This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I am considering purchasing a cool vest to help me when I need to spend time outdoors. It is already getting up to 99 degrees here in Texas, and when I get hot I start having mobility problems and decreased vision.

Does anyone use a cool vest? Does it help? Any recommendations?

I know a lot of people who swear by them. I think they're a definite must for those of us suffering from heat sensitivity and want to continue to live normally during the warmer months.

Check out this site: http://www.msaa.com/programs/cooling/

They're not the most fashionable things but they do the job. I'm going to be getting one soon as well. Road trip in the dead of summer in the Hubs' truck that has no AC. God help me.

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October 29, 2009 - Dx with RRMS
June 22, 2010 - Dx's changed to Devic's (NMO)
January 4, 2011 - Dx w/Syringomyelia T4-T9, Migraines, and Possible MS (again - long story)

I think it is time to get a new truck with A/C

This is a new truck. LOL! He bought one of those Dodge 4500's so it's like a commercial truck. Made for people who WORK OUTSIDE! He does not. LOL! He wanted it so we could move our own stuff when we got orders for yet another duty station.

He was sneaky about it. One day I was driving it and it was about 85 outside. I kept cranking up the AC but it kept blowing hot air. I text messaged him and told him I thought his AC was out. He told me later that day that it didn't come with AC. He knew I was gonna kick his butt if I knew sooner.

_________________
October 29, 2009 - Dx with RRMS
June 22, 2010 - Dx's changed to Devic's (NMO)
January 4, 2011 - Dx w/Syringomyelia T4-T9, Migraines, and Possible MS (again - long story)

When I was diagnosed it was November, but when Spring rolled around I immediately purchased one. They aren't something you would wear to a semi-formal or formal affair. They do keep you cool when trying to do anything outside on a warm day. Mine lasts about 4 hours, then all the little ice pouches need to back in the freezer. You can buy refills for the ice pouches much cheaper at a Target or similar store. If you are going to be outside (or in a non-air conditioned truck) for a long time, I would get some extras and put them frozen in a cooler.

There is a product made called "Chillow," a covering put over a pillow that cools using the same principles as a car radiator of dispersing generated heat. It is one of my fantasies to have a body sized "Chillow" to lay on during the 115 degree summers here in the southern California high desert area. Sleep is the only thing that renews my energy and even with the central air left on at night it is still too hot to sleep well in the summer. Something ice cold to lay on isn't necessary, just something that stays colder than the surrounding air temperature.

If this thing could be made, MSers would be a fraction of the people who could benefit. Even before I had MS, it was crazy to pay $350 a month in electricity to run the central air at night for the whole house, which was still inadequate, just to get the air cooler inside than outside for sleep. Definitely a "green" idea for everyone.

For those of you that use a cool vest...do yo have any specific recommendation on what brand to use?

Are they bulky or can they fit under clothing?

Will I look like a suicide bomber wearing one of these things?

They are bulky, and all of the brands are the same. I prefer to look like a "Safari Guide", but to each his own. I would not reccomend wearing it underneath clothing.