation as to why the heat and humidity make us limp as a wet noodle in summer, while the cold makes us stiff and sore and walk around like Frankenstein in winter?<br /><br />What could the mechanism be that causes the weather to affect us so much? Swelling in summer possibly I suppose, but what about winter? I get so stiff my hands won't bend at all. Can't even get a key in the car without gloves on! Yikes.<br /><br />I know an answer won't change this symptom. I will (Al)ways need my warm socks and gloves in winter and air conditioning in summer, but I am curious.<br /><br />Also, I have noticed changes in my MS symptoms due to hormonal changes, as well. Having babies, and menopause definitely made a difference in my own personal MS journey. Any thoughts on the subject? <br /><br />Thanks in advance.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Al(ways a female Al!) :-)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></b>
Neil S Lava, MD responded:
Heat slows the speed of electrical impulses in the nervous system. Normal myelin (areas not damaged by MS) can withstand heat, but will eventually malfunction as the temperature increases. Areas damaged by MS malfunction at lower temperatures and cause symptoms.
Everyone feels their muscle stiffen in very cold weather, With MS patients with spasticity, for example, are much stiffer and have more trouble walking (until they can warm up).
These change are physiological and cause no permanent damage to the nervous system.
Hormones do seem to have an effect on MS symptoms.
Everyone feels their muscle stiffen in very cold weather, With MS patients with spasticity, for example, are much stiffer and have more trouble walking (until they can warm up).
These change are physiological and cause no permanent damage to the nervous system.
Hormones do seem to have an effect on MS symptoms.
Report This| Share this:Doctors...Heat slows the speed of electrical impulses in the nervous system. Normal myelin (areas not damaged by MS) can withstand heat, but will eventually malfunction as the temperature increases. Areas damaged by MS malfunction at lower temperatures and cause symptoms. <br />Everyone feels their muscle stiffen in very cold weather, With MS patients with spasticity, for example, are much stiffer and have more trouble walking (until they can warm up).<br />These change are physiological and cause no permanent damage to the nervous system.<br />Hormones do seem to have an effect on MS symptoms.
TimBeckwith replied to Neil S Lava, MD's response:
I know that this little trick isn't directly related, but I have had MS for 25 or more years and have found Ice Packs such as you would put in a cooler to be quite helpful. By putting one about the size of a paper back book in my waste band, I can cool the central core of my body, and thus reduce some of my walking and back pain symptoms. I've been doing this for at least 10 years now.
Report This| Share this:Doctors...I know that this little trick isn't directly related, but I have had MS for 25 or more years and have found Ice Packs such as you would put in a cooler to be quite helpful. By putting one about the size of a paper back book in my waste band, I can cool the central core of my body, and thus reduce some of my walking and back pain symptoms. I've been doing this for at least 10 years now.
magickalme responded:
Hey, Al: well, maybe in your last life you were a dolphin....and just haven't gotten used to being on land,yet. It could happen....
Just, (you know)
Breathe...
flapkat
Just, (you know)
Breathe...
flapkat
Report This| Share this:Doctors...Hey, Al: well, maybe in your last life you were a dolphin....and just haven't gotten used to being on land,yet. It could happen....<br />Just, (you know)<br />Breathe...<br />flapkat
Always14989 replied to magickalme's response:
Thank you all for your answers and suggestions!
If I never was a dolphin I have certainly De-Volved! I can't swim at all anymore! Sink right to the bottom! Haha!
Smiles,
Al(ways need water wings now, I guess!) :-)
If I never was a dolphin I have certainly De-Volved! I can't swim at all anymore! Sink right to the bottom! Haha!
Smiles,
Al(ways need water wings now, I guess!) :-)
Report This| Share this:Doctors...<b>Thank you all for your answers and suggestions!</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>If I never was a dolphin I have certainly De-Volved! I can't swim at all anymore! Sink right to the bottom! Haha!</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>Smiles,</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>Al(ways need water wings now, I guess!) :-)</b>
Always14989 replied to Always14989's response:
whoops...that is...
if I ever was a dolphin...
darn MS fingers and MS brain!
if I ever was a dolphin...
darn MS fingers and MS brain!
Report This| Share this:Doctors...<b>whoops...that is... <br /><br />if I <u>ever</u> was a dolphin... <br /><br />darn MS fingers and MS brain!</b>
Becka13yrs replied to Always14989's response:
Lol, I used to be dolphin-ish even without my wings. Can't stand the thought of swimming now, nobody "gets it" when I say the cold water feels like a lightening rod went through me.
