Has COLD weather ever caused your MS to act up?

[lilly.hewlett]

I know for sure becoming overheated can cause unpleasant MS side effects, but I went through something on Friday with the MS Hug that I know was brought on by me being so cold that I was shivering uncontrollably. Was it just the unbeliavable tax on my body that worsened that symptom?
Has anyone gone through something similar?

[KatieDidNOT]

I am cold intolerant. Some MSers are, but I think most are heat intolerant and some both. My MS Specialist says I am definitely cold intolerant. It is 72 degrees in the house and I so want to jack it up to 85!

I currently live in the North and am finally moving home (Florida), within the next year because I can't handle it anymore.

On extremely cold days, I have to get in my bathtub with hot, hot water and soak. Something that would send a lot of people over the edge. But cold for me is as bad a heat is to others.

Just shows you how this disease is so dramatically different for everyone. No two journeys are the same.

Cheers--Katie

[quotefanatic]

Hello,

Yes, cold does certainly worsen my symptoms, although heat does too.. People are often one or the other, on occasion both.

I'm one who simply cannot handle either. Though, they do cause a worsening of different symptoms..
Heat I get extremely nauseas, start slurring my words etc. While cold I get horrible muscle spasms and such.

Best wishes to you!

[cranberrysauce]

I can't do the cold either! I live in hot and humid Alabama and can deal with our summer's but then the damp winter sets in and I don't do well.

I have another friend with MS in Pennsylvania who just hates winter too and is actively trying to move somewhere warmer because she feels so much better in summer.

I think that people in general deal with temperature extremes differently and that some of us physiologically can get rid of heat or warm up better than others. I think I was bad with cold before the MS but now just a lot more aware!!

[lynnepynne]

yup.

This cold weather is kicking my butt.
So sick of the stiffness and the pain. I feel like it is sucking all of my strength just getting around. (right side only) And my right hand and foot hasn't felt warm since September

BUT: only two more months 'round these parts! Yay!

(I don't have a diagnosis, so it must be due to "mystery illness xyz")

[Pnut]

Cold is like KRYPTONITE to me. Lately I've been working out and I now can tolerate going into the refrigerated section at the grocery store. However, I just learned that I still cannot take the extremes. My dh and I were at some friends' house for the superbowl. They were running their AC...my feet were very, very cold. I put my dh's long sleeve shirt to keep warm. As of yesterday I'm having trouble walking because of spasticity and weakness in my left leg (typical when I get too cold).

I moved to AZ from MI 4 yrs ago because i couldn't take the cold anymore. I chose AZ for the dry heat. I don't do well with humidity either, so the southeast was not an option when I was looking to move. I LOVE it here. The summers are brutal but the heat doesn't bother me at all unless I get a fever of at least 102.

[GandalfRA]

The cold makes me feel pain. I used to love cold and hate heat. Now it's the contrary, cold hurts. I am doing pretty well with my MS but I feel the pain with winter weather.

[Windwalker]

Has anyone ever experienced difficulty breathing due to the cold? I live in AZ so don't experience extreme cold but one night "walked" out of the movie theatre to 30 something degree weather. My body kind of locked up instead of shiverring...I had difficulty breathing like the muscles that help the lungs function were locked up. It was kind of scary.

I am contemplating a trip to Chicago soon and am very concerned about this. Would greatly appreciate feedback.

[MSSINCE09]

I live in Las Vegas and last year was a really bad winter for us. I felt like I was cold to the bone all the time. Always had to have layers and layers. I also notice that when we go from 2% humidity to over 30 I feel like I am going to die. Does humidity affect anyone else the same way?

Heat kills too. And joy I live in Vegas.

[Thinkimjob]

It works both ways for me. Hot is worse than cold.

[Bob698]

I know for sure becoming overheated can cause unpleasant MS side effects, but I went through something on Friday with the MS Hug that I know was brought on by me being so cold that I was shivering uncontrollably. Was it just the unbeliavable tax on my body that worsened that symptom?
Has anyone gone through something similar?

This was one of my "tip off" symtoms that something wasn't right. In my case its a form of seizure and it isn't pleasant. I'm pretty sure its related to core temp because I can be outside shovelling snow with no problems but once I stop its time to head indoors.
I also have no problems with heat, other than the normal stuff like sweating.

[Bob698]

Has anyone ever experienced difficulty breathing due to the cold? I live in AZ so don't experience extreme cold but one night "walked" out of the movie theatre to 30 something degree weather. My body kind of locked up instead of shiverring...I had difficulty breathing like the muscles that help the lungs function were locked up. It was kind of scary.

I am contemplating a trip to Chicago soon and am very concerned about this. Would greatly appreciate feedback.

I just rely on common sense.
I can funtion outdoors when its cold, I just make sure I dress in layers appropriate to the temps and my activity.
I know what you're dealling with from the "lock up". It isn't fun at all and the worst time I got it was while outdoors in Maine when it would have taken at least six hours for someone to find me. Not a good idea.
Be sure you can get indoors quickly if you need to. It also helps to hang out with someone who can help you if needed.

[AnneLouise]

If the weather would stay at 75-80 degrees, I would be so happy! I definitely can't tolerate heat, but I can't handle the cold, either! I don't shiver properly, and my muscles will "lock up". Especially, my neck. So I dress warmly, (in layers) heating pad, scarves (in the house), blankets, whatever. And when I get to the point of almost sweating in the car, I turn down the heat. Do what you have to.

[LisaL77]

It's 15 degrees here and I cannot even feel it when we go out. I do not feel the cold since my Sx onset.

[TruSweetE]

In my case I am intolerant of both (cold causes pain and heat causes me to be so weak and limp). Also, I know I have some lesions located in the spinal area near the hypothalamus gland and I suspect that is what cause me to feel such an uneven temperature 24/7, from the waist down I am cold and from the waist up I am so hot and sweaty. I wear fleece bottoms with those soft sock footies covered by slippers and up top I wear a tank or sleeveless shirt..go figure.