Off Subject ~Hot Baths~

[Guest guest]

>My old GP asked me regularly if hot baths made

>me limp. They didn't until some time after my

>diagnosis. Maybe that effect came later for me

>than for some, or maybe my diagnosis came earlier?

The same thing happened to me, Russ. I am RRMS; I had my first

symptoms (numbness) about 25 years ago; subsequent symptoms (more

numbness) were mild and far apart. This year, however, I developed

L'hermittes and partial deafness; and suddenly I can't take hot

baths anymore.

Up till this year, I NEVER had a problem with hot baths.

Loved 'em. The hotter the better. I also loved hot weather. But

now I can't get anywhere near a hot bath, and any weather above 80,

I've got the AC on.

I wonder what this means. Russ, was there any change in your

symptoms that corresponded time-wise with the inability to take a

hot bath? Just wondering...

-- Maureen

Maureen, and others who might wonder. I had long had some numbness

too. Just didn't pay attention to it. Hot baths and hot tubs become

less of a problem to ponder once other symptoms of MS begin to

manifest. For me, I could still walk when I noticed that I was a limp

noodle when I tried to get out of the hot water. Only, a little limp.

No pun intended.

A little later, the limp became more severe, my foot dragged, and

showers were less of a problem than baths. I am pasting in below from

a personal reply to Caren who asked me the following questions.

Maybe, some of you would care add~to or could answer her better than

I have?

" Tell me- what happens when people say they can't walk? "

Well, people look at them kinda in disbelief. Everybody can walk,

can't they? If you're sitting down in a normal chair, you still look

pretty normal. LOL If they only knew... The chair is a good prop,

heh? ...hehe...

Actually, the fact is that most people would rather not see me try to

walk. When I met my caregiver, Joy, I used only a cane thinking I was

less disabled that way. I also used restaurant tables, walls, other

people's chairs, and anything else I could grasp to stabilize myself.

Pride is a dangerous thing.

" Is it weakness or stiffness? "

Yes! Probably, both!!

When I first get up in the mornings, my legs don't want to work at

all. The pain and stiffness is mostly in my lower back, which I

originally thought was a pulled muscle or some kind of injury. As my

day progresses, the discomfort diminishes but the legs still are very

much unable to do what I tell them. For me, my right leg is the most

uncooperative. Since I can't raise my toes up, or lift my foot by

bending my knee, walking is a real struggle. Joy got my Dr to

prescribe a leg brace which really helps by keeping my foot in an L

position so I can swing my whole leg forward from the hip. Otherwise,

the foot drops and comes to rest dragging backwards. Not a good way

to try to walk.

By using a 4-wheeled walker, I can get around okay for short

distances, in the house etc. It has a seat for when I stop and

bicycle type hand brakes, which I grip with each step. I keep

breaking the cables.

When I go any distance, a wheelchair is less hassle for everyone, and

at least ten times faster. Now that I've got a motorized scooter, I

use it for anyplace close by or walking the dog.

" I know I have only scratched the surface with my knowledge with it

all...Are you walking now? "

No, I'm sitting down! hehe I never was good at using the computer on

the move. LOL I hope this answers a couple of your questions and that

you never have to gain your knowledge of MS~can't walk first~hand.

I neglected to answer, perhaps, one of the most troubling aspects of

the what happens when you " can't walk " question. You don't make it to

the restroom in time! The problem takes on new meaning~if you fall.

Russ