This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

First a question, I just read Loobie's last blog post where he was excited about starting sweating again during exertion...

I was going to post about sweating because I sweat an ABSURD amount without much exertion at all, and have been doing so for about 10 years...so a few years prior to DX. Anyway, it's a crazy amount, I work in an ER and have to be careful not to drip on patients while leaning over them. and we're air conditioned well.
Does anyone else do that? My head is so wet, it drips off of my 'sideburns' and drip into my eyes. I often have to take a cool cloth and dry my whole head.

So, as this is kinda embarassing,as well as puzzling to patients I'm sure, I was thinking that a cooling vest under my scrubs would be ideal...

This is where I need to hear from my family here.....who uses one regularly? What's your brand? and why?

Me and some church mice in the area fight over food, so I have applied to all of the MS agencies and groups for donations of vests and kits, and have heard nothing in return..so I'm gonna have to go for it out of pocket, I will argue with my insurance co to cover it too, but price will be concern but not as much as function...

Please reply!! and thanks for your replies!!

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Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle..

Have you tried the ms foundation (http://www.msfacts.org/). I have found them helpful when I made inquiries by phoning. You do not have to BUY anything. They will send it to you.
There is also the MS Association of America. I believe they also have a "summer cooling" program.
I have also had a "no perspiring" period. Now, for some reason (I have MOT had the liberation procedure yet), it has been kinda hot this spring, and I find myself pouring at times. WTF?

I bought a vest last year. It did absolutely nothing for me!

I tried and tried to get one of those special Nike Olympic vests but they were not available to the public and nevder marketed.

I have found a little help from a special bandana that you get wet and put on. It has some "special" polymers that cool down when wet. Works OK. Kinda feels like a chamois and I think they're around $20-$30. You can drape it over your shoulders and across your neck also. I use it when camping mostly... PM and I'll give you the maker... oh, hell..it's Frogg Togg..check their website, you should be able to find it. (I do not pimp products but this one actually helped a little!!!)

(I checked..it's called Chilly Dana and it's $13)

A/C

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If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Al Einstein

I have a couple of those 'necktie things' they work OK if I stand still, they work on an evaporative cooling effect. Mostly at work, they make the neck area of my scrubs wet, and don't offer much cooling.
What was up with the vest you purchased?

I have contacted all of the MS foundations associations etc., I didn't even get a reply?!

I guess I'll try again...I really can't work like this...

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Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle..

It was one of those vests where you put the inserts into a freezer overnight to cool and use the next day. It was more like and old-timey life jacket where the sides were open - i'm sre you've seen them. I wore mine outside in 90+ degree weather and it didn't really help..might be better in doors though..never tried it inside

You might try Flomax-seriously! Some peope think they stop sweating because of their MS but my neuro thinks it might be the Flomax...I don't sweat a drop-ever! Don't think this is good however...

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If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Al Einstein

I agree, I think sweating is cleansing, if your body wants to do it, it's another way we get rid of wastes. However, I'd like to stay cooler at work, and not drip on any patients, or their EKG results, or other sensitive papers I handle. It's especially bothersome when I'm leaning over folks, like cleansing wounds or setting bones, or drawing blood. It's bad enough these people are scared and hurt, I think that my sweating sometimes makes it look like I'm nervous and not as capable as I am. I don't want them to be scared.
I LOVE my work, I LOVE the patients, I want to offer them the best of me.

There have been times when I've been so overheated i've felt like I can't continue working, I get dizzy and disoriented, and think that Maybe the Doc's are right, stay home and collect, but I know that the work keeps me strong mentally and physically. The lives I get to touch...gives me goosebumps..I met a man who was in the 101st airborne in the Argonne forest WWII, I met a woman who was the 12th patient ever seen at the hospital she said I made her feel more alive than she had in weeks...
I held a woman's hand while she held her Moms hand as she took her last breath.
I know it's all about the patients, but look what I get to have..

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Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle..

msmything:

It sounds like you may have already gone down this route, but maybe this might be of help:
link: Illiinois MS Chapter

It sounds like this chapter is pretty tough with the financial assistance (you have to exhaust other sources, etc).

Michigan's chapter seems much easier:
Michigan Chapter Link

Maybe because Lyon lives there. Hey, maybe he can apply and get the vest for you.

Or, maybe the national chapter might be more helpful:
National Chapter

I have had good luck with using an ordinary (cheap, flimsy) backpack, and sticking a big bag of ice in it. I use a platypus brand waterbag, but you could use a doubled set of gallon ziplocks. Fill with water, freeze. Stick in backpack, so that the ice is against the small of your back. You could experiment with a fanny pack or sew up something to put under your scrubs if sewing is an option.

[If your sewing skills are marginal: start with a dishtowel -- the edges are already finished for you. Then you just have make the one or two seams to get the pouch you want, and attach some kind of strap. Much easier than finishing edges of raw fabric.]

Good luck.

Jen.

thanks Jen! What's a platypus water bag? Something from a sporting goods store??

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Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle..

Yes. If the link works, look here: http://www.rei.com/product/768123

or here: http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___67049

You could just use (or re-use) a plastic water bottle, too. We happen to already own the platypi for other purposes.

Jen.