Silver Anniversary Blues . . .

[tired_teacher]

Today is my 25th wedding anniversary. I've been so sick with acid reflux lately. Let me explain what happened yesterday. We went to church, and it was about 85 degrees here. The progressed then night came.

I thought I was dying last night. I got so sick with acid reflux around 12; I told my husband that I was getting up around 12. I gagged, dry heaved, and caught my breath numerous times. I used Malox, Mylanta, Pepto, Prevacid, and I ate the Tums my son had in his bathrooom. (The doctor ordered me some nexuum) I sat up and slept a little while, but all day yesterday, I stayed hot--been that way for days. I started dry-sweating... my body's core temp was probably high. I got a washcloth trying to cool it off; after my son left for work, I took all my clothes off except my undies. Oh, the pain. about 6, I bathed in lukewarm water, and my core began to cool down. It was around 8 when I finally went to sleep. I feel like I've been walking through mud all night.


When I finally became cognitive enough to research---one of the MS websites say: Heat intolerance is felt as increased symptoms, such as: Decreased cognitive function, Numbness in the extremities, Fatigue, Blurred vision, known as Uhthoff’s sign, Tremor, Weakness.....

The acid reflux exacerbation, according to my doctors, is caused by nerves and muscles getting weaker in the neck.

My husband wants to take me out to dinner today, and it is supposed to be hot, again. This is my FIRST experience with heat intolerance this extreme.

Will you all honor me with your stories and ideas? I would surely appreciate it. I'd rather come here any day than call my PCP or Neuro.

Love and Prayers--Melissa

[mjan]

Well Happy Anniversary.. a major marker in your life's journey and commitment!

Just wanted to add that it may be helpful to see a gastroentologist for help as acid reflux is in his area. Do not assume everything is MS, but of course, we know, MS messes up other areas.

I use a RX anti-acid which is stronger than the OTC AND for immediate relief, I use stronger strength of GAVISCON which is OTC but stronger than tums, maalox ets.

The Gastro doc will probably want to "scope" you with a EDG.. painles, under IV meds, so you are "out"!! If you need your esophagus dilated, he'll probably do it at that time, IF he feels you need it. Don't worry, it also is painless. There may be some slight, very slight pain for 1-2 days only if you eat something hard like toast, crackers. So eat soft foods. I had this proceedure.EDG, done several times with no pain. It helped so I do not choke anymore.

Also elevate yourself in bed with pillows to keep your head up. I keep a bottle of Gaviscon at my bed table just in case I have nighttime reflux. One swallow and it coats your stomach, esophagus with relief..aaah..

Hope that helps, but consider getting a consult from a Gasto doc. Let us know how you are doing.

ENJOY your special day!

Jan

[rdmc]

Sorry for your heat intolerance problems.

I'd say the solution is to find a way to stay cool. Don't know what state you live in, but here in Florida, it's hot, but everywhere is airconditioned.

So if I do venture out in the summer, I go from an AC'd home to an AC'd car to an AC'd store or restaurant.

If you don't have AC at home, have you considered a window AC to cool one room of your home. We have a small window AC and generator to use if the power goes out for any reason. It only cools one room, but if the power's out and the central AC is not keeping the house cool, my husband puts the small AC in the window and runs it off the generator. (of course, if you have power, it just plugs into a normal 110 outlet.)

When I get hot things go down hill rather quickly, so I understand how that can happen. I don't experience gastro symptoms, mine has to do with mobility. A lot of folks swear by Cooling Vests to keep their core temp down.

Hope you find a solution and can find a way to stay cool!