Hello from Portugal

[aingles]

I have been diagnosed with primary progressive ms a month and half ago. I am on Betaferon (Betaseron in USA) for nearly a month and learning to cope with fatigue and the heat (I didnt know heat alone could stop you).

I have been looking around the web for info: here in Portugal we have a good medical support but I am trying to find solutions for daily problems like heat (right now is 40C outside - thanks for AC!!!)

[cocogirl]

Welcome Aingles, as far as dealing with the heat, I would suggest a cooling vest and to also time your outings when it is coolest part of day. Here in the Houston, TX area there is no real cool part of the day. I go shopping early in morning and still find I have to use my cooling vest.

I hope that you will do well on the meds and that you will not be too impacted by the MonSter.

[todays child]

Hello aingles,

40C!! All I can think of is "you're my only friend air conditioner"

I do hope you find some relief on Betaseron. I started just 3 weeks ago. I'm still working my way up to a full dose and already the buzzing has eased up in my feet, hands and tongue.

[KoKo]

Hello Aingles from Portugal

Welcome to MS World - nice to meet you!

I, too, was diagnosed with PPMS (in 1999).

Heat intolerance was an early issue, but it has been the worse for me this year. And I didn't realize that "heat alone could stop you" either, until this summer.

The only remedy for me is staying in a cool environment (air conditioning). I take walks in the early evening with my roller walker - I have the need to get outside, even if it is late in the day!

Hopefully you'll benefit from our Forums - interesting information and lots of support

Good luck with finding some relief for fatigue, and stay cool

Looking forward to seeing you around!

Take care,
KoKo

[aingles]

Thanks

Thanks for your answers.

Being a new arrival to this world, I am discovering a world of friends for whom "normal" is different from everybody else...

I have been mainly keeping myself indoors.

If I can help in any way, please let me know (even being on the other side of Atlantic Ocean)

[Dove]

Welcome aingles

by the way, your english is excellent, and 'american.' have you lived in the U.S.?

i've found another way that heat sneaks up on us. even when in a cool environment, if you do too much, the body heat that is generated by that effort can make a difference - even if it's only half a degree.

for example, doing dishes or cooking can raise your body temperature slightly, but sometimes that is too much.

look forward to hearing more from you....mary

[Chais Papa]

bem-vinda, anigles

[aingles]

Hello

Dove: Thanks but no, I never have been in America. I think is too many American books, movies and TV series . For example, right now is passing Scrubs in the TV...
BTW I love your signature

The heat is a problem for me: I live in a zone of Portugal where 40șC is normal in August so I avoid getting outside before 9PM. If you want you can see some photos: *****personal blog address removed as per guidelines. You may put it in your profile by accessing the User CP running atop the message boards*****

My luck is my wife. She spares me too many efforts on a daily basis. I have come to believe this disease is more difficult for women than for men, specially as you mention, when you want to cook, keep a house and so on.

Bye for now to all and thanks for your messages