Going from heat intolerance to cold sensitivity with MS

The heat has always been a part of my life in central Texas, whether I liked it or not. Every year, it seemed to linger for longer than most people would have liked.

When I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, I realized the heat was definitely not my friend. At the beginning of my diagnosis, I didn’t know much about the common symptoms and issues associated with multiple sclerosis (MS).

My first neurologist explained to me that many of her patients traveled up north during the summer to escape the unbearable Texas heat. At the time, that intrigued me because summers had become increasingly challenging to deal with.

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It was only through online discussions on MS News Today a couple of years ago that I learned about MS cold intolerance, however, and how common a concern it is for many people in the community. That’s when I began to pay more attention to my own body when the weather started to change.

As temperatures dropped, I noticed some slight muscle stiffness and tension as it adjusted to cooler weather, which only lasted for a few days, luckily. I also experienced some soreness and discomfort, mostly in my joints. To combat this, I would take warm baths and showers to relieve some of that pain.

This year, the cooler weather has taken an even greater toll. On top of muscle aches, cramps, and pain, I’ve been having tingling throughout my hands and fingers. This is not an uncommon occurrence in my MS journey, but it has been worsening with the big temperature drop here in Austin. Just the other morning, I woke up to 35 F weather following recent 75-degree days. What a dreadful day that was for my body.

Curating a warm environment is the best way to ensure that we are protecting our well-being as cooler months approach. I’ve learned recently that one way to manage the cold with MS is to dress in layers. As intuitive as this may sound, I’m not as conscious about my layering techniques as I should be. Heated jackets, heating pads, compression gloves, or heated car seats can also provide targeted warmth for our bodies.

It also never hurts to treat myself to a warm beverage!

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.