Fever affects!

[positiveness]

Hi everyone! Fortunately, I do not currently have a fever, but when I do have one, it becomes a lot more challenging for me to move and even stand up, let alone make it to the bathroom on time. Does anyone have any suggestions for this predicament?

[Hidden]

As we all know, when the core temperature of an MSer goes up, particularly those with lesions on the spine, the MS kicks in with a vengeance. We try to stay as otherwise healthy as we can (not always possible), stay inside during the real cold weather (also not always possible) and stay as clean as we can (no further comment needed). When my warrior gets "sick," it's all I can do to get her on/off wheelchair, bed, or toilet, and has, in some instances required hospitalization and rehab afterwards. We know the paramedics in our neighborhood by their first name, as do they, ours!

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador]

I would suggest going to the bathroom frequently, even if you don't think you need to go. Also, because if you are feverish, you need to drink more fluids, so maybe your doc could RX something to help. There's a joke floating around here about MS folks know where every restroom is.. allot of truth to that one. Best to you, Lynn

[positiveness in reply to CalfeeChick]

Thank you so much. Those are great pieces of advice.

[positiveness in reply to CalfeeChick]

Thanks a lot. That's a great suggestion about going to the bathroom even when you don't fear like you have to.

[Fancy1959]

Positiveness it's Fancy1959 responding to your post about MS and fevers. First thing, I would please advise you want to get a professional viewpoint before you listen to our home-baked theories. I know fevers are devastating for me. My neurologist advises me every year to make sure I get the flu shot early because he says if I get the flu it's like it in the flu on steroids and boy he wasn't kidding. I got it 3 years ago and I was seriously ill. And seriously ill within 12 hours. When I run a fever I get to where I can't walk, I can't get up, I can't do much except find a spot to lay with a blanket wrapped around me. Seriously I can't even move. I believe scientifically a fever causes inflammation and since people with MS often have to be careful not to become overheated especially like in the summer or and hot tubs etc., a fever has the same effect of overheating and causing inflammation we cannot afford to have.

[Miriade in reply to Fancy1959]

Hi Fancy 1959. I like very much your explanation. This happened to me, knock me down for over a week and more. Professional view point first.

[positiveness in reply to Fancy1959]

Thank you so much Fancy 1959. I did get my flu shot again this year, and hope to stay clear of any fever. It's brutal, as we all know.

[Miriade]

Well I had fever couple times because of low white cells. We are susceptible to low fever and even when I did blood culture came negative. But I knew the reason which is not visible. It is related to fungus, mold from attic and A/C. Frequent problem in Florida. I decided to use natural immune booster taking raw fresh garlic, honey, green tea, cammomile and others. It is little bit complicated making suggestions because the cause and conditions of fever varies and depends if the person can take some immune booster or not, since we are taking immuno suppressor to fight auto immune disease. This is why I prefer only use natural food whole food to help fever.

[erash in reply to Miriade]

Miriade

Your supplements sound fine, and I'm no expert, but I do know u need to be cautious @ things that stimulate the immune system since MS is already an overactive immune response

[positiveness in reply to Miriade]

Thanks a lot for your thoughts. Getting a fever is scary for all of us,and it appears to be iinevitable at times.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Ugh, fevers, positiveness l seem to get them every other month. 😢 Usually after l push myself to hard. The only thing l can do is sleep it off, and plenty of liquids. (Freeze pops are awesome 😅) Glad you don't have one now tho! 😁

Hope it he!ps

Jes💞

[positiveness in reply to Jesmcd2]

Hi Jesmcd2. That's so sad that you have a fever so frequently. They are terrible!

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to positiveness]

I just go with the flow anymore. And stay away from sick all lol 😅

Gatorade helps also because of the electrolytes. 😊

Jes💞

[Miriade in reply to Jesmcd2]

Instead Gatorate I drink Coconut Water almost everyday for eletrolytes, and helps mantain energy. Many good brands nowadays, pure, tetrapak. Costco is better price, bigger and small size. Also to prevent heat i bring with me a special towel to get wet and roll in my neck, another small hat which retain water, portable fan hanging in my neck, etc, plus hat over my hat of course. I bought a vest but never use.hahaha

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to Miriade]

Miriade l have neck wraps in my fridge at all times! 😅 I have a cooling wrap, it goes around your waist,. But there is no give to it.😕 The ice packs have to be almost melted to be comfortable.

Now that there is snow l just go put my head in a snow bank.😅 Ugh

Jes💞

[Eleyne92]

This is a very good question.

Thankfully, I haven't had a fever in years but I seem to remember it made me feel like I was drunk. Dizziness, distorted vision, uncoordinated motor skills. And I KNOW how my body reacts to being overheated, even a little bit. Yep, I am concerned.

I'll probably have to ask Hubby to stay home with me, just so I can manage the transfers. Not a good situation.

[positiveness in reply to Eleyne92]

Hi Eleyne! Thanks for your input about this horrible occurrence of having a fever. I personally hate the feeling I get when overheated as well. Anything that adds to the inflammation we already have is tough and that much more challenging. I would much rather get the flu shot to prevent this from happening.

[mcheri]

My husband cannot even feed himself with fever and Tylenol and antibiotics if it's uti will help. Plenty of fluids and rest. It exacerbates the MS terribly here too

[positiveness in reply to mcheri]

That's so true. A fever really does take away so many of the abilities we may have.

