Listening to my body is key to navigating July 4 festivities

For many Americans, the July 4 holiday is a joyful celebration filled with fireworks, barbecues, parades, and time spent outdoors with family and friends. However, for me, it can present unique challenges due to my multiple sclerosis (MS).

From heat sensitivity and sensory overload to difficulty participating in activities after dark due to issues with balance, my MS symptoms are aggravated by the very activities that make the holiday festive. Honestly, this has become my least favorite holiday — and I think my dog agrees!

Hot weather causes a worsening of the numbness and tingling in my hands. I also experience a sensation that feels like bugs are crawling on my legs. It’s hard to ignore this creepy-crawly feeling when I’m outside, because there might actually be an insect crawling on my legs.

I’ve also experienced more severe heat intolerance. For example, one day I spent several hours outdoors in the heat watching my daughter play softball. After the tournament, when we went to a fast food restaurant for dinner, my body just wouldn’t cool down. I was sitting in air conditioning and drinking a cold beverage but still felt like I was back outside in the heat. It took about two hours for me to cool down and feel normal again.

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This holiday, we have two parties to attend. Fortunately, I can spend most of my time indoors so that I don’t become overheated.

One of the parties will move outdoors in the evening because my family and friends enjoy shooting off fireworks to celebrate. This presents another problem for me: walking around in the dark.

One of my main MS symptoms is difficulty with balance. There isn’t much I can do about the darkness. I’ve been told that I overly rely on my vision for balance due to significant numbness in my feet. I can’t depend on my vision when it’s dark out, and I’m at a greater risk for falls. So I plan to bring a chair and find a spot in the driveway, which allows me to avoid uneven surfaces and grassy yards.

My husband will attend these festivities with me, so I can ask for his assistance if needed. I’ll also limit my alcohol intake, because it exacerbates the problem.

In addition to these concerns, I find flashing lights, including fireworks, to be somewhat disorienting. They seem to negatively affect my sense of direction and cause me to be unstable. Of course, I can always go home early, but I do enjoy spending time with family and friends, so I haven’t decided yet if I’ll stay for the fireworks.

My plan for July 4 is to listen to my body, make modifications to my environment when needed, and be flexible. I’ve left July 4 parties early in the past, using my dog’s fear of fireworks as an excuse. I know my dog was happy to have me home with all the loud noises going on, and watching the fireworks show on television was still enjoyable.

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.