Help! Is cold-induced weakness a symptom?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Blondrea

Active member
Joined
Oct 27, 2014
Messages
88
Reason
CALS
Country
US
State
CA
City
Sherman Oaks
Hello. My boyfriend has "probable ALS." (Per an ALS specialist.) He has both UMN and LMN signs, bad EMG, etc. He also has cold-induced hand weakness. I believe this is called "cold paresis." His hands weaken to the point that he can't turn a key when they are cold. Then, he regains strength when he warms up. Has anyone out there experienced this? I've heard of a few people with MMN experiencing this, but am not sure about ALS folks. Any insight would be (as always) greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
 
>His hands weaken to the point that he can't turn a key when they are cold. Then, he regains strength when he warms up. Has anyone out there experienced this?

I' can't turn a key anyway, but cold wipes me out :-(
 
The winters here in Central North Carolina are relatively mild compared to the northern states. Just a few years ago I didn't own a pair of gloves (accept work gloves for the summer chores) but I sure do now! I seldom wore a hat... it was one of those mess up my hair things, that's the least of my concern now. I even have one of those wrap around your neck things which I used to think was a woman's thing. And... I've gone from jackets to 3/4 length winter coats. Just to go from the car to stores, offices and get the mail. :)
 
I live in Colorado and the cold does not help. At my last clinic visit a week ago my doctor noticed my left was colder then the right. I asked what does that mean. Simple answer. Less muscle tissue.
Patrick
 
My PALS husband still has mobility. But he avoids cold days like the plague, it plays havoc on his muscles and he can't move nearly as well. It exhausts him, too. Glad we live in southern GA. So your boyfriend's plight sounds legitimate, I didn't realize it had a name.
 
The name I use is cooler than snot.
Patrick
 
We had to buy gloves for my husband when mornings turned cool for that exact reason. After he'd walk the dog, he couldn't turn the key in the door to get into the house. Gloves keep his hands warm enough to manage it now.
 
I can't put on gloves without help so stupidly went without anything and now, in this winter, I really can feel cold 's effects. The answer of course was mittens. I mentioned this to my neuro who thought that one reason this is so under reported has to do concentrations of older populations who have a greater chance of mnd live in warmer states where cold is less an issue. PS .. the mittens make a huge difference.
 
Everyone, thanks so much for your words of wisdom. Very helpful. I am wondering, do any of you have hand weakness in the cold that virtually disappears when your hands warm up?
 
>do any of you have hand weakness in the cold that virtually disappears when your hands warm up?

I
wish :-(
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top