Cold weather...

[HopefulMind]

Hi all,

I am just wondering how many of you really struggle with the cold weather? My body is so sensitive to changes in temperature and I just don't know how I can get through the winter with this pain. I read an article earlier that suggests people with Fibro have a lower temperature threshold of 10 degrees less than 'normal' people. So 6 C for them is -6 degrees for us... Air conditioning units are also a nightmare for a flare up.

I should mention that I have Raynaud's too which some of you might also have?

I find it so hard this time of year because of having to really consider whether to go out in the evenings if there's a lot of standing around outside. I can't concentrate at all when the pain gets that bad from the cold.

One of the other things is it can feel mentally very isolating. Kind of like when the fatigue is bad, it's hard to explain to people than it's more than feeling 'a bit tired' or 'a bit chilly'. But it's incapacitating when it's really bad and you have to be in bed by 8pm!

[tulips123]

I find that chaNges in temperature, heat and cold, cause many probs. The cold chills me to the bone, horrendous pain. Still struggle when it get hot as well. Best comfortable temperature for me is about 20-23 c. lol But I think the cold hurts, the heat is very uncomfortable. xx

[HopefulMind in reply to tulips123]

I'm sorry to hear you struggle with this too I literally can't even think when it's that cold... and I look around to see others wearing loose clothes and don't understand how they aren't in pain too!

[bluebell99]

Hello HopefulMind

I do struggle with pain in the colder weather but I do not feel the cold much. My thermostat tends to work the other way and I feel the heat more. I sleep in an unheated bedroom with a summer weight duvet, top window open and fan directed on my head. I still wake up and shove the duvet off from time to time.

Crazily though I have Raynauds where your hands and feet go white with poor circulation. It has been known for me to have a hot flush on my face and chest and Raynauds all at the same time!

I must be the only one sitting with a t shirt on and no socks trying to cool off! Doesn't ease the pain though.

Kay

[HopefulMind in reply to bluebell99]

Ah you sound like me with the Raynaud's! It's interesting you don't feel the cold though. Our bodies are so strange aren't they?

[cespinosa]

Hello HopefulMind. Yes the weather has a big impact on my ackes and pains. I have been in a bad way for about two weeks now. Keep your hot water bottle ready!😐 Chris

[HopefulMind in reply to cespinosa]

I'm sorry to hear you're also struggling Good idea with the hot water bottle!

[peck]

Hi HopefulMind , I'm bothered my the hot more than the cold but living in the US I find the hot with the humidity us worse on me.Peck

[HopefulMind in reply to peck]

That's really interesting... I find the humidity/damp affects me the most - something about the moisture in the air perhaps?

[peck in reply to HopefulMind]

Hi HopefulMind , I think so, My Pain Dr. said he has about 5 patients that have this same issue and I'm one of the lucky 5 Lol .You gave to love that.Hope you have a great day! ! Peck.🐤

[ShellyC23]

Yes the cold and damp really bothers me - I'm seriously considering hibernation this year, maybe in a couple of weeks. If I could just sleep until end of February that should do it. Some hope when I can't manage to sleep a whole night - still we can dream I suppose 😴

[HopefulMind in reply to ShellyC23]

I'm exactly the same with the damp weather! I find that even in late summer, it can be 10 degrees but if there's damp and humidity in the air, it makes my Raynaud's flare and the pain kicks in. Perhaps we should seek a prescription to move to Australia during the winter!?

[Smiler69]

Hi yes the cold and the damp really play a big part in my health. Since the weather has turned colder I have been in a lot of pain. I was fine all through the summer.

Eventually I am going to move to Spain , just as my family did ten years ago. The thought of me having to struggle each year the moment the weather changes doesn't bare thinking about. I keep the thought of me moving to the sun in my head and it keeps me focused.

Have a nice day.

Jane x

[HopefulMind in reply to Smiler69]

Hi Jane,

Thanks for your reply - it's so nice to know I'm not alone in all of this. The damp is definitely one of my triggers... I'd rather a day that was 5 degrees but bright and sunny, than one at 10 degrees and damp. What I find hardest is having to cancel or replan a lot more in the winter months.

[Smiler69 in reply to HopefulMind]

I agree. I have a Drs appointment later to go to the memory clinic, I feel so awful I think I will stay in bed and keep warm.

Take care .

Jane xx

[Icenae]

My body thermostat is so unpredictable. I perspire buckets from my head and neck in temps over 23 dg. But then get really cold feet. Especially in bed and very sensitive to drafts. Also get cold sweats. But it has settled down a bit since taking menopace and magnesium and vit d.

[Shadows-walker in reply to Icenae]

My fans (the cold air type ) are on the go all the year round ! If I have to to temperature up for visitors I put a fan on for me and it's pointed at me , I have blankets on my legs and feet , and t-shirt and cold air blowing at me ! 🤔😂😂

You wouldn't credit it !

Hugs

Chris X

[Midori]

The colder it gets. the more pain I feel.

[Shadows-walker]

Oh ! Yes I am no good in cold or to hot ! But I love the autumn and a lovely spring day 😊

[HopefulMind in reply to Shadows-walker]

October 31st was lovely! I think it was 17 degrees! The following week, it dropped drastically to 6 degrees. Our bodies just can't handle it...

[jellio114]

Hello,

I am the same way with the cold and rain my body is so sensitive I have to keep the heat on me all the time even in the summer with air conditioner I was the one with the sweater and stockings on. And when it was really hot outside in the summer I would love to be out in the heat it felt so good 😊 now coming winter and I am feeling bad I have been down a lot, I am thinking about moving to a warmer state. It's weird because every now and then I keep sweating and I am cold at that. It's not too much I can do when it's cold and raining ☔️

[TheAuthor]

Hi HopefulMind

I am so genuinely sorry to read this and I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck. I also suffer with arthritis which is awful in the cold and damp weather. However, as a result of my Fibro I also suffer with Hyperhidrosis and therefore always feel hot. It is a no win situation! Please take care of yourself.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[HopefulMind in reply to TheAuthor]

Thanks Ken, that means a lot The damp is particularly horrible isn't it? I think it's something about the moisture in the air... it just is so much worse, even if it's 5 degree or more warmer.

[TheAuthor in reply to HopefulMind]

Good luck my friend

[HopefulMind]

Thank you to everyone for your replies - it genuinely means a lot to know I'm not the only one struggling with the temperature changes. Out of interest, do any of you find that you have IBS-type problems too as it gets colder? I seem to struggle a lot more with feeling bloated, and I can imagine it's often because of tensing the muscles when it's cold, and also the tight clothing...

[TheAuthor in reply to HopefulMind]

I think I am very fortunate as I do not suffer with IBS, from what I have read about it is is truly awful.