As a petite, skinny woman, I am usually the first to get cold in any crowd.  When others moan the onset of hot weather, I am usually smiling.  During clinic days I am known to wear 4 layers, with my camisole, undershirt, sweater, and white coat, and my hands are still sometimes cold.  As someone whose thyroid went dead at age 18, I have had circulating anti-thyroid antibodies that have given me a condition called Raynaud’s syndrome where my hands and feet get cold very easily.  I have coped well through the years, and learned to wear layers.  My amazing husband allows me to keep the house warmer than most. 

Yet my recent experience with autoimmune ear disease has given me another perspective.  The long-term, relatively high-dose steroids have given me hot flashes and heat intolerance that has been an interesting change.  I am blotting sweat, showering daily, and drinking a lot.  Today, I willingly jumped into a cool pool and it felt good.  I swam through the chilly water with much relief.  It took 15 minutes for my Raynaud’s to remind me it was cold, when usually it would be just a few. 

So to my friends who are hot all the time, who wish for 40 degree winter weather and cool breezes, and sweat in the first few minutes when leaving air conditioning, I salute you.  And I look forward to the day when I am off prednisone and back to normal!