We want your tips for dealing with the coming colder temperatures

[greaterexp]

I know most of us are still dealing with heat, but fall is mostly here, which means winter is right around the corner. Many of us have issues with the cold temperatures increasing our muscle spasms. Do you have any tips that help us cope with the cold temperatures beyond dressing in layers?

[lbenmaor]

Dress Warm. If you're too warm you can always take some off.

Leslie

[greaterexp]

I started carrying little hand warmers in my pockets in case I need them. They’re pretty cheap. They’re the types sold to hunters.

I also made a fleece pocket of sorts that I can slip my feet into, shoes and all. It’s like a lap blanket, but I can slip my feet and lower legs in. Restaurants are usually drafty, especially near the floor. Once my feet get cold, it takes forever to “thaw” them.

[Kenu]

Last year I posted about taking a auto windshield shade, cutting it the size of your shoe 👞 insole. Tace it off insole , cut it and put in shoe reflective side towards foot. Reflects heat back towards foot 👍. Also they make battery gloves 🧤, socks 🧦, insulated jeans 👖. My uncle turned me on to ladies stocking to wear under your cowboy 🤠 Hat 🧢 baseball cap holds the heat in. Can carry it in your pocket and takes up no room 👍. Snowmobile survival blankets work well to wrap around you if heat goes off. Very inexpensive at sporting goods store👍. Just couple ideas 💡. 😁🐾😎 Ken

[jimeka in reply to Kenu]

Some good ideas Kenu . Good post greaterexp 🦋

[MS_Indestructible in reply to Kenu]

very good ideas, thanks for the tips

[greaterexp in reply to Kenu]

Ken, Have you tried those battery-powered warming gloves or socks yourself? Do they work well? Any brands that are better than others? The socks seem very expensive, at least on Amazon. I did see these:

smile.amazon.com/Carex-Warm...

[Kenu in reply to greaterexp]

The socks are a little expensive, but my brother uses them on the train 🚂 as he is a engineer. The units are made of steel and the floors get way cold. He has been out in temps 30 degrees below 0 and they work great 👍 Back when I could 🎿 I wore them all the time in below 0 temps. I don’t remember the brands but they did work and were costly but lasted for several years. I’m sure they have to be better now. The gloves 🧤 Have hand warmer pocket to slide in hand warmers work great 👍. Bought at Sportsman, Cabelas, Dicks, REI, etc. 👍🐾 Ken

[TonyiaR7 in reply to Kenu]

Courdoroy pants are warmer than jeans, straight legs.

[greaterexp]

Cuddleduds, too!

[Raingrrl in reply to greaterexp]

I love those! I sleep in them during the colder months. So comfortable! And you can often find them on sale.

[janetb1968]

Really good ideas and yes Autumn is not far off always happens after my 1st September birthday............🙄🙄🙄🙄❄❄❄❄☔☔☔🌨🌨🌨🌩🌩🌩

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

I use "fingertip less" gloves. Outside and in. That way I can still text, type, and whatever and my hand stays warm. 🤗💕

J🌠

Great post greaterexp

[Doubled51]

I dread it because cold is my enemy in this fight. I spend more time inside wrapped in a blanket in front of the fireplace and still can’t keep my feet warm without a heating pad.

Outside I dress in insulated underwear artic rated socks and insulated boots. I also have insulated coveralls if I’m gonna be out long.

But my feet will be cold til next spring no matter what I do.

Donnie

[Peruzzot]

I am a cold weather victim...frost bite on hands and feet followed by pneumonia less than 24 hours later so I'm very sensitive to cold temperatures.

Dress in layers.

Use had and feet warmers...you can usually find them in sporting goods sections of most stores.

Lots of moisturizing lotion for exposed skin.

Use sunscreen while outside...especially when there is snow...it reflects the rays and makes them more sneakily stronger than summer months.

Drink lots of water.

Drink lots of hot cocoa.

Avoid alcohol it falsely gives people a sense of warming but it actually lowers your body temp in cold weather.

Eat lots of chili and hot soup.

Be like my Dad's mom and have a house to live in Michigan during the summer and a house on the gulf coast of Texas in the winter. She was sensitive to extreme temperatures and had to stay within the 50-80 degree range. I don't know what caused that sensitivity issue. I had just turned 4 years old when she passed away from breast cancer.

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

Hey greaterexp,

Great post! Lots of great ideas here!

Some tips from me ~ Dress in loose layers, the first layer being cotton, or something soft. Gloves without the tips to be worn inside, as Jesmcd2 suggested, is a great idea. A hat or hoodie is also a good idea when venturing outside. As Peruzzot suggested, hot cocoa is good, but I use a 12 oz hot drink with 2 tablespoons coconut vinegar/apple vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, juice of 1 lemon, and 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. It is a detox drink, but I love to drink it as an alternative to tea/coffee. Warms my insides.

For outside, I sometimes wear ski pants. It helps because my left leg spasms something terrible when it gets too cold!

Keep smiling,

Carole

[greaterexp]

Thanks to everyone for great ideas! I know it should seem simple to just wear warm clothing, but we all know that doesn't always work in many situations, or it just isn't enough. Our thermostats just don't seem to work like they did before MS.

I am learning to try to prevent getting cold in the first place, rather than deal with the stiffness or pain later, but I often forget to function in "MS mode."

My feet and legs seem to suffer the most from cold. I do have to walk my dog early every morning, so I finally got a long coat that covers more of my legs. I give myself a few minutes to warm up in it before heading out so I stay warmer.

I like the flaxseed bags that are warmed in the microwave for a slightly moist, penetrating heat when the heating pad just doesn't seem to work well, especially on my feet. I do have to be careful not to use heat that is too intense; it may feel good at first, but leads to a burning sensation that takes a long time to get rid of later.

[rjoneslaw]

You can go to those stores that sell work clothing for people who work outside.

Or you can go stores like The NorthFace it's expensive but worth it. When I worked for the city of Chicago, I was told by my co-workers to get a coat from there because we had to stand outside on the elevated train platforms to get to the courthouse. The coat saved me from freezing after I broke down and bought the coat it was $300 well spent.

[kdali]

Dressing in layers.

Lands End will list the degrees their products are good for, and I usually shop end of season sales to save $$$. Compression socks are life (I like Sockwell brand).

Hats.

Warm tub soak with epson salts. Heated car seat or car seat cover.

Washing numb hands with hot water.

Mittens over the gloves.

[anaishunter]

For the bedroom in the winter, get a heated mattress pad rather than a heated blanket. A lot more effective and more comfortable.

If you shop for warm outdoor clothes at sporting stores, sailing clothes are always incredibly well done, warm and comfortable.

I also find that good material (cotton, silk,...) is better (warmer) than synthetic. Though, they've made a lot of progress...

[Chameleon3]

Just do what I do, roll over and just go back to sleep until the temps become bearable. I am a descendant of a Cherokee and I have the shallow circulatory that is common. I tolerate heat really well and do not sweat, but I am easily chilled and do not do well in the snow unless I am rock climbing or extreme skiing. Neither of those I can do for now.