Cooling vests
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June 16, 2007 at 5:49 pm
I know a lot of us with nerve damage are especially sensitive to the heat as it tends to exacerbate symptoms/residuals, so I wondered if anyone here ever uses a cooling vest to keep body temperature down in the summer. Does anyone have one that you like?
I’m about to go down South to stay with my parents for a few weeks, and while I’m looking forward to the extra help with the kids while I’m there, I’m also dreading the hot temperatures and high humidity. So I’m considering getting a cooling vest to help offset some of the impact of the heat, but I have no idea what to get.
I was looking at some online, but I’m totally overwhelmed. There are all these different types… Active cooling? Phase change? Cold packs? Plus there’s a massive price range. Is there a good reason that some of them cost so much, or are the cheaper ones just as good?
I’d be so grateful for any advice or recommendations. I really want to get one, but I feel paralyzed right now (ha ha! a little GBS humor) when I see all the options available. Help!
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June 16, 2007 at 7:06 pm
suzanne,
i use a flower spray bottle to soak me down, as much as is needed. if at home & i am really hot, a fan helps the water evaporate fast. costs nothing. my feet, particularly heat sensitive, get wet peds w flipflops. you can wet any clothing you are wearing if necessay. if you do buy a vest, pls let us know the results. take care. be well.
gene gbs 8-99
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June 16, 2007 at 10:18 pm
What part of the south are you going to?
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June 18, 2007 at 1:54 pm
KarmaCat,
I don’t know anything about cooling vests, but since having GBS, I have trouble with body temperature control and would also like to know more about the cooling vest idea. I had never heard of one until I read your post, but it sounds like a good concept.
Please let us know if you find anything else interesting on this.
Best wishes,
Suzanne (yes, that’s my name too!)
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June 19, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Hi Suzanne,
I also have a hard time with the heat — and I live in Texas. I don’t have GBS but I do have other autoimmune issues. A “guru” from another forum explained that when someone has autoimmune issues, the hypothalmus – which controls our body temp – is just ‘messed up’ and loses it ability to regulate body temperature somehow. –??– I just know that I cannot get too hot, too fast — if I can slowly work into the heat I’ll do OK.
A friend of mine who plays a lot of tennis was telling me about a product that is sort of like a chamois cloth, that you put into cold water, wring it out and it stays cold. It’s long, so you can wrap it around your neck / shoulders. I haven’t seen it yet, she said she’d pick one up for me.
Also, there’s those “cool ties” — a similar neckwear type product that you put into cold water…it swells up and stays cool. I have used those before…they work pretty good. I think you can get them at Walmart.
I’ve just learned that in the summer months, I don’t go anywhere without a cooler of ice and water.
Best wishes…
Jann -
June 19, 2007 at 10:20 pm
cooling vest…now that sounds interesting. I also cant tolerate the heat. Fortunately in Idaho it will be hot but not humid. 91 feels like 88 they say. After spending last summer getting sick and being sick, I know how awful the heat can be. I got addicted to Ice Pops. Otter pops were good too, but the big fat ones were better! Fans, a/c, ice packs behind my knees or on the bck of my neck (or both!) helped too. I spent a lot of time while I was sick laying in bed naked but covered in a huge towel that was wet and frozen, plus I had the ice packs and my Ice Pops. I shouldve been suffering from hypothermia, but I couldnt get cold enough. I am still the same way….everyone else is comfy, I am feeling as if I will burst into flames or I am shivering covered with goosebumps.
Anyhow, just some things that worked for me and they are cheap and/or free and easy to use. If ya get the vest, let us know how it goes. that sounds interesting for those times when I cant use a towel or ice packs 🙂
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