This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I got back last week from a vacation in Breckenridge, CO. For those of you around the world, Breckenridge is in the Rocky Mountains. The elevation is 9000+ feet (2700+ meters for everyone but us in the US :p). The average temp was a nice 72 degrees F during the day. I felt great! I had virtually no fatigue and even played golf 3 days in a row.

As with all good things, my trip came to an end when I stepped off the plane in Dallas to 100 degrees F and high humidity. Ugh. Since then, I have already started having alot of fatigue. I am basically confined to staying indoors (thank goodness for air conditioning).

I guess my question is this: What are you guys doing to beat the heat during the summer? Also, do any of you take alpha lipoic acid supplements. They are purported to help combat fatigue. Are they beneficial for anyone here?

Here's a link to an older thread where I discus lipoic acid. Hopefully, it will give you some more information. Note that I haven't read about it being used to treat fatigue specifically but it's been a little while since I've read through the published research on it.

NHE

Hi EyeDoc!
Being in Florida I can relate to the heat, although even when I was in Ohio this summer it was just as hot there as here! Heat hasn't bothered me so much so I can't speak specifically to that. However, I have had bouts of fatigue in the past and I've taken Provigil which I have found to be helpful. But now I use a vitamin and amino acid drink daily with which I have had very positive results. I don't think we are supposed to promote any companies or products on this site so if you want more information you can pm me. I don't have anything to do with the company other than buying the product.

I do think, though, that the heat is affecting everyone. Hopefully we'll get a break in a few weeks!

Lori

Heat has always been a fatigue/feet swelling problem for me. I know of no way to get around it except to stay near the air conditioner. Even going out and getting in the car or walking into heat for only a few minutes is problematic for me.

When we lived in Alaska I went to a seminar conducted by a neuro from the Seattle MS clinic. Part of his discussion was about heat and nerve conduction problems in MS.

You should have access to medical journals that describe what is happening with the nerve transmitters when we become hot. If you find any info that would be help, let us know.

I felt better in Alaska than any other place we have lived since I came down with MS. Even in the winter, we would go out when the temps were 20-40 below zero and that did not bother me. But put me above 80' and I wilt.

gwa

Fortunately heat in Australia is not a problem at present, but that is all likely to change in a few months. Air-con seems to be the most reliable measure, although I've heard of, but not tried cooling vests. Some MSers swear by them but they seem a little impractical to me. I've thought that something could be designed specifically for MSers with just a very narrow and discreet cooling strip which follows the spine.

When it's hot, I have to stay inside. Today, it was about 80 degrees and I went out for a short bike ride. When I got home, I had to lay down for about an hour, then I was dragging for the rest of the day. But I had my cardio exercise...

It's a chore to get exercise in the hot months. I do best in about 65 degrees and sunny. I'll welcome fall when it gets here in N. Illinois. It has been quite an adjustment for me...

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Take care, Ewizabeth Previously Avonex, Rebif & Copaxone RRMS ~Tysabri, 31 infusions, ended 9/09. Starting Copaxone 12/09, waiting for Cladribine to be approved in 2010.

Staying inside is what works for me too. Since I'm the eng. manager for a company with multiple plants, I'm on my feel all the damn time during the day. We have one plant that gets about 125 when it's just 90 outside. Lately. we've been 90+ for like 14 days and I can't spend any time in that plant at all!! We had a great day today, low 80's and low humidity, but when it's hot like the days before, I'm much better in the A/C. Cold showers are the only other thing, but you can't stay in the shower all the time!