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Does the changing of seasons affect your MS, and how ?

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Amelia, OH
March 13
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Reactions
A MyMSTeam Member

Severe pain in winter and summer, better in Autumn. Spring is my favourite time, not too hot, not too cold. 💜

March 21
A MyMSTeam Member

Yes. It’s relaxing and tensing me up every time it gets cold again. Does the same with the heat where I live. 🤗 hang in there warriors

March 13
A MyMSTeam Member

Yes the heat bothers me the most! Spring and Fall are my favorite seasons! 🤗🎶

March 13 (edited)
A MyMSTeam Member

Summer used to be my favorite until about 3 years ago. The humidity takes a toll on my MS which is a complete bummer as I love working outside and gardening. Last summer was the worst for me and my yard showed it 😣 Winter seems the best for me even though it causes muscle stiffness and I occasionally get the “electric shocks” feeling up the front of my legs; but I’ll take that over what my body goes through in the summer 😜

March 21
MyMSTeam

Does the changing of seasons affect MS symptoms?

Yes, seasonal changes can definitely affect MS symptoms. Many people with MS notice their symptoms fluctuate with the seasons, and there are several reasons why this happens.

How seasons impact MS:

- Winter months: Lower sunlight exposure leads to reduced vitamin D levels Show Full Answer

Does the changing of seasons affect MS symptoms?

Yes, seasonal changes can definitely affect MS symptoms. Many people with MS notice their symptoms fluctuate with the seasons, and there are several reasons why this happens.

How seasons impact MS:

- Winter months: Lower sunlight exposure leads to reduced vitamin D levels, which has been linked to more frequent MS relapses. Many people notice symptoms worsen during winter.

- Spring, summer, and fall: Clinic visits are about 9% more likely during warmer months (March-October) compared to winter, though this varies by region.

- Heat sensitivity: Hot and humid weather can trigger or worsen symptoms like double vision, muscle weakness, and fatigue. Heat affects how damaged nerves send signals.

- Cold sensitivity: Cold weather can worsen spasticity, cause muscle stiffening, and lead to cold hands and feet. Blood vessels may overreact to cold temperatures in people with MS.

Why this happens:

MS damages the protective coating (myelin) around nerves, making them more sensitive to temperature changes. Seasonal patterns also affect vitamin D levels and may influence depression symptoms, which can be part of MS.

The good news is you can manage these effects by staying cool in summer (air conditioning), bundling up in winter, and talking with your doctor about vitamin D supplementation and symptom management strategies.

March 13

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