Tag: heat

Tropical “Strain”

I am convinced that my strain of MS is tropical and hates the cold weather (0r maybe just Atlanta)!  Went down to Miami this past weekend and not that i didn’t have issues, but i certainly didn’t struggle as much as i do here sometimes.  I’m going to have to move to FL…it’s already been cold a few mornings here – it’s time for me to go into hibernation.

i actually used the cane everywhere i carried it – i’m getting used to it now.  Took it to all the fetes, even took it on the road.  Of course, i can no longer play mas, but K is a good friend of the DJ for one of the bands and arranged for me to be on the (music) truck.  I lasted the entire day on the road – cane and all – and had a blast!

not the truck i was on, but u get the picture
I was actually having 2nd thoughts about going on the road, but i’m really happy that i did, even though i got ah lil emotional when the band crossed the stage.  Not being able to play mas and really enjoy myself in a carnival fete are 2 of the things that REALLY upset me. 
  • We go to a fete and i have to siddong (sit down) most of the time – that SUCKS!
  • We play in a band and i have to ride on the truck and not be on the road – that SUCKS ASS!
but!  I will look on the bright side of things – i can go and enjoy myself in my own way, besides which i don’t think that any of my friends will allow me to stay home!

Tropical "Strain"

I am convinced that my strain of MS is tropical and hates the cold weather (0r maybe just Atlanta)!  Went down to Miami this past weekend and not that i didn’t have issues, but i certainly didn’t struggle as much as i do here sometimes.  I’m going to have to move to FL…it’s already been cold a few mornings here – it’s time for me to go into hibernation.

i actually used the cane everywhere i carried it – i’m getting used to it now.  Took it to all the fetes, even took it on the road.  Of course, i can no longer play mas, but K is a good friend of the DJ for one of the bands and arranged for me to be on the (music) truck.  I lasted the entire day on the road – cane and all – and had a blast!

not the truck i was on, but u get the picture
I was actually having 2nd thoughts about going on the road, but i’m really happy that i did, even though i got ah lil emotional when the band crossed the stage.  Not being able to play mas and really enjoy myself in a carnival fete are 2 of the things that REALLY upset me. 
  • We go to a fete and i have to siddong (sit down) most of the time – that SUCKS!
  • We play in a band and i have to ride on the truck and not be on the road – that SUCKS ASS!
but!  I will look on the bright side of things – i can go and enjoy myself in my own way, besides which i don’t think that any of my friends will allow me to stay home!

Heat + MS=Disaster

I’ll tell anyone up here without skipping a beat that “I’m an island girl”.  I practically grew up on the equator in Trinidad.  I knew nothing of cold weather and snow and jackets and gloves and…I can go on and on…I’ve been in Atlanta for 18 years (gasp!) and every year handling winter gets worse for me – for instance, this year i’m hibernating.  if i ever leave da A, i will be moving south – I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE HEAT!!  this cold weather truly is for the dogs!

My Home and Our Flag

Well…how “lucky” am I that heat exacerbates Multiple Sclerosis???  For an MS patient, alot of times summer is dreaded because, if displaying symptoms at that time, the heat will/could worsen the symptom.  The “good” thing about this is that once the body temperature cools down, the symptoms (writing this blog has taught me that i cannot spell that word on the first try) are generally rapidly reversed.  It is suggested that, among other things, we (patients):

  • Stay in air conditioned areas (i really don’t enjoy a/c – esp when i’m in the car and driving; “G” absolutely hates it because i dunno, but I’m beginning to think that she actually didn’t grow up in Trinidad afterall)
  • Use cooling products during any outdoor activity
  • Exercise in a cool pool
  • Drink “icy” drinks that may provide temporary relief

(as a side note, i must mention here that sometimes the flip side is true too – there are patients who are affected by the cold! – that’s MS for u)

I am yet to experience any exacerbation of any symptom during summer OR if i did, it wasn’t so marked that i noticed.  Oh well, as i mentioned before I’m hibernating this year AND I AM counting down the days to being able to drive with my car windows AND sunroof open!

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