It’s frustrating when heat aggravates my MS symptoms
Even as a native Texan, I don't do well in high temperatures
Being born and raised in south-central Texas, I’m no stranger to the heat here that dominates most of the year. But even after 25 years of living in Texas, I don’t think I’m used to it. While some people embrace and enjoy warmer weather, my body rejects it altogether, especially as someone with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Enduring the heat in south-central Texas has also made me unfamiliar with truly cold weather. I’d like to believe that I could live in an area that experiences real winter, but because I have anemia, I start feeling cold when it’s just 60 F.
In my perfect and hypothetical world, I’d find a happy medium that suits both my needs and those of my multiple sclerosis (MS). I wish that world existed in south-central Texas.
How heat affects my MS
A few months ago, I was informed that my annual MRI revealed mild disease progression, and I spiraled into a depressive episode. In addition, I was in the middle of weaning off my old antidepressant and beginning a new one. Needless to say, many emotions and events were happening all at once.
It became increasingly hard for me to find the joy in anything, which is unlike me. Since life has thrown me more curveballs than I can count, I try my best to find joy and happiness in the little things to remain sane.
For example, I once ordered a Cobb salad from the chicken restaurant that my partner and I frequent. To my surprise, two deviled eggs were in the salad, and I hadn’t noticed them until I was almost halfway done with it. Discovering those deviled eggs brought so much happiness to my heart.
I often remind myself that there’s always a silver lining, but otherwise I was struggling to find one during these difficult times. To try to lift my spirits, my best friend, Maddy, and I decided to spend a day by the pool at my apartment complex.
We spent several hours catching up, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. However, there came a point when I felt a sudden shift in how my body and mind were feeling. Then my symptoms took a turn for the worse.
My head started to pound, my left eye had a stinging pain, my body felt lifeless, and I was dizzy. Maddy eventually had to leave, so I returned to my apartment and ordered a large pizza and Caesar salad because I thought food would help. As I waited for the meal delivery, I drank water to hydrate my body.
As soon as I received my food, I ate slowly so I wouldn’t upset my stomach, but it didn’t help. I eventually crawled my way into bed, turned the lights off, and put my phone away to avoid sources of light.
Medication and ice packs were my saving graces that night, but they unfortunately didn’t cure me completely. It took me a little while to fall asleep because my body still felt overheated, and I was too tired to take a cold shower or bath.
Even after a night of rest, I still paid the consequences for the next couple of days. I was sad and frustrated that I couldn’t fully enjoy a day by the pool with my best friend because of how the heat affects my MS.
How does the weather affect your MS symptoms? Please share in the comments below.
Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.
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Helena Roets
on the contrary, i cannot stand the cold and even cannot function anymore...everything under 22C is a nightmate and i live in Belgium! i love the heat; 55C in the shado is no problrm i feel even a lot better....
Melissa Van Nest
I am from the Northeast. In my 20's I moved to Florida and loved walking on the beach, playing tennis and later on in my early 30's playing golf. Around 40 I wanted out. I felt suffocation walking to my car. The heat of summer was something I began dreading. When I was diagnosed at 45, I moved to a climate where I began living again, hiking 10 hours feeling on top of the world. I recently moved back to the Northeast and do better in single digits and snow than in the heat I had lived in for over 20 years. I can't imagine LIVING somewhere constantly hot and hopefully will not have to do this again.
Colleen Carter
The cold weather actually makes my symptoms worse than the heat .
Cynthia McDermott
Hey there, I know exactly how you feel, I am in central Texas also and absolutely hate the summer heat. My MS gets me in just a few minutes if I go out just to water my flowers on the porch. I came here from Colorado where there was no humidity so it just hits me worst and I amatotal outdoors person love to hike ,ski, bike. Sure can’t do anything anymore. Winter is a bit easier but still can’t hit you with MS fun when you push to see friends and family over holidays hope you have a good Christmas.
Thomas (Tom) Unrath
Heat, something accompanied by high humidity here in central FL, kicks my MS fatigue into a shutdown mode while other symptoms, like trigeminal neuralgia, move into a much higher gear.
Visiting my son in NYC, in the winter's cold, brings spasticity to the fore, especially my left leg. Walking and using public transportation becomes very difficult.
Richard
My wife has MS. The heat contributes to he fatigue. I had read a few articles that 500mg of aspirin daily will help. Time will tell.
Dee Lima
Dear Desiree
I understand your feelings because I have the same problems with heat and I also live in a place that only have 1 season per year: summer with humidity. Off course I live in Florida 😕
I am so sensitive that as soon as I enter any place, I can feel immediately if the AC is working. In the peak of the summer, I spent the wkds at home, I usually go out of the house in the night. One of my neighbors call me Vampire's, a female vampire 🧛♀️ That's the way it is for us, try ti find ways to make easier on yourself. Take care. DEE
Dee Lima
I understand your feelings because I have the same problems with heat and I also live in a place that only have 1 season per year: summer with humidity. Off course I live in Florida 😕
I am so sensitive that as soon as I enter any place, I can feel immediately if the AC isworking or not. That's the way it is for us, try to find ways to make easier on yourself. Take care. DEE