Louise; thickin' it; body temp

[Guest guest]

Louise, no one will ever pity you, you are a rock, you have nothing but the

greatest of respect coming your way.

I use thickin' it, with water, coffee even on days I seem to choke on

nearly everything and when I know the constant diarrhea (some days) makes

me too dehydrated. I use it sparingly, my greatest concern is the added

empty calories (it is just corn starch) it adds - nutritional value is nil

other than hydration. If the choice were mine I'd opt for intra-venous re

hydration, just the water. At the consistency of a light custard and at

room temperature it does the trick. I worry however that it is rarely made

clear that it is carbohydrate and that might cause trouble with diabetes

etc. plus add to the total calory count. On top of that it occupies the

very little digestive capacity I have without adding to my general

health. You'd think they'd come up with something more

efficient. Personally I'd just as soon keep myself on a diet of whipping

cream pureed with fruit, or thick carrot juice. I plan intake according

the maximum nutritional balance. I cannot drink through a straw, just

constant sipping. I find I function best when my calorie intake is low

(old dance habit), but I am fanatically aware of meeting nutritional needs

without exceeding them.

My body temp has a tendency to stay high, when I am active (no loss through

sweating). I keep my room cool 20C/65F, and always wear layers of

clothing. I use (you're gonna laugh) mood rings (liquid crystals) to clue

me in if I'm getting too warm or not. My circulation suck (hydration,

viscosity issues) so when my hands are warm, my core is almost certainly

overheating. Cool showers, refrigerated flax seed pillows, and minimal

clothing. If on the other hand the rings show no temp at all, I need to

start moving around - these times my muscles are absolutely rigid, if I

stay still and cool down I shake violently (not shivering). Workable for

me is cool, with my arms mottled and goosefleshy, just the way it is for

me. The normal temp regulators (sweating for instance) are on the fritz

and cannot be relied on, so I have to take charge. If I forget to turn off

the heat at night, I cannot wake up, in a cool room I can. I don't

understand the rigid muscle theory. As a dance therapist all I can think

of is that she is referring to the heat generated by inflammation (as in

arthritis, fibromyalgia), but with MSA it is unlikely. Yes, activity

raises body temp, that is not the problem, that kind of heat is helpful to

your body (blood flow, pliability), the problem is that the autonomic

processes which allow the body temperature to regulate just plain don't

work! Panting (like a dog) lowers BP and is good for lung tone also

effective exhalation takes down your core temp. Placing cold pillows of

flaxseed (or buckwheat) where major arteries pass through (inner thigh,

upper breastbone, neck) also is quite effective. Sadly this illness adds

to the workload of living, you now have to do for your body what normally

would have been done without need to bring it into consciousness.

I've won one round with the power that be and will likely have my liquid

meals program restarted. Nowhere on the home care and therapy

front. Small gains.

aletta mes

vancouver, bc, canada

web: http//aletta.0catch.com

_________________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Greetings Brine!

You wonder:

> ... and my problems are neurological, doesn't

> that mean/prove its a nerve thing? Or can you

> get the same symptoms from different causes?

To the first question, maybe. To the second question, yes. Which is the

first question must be answered maybe. For example, someone that struggles

with diabetes can often have problems with perceiving temp changes, even

when it does not.

Regards,

=jbf=

b. Fisher

[Guest guest]

Greetings Brine!

You wonder:

> ... and my problems are neurological, doesn't

> that mean/prove its a nerve thing? Or can you

> get the same symptoms from different causes?

To the first question, maybe. To the second question, yes. Which is the

first question must be answered maybe. For example, someone that struggles

with diabetes can often have problems with perceiving temp changes, even

when it does not.

Regards,

=jbf=

b. Fisher