I already know how hot it is. You do not have to tell me...

HEAT

Heat sensitivity is a very common problem for people with MS. If you live in the South, it can be absolutely debilitating in the summer. Basically what happens is that when your body temperature goes up, even by as little as 1 degree, any symptoms you have become much more pronounced. The situation resolves once you cool off but just imagine what it is like when it is 100+ degrees everyday.


The interesting thing about the effect heat has on a person with MS is that this used to be the way they diagnosed people. Before MRI's, which were invented in the very recent past, they would submerge people in a tub of warm water to see if their symptoms worsened. If worsening occurred, a diagnosis of MS was given. This is actually how I diagnosed myself but we'll cover that later.


One thing that bugs me, even though it shouldn't, is when people make very obvious statements about the temperature. It can be really annoying when you are struggling to deal with heat exposure to hear a healthy person exclaim, "Boy! It's hot! I'm about to pass out!" or "God it's hot! You know its going to be 185 degrees on Thursday...". Makes me want to say, "Thanks for the information but I already know how hot it is. You do not have to tell me...".