Indoor swimming you ask? Mhmm, can anyone stand That heat and humidity, not to mention the "little ppl" warm spots. :-p
Indoor swimming you ask? Mhmm, can anyone stand That heat and humidity, not to mention the "little ppl" warm spots. :-p
Report This| Share this:Doctors...Lol, I used to be dolphin-ish even without my wings. Can't stand the thought of swimming now, nobody "gets it" when I say the cold water feels like a lightening rod went through me. <br />Indoor swimming you ask? Mhmm, can anyone stand That heat and humidity, not to mention the "little ppl" warm spots. :-p
mmthlvr replied to Becka13yrs's response:
Hi Al.
2 words, COOLING VEST I'd never survive summer without mine. I also take .5mg estrace to avoid the hot flashes:)
It was 107 yesterday:( I'm ready to move to the Oregon coast!!!!!
Tammy
2 words, COOLING VEST I'd never survive summer without mine. I also take .5mg estrace to avoid the hot flashes:)
It was 107 yesterday:( I'm ready to move to the Oregon coast!!!!!
Tammy
Report This| Share this:Doctors...Hi Al.<br /> 2 words, COOLING VEST I'd never survive summer without mine. I also take .5mg estrace to avoid the hot flashes:)<br />It was 107 yesterday:( I'm ready to move to the Oregon coast!!!!!<br />Tammy
Becka13yrs replied to mmthlvr's response:
Ha! my sister in law gave me a frozen pork roast today, a twoferone deal i suppose. Lol Was thinking more like Chicago to cool off. No knowledge on cooling vests here...
Report This| Share this:Doctors...Ha! my sister in law gave me a frozen pork roast today, a twoferone deal i suppose. Lol Was thinking more like Chicago to cool off. No knowledge on cooling vests here...
Always14989 replied to Becka13yrs's response:
Holy Cow (or pig!)
Use the crock pot today for sure, if you have to cook at all! Better to keep that thing frozen awhile, I would say!
Very hot and humid here in IN, too!
Look at the NMSS sight and look for cooling vests. They hold "pockets" of frozen packs to keep the core of your body cool. Very effective, but not very fashionable. Kind of like a life jacket, though! In our type of situation very necessary!!
Smiles,
Al(ways try to be cool!) :-)
Use the crock pot today for sure, if you have to cook at all! Better to keep that thing frozen awhile, I would say!
Very hot and humid here in IN, too!
Look at the NMSS sight and look for cooling vests. They hold "pockets" of frozen packs to keep the core of your body cool. Very effective, but not very fashionable. Kind of like a life jacket, though! In our type of situation very necessary!!
Smiles,
Al(ways try to be cool!) :-)
Report This| Share this:Doctors...<b>Holy Cow (or pig!)</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>Use the crock pot today for sure, if you have to cook at all! Better to keep that thing frozen awhile, I would say!</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>Very hot and humid here in IN, too! </b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>Look at the NMSS sight and look for cooling vests. They hold "pockets" of frozen packs to keep the core of your body cool. Very effective, but not very fashionable. Kind of like a life jacket, though! In our type of situation very necessary!!</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>Smiles,</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>Al(ways try to be cool!) :-) </b>
1chrstian replied to Neil S Lava, MD's response:
Hi, Doc,
i am very happy that i found u in ths MS Community. I have been diagnosed MS 9 years now. I do not have any serious problems . After interferon beta i use IMURAN. For 3-4 years now i use only IMURAN. I take 1 tablet daily. I wonder for how long i could take this. Do you think i should use injections as well? Please let me know. Many thanks in advance.
i am very happy that i found u in ths MS Community. I have been diagnosed MS 9 years now. I do not have any serious problems . After interferon beta i use IMURAN. For 3-4 years now i use only IMURAN. I take 1 tablet daily. I wonder for how long i could take this. Do you think i should use injections as well? Please let me know. Many thanks in advance.
Report This| Share this:Doctors...Hi, Doc,<br />i am very happy that i found u in ths MS Community. I have been diagnosed MS 9 years now. I do not have any serious problems . After interferon beta i use IMURAN. For 3-4 years now i use only IMURAN. I take 1 tablet daily. I wonder for how long i could take this. Do you think i should use injections as well? Please let me know. Many thanks in advance.
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