The problem I have with heat is not being able to dissipate it (sweat,
whatever) below T5. I build up heat walking, and then get flushed in the
face and completely soaked with sweat, including my scalp, in warm weather.
My body temperature rises rapidly even walking a block during a heat alert.
I avoid exercising outdoors if it's over 85 degrees and humid (90 degrees
and over if not humid--rare in Washington, D.C.). Unfortunately, my
favorite form of exercise is walking.
My walking ability did go downhill when I was laid up after surgery last
summer (six years post-TM). I walked with a cane for the first year and
then in icy conditions after that, until post-surgery last summer, when I
had to use the cane about four months because I lost strength, endurance,
and balance. With PT and exercise, I got back to "normal" for me, which is
slower than everyone else. The neurologist said it was a result of being
off my feet temporarily, and not a relapse.
FYI, my visit to the cardiologist went well--she thinks it's mitral valve
prolapse, a benign condition that is not treated, and will do a 2-D
echocardiogram. Had she needed to do a stress-echo for heart disease, my
TM-induced inability to walk fast or run on a treadmill would have ruled out
that kind of test. She would have had to do a drug-induced stress test at a
hospital, which sounds quite dangerous/unpleasant to me. If anyone needs a
great cardiologist in DC, I certainly nominate her (Elizabeth Ross).
Aurore
aurore(AT)erols.com
>Hi Everyone -
> I started walking again (with one cane) 8 months after getting
>TM so, I have been walking 4 months. The bottom half of my body is numb
>at all times. When it rains, my legs get weaker and my entire body
>hurts. I don't know if I will have trouble in the heat because I was in
>the wheelchair last summer when it was hot. I do have some problems
>with bitter cold when the temperature is really low but have not had
>much trouble with general cold (30 degrees and up). I don't have the
>jerky type spasms I did early on in my TM. I do have something that I
>think is a spasm when I stand - my leg jerks stiff and sort of propels
>me forward. When I wake up and stretch, my legs take over and pull
>downward. Those may be some different type spasms. I don't know.
>
> My question is this. Does anyone have any information on the
>permanency of walking? Is it permanent, temporary or does it come and
>go? Has anyone been paralyzed then walked? If so, how long? If some of
>you are walking, what happens in warm weather? Do the legs get weaker?
>No effect, etc.? What about in rainy weather? Weaker? No effect? Any
>information you have would be greatly appreciated.
>Nora in Chicago
>
>