What about the Autonomic NS?

[goatgal]

The post about high blood pressure has set me to wondering. The damage MS causes to the brain and central nervous system (CNS) is well documented, but what about MS effects on the autonomic nervous system (ANS)? As I understand it (or misunderstand?) the ANS controls temperature regulation, bladder and bowel function, blood pressure, heart rate and other functions. This may explain why stressful situations cause my blood pressure to spike. Does MS damage also explain why I have a sudden urge for a bowel movement when I suddenly change from an extremely hot environment (e.g., the asphalted paving of a parking lot) to a superchilled environment (e.g., a grocery store). This is a summer phenomenon for me, triggered when outdoor temps are 100s and higher, and I go from hot to sudden chill, even from hot beach to cold ocean. Is this my ANS system struggling to balance sudden changes? Hmmm --- not a problem, but certainly odd.

[Iona60]

MS definitely wreaks havoc with temperature control, bowel and bladder function. It will be interesting to see if anyone had any info on the rest on the ANS.

[jimeka]

I look forward to reading everyone’s responses, good post goatgirl. Blessings Jimeka 🦋 🦔

[jackiesj]

Good post, YES!It is crazy to see me with a sweater in 100 degrees, needing a fan,, using a heating pad but the air is on 70?!I have had HBP, Cardiac etc and weigh 118.MS related, which comes first cart or horse.I do believe the lack of exercise I can do lower extremeties, vers what I could use to do...also plaques in the brain, well enough said on my ditzy times.They believe my quad bypass failed because of scarring due to the vein they took out of my leg evidence of MS.Thank goodness for stents.Alive…..

[Fancy1959]

Goatgal, it's Fancy1959. You are not alone with your wide variety of symptoms. No one ever told us that we would experience such unimaginable and sometimes embarrassing situations when we were first diagnosed with MS. I often have bladder issues and seem to have triggers that I try not to think or psychological but when I walk into a restroom I have to go suddenly extremely bad or sometimes when I pull in my garage at home it's the same thing. It's beyond frustrating but it could be worse. And believe me I say that to myself sometimes a dozen times a day and I encourage everyone who gets discouraged with this monster to chant the phrase to themselves as well. It could be worse, it could be worse, it could be worse! Fancy.

[goatgal in reply to Fancy1959]

Fancy1959 When I brought this up with an internist and with one of my neuros, the response was "you should go before leaving home" and "choose a time every day for your bowel movements" ...at such moments, I want to shake the person who responds in this way, and say "do you think I am stupid? are you listening? do you think I am a toddler in the process of being toilet trained???" I am so glad to have a place where I can ask a question and receive non-judgmental responses. Thank you to everyone for listening and making me feel less isolated.

[Morllyn]

Something to think about.🤔

[erash]

I would say yes, it's possible that the temp change is causing your symptoms. Because of MS we can lose control of our ANS and have a myriad of symptoms to include vasovagal symptoms

[goatgal in reply to erash]

erash As someone who experiences Raynaud's, I am familiar with it coming on suddenly, any time of year, when I reach into a frozen food case; sometimes even an AC vent in the car dashboard will cause one finger to go numb and white. Is it the ANS that controls vascular dilation and constriction (migraine, Raynaud's, etc)? Given your background and superior understanding of most things medical, do you know if it is possible to study the ANS system directly or is it observeable only through functions (including malfunction)?

[erash in reply to goatgal]

Since I have similar symptoms (raynauds) with minimal coolness, I have assumed vasospasm related to ANS. My cardiologist told me to wear gloves (ugh) so now I wear neoprene gloves in the pool (which isn’t even cold)

[Lilith08]

You mentioned Raynaud’s—I’m not sure that I ever had full-blown Raynaud’s or just very sensitive to cold but starting about 25 years ago I could not carry a jug of milk from the cooler to the checkout line; and just walking through the refrigerated sections of the grocery was a bit of a trial. That lasted many years but for a while now it has been much improved.

I don’t remember where I was going with this point 😅 but maybe I was wondering how a problem like that can come and go or even just resolve itself over time. I also used to always be freezing at the office—even had fingerless gloves so I could still use the keyboard; then a few years ago I realized I no longer needed my sweater or gloves. (And now I’m out of the workforce...)

[kris1973]

I went thru 6 weeks of ANS testing @ Mayo Clinic...which would be why Jesmcd2 calls me pixie dust!!! Check out my post called “bodyprint”.🤣 -Kris