After a heat stroke

**maw-p** · 06-06-2011, 10:02 AM

17 years ago I got sun poisoning and the beginning effects of a heat stroke. Still til this day I cannot take the heat and/or the humidity. It makes me sicker than a dog for days. Other than moving to a dry cool place is there any way to get over this? I love gardening and working in the yard but I cant do it. I really hope I dont have to be a hermit for the rest of my life. Has anyone ever gotten over this successfully?

**Contrary Housewife** · 06-06-2011, 10:09 AM

I too have this problem, it's called Heat Exhaustion. I try to garden very early in the morning or in the evening after dinner, once the daily temps get over 80. Work in the shade or with a hat. Drink 8oz of water BEFORE you go outside, and carry another one with you. It does not have to be ice cold water.

I acclimate myself to the heat every year. I keep it at 80* in the house, so going outside is not a shock to me like it is for people who try to keep it at 72 during the summer.

Most important, know your limits. As soon as I start to feel too warm I go inside. I do not wait until I start to feel sick or dizzy.

**thefrug** · 06-06-2011, 10:21 AM

yep. same here. can NOT take the heat.
I suggest you not give up what you like just work around it. Early and late evening gardening. Stopping whenever you need to. Really, the garden isn't going anywhere lol

I cleaned the pool cover yesterday, it took me way longer than someone else because when it got too much, I stopped and sat down. had some cool water and sat in front of a fan until I was better. Then I went out and worked on it some more.

**pollypurebred39** · 06-06-2011, 10:28 AM

Oh boy do I know this, I suffer from it too. I've never been able to get over it, I just work around it as much as possible. I used to wait till it cooled off in the evenings to do anything. Now I get up early and do as much as I can before it gets too hot. I drink lots of water and run the fans.

**heartofmine** · 06-06-2011, 10:52 AM

This happened to my son a couple of years ago and he gets sick when he is in the sun for very long now. He's just 23. It worries me.

**ladykemma2** · 06-06-2011, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by maw-p

17 years ago I got sun poisoning and the beginning effects of a heat stroke. Still til this day I cannot take the heat and/or the humidity. It makes me sicker than a dog for days. Other than moving to a dry cool place is there any way to get over this? I love gardening and working in the yard but I cant do it. I really hope I dont have to be a hermit for the rest of my life. Has anyone ever gotten over this successfully?

in houston texas we get up before dawn, and garden by lantern light until the sun comes up and gets hot. mow at dawn. have to quit by 8:30 or so. shower and be still the rest of the day.

**maw-p** · 06-06-2011, 11:12 AM

Get up early, go to bed late, nap all day. Maybe I can do that lol.

Heartofmine...I am 33 and have had the problem like I said for 17 years. I am so sorry for him and I hate to hear that apparently for most it doesnt get better.

**Russ** · 06-06-2011, 11:47 AM

Curiosity question...

Would or do the sports drinks (G2, Gatoraid) help alleviate this when you get over heated?

**maw-p** · 06-06-2011, 11:53 AM

they never have helped me, although they may for others.

This is what happens...to me that is.
I start by feeling zapped, then begin to get a headache and get dizzy. I feel like I could just pass out at any moment although I never have. My stomache starts rolling and I get sick to my stomache. If I dont get out of the heat and sun as soon as I feel the first signs of this I will be SICK with these symptoms for at the least a few days.
I am still young and hate not being to go outside and play with my kids. We are putting a pool up this weekend so maybe a little cool water to play in will let me stay outside and at least spend some fun time with them.

**NicJean** · 06-06-2011, 12:20 PM

I get the same thing - have for years, and I'm 38. My body, however, seems to 'know' when it's summer - I've always been an early riser (5 is normal), but come summertime, I'm up at 3 or 4. I think it's so I can get a lot done before needing a rest, then back to work, then maybe a nap, more work then bed around 9.

Commercial rehydrating drinks don't work at all for me (worse headaches), I make my own. 1 qt water, 1/2 tsp lite salt, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 6 Tbs sugar. Mix well, keep in fridge. (Some people add koolaid flavoring.) If you don't need it, it tastes gross - salty while being sweet. If you do need it - it really hits the spot!

This summer, I am going to keep a tally sheet of the amount of water I drink. I forget, and usually don't drink nearly enough. "Too busy" is a poor excuse when it comes to health risks for me!

**pollypurebred39** · 06-06-2011, 12:29 PM

Aww maw-p

I understand what you are going through. I'm very fair, very, and I've had sun poisoning and heat exhaustion several times. Dang Scottish heritage! Anyway, it's tough when it's like that and I find myself missing out on a lot of things like picnics and such. I used to take my boys to a super shady park when they were little to play. And when we went to the pool I was the crazy lady under the SPF umbrella with a sheet clothes pinned 3/4's around. I'm looking for a little fan to carry with me and those neck cooler things and I can't seem to find any.

NicJean,

I understand that "too busy" excuse all too well.

**Darlene** · 06-06-2011, 01:35 PM

As stated, outdoor time mostly in early or late day and when out try making or buying yourself one of these cooling neckties to wear, they really do help.

**savvy_sniper** · 06-06-2011, 03:50 PM

I'm in Houston (same as Lady Kemma). It is 2:46 pm and 100 degrees outside as I type. I am inside with all the drapes and blinds, closed, A/C and fans on, in shorts, tank top and barefoot. I do my yard work EARLY in the morning and start before the sun is up fully this morning.

When I am out in the sun/heat I drink lots of water before I ever go outside and drink it continuously when I am outside. I wear light weight, light colored, loose fitting clothing, and try to stay in the shade as much as possible. At the slightest inkling I am getting overheated, I go inside and continue to drink lots of fluids.

**Contrary Housewife** · 06-06-2011, 04:47 PM

Most so called sports drinks these days have far too much sugar in them to be helpful. Remember when Gatorade tasted bad? The saying was "If Gatorade tastes good, you're dehydrated." Now they put sugar in it and sell it like soda. You are better off just drinking water.

There are still good electrolyte drinks and recovery drinks out there, but you have to get them at a nutrition center or health store.

**fernykins** · 06-06-2011, 06:17 PM

I had sun poisioning and heat stroke when I was 18. The heat makes me sick I will be out in it for 5-10 minutes and I'm gone. So sick I'm in bed for days. The son scares me...
Fern