Heat & Humidity -- Not My Friends

[George Earl]

Ever since childhood, about half a century ago, I've noticed that my health (physical and psychological) is at its worst in the summertime. Unless I'm virtually living in front of an air conditioner with a lemonaide in my hand, I'm miserable. And boy, does my intensity of seizures rise between June and September. And even though a majority of neurologists will say, "Impossible" when I tell them that a full moon brings on pounding headaches and the possibility of seizures, I can live without that supposedly friendly "man in the moon." If your part of the world is as hot and humid as NYC in the summer, be very careful. You might know already that it's very hard on the human heart and blood pressure, but never forget that our central nervous system works very closely with every other part and parcel of our body. Be cool.

[huskymom]

George Earl,

I live in good old Indiana, and it gets hot and VERY humid! Actually, I like it this way. (strange I know!) The only thing I have to be more careful of is the sun. My meds make me very photo sensitive and I burn so easily. I try to remember to lather on the sunscreen before I leave for work in the morning even though I am inside! Hang in there, it will be winter before you know it!!!

[Nakamova]

This time of year I try and get away as often as possible to places with water -- the nearest pond, lake, river, stream, ocean. I even have a CD that plays a half-hour recording of a babbling brook. It seems to help, though the ideal is if I actually can go swimming.

[PhylisFeinerJohnson]

Oh those steaming canyons in New York. How I can't wait to leave NYC in the summer. Although when I go back to my idyllic home in Pennsylvania, I pass out like a rag doll after 15 minutes of heat.

My only consolation is that I don't live in Arizona. My friend gets up at 4:00AM to do her chores, errands and outside activities. At least I can sleep until 5:30 before I take my (abbreviated) walk.

And what a collection of straw hats I have!!!! (Ralph Lauren, $24.99 at TJ Maxx.)

[Literophile]

And even though a majority of neurologists will say, "Impossible" when I tell them that a full moon brings on pounding headaches and the possibility of seizures, I can live without that supposedly friendly "man in the moon."

OMG, I though i was the only one who noticed the effects the full moon has on psychological and neurological problems! My brother has bipolar, and let me tell you--I know where the idea of werewolfism came from because my house is not a fun place to be when the moon is full. I haven't had enough time to tell whether or not my seizures/headaches are affected by the full moon, but I've only had them for a few months.

Oh, and heat is my main trigger. That's how I found out about what was going on with me--choir performances. Stage lights + floor-length, two-layer dresses + standing on the third riser up = Very bad.