I went through the program earlier this year, and have had incredible results. Now, however, I am presented with a problem that has to do with a yet another thing I can't control. The weather. Yeah, I'm sure you're chuckling at that, but the thing is, I have MS. MS+Heat=Bad, bad things.
I had my first "attack" just over 4 years ago, and have only had one very minor recurance 8 months later. Since then, I've had the odd symptom, but not for a long while and nothing that takes me out of commission. Recently, after being out of work for nearly 6 months, I decided to make the fact that I'd "beaten" MS my raison d'etre. I've been writing a book about how nutrition is the key to handling MS, but now that it's getting hot again (I live in Los Angeles too!) and I'm having strange symptoms again, I'm beginning to wonder,"WHAT IF it's coming back," "WHAT IF I don't have the answers when it comes to this stupid disease." "WHAT IF I'm about to be out of commission for another month?" I've been doing everything I need to to take care of it and NOT take any medications. All the meds for MS are injections, expensive, toxic, and the last one I was on made me very sick, so I'm not going back to those. But I have no air conditioning, I live on the top floor (where the heat settles), and Summer is hot here!

I've been using the relaxation techniques I learned in the program, but all that does is make me forget, it's like changing the subject for me. And this is a subject that there's no cure for yet. I cannot ignore my health (or lack thereof), but I need to know how not to send myself into a stress-induced MS attack! It's like a monthlong panic attack! And after 4 years of remission...well, I'm scared.

Cat

What an awesome person you sound like! You know we all complain about our anxiety where we have only symptoms of anxiety that don't really "hurt" us in any real way physically but you have ligitimate concerns for yourself and still pick yourself up each day and go on. I think it is awesome that you are writing a book. What a great way to work through things and share with others what has worked for you, (like we all do on this forum dealing with anxiety). I have always heard that you should write about what you know. I live in Las Vegas, so I know hot! It gets up to 115 in the middle of summer and doesn't cool off any at night like it does in California. At least, you get some relief then. It is surprising that you don't have air conditioning, though. Didn't you say you live in an apartment? Have you discussed possibly getting a window unit or something with your landlord? Maybe, he/she might be willing to work with you if they understood your problems with heat. If they have a heart, that is. I am very hot natured myself and can't imagine living without a/c.

Anyway, I hope things continue going well for you. Just remember the positive self talk you learned in the program and how far you have come with all the obsticles you have overcome.

Mary

Well, unfortunately my complex has no a/c. For some reason, in the 60's when they built it, they didn't feel it necessary due to the proximity to the Pacific. I can hear it from here. I've been told about window units, which are all well and good if you have a window. I just have an enormous sliding glass door to the balcony, on which I spend most of my time. I've wanted to move, but because I lost my job earlier this year (and my next job is still 2 weeks away) I'm not in any position to move.

One of my favorite ways to battle the heat is with a frozen bottle of water. I keep water-filled bottles in the freezer and just drink it as it thaws. I think my current stress level is the primary culprit, so today I took 3 naps (after listening to the relaxation tape each time) and reminded myself that it was perfectly okay. I don't need to be anywhere for hours, and I couldn't keep my eyes open anyway!

Thanks for your support, I think I'll get past this soon. My symptoms are dwindling as I get more rest, and I'm taking care of my money woes.

Take it easy!
C@

I think I've figured it out now! I'm currently writing a book about food and MS, and hadn't had any new ideas for a while...3 chapters in. I decided to put together all the tips and tricks I know to make MS more manageable into one giant list. Now I have an easy reference for whenever I have symptoms! That list will be chapter 5!

What if it's happening again? If it is, I'm prepared.

Thanks for the support I've gotten here!
C@

Hi, it sounds like you are on the right track. Maybe, in writing the book you are also reminded of when things have been worse, like when we start working on our anxiety and depression. It gets worse before it gets better.

I have been dealing with some vision issues lately. I have been to the eye doctor and everything checked out fine. I also contacted my original psychiatrist about it. I have had so many tests run for another symptom I was having that I can't imagine much else they could test. I also got a new prescription for my glasses and just started wearing them today, so that has been interesting. My psychiatrist said to give it some time and see if it goes away, (as it did before), or if it gets worse to come in. My eye doctor thinks it is migraine related, I don't as the symptoms are all the time. What happens is when I look at something, especially noticeable when I look at something with verticle edges it looks like it is swaying and even on eht outer sides of where I am focusing it does this wavy thing. I had it before when my anxiety was very high and I figured it was another physical symtpm. I ignored it and it went away. I can ignore it much of the time and it doesn't distort words or anything like that. I also had the grid test they use to diagnose degenerative eye disease with no problems.

Anyway, enough about me. I hope it cools off some for you. I know the heat makes you sleepy too.

Take care,

Mary

I don't know if they have these where you live but in New York they have stand up air condition units, they don't go in a window, they are made for rooms without windows, maybe you could look into that, I don't think they are that costly but I'm not positive, but you would get some relief.
I am also very hot all the time, I freeze my husband in the house, but it seems like ever since I had panic/anxiety I can't take the heat, its seems like it makes it worse.