[tnolan2006]

I keep a supply of methylprednisone pills handy for such an occurance. It really helps. Ask your neurologist for a bottle of pills. Only a few are needed to get you up off your back.

[Featherhead in reply to tnolan2006]

BUT IF THERE IS UNDERLYING INFECTION IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET ANTIBIOTICS PRESCRIBED. Sorry for capitols - not intended!

[tnolan2006 in reply to Featherhead]

Yes, It's important to get underlying problem treated. If it's a bacterial infection, then the proper antibiotic needs to be taken.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to tnolan2006]

tnolan2006 methylprednisone compromises your immune system. Where as a fever, is fighting off an infection. So l dont know why your Dr would give you that? Would seem to me like it defeats the purpose? Lol lol 😕😅

Jes💞

[tnolan2006 in reply to Jesmcd2]

With a bad cold, I get literally put on my back because of the fever killing nerve transmission. The pred quickly reverses this. My experience is that the cold goes away.

[positiveness in reply to tnolan2006]

Right, colds are terrible to have for us. I generally get a sinus infection that takes any energy I may have away.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to tnolan2006]

tnolan2006 maybe l should ask my PCP or my neuro about it? l hate getting sick. It literally knocks me out cold. Ugh. So far so good with the flu shots tho.☺ Knock on wood! But l got mine as soon as it came available, in late Aug. Lol

I hope you feel better soon!!! Being sick sucks!

Jes 🎄

[Miriade in reply to tnolan2006]

I got fever reaction from my husband flu vaccine which cause to him symptoms. The shot im his arm was too high and got bruise and the virus went straight to the blood stream instead giving time for antibodies. In the first 24 hours (je was already with fever and all body typical flu. I took him to the Minute Clinic at CVS explaining his and my immune system and asked to prescribe to both of us TAMIFLU to reduce the time of flu virus. Worked perfect for him,cutting all his flu quickly,but I had a little bit lower over high temperature for 4days. I got half dose of Tamiflu and he got full dose for 7days.

And there are more natural nutrientes to improve our immune system without compromise ativation like bluberry whole fruit everyday , sambuca and berberine. I am using most the time now and propolis also.

[positiveness]

Thank you everyone for your intelligent responses. = )

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to positiveness]

positiveness get the flu shot,if your DR's tell you to. I've had it 2yrs in a row now, and besides a sore arm, no side affects and contrary to belief you don't get sick from it ☺

Jes💞

[tnolan2006 in reply to Jesmcd2]

If you're able to take them, vaccines are great. I used to take vaccines until recently, but I get the pseudoexascerbations (sp?) really bad now, so I don't anymore.

[positiveness in reply to tnolan2006]

I sure do hope you feel better soon.

[mcheri in reply to tnolan2006]

Here also...twice flu shot and twice wound up in hospital. No more here. We will take our chances

[positiveness in reply to mcheri]

That's very sad mcheri. I would be thinking twice about getting the flu shot if that happened to me as well.

[positiveness in reply to Jesmcd2]

I am glad I received the flu shot last year and a few weeks ago. So far so good.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to positiveness]

Looking around.... What intelligent response? Lolol joking positiveness 😁

Glad you got your flu shot!

Jes🎄

[positiveness in reply to Jesmcd2]

Lol! That's a good one Jes. Thanks for making me laugh and smile.

[angelite]

Paracetomol will lower your temp - you may need to look at other cooling methods too. Stripping down, sponging with cool water, fan etc. On a practical note -having a bucket with lid ( you can add a dash of fragrant disinfectant ) and jug for liquid elimination purposes ( you fill the jug in situ then empty in bucket ! ) is useful. If you suspect you are likely to be stuck in bed, as a result of a colds etc coming on, get all your drink supplies, snacks and medical/practical needs ready in there with you, within easy reach. I can cheerfully sleep round the clock when ill ! : ) x

[Ginger247]

No fever yet, but I have been knocked over by a cold that has taken 2 weeks to get over. I have not had a cold in years. I feel it as much in my muscles as my chest/sinuses, I want to sleep a lot and I cannot keep warm enough (heat is obviously not what I generally want any part of). After reading different responses, I feel like I need to start bookmarking some web sites. I just bought a mattress pad and a seating pad for my couch due to too many close calls. I'm worried a bit about returning to a high germ environment in a little over a month.

For those who are still working, do you find any thing that keeps your immune defenses up? I'll also ask my neurologist, as I have allergies to codeine and zinc. I don't know if there's a web site for that. What have you been using for your fever?

I know the nation's weather has most of us shivering, but best wishes for a wonderful Christmas (happy holidays)! Hope you feel better soon!

[positiveness in reply to Ginger247]

Hi Ginger! I am sure we all have our own remedies, but congestion, I like to use a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a tablespoon of honey. This usually clears up my congestion and helps me fight my allergens to help me feel better. I also use Tylenol and ibuprofen if I ever get a fever, and call my family physician or an antibiotic. I find this works out well for me.

[Ginger247 in reply to positiveness]

Thanks for those ideas! I will try that. I'll also make sure to jot down a cheat sheet of how to handle when I get ill, especially the part about keeping my doctor in the loop. I don't want to bother her with every little thing that comes up, but I need to get over that. 😄 I also appreciate something natural to consider, thanks!