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SWIMMING & MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:09 am
by saretta
Ok, I invite you to see a video I made in spring 2010. Since then conditions and my beliefs changed, but it is a good starting point for understanding what kind of help I need and what research I am doing

Re: SWIMMING & MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:19 am
by dania
For me, just drinking a glass of water and ice chips makes me stronger within minutes. I notice that the feeling/sensation in my legs becomes almost normal seconds after drinking icy water. For me, I know, it is tied to core body temperature as I am always at my weakest in the afternoon/evening when my body temperature is at it's highest.

Re: SWIMMING & MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:45 pm
by Squeakycat
There is some useful information on this phenomena known as Uhthoff's phenomenon in the Wikipedia.

Re: SWIMMING & MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:28 am
by Cece
My Diet Coke habit was in part a "any cold drink will do" habit. I am like dania, my afternoons are my weakest.

Re: SWIMMING & MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:02 pm
by CuriousRobot
I used to spar kickboxing a few years back. I was in the ring and got clipped on the side of the head with an overhand right. It knocked me silly and caused what I can describe as "temporary nystagmus." I imagine the raised body temperature due to physical exertion, coupled with my brain smashing into the side of my skull (inflammation/heat response) caused this temporary symptom to arise. A hot shower doesn't exacerbate my symptoms, but overall heightened temperature does the trick in some PWMS.

However, the shot didn't knock me down. I finished the round, albeit with eyes crossed. For the rest of the night, I sat out. That was the last time I sparred.

I carefully drove back home, thinking I was having a new MS attack. At home, I drank a blender-full of ice water. I got momentary brain freeze and my vision corrected. I did this for a few more times until I couldn't drink anymore. Then, I went in under very cold water in the shower. I never had problems with spasticity, so the cold water was only very cold and wasn't locking up my muscles. I did this a few more times and with plenty of rest (no physical exertion for a week or so) and eventually my vision came back to normal. Thinking back, it always feels like I dodged a bullet.