Are you experiencing cold shivers with your MS?
Cold sensitivity is a common experience for people with MS, and shivering can be part of that. Many people with MS find that cold temperatures make their symptoms worse and can trigger shivering even at temperatures that others find comfortable.
The shivering happens because Show Full Answer
Are you experiencing cold shivers with your MS?
Cold sensitivity is a common experience for people with MS, and shivering can be part of that. Many people with MS find that cold temperatures make their symptoms worse and can trigger shivering even at temperatures that others find comfortable.
The shivering happens because MS lesions can damage the hypothalamus, the part of your brain that regulates body temperature. When this area is affected, your body may struggle to maintain its core temperature effectively, leading to increased shivering and feeling cold more easily.
A MyMSTeam member shared: "Cold sensitivity makes my hands and legs really stiff, and I shiver at 65 degrees." Another member noted, "When I get cold, I start to spasm all over and can't stop."
Here are some ways cold shivers might affect you:
- Increased muscle stiffness and spasms
- Worsened fatigue
- Greater difficulty with walking and balance
- Increased pain levels
- More numbness and tingling
To manage cold shivers, try layering clothing, using heating pads or electric blankets, and keeping your home warmer than you might have before MS. If your symptoms are new or getting worse, reach out to your neurologist to discuss management options.
January